Portugal blends seafaring history with everyday warmth. From Lisbon’s seven hills and Moorish Alfama to Porto’s medieval lanes and port wine lodges, you’ll meet a country that prizes conversation, hearty food, and sunset views. This 6-day itinerary focuses on Lisbon and Porto with a shoestring mindset—maximizing free sights, scenic walks, and local flavors.

Lisbon was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, creating today’s elegant Baixa grid below timeworn hilltop quarters. Porto, a UNESCO treasure, rose along the Douro’s steep banks; its iron bridges and tiled facades feel timeless. Expect azulejos at every turn, pastries for pocket change, and viewpoints that cost only the climb.

Practical notes: Portugal’s bakeries and tascas make frugal dining easy. Public transit is reliable; long-distance trains and buses keep costs down. Book intercity tickets early for the best fares and consider 24-hour local transport passes for unlimited rides.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a mosaic of viewpoints (miradouros), rattling trams, and pastel de nata still warm from the oven. Start in Baixa and Chiado for broad squares and cafés, then drift into Alfama’s alleys for laundry-strung lanes and distant guitar chords. Even on a tight budget, its free viewpoints and cheap eats keep the days full.

• Top sights: Alfama, Sé Cathedral, Castelo hill viewpoints, Baixa squares, Chiado, Belém riverside monuments.
• Why it’s great for budget travelers: plentiful bakeries, inexpensive tascas, scenic walks, and affordable public transit.
• Getting in: For flights to Lisbon (and around Europe), compare fares on Omio. Inside Portugal, trains and buses between cities are best booked on Omio Trains or Omio Buses.

Where to stay (budget-first): Search deals on Hotels.com (Lisbon) or apartment rooms on VRBO (Lisbon). Specific pick: Lisbon Destination Hostel (inside Rossio Station; social, central, wallet-friendly).

Money-saver tips: Load a Viva Viagem card and consider a 24-hour urban pass for unlimited metro/bus/tram rides. Many viewpoints are free; museum combo passes can be worth it if you’ll visit several.

Day 1: Arrival, Baixa & Chiado, First Bites

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stroll Baixa’s Rua Augusta from Praça do Comércio to Rossio. Pop into Manteigaria for a pastel de nata hot from the oven; the cinnamon shaker waits on the counter.

Evening: Sunset at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara above Avenida da Liberdade. Dinner at budget tascas nearby: A Provinciana (homestyle daily specials), or O Trevo for a classic bifana (garlicky pork sandwich) with a cold imperial. For a low-cost fado glimpse, try Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto (arrive early; tight, atmospheric).

Day 2: Alfama, Castle Hill, and Optional Tours

Morning: Wind through Alfama’s lanes to the Sé Cathedral and viewpoints like Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia. If you’d like a guided overview without planning headaches, consider the Best of Lisbon Small-Group Guided Walking Tour for history and hidden corners.

Afternoon: Skip crowded Tram 28E and ride the shorter 12E loop for similar scenery with fewer elbows. Lunch on grilled sardines or caldo verde at Zé da Mouraria (arrive early or expect a queue). Coffee at Fabrica Coffee Roasters (Chiado) if you’re craving specialty beans.

Evening: Watch the city glow from the Tagus on the Lisbon Sunset Cruise with Wine and Snacks—a great-value splurge with postcard views of Belém Tower and Cristo Rei.

Day 3: DIY Sintra Day Trip (Budget Edition)

Morning: From Rossio Station, take the suburban train to Sintra (about 40 minutes; buy a return for the best price via Omio Trains). Walk the old town, peek at the National Palace’s twin chimneys, and follow shady lanes to Quinta da Regaleira’s gardens and Initiation Well (a worthwhile paid entry; bring a picnic).

Afternoon: For sweeping views, continue toward the Moorish Castle exterior trails or follow signposted miradouros. Snack on travesseiros (pillow-shaped pastries) from a local bakery rather than the busy mainstays to keep costs low.

Evening: Back in Lisbon, dinner at Mercado de Campo de Ourique where stalls do budget petiscos. Cap the night at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte—arguably the city’s best free panorama.

Porto

Porto clings to hills that plunge into the Douro, its azulejo-covered churches and iron bridges slicing the skyline. Days here are made for slow river walks, hearty plates, and sunsets from Vila Nova de Gaia with a chorus of gulls overhead.

• Highlights: Ribeira waterfront, Gaia’s viewpoints, Clérigos Tower, São Bento Station’s azulejos, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, Foz do Douro.
• Budget wins: cheap snacks (cachorrinhos, bifanas), beautiful free churches and viewpoints, and modest transit fares.
• Getting there from Lisbon: Morning trains take ~2h50 on Alfa Pendular or ~3h15 on Intercidades; early fares often €10–€25 via Omio Trains. Buses run ~3.5–4h from €5–€15 on Omio Buses.

Where to stay (budget-first): Check Hotels.com (Porto) or VRBO (Porto). Specific picks: Gallery Hostel (artsy, social) or Moov Hotel Porto Centro (simple, central, good value).

Money-saver tips: The Andante 24 card offers unlimited transit for a day in selected zones. Many port wine lodges charge for tastings—share a flight instead of doing multiple tours.

Day 4: Lisbon to Porto, Ribeira and Gaia Sunsets

Morning: Train to Porto Campanhã (book on Omio Trains), then metro or bus to your stay. Drop bags and grab a quick lunch at Conga (spicy bifana) or Café Guedes (pork sandwich with Serra cheese).

Afternoon: Walk from São Bento Station (admire the tile panels) down to Ribeira’s riverfront arcades. Cross the lower deck of Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia’s Cais de Gaia and wander the belvederes above for free, sweeping views.

Evening: Sunset from Jardim do Morro is a rite of passage. Budget dinner ideas: Gazela (cachorrinhos—tiny grilled hot dogs with a cult following) or Taberna Santo António (homey northern dishes; arrive early).

Day 5: Historic Core, Tuk Tuk Highlights, and the Douro by Boat

Morning: Climb to Clérigos Tower area and peek into Livraria Lello’s neo-gothic facade (the interior requires a paid voucher; admire outside if you’re saving). For a breezy city overview with minimal walking, consider the Discover Porto's Highlights on a 2-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk.

Afternoon: Picnic in the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal with river views. Coffee at Combi Coffee Roasters or a budget pastelaria nearby.

Evening: Sail under six bridges at golden hour on the Porto: Boat trip along the Douro River 6 Bridges—a classic, great-value way to see Porto from the water.

Post-cruise dinner: Try a francesinha at Café Santiago (split one if you’re budget-conscious), or split petiscos at Adega Vila Meã.

Day 6: Bolhão Market, Riverside Stroll, Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Mercado do Bolhão—grab a bica (espresso) and a pastel de nata or a fresh-baked broa. Browse vendors for picnic snacks, then amble the flat river path from Ribeira toward Foz do Douro if time allows.

Afternoon: Head to the airport or your next train. For flights in or out of Portugal/Europe, compare on Omio; for intercity trains and buses, use Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Estimated intercity transport and costs: Lisbon–Porto train ~2h50–3h15, often €10–€25 if booked early on Omio Trains. Buses ~3.5–4h, from ~€5–€15 on Omio Buses. Local transit day passes in both cities typically cost less than a modest lunch and can replace rideshares entirely.

This 6-day plan packs in Lisbon’s miradouros and Porto’s riverscapes, leaning on free viewpoints, inexpensive local food, and scenic walks. With a couple of well-chosen, great-value tours, you’ll still keep costs low while gathering the kind of memories that outlast any souvenir.