Portugal offers a warm welcome to first-time travelers, with a history of maritime exploration, mosaic-like streets, and pastel-hued houses clinging to hillsides. Lisbon dazzles with its viewpoints and yellow trams, while Porto charms with wine lodges, the Douro River, and hearty northern cuisine. Both cities are walkable, safe, and filled with free or low-cost things to do.

For budget-minded families, Portugal hits the sweet spot: generous portions at neighborhood tascas (simple, local restaurants), public transport that’s cheap and easy, and countless viewpoints that cost nothing. Students and under-26 travelers often get reduced museum admissions—bring a photo ID. Keep an eye on pickpockets around famous tram lines and busy squares, as you would in any major European city.

Cuisine is a highlight: flaky pastéis de nata, grilled sardines, charcoal chicken with piri‑piri, and Porto’s decadent francesinha sandwich. You’ll explore vibrant markets, coastal promenades, and tile-covered stations, and you’ll catch sunsets from miradouros (viewpoints) that feel like a postcard brought to life. This 7-day itinerary balances must-see sights with downtime and neighborhood wandering.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of hills, elevators, and endless light, where fado music drifts through Alfama’s lanes and miradouros crown every climb. You’ll ride the iconic Tram 28, sample pastéis warm from the oven, and trace Portugal’s Age of Discoveries along the Tagus river in Belém.

• Top sights: Alfama, São Jorge Castle, Baixa & Chiado, Belém (Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Monument of the Discoveries), LX Factory, Time Out Market, Tram 28.
• Fun fact: You can reach the top of the Santa Justa Elevator by walking from the Carmo Convent side—free—skipping the paid elevator ride and the queue.
• Budget hacks: Load a Viva Viagem card; a 24-hour ticket for metro, buses, trams costs about the price of two tram rides. Free viewpoints include Miradouro da Graça and Senhora do Monte.

Where to stay (budget-friendly, central): Look in Baixa/Chiado (central and flat), Mouraria (authentic, near Tram 28), or Intendente (up-and-coming, good value). Compare apartments and family rooms on VRBO Lisbon and Hotels.com Lisbon. Expect €70–120/night for a basic apartment if booked early, or private hostel triples around €60–90.

How to arrive: From Lisbon Airport, the metro (30–35 minutes) is about €2 including card; rideshares to Baixa are often €10–15. For flights to/from Europe, compare deals on Omio flights. Inside Portugal, trains and buses are frequent—search Omio trains and Omio buses.

Day 1: Arrival, Baixa & Alfama at Golden Hour

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs on a gentle loop through Baixa. Grab a first pastel de nata at Manteigaria (buttery, caramelized top) or a flat white at Fábrica Coffee Roasters. Stroll Praça do Comércio and the riverfront; pop into the tiled Rossio Station for a preview of Portugal’s azulejos.

Evening: Walk up to the Carmo Convent ruins for sunset and step onto the Santa Justa viewpoint from the top side (free). Dinner at O Eurico (grilled pork, garlic clams, €€ but generous) or O Trevo for a budget bifana (garlic pork sandwich). If you have energy, wander Alfama’s lanes and hear live fado at Tasca do Chico or tiny tascas along Rua dos Remédios—go early for no-cover sets while you dine.

Day 2: Tram 28, Alfama, and Castle Views

Morning: Beat the crowds by hopping Tram 28 from Martim Moniz around 8:00–8:30. Ride a few scenic stops, then explore Alfama on foot. Coffee and toasties at Copenhagen Coffee Lab (Rua de São Lourenço) or Pois Café near the cathedral. Climb to Lisbon Cathedral (Sé) and the Portas do Sol viewpoint.

Afternoon: Visit São Jorge Castle (great ramparts for photos; student discounts). If it’s Tue/Sat, browse Feira da Ladra flea market. Lunch at Zé da Mouraria (home-style cod, cash often preferred) or Farol de Santa Luzia for sardines. Swing by the National Tile Museum if you love design (short bus ride, low fee).

Evening: Wander Chiado’s bookstores and Largo do Carmo. Dinner at Taberna da Rua das Flores (no reservations; arrive before opening) for creative small plates, or Churrasqueira da Paz for affordable charcoal chicken. Finish at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte—one of the city’s best free sunsets.

Day 3: Belém and the Riverside + LX Factory

Morning: Take tram 15E or a quick suburban train to Belém. Start with Jerónimos Monastery (Manueline grandeur; reduced youth tickets) and hop across to Pastéis de Belém for the original custard tarts—sprinkle cinnamon and powdered sugar like locals.

Afternoon: Walk the river to the Monument of the Discoveries and Belém Tower (exterior is the star; photos are free). Rent bikes or e-scooters to cruise east toward LX Factory, a revived 19th‑century industrial complex filled with street art and indie shops. Lunch at LX’s Cantina for affordable daily dishes or try The Food District stalls for variety.

Evening: Head back toward Cais do Sodré. Time Out Market is touristy but practical for families—share plates from O Prego da Peixaria (tuna steak sandwich) or Pap’Açorda’s budget-friendly sides. If you prefer local, Mercado de Campo de Ourique offers similar variety with more Lisbonners and fair prices.

Porto

Porto mixes medieval lanes with contemporary cool, stitched together by the Dom Luís I Bridge and the Douro River. It’s compact enough to walk, full of tile-covered churches, and famous for francesinha, a saucy, oven-finished meat-and-cheese sandwich that’s a rite of passage.

• Top sights: Ribeira, São Bento Station, Clérigos Tower, Livraria Lello, Mercado do Bolhão, Vila Nova de Gaia wine lodges, 6 Bridges river cruise, Foz do Douro walkway.
• Fun fact: São Bento’s 20,000 blue-and-white tiles depict the history of Portugal, including royal battles and countryside life—free to admire.
• Budget tips: The metro is simple; single rides often under €2 with an Andante card. Free river sunsets from Jardim do Morro. Mercado do Bolhão is great for picnic supplies.

Where to stay (good value areas): Bolhão/Aliados (central, transit), Cedofeita (arts district, quieter), or Vila Nova de Gaia near the bridge for sunsets. Search VRBO Porto or Hotels.com Porto. Expect €60–110/night for simple apartments; private hostel triples from €50–80.

Getting to Porto from Lisbon: Morning trains from Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Porto Campanhã take ~2h50 (around €20–35 if booked early). Budget buses can be €5–12 and take 3.5–4h. Compare and book on Omio trains or Omio buses. Upon arrival, the local train to São Bento or metro to Aliados/Ribeira is quick and cheap.

Day 4: Lisbon to Porto, Ribeira, and Sunset in Gaia

Morning: Depart Lisbon around 8:00–9:00 to maximize your Porto day. Bring bakery snacks for the ride. Arrive Campanhã and connect to São Bento—step into the hall to admire the azulejo panels.

Afternoon: Check in, then have lunch at Casa Guedes (roast pork with Serra cheese sandwich; order to share). Explore Ribeira’s riverfront and pop over the lower deck of Dom Luís I Bridge. Consider a 6 Bridges cruise (~50 minutes; ~€15) for an affordable first look at the city from the water.

Evening: Picnic or relax at Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia—free views as the city lights up. Dinner at Taberna Santo António (home-style northern dishes) or Adega São Nicolau (bolinhos de bacalhau, arroz de polvo). For a quick, cheap bite, try Gazela for spicy “cachorrinhos” (griddled mini hot dogs) and fries.

Day 5: Tiles, Towers, Bookstore Magic, and Tasting in Gaia

Morning: Coffee at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (Rua de José Falcão) or Combi Coffee Roasters. Visit Livraria Lello early (expect €8–16 entry; ticket can be used toward a book). Climb Clérigos Tower (~€8) for city views.

Afternoon: Browse Mercado do Bolhão (restored food market) and grab budget bites—cured meats, cheese, and fruit for a picnic. Walk to Igreja do Carmo for its dramatic blue-tile façade, then cross to Gaia for a basic lodge tour and tasting (many offer student discounts and small-group visits; budget ~€12–20). Non-drinkers can enjoy aroma rooms or a chocolate pairing add-on.

Evening: Dinner at Café Santiago (classic francesinha; split one with extra fries) or Brasão Cervejaria Aliados (good for sharing, plus salads). Stroll Rua das Flores and the neon-lit Rua da Galeria de Paris; grab gelato at Gelataria Sincelo on the way back.

Day 6: Sea Air Day—Matosinhos Beach, Parks, and Foz do Douro

Morning: Take the metro to Matosinhos Sul (about 25–30 minutes). Walk the wide sand, watch surfers, and visit the local fish market if it’s open. Coffee and a pastel de nata at Confeitaria do Bolhão before you go keeps breakfast cheap and tasty.

Afternoon: Lunch on shared grilled fish (look for lunch menus; Tito II often has fair prices). Tram or bus along the coast to Foz do Douro and stroll the seaside walkway to Felgueiras Lighthouse. If you prefer green space, head to Parque da Cidade—Portugal’s largest urban park, perfect for a free family recharge.

Evening: Return to the center. For budget-friendly petiscos (Portuguese tapas), try Taberna dos Mercadores (tiny—arrive right at opening) or Adega do Quim. Dessert: try a still-warm nata at Nata Lisboa or a slice of almond cake at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço.

Day 7: Last-Porto Moments and Departure

Morning: Stop by São Bento once more for photos in the morning light, then browse souvenir shops on Rua das Flores for cork goods and azulejo-inspired magnets. If time allows, walk the upper deck of Dom Luís I Bridge for panoramic views.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Casa das Bifanas (simple, inexpensive sandwiches) or a bowl of caldo verde and bread at a tasca. Head to the airport by metro (Line E; ~30 minutes) or to your train/bus. For Europe flights or onward trains/buses, compare on Omio flights, Omio trains, and Omio buses.

Optional Low-Cost Add‑Ons (If You Swap a Half Day)

• Sintra from Lisbon: A fairy-tale hill town with palaces. Train ~40 minutes; book bus/shuttle between palaces or budget a scenic hike. Pena Palace interior is ticketed; the park-only ticket is cheaper and still gorgeous.
• Guimarães from Porto: Birthplace of Portugal, with a UNESCO-listed center. Train about 1 hour; stroll the medieval streets and castle (low admission), then return for dinner in Porto.

Daily Food Shortlist (save for quick reference): Lisbon: Manteigaria (nata), Fábrica Coffee Roasters, O Trevo (bifana), O Eurico (grill), Taberna da Rua das Flores, Mercado de Campo de Ourique, Time Out Market. Porto: Confeitaria do Bolhão, Fábrica Coffee, Casa Guedes, Café Santiago, Gazela, Taberna Santo António, Adega São Nicolau.

Transit Quick Tips: Validate tickets before boarding. A 24-hour Lisbon pass often pays for itself if you ride a tram plus metro/bus. In Porto, consider loading an Andante card for pay‑as-you‑go rides. For intercity travel comparisons and tickets, use Omio trains and Omio buses.

This family-friendly Portugal plan keeps costs low without skimping on experiences—think free viewpoints, markets, and river walks, with a few affordable “wow” moments. You’ll leave with a camera roll of sunsets, tile, and happy meals shared at tiny tascas, plus the confidence to plan your next European adventure.