In 2015, my family and I took a vacation to Lisbon, Portugal. We immediately fell in love with the beautiful weather, the rattle of cable cars, and the welcoming locals.
Just two days in, we decided to leave the U.S. and retire in Portugal — and it was one of the best decisions we’ve made. We spend far less money on necessities in Lisbon than we did in Washington, D.C. We’ve also found that fun leisure and food experiences are just as, if not more, affordable.
On weekends when I’m out and about, I spend less than $40 a day:
Start the day with coffee and breakfast
Price per person: $6.31
Lisbon is paradise for breakfast lovers. When my wife and I are in the mood for something light, our favorite spot is the Copenhagen Coffee Lab in Principé Real, a lively neighborhood in Lisbon.
For a bigger breakfast, we go to the nearby Seagull Method Café, where we order cottage cheese and fruit pancakes for $6.31 a plate.
Take a train to the seashore and rent bikes
Price per person: $11.34
A one-hour train ride from Lisbon’s historic Cais do Sodré station to the fishing village of Cascais costs $4.92 (round trip).
Cascais is picturesque, with tiled buildings and black and white cobblestone plazas. It’s a gorgeous place to spend the morning.
Near the center of town is the Jardim dos Frangos (translated to the “chicken garden”) where peacocks, roosters and hens, followed by their chicks, wander freely through the pine and shaggy eucalyptus trees.
After walking around, my wife and I rent bicycles for $6.42 and ride alongside the ocean.
The bike path is relatively flat and takes us past the scenic cliffs of Boca do Inferno and a collection of shops and restaurants to the rough waters of Guincho Beach.
From there, we hike through the dunes and rocky cliffs, or sit and read a book. We might also pack food and have a picnic.
Explore Lisbon’s outdoor markets
Price per person: Free
Once an old industrial complex for textiles, LX Factory is now a collection of shops, restaurants and…
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