Portuguese people are known for their warm and welcoming nature. They are naturally hospitable and take great pride in making others feel comfortable and at home. Whether it is a family gathering or a casual encounter with a stranger, the Portuguese …
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Backpacking Portugal in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Portugal with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Portugal
Welcome to Portugal, a picturesque paradise that seamlessly blends history, culture, and natural beauty. Pros? Traverse cobblestone streets, enjoy affordable local cuisine, and soak up the sun on pristine beaches. Portugal boasts a safe and welcoming atmosphere for backpackers. However, its popularity has driven up prices in tourist hotspots. Yet, for those seeking a European adventure with a relaxed vibe, Portugal stands out, offering a rich tapestry of experiences where tradition meets modernity, making it a compelling destination for backpackers seeking diverse landscapes and a warm, vibrant culture.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Portugal
People
Architecture
Portugal is home to a variety of ancient ruins and interesting architecture. The Roman Temple of Évora, also known as the Temple of Diana, is a well-preserved Roman temple dating back to the 1st century AD. The historic city of Évora itself is a …
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Food
The food in Portugal is so good because of its fresh and high-quality ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and rich culinary heritage. The country’s location along the Atlantic Ocean provides an abundance of fresh seafood, which is a staple …
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Scenery
Portugal offers a diverse range of stunning sceneries that are worth exploring. The country is known for its beautiful coastline, with picturesque beaches and dramatic cliffs. The Algarve region, in particular, is famous for its golden sandy beaches …
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Backpackers
The backpacker scene in Portugal is vibrant and diverse. With its stunning coastline, rich history, and vibrant cities, Portugal has become a popular destination for backpackers from around the world. The country offers a range of budget-friendly …
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Beach life
Portugal is great for beach life and snorkeling because of its stunning coastline and crystal-clear waters. The Algarve region, in particular, offers some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, with golden sand and dramatic cliffs. The warm …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Portugal
- Visit Lisbon: Portugal’s capital city has a rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. Explore the charming neighborhoods, visit iconic landmarks like Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, and indulge in delicious Portuguese cuisine.
- Explore Porto: Known for its famous port wine, Porto is a picturesque city with colorful buildings, narrow streets, and a stunning riverfront. Don’t miss the chance to visit the historic Ribeira district and cross the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge.
- Discover the Algarve: With its stunning coastline, golden beaches, and crystal-clear waters, the Algarve is a paradise for beach lovers. Explore the charming towns like Lagos and Albufeira, relax on the beautiful beaches, and enjoy water sports activities.
- Experience Sintra: Just a short trip from Lisbon, Sintra is a fairytale-like town with enchanting palaces, lush gardens, and mystical forests. Visit the colorful Pena Palace, explore the romantic Quinta da Regaleira, and hike through the stunning Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
- Go wine tasting in Douro Valley: Located in the northern part of Portugal, the Douro Valley is famous for its vineyards and wine production. Take a scenic boat ride along the Douro River, visit local wineries, and indulge in wine tasting sessions to experience the best of Portuguese wine.
But Portugal offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal for backpacking is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) seasons. During these months, the weather is pleasant, with mild temperatures and less crowded tourist spots. This allows backpackers to explore the country comfortably and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and beach hopping. Additionally, accommodation and transportation costs are generally lower compared to the peak summer season.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for Portugal
- The national terrorism alert for Portugal is 'significant' (level 3 out of 5). Always be alert to terrorism. Terrorists have targeted European cities, including transport hubs and places visited by travellers. Take official warnings seriously.
- Strikes and public demonstrations are common. These can cause street congestion, disrupt public services, and affect transport services, including buses, trains, metro, ferries and flights. Most demonstrations are peaceful but could become violent. Avoid demonstrations and public protests, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars occur. Keep valuables out of sight. Pay attention to your belongings at beaches, tourist spots, and public transport. Incidents of physical assault associated with pickpocketing have been reported to the police. Violent crimes, such as robberies and assaults, happen. Drink spiking is also a risk. Don't accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended.
- Be aware of accommodation scams. These are on the rise. Use official websites when booking accommodation.
- People have drowned at Portuguese beaches and in rivers. Obey lifeguard warnings. A red flag means 'danger, don't enter the water'. Pay attention to signs about cliff erosion.
- High temperatures and bushfires regularly impact mainland Portugal during the summer months. Localised flooding can occur during the winter months, particularly in cities. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
PortugalMy tips to get you on the way!Does Portugal sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Portugal. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Portugal may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Portugal. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Portugal may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Portugal, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Portugal, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024