‘Western Europe' and ‘affordable' do not exactly go hand in hand, with countries like France, England, Switzerland, and the Netherlands all featuring among some of the most expensive destinations in the world.
Unlike the Eastern flank, where meals can cost as cheap as $7, and overnights in 3-star hotels start at only $34 (well, hello, Albania), the cost of living is significantly higher out West.
Be that as it may, there is a (very) unlikely exception, as you wouldn't expect the Westernmost out of them all to be one of its most affordable:
Inflation and nomad-led gentrification aside, Portugal remains the most inexpensive destination in this part of the continent, with MSN naming it the ‘smartest' European trip you can book:
Gourmet meals, tourist attractions, and even high-end shopping come at a fraction of the usual cost.
All things considered, Lisbon is quite the bargain already, and it's truly no wonder Americans keep flocking there, but if you're looking to stretch your tourist dollars as further as possible, and experience the best of Portugal, even on a shoestring budget, you'll want to get out of the capital.
Here are 5 of the most underrated destinations that are not Lisbon, and that won't break the bank:
Braga
Called the Rome of Portugal, and one of the country's oldest cities, at that, Braga is best known for its plethora of medieval sights and underrated food scene.
More specifically, it is home to the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a neoclassical church found at the top of a challenging, 116-step ascent, and the Sé de Braga, the country's oldest cathedral, raised in the year 1070.
The Old Town itself is particularly charming, with its narrow, pedestrianized lanes and family-owned eateries, and in case you're wondering how much a meal costs, that's an average $10.27 in an inexpensive restaurant.
One of our favorites in town is Tasquinha do Fujacal, in the hippy São José de São Lázaro neighborhood, where they serve veal chops, bacalhau (Portuguese-style codfish), and other regional delicacies from only $12.55.
Coimbra
Over in an increasingly-trendy Coimbra, which you'll occasionally see it's referred to as a ‘Mini Porto‘, you'll find a picturesque riverside sprawl with a vibrant student life—the University of Coimbra is Portugal's equivalent to Oxford—and a laid-back atmosphere.
Established in 1290, the university itself is the main attraction here, or to be more precise, the Joanina Library, a collection of over 300,000 volumes housed in a stunning Baroque chamber.
The hilly historic center is also worth spending an hour or two exploring, with its 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, that's remained largely unchanged since construction, and cobbled-paved squares bordered by quirky cafes and their terraces.
Being a university town, Coimbra has cheaper prices than average: A Cozinha da Maria is famous for its homemade food and generous servings, most notably the $4.45 fish soup, and the $16.20 arroz de polvo (diced octopus with a side of rice).
For those on a strict budget, follow the university crowds to any of the local bakeries, where you can gorge on sandwiches for as cheap as $5, and crunchy-on-the-outside, creamy-within pastel de nata for an even cheaper $2—in that case, Briosa is the place to go.
Evora
Tucked away in the Alentejo hinterland, Evora features among Portugal's most historically-significant cities, largely due to its well-preserved ancient structures.
At the heart of the Old Town, there is a 1st-century Roman Temple—yep, for those of you who weren't aware, Portugal was under Roman rule like much of Southern Europe two millennia ago—and a medieval cathedral, the tallest edifice around.
For only $4, you can climb on its roof for a breathtaking panorama of the tile-roofed townscape, and the verdant fields in the distance, as well as visit the cloister, which looks like something straight out of a Harry Potter film set.
This particular region of Portugal is hugely-popular with foodies for its meat-heavy cuisine, and particularly porco à alentejana, white wine-marinated pork presented with roasted potatoes, red pepper paste, chopped garlic, and coriander and salt for flavor.
No visit to Evora is complete without dinner at Fialho, a mid-range, yet no-frills central restaurant that recently featured on TasteAtlas for their amazing food, reasonable prices, and incredible service: their black pork with asparagus should run you up $18.25.
On top of that, a glass of Pera-Manca or Catuxa wine costs approximately $7.
By the way, staying overnight in Evora will hardly break the bank: a double room in Moov Hotel, only a few steps from the Roman Temple, is priced at $84 per night for 2 adults.
Aveiro
We're sure you've heard of Venice, Italy's floating city cut through with winding canals and man-drilled islets connected by stone bridges, but what of the Portuguese Venice?
Aveiro isn't exactly floating, nor by the sea, but it is traversed by a long canal, wide enough for brightly-painted, long-tail boats to travel on, and lined with ornate Art Nouveau facades, in Portuguese fashion: you know, curved-iron balconies, tiles galore, and floral motifs.
The number one attraction here is the Grande Canal, where you can go on a moliceiro ride that will cost only a small fraction of a gondola tour down Venice's Grand Canal.
If it's a hidden gem you're after, don't forget to go upstairs at the Art Nouveau Museum, for a tea room with a balcony overlooking the canal, and for our fellow History buffs, there's a medieval church richly decorated in intricate tilework at Sé de Aveiro.
When in Aveiro, you simply have to sample their nationwide-famous dessert: ovo mole (Portuguese for soft egg), consisting of egg yolk and sugar poured into a paper-thin, seashell-shaped wafer.
A must-visit traditional bakery, and one of the oldest in Aveiro, Confeitaria Peixinho sells half-a-dozen for around $10.61.
Olhao
Down in the sun-drenched Algarve, highly sought-after for its golden-sand beaches running for miles on end along azure seas, and bustling resort strips (hello, Albufeira), there's a secret spot many tourists have been foolishly bypassing for years.
West of a busy Faro, Olhao is your typical Portuguese fishermen village revolving around a maze of cubic dwellings, popular in the 19th-century as a result of returning migrants from the New World bringing with them more ‘modern' architectural styles.
Olhao's pride and joy, rising above the flat roofs of the ‘cubes', the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário is a Baroque wonder topped with a bell tower accessible to tourists.
Near the promenade, there is a covered market, where freshly-caught fish is served in adjacent eateries at attractive prices—when thinking of an all-you-can-eat experience, with grilled fish over charcoal and sweet potatoes, Vai e Volta instantly comes to mind.
Administered by a local family, it costs around $18 per person, and it's excellent value for money if you're only in Olhao for a few hours, and you're keen on eating local without wasting too much time looking at a menu, nor forfeiting quality.
Hungry for more?
Discover other incredible destinations in Western Europe's least expensive country here.
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