Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Porto

Accommodation

$12-30 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Local cafés, traditional tascas, supermarket meals, francesinha from local spots, bifana sandwiches

Transportation

$3-8 per day

Public buses, metro, walking, occasional short tram rides for sightseeing

Activities

$5-20 per day

Free walking tours, church visits, riverside walks, occasional museum entry, port wine tastings at budget cellars

Eat at traditional tascas in residential neighborhoods instead of tourist areas (typically 40-60% cheaper)

Buy a public transport day pass instead of individual tickets (usually 30-50% savings)

Visit port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia rather than premium tourist-focused ones (often 50-70% less expensive)

Shop at local markets like Bolhão for fresh produce and snacks (60-80% cheaper than tourist shops)

Take advantage of free museum days and church visits instead of paid attractions (can save $20-40 per day)

Book accommodation in Cedofeita or Campanhã districts rather than city center (typically 25-40% lower rates)

Eat lunch at local cafés offering 'prato do dia' (dish of the day) for substantial savings over dinner prices

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using excellent public transport system (typically 300-500% more expensive)

Eating only in Ribeira tourist zone restaurants (usually 100-150% markup compared to local neighborhoods)

Booking last-minute accommodation during peak periods (often 200-400% higher than advance bookings)

Buying port wine in tourist shops instead of directly from cellars (typically 50-100% markup)

Not researching free activities and relying only on paid tours (can unnecessarily add $50-100 daily)