In 2015, my family and I took a vacation to Lisbon, Portugal. We immediately fell in love with the gorgeous weather, the rattle of cable cars, and the welcoming locals.
Just two days in, we decided to go away the U.S. and retire in Portugal — and it was the most effective decisions we have made. We spend far less money on necessities in Lisbon than we did in Washington, D.C. We have also found that fun leisure and food experiences are only as, if no more, reasonably priced.
On weekends once I’m out and about, I spend lower 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 within the mood for something light, our favourite spot is the Copenhagen Coffee Lab in Principé Real, a full of life neighborhood in Lisbon.
For an even 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 stunning place to spend the morning.
Downtown Cascais has plenty to take a look at, including beautiful tilework and architecture.
Photo: Alex Trias
Near the middle 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 to Guincho Beach offers amazing views of the region’s cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean.
Photo: Alex Trias
The bike path is comparatively flat and takes us past the scenic cliffs of Boca do Inferno and a set of retailers and restaurants to the rough waters of Guincho Beach.
From there, we hike through the dunes and rocky cliffs, or sit and skim a book. We may additionally 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 set of retailers, restaurants and open-air kiosks. We prefer to stop by on weekends, and it’s conveniently positioned on the train ride back from Cascais.
The LX factory is the right place to buy Portuguese craftsmanship, or simply to sit down and have lunch.
Photo: Alex Trias
You will not find brand name items at LX. From clothing to furniture, most things on the market are designed and produced in Portugal.
Our daughter loves bargain hunting on the Feira da Ladra, a well-liked flea market positioned inside the Alfama district of Lisbon. The world is built on a steep hill crammed with narrow, winding cobblestone streets, and it’s the right place to buy antiques.
My favorite market in Principe Real is a cornucopia of antiques and art.
Photo: Alex Trias
I also benefit from the weekend flea market in Principé Real, where you will find loads of delicious artisanal honey, cheese and cured sausages.
Prepare a gourmet meal for dinner
Price per person: $19.04
My wife and I like to cook. We discover gourmet ingredients on the Comida Independente outdoor market, which is open on Saturdays, and the Time Out Mercado.
Each are positioned near Lisbon’s Cais Sodre train station.
Lisbon’s Time Out Market, the Mercado da Ribeira, is situated near the Cais Sodre train station and the banks of the Tagus river.
Photo: Alex Trias
For a fast and simple meal of gourmet mushrooms and eggs, I purchase:
- 1 / 4 kilo of freshly picked chanterelle mushrooms: $7.49
- Farm fresh organic eggs: $3.19
- A twig of truffle oil: $3.19
- Seaweed caviar: $4.28
I’ll serve the meal with a loaf of fresh bread from Gleba, a close-by bakery. Their loaves are made with home-grown heirloom strains of wheat for $5.29 per loaf.
For an interesting twist, I’ll create a special bread topping. I mix butter ($2.30) with white miso paste ($5.23) and seaweed crisps ($1.60).
And a bottle of Portuguese white wine for $4.80 goes well with virtually any meal.
End the day with dessert
Price per person: $3.21
Our favourite dessert spot, the Gelateria Nannarella, is a brief walk from our apartment. It’s well-known for its exceptional sorbets and gelatos. A small serving costs $3.21, with flavors like lemon and basil, stracciatella and, in fact, chocolate.
In Lisbon, gelato is eaten throughout the day as a snack in addition to a dessert, so there is nearly all the time a line. But, like most good things in life, it’s well definitely worth the wait.
Alex Trias is a retired attorney. He and his wife and daughter have been living in Portugal since 2015. He’s the creator of the “Investment Pancake” series on SeekingAlpha.com and has published nearly 500 articles about tax planning, investing, early retirement, and where to seek out the perfect meals in Lisbon.
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