Portugal 2025

With Nomago crew, we have once or twice per year trip somewhere in Europe where we combine tourism with a football match. So far, we visited Udine, Belgrade, Napoli, Sevilla, Bratislava, … This time we decided to visit Portugal 2025, Porto and Lisbon in 5 days. First time I was there in 2014.

Friday

After a heavy night out, I had just time for quick packing, and it was time to collect with taxi (27€) Blaž and Andrej. At 3:30, Borut picked us up and we drove toward Nova Gorica. There we moved to Robert’s car and drove to Venice airport. Quick stop at the gas station for a cornetto and coffee, 19€. We parked the car at the airport (59€), roundabouts. From there, we took GoOpti to Treviso airport, 73€. This was necessary because we flew from Treviso and returned to Venice airport. Before flight we had time for sandwich, 59€ and drink, 30€. Cigarettes were 6.5€.

On a flight from Treviso to Porto with Ryanair I suffered 3 hours in a small middle seat, 50€. On arrival with the shuttle, we moved to Sicily by car through DiscoverCars and rented a Nissan Qashqai for 5 days, 430€ for the car, insurance, extra driver, and other returning point.

We arrived in heavy traffic at the rented apartment Porto Patricio Apartments, an average place with a parking spot, 1 hour walk from the bridge, 554€ for 2 days and 5 people. We took Uber to Ribiera, 8€. We had a short walk before we sat in Tram restaurant, snack, Portuguese steak and beers, 222€, tourist trap (expensive and not the best steak). We crossed the bridge Ponte Louis I and found a place (Mare Baixa Cafe) to taste some Porto wine, 38€.

Taking Uber back was a bit problematic, 8+12€. On return few of the boys went to the shop, 74€. With no sleep the previous night, I went early to bed, others sat in the living room.

Saturday

I didn’t sleep well, woke up many times. After the shower, we sat for breakfast. Soon we were out and walking toward the center. We visited cemetery Cemitério de Agramonte (many big tombs), stopped at the flea market (stamps), passed Rotunda da Boavista with Monumento aos Heróis da Guerra Peninsular, visited Porto São Bento train station with ceramic tiles, and many people in front of the cathedral.

We rested a bit for a drink and a snack, 82€. Many homeless people, drug dealers, and street performers were there. Another Uber back home was 8€. Now we got into the car and drove toward Moreira de Cónegos (50km, 40 min) for football, nice roads. On arrival, we searched for parking, bought tickets, 75€. I took a fan scarf, 10€. We had cheap beer before entering, 10€.

The small stadium was half full (1800 people), family atmosphere. The game Moreirense vs Casa Pia was rough and full of mistakes on both sides. In the end home team won 2:1. Another drive in the rain back to the apartment. We shopped in Lidl on our way, 44€.

After the snack, we took an Uber to Brasão Coliseu restaurant (part of a chain, recommended by the driver), 8€. Waited a bit for a table, shop 3€. We had a great dinner, ribeye and Francesinha, we regretted we had a snack before, 130€ with tip. Another Uber to home, 8€.

Sunday

We woke up early. After breakfast and bathroom, it was time to pack. First, we drove to Coimbra. Searched for a parking spot, 3.5€. We walked around town, no service in one bar. From there we walked uphill, past many old buildings inside the walled old town, the Slovenians and the University. We rested with a snack and drinks before moving on, 36€.

Next stop was Nazare, a place of record waves, and we searched again for parking. We walked to the coast, windy, weaves 6 meters. Before moving on, we had a quick drink, 20€. Finally we drove toward Lisbon. We had a nice, clean apartmant with two floors, a rooftop balcony, 1 hour walks from Praça do Comércio for 460€ for 2 days and 5 people. We paid 20€ extra for the garage, some key complications.

We first went to Aldi, 62€. From there we went with Uber (8€) to the old town, saw a red carpet event and ate chicken, rabbit and pork ribs, with wine it was 162€.

Exploring nightlife, had some beers with Slovenians and Canadians, 50€. Back to the apartment with Uber, 8€.

Monday

Late morning, for breakfast, we had eggs prepared by Borut. We spent this day in Lisbon. We moved to the city center with the metro (long escalators), 12€. Visited Praça do Comércio square, had the most expensive beer and some snacks, 121€.

Went up the hill to Castelo de São Jorge. On our way, we passed the cathedral, saw Canadians from the day before, tickets were 75€. In the old, stone castle, we climbed the towers for some nice views. We paid for water 7.5€. I bought some souvenirs for 13€. Walking back took some time. We were searching for a restaurant and found a bad pizza, 59€.

Returned to the apartment with Uber, 8€. Shopping at Aldi, 40€. Borut made chicken in beer sauce with young potatoes for dinner, a great meal.

Didn’t meet Brunel, but he suggested a great place for fado in Bairro Alto, Canto da Atalaia. We made a reservation and after some TV time moved there with Uber, 8€. Fado music with good wine (Vinha da Rosa – Alentejo and Joao Portugal Ramos Alvarinho) and snacks (padron peppers, cheese and cold cuts), 122€. Again Uber to home, 8€. Chat on the terrace before going to bed.

Tuesday

In the morning, we finished what we had in the fridge for breakfast, bathroom, packing, garbage. We visited the Sporting stadium, shopping. We drove to Sintra, problem with parking, and we moved on. Next stop was at the most western point on the continent in the mist, Cabo da Roca. At Boca do Inferno – Devil’s Mouth, we had a drink, 25€, rude waiter. At Belem tower disappointment as it was restored. Now we searched for a fish restaurant and settled for a burger in the end, 87€.

We visited Benfica stadium, more shopping. One more stop at the gas station, 97€, before we returned the car, 52€ toll. Drove with the shuttle to the airport and bus to Terminal 2. It was not a good terminal, dedicated to budget flights, no lounge, not enough seats. After one hour, we boarded the plane and flew with a slight delay.

After the flight (again Ryanair, 60€), which lasted 2:40 on B737-800 in the last row at the window, 33F, we arrived in Venice, where it rained. Robert drove to Gorica and Borut drove to Ljubljana, 5 Celsius. After unpacking and shower, it was time for bed, 3 hours sleep before going to work.

Summary

Even though Portugal is quite cheap in general, we spent a lot of money on this trip, around 800€ each.

Again, a big portion of the budget was allocated to transport. Renting a car meant flexibility, but in the end, all costs connected to the car were 600€ for 5 days (new Qashqai 250€, insurance 100€, extra driver 30€, returning car to another location 100€, garage 20€, gasoline 100€). With public transport, we could save some money, but we would see much less. Flights were 110€/person (Treviso-Porto 50€ and Lisbon-Venice 60€) with transport to/from airport 70+30€ and parking 60€. We used Uber a lot, most of the time it was around 7-8€, 1.5€/person, cheaper than the metro (0,5€ card+1.85€ ticket). Around 300€ per person.

Also, accommodation was not the cheapest option, at 554€ for 2 nights in Porto and 460€ for 2 nights in Lisbon. That is around 200€ per person.

Food and drinks can be cheap or expensive. We would go to the local store and buy food and drinks for a cheap breakfast and dinner, but in the end, for 5 days it was 200€. Meal out was around 20€/person. Beer would be from 3€ for 0,5l to 9.5€. That was around 250€ per person.

Other things would also accumulate to 50€ per person. This includes a 15€ ticket for the game, 15€ for a visit to the castle, 15€ for souvenirs and cigarettes.

The weather was nice, during the day up to 27 degrees and at night a bit below 20 degrees. It was windy almost all the time. It rained one night and during the day once while we were driving. As Portugal is part of EU as Slovenia we need just ID, sockets were the same type. We packed light, all in Nomago backpacks.

To conclude, nice trip to country I already visited but had few new experiences. Everything was great, from compnay, events, food and weather. Maybe we just spent a bit too much.