I’m currently in Seoul! I spent 36 wonderful nights in Lisbon and made some amazing friends, experiences, and learnings along the way. Portugal is quite an affordable Western European country, and I wouldn’t be surprised if prices continue to rise as its popularity has boomed in the last 2 years. With its revamped image as a touristic destination, its vacationers could help save their economic crisis!
Without further ado, here is my cost of living report in Lisbon.
Cost of Living in Lisbon, Portugal (Spending Report)
Things to Note:
- I ate at two sushi buffets (Sushi Buddha and KIKU Restaurant) over 10 times…the workers ended up sort of becoming friends with me…
- I stayed in a very central part of the city where prices were actually higher than most of the city as I lived in the touristic part.
- Transportation was extremely affordable, with my $20 transportation pass lasting me the month. Most of the time I could just walk to where I wanted to.
- I flew over to Porto for 2 nights and it was awesome!
Food
Seafood at Anthony Bourdain’s recommended restaurant – Cervejaria Ramiro
| Euros | Dollars | |
| McDonald’s | 6.5 | $7.54 |
| Tuna Toast | 5 | $5.80 |
| Buffet | 9.2 | $10.67 |
| Buffet | 9.2 | $10.67 |
| Wrap | 3.5 | $4.06 |
| Buffet | 9 | $10.44 |
| Hostel dinner | 4 | $4.64 |
| Groceries | 15 | $17.40 |
| Orange Juice | 1.8 | $2.09 |
| McDonald’s | 6 | $6.96 |
| Burgers | 9 | $10.44 |
| Groceries | 4.5 | $5.22 |
| Orange Juice | 2 | $2.32 |
| Iced Tea | 1.9 | $2.20 |
| Broccoli Beef + Rice | 5.5 | $6.38 |
| McDonald’s | 5.3 | $6.15 |
| Water | 1.5 | $1.74 |
| Buffet | 10 | $11.60 |
| Orange Juice | 2.5 | $2.90 |
| Chicken and salmon | 3.7 | $4.29 |
| Orange Juice | 2.5 | $2.90 |
| Fish | 11 | $12.76 |
| Groceries | 4.3 | $4.99 |
| Pho | 7 | $8.12 |
| McDonald’s | 5.8 | $6.73 |
| Sushi buffet | 12 | $13.92 |
| Salmon Burger and mango drink | 11.5 | $13.34 |
| Sushi buffet | 12.6 | $14.62 |
| Asian food | 8.8 | $10.21 |
| Water | 1.3 | $1.51 |
| Uber | 23 | $26.68 |
| Chicken meal | 7.55 | $8.76 |
| Sushi buffet | 12.55 | $14.56 |
| Orange juice | 2.5 | $2.90 |
| Tomato soup | 3.5 | $4.06 |
| Sushi buffet | 12.55 | $14.56 |
| Tuna toast | 7 | $8.12 |
| Mango smoothie | 3 | $3.48 |
| Bread | 0.85 | $0.99 |
| Codfish | 5 | $5.80 |
| Salmon Salad | 6.5 | $7.54 |
| Pork | 7.5 | $8.70 |
| Coffee | 1 | $1.16 |
| Lunch | 5 | $5.80 |
| Dinner | 20 | $23.20 |
| Breakfast | 1.7 | $1.97 |
| Seafood Lunch | 18.2 | $21.11 |
| Burger King | 8.5 | $9.86 |
| Salad | 8.5 | $9.86 |
| McDonald’s | 5.3 | $6.15 |
| Burger King | 6.3 | $7.31 |
| Sushi buffet | 9.2 | $10.67 |
| Burger King | 6.3 | $7.31 |
| Salad | 7.5 | $8.70 |
| Salad | 7.5 | $8.70 |
| Orange juice | 2.5 | $2.90 |
| Seafood | 30 | $34.80 |
| Pasta | 5.55 | $6.44 |
| Orange Juice | 3 | $3.48 |
| Smoothie | 2.5 | $2.90 |
| Burger King | 6.3 | $7.31 |
| Salad | 8 | $9.28 |
| Burger King | 6.3 | $7.31 |
| Chicken rice salad | 7.5 | $8.70 |
| Sushi buffet | 12.55 | $14.56 |
| $548.22 |
Unlimited sushi at Kiku Restaurant
Entertainment
Fun nights with flatmates
| Euros | Dollars | |
| Sangria | 5 | $5.80 |
| Sangria | 2 | $2.32 |
| Beer | 3 | $3.48 |
| Sintra Park | 5 | $5.80 |
| Cable car | 4 | $4.64 |
| Cable Car | 8 | $9.28 |
| Alcohol | 5 | $5.80 |
| Wine | 1 | $1.16 |
| Moscatel | 3.5 | $4.06 |
| Alcohol | 5.5 | 6.38 |
| $48.72 |
Drinks in Porto
Miscellaneous
Sporting some new clothes at the beach at Cascais
| Euros | Dollars | |
| Hostel tax fee | 3 | $3.48 |
| Phone charge for the month | $46.00 | |
| Clothes | 27 | $31.32 |
| 5 euros blew away to water lol | 5 | $5.80 |
| Laundry | 5.5 | $6.38 |
| Eyeliner | 11.55 | $13.40 |
| Phone charge for the month | $13.56 | |
| $119.94 |
Transportation
The Gloria Tram
| Euros | Dollars | |
| Transportation Pass | 20 | $23.20 |
| Flight to Porto | $25.90 | |
| Uber to airport | 7 | $8.12 |
| Bus | 2.5 | $2.90 |
| Parking | 1 | $1.16 |
| Parking | 1.5 | $1.74 |
| Parking | 3.5 | $4.06 |
| Uber to airport | $13.66 | |
| Berlin to Milan to Lisbon | $61 | |
| $141.74 |
Accommodations
| Accommodations | Dollars |
| AirBnB | $559 |
I had 3 nights of sponsored stay at a hostel before moving into the AirBnB!
Overall Spend
| Food | $548.22 |
| Entertainment | $48.72 |
| Accommodations | $559 |
| Miscellaneous | $119.94 |
| Transportation | $80.74 |
| $1,356.62 |
I spent $1,356.62 for 36 nights, which averages to around $37.68 per day, which is quite close to what I wanted to spend in Lisbon.
I would recommend Lisbon for long term stay or stay as a digital nomad because of the happy vibes, affordable prices, Wi-Fi cafes, and amazing views. If you’ve joined nomadlist, there are generally a decent amount of nomads on there staying in Lisbon (more than in Bucharest and Athens). I would definitely venture out to Lisbon, Portugal if you have the chance!
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