Cheap 5-Day Portugal Road Trip from Porto to Braga and surrounding area

Your exciting road trip through Portugal starts when you reach the incredible city of Porto, where you'll stay for 3 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Porto and begin your adventure in Portugal.

Porto is a popular cheap holiday destination in Portugal with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Porto and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Luís I Bridge will make your cheap holiday in Portugal truly special. This attraction is a fascinating best-rated sightseeing destination that has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 79,128 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Porto. An excellent example is the popular Nata Lisboa. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 5,037 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Portugal is Tapabento S. Bento. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,413 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Muu Steakhouse. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 1,431 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Brasão Aliados is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 7,812 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Porto we recommend is Base Porto, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,621 customers.

Aduela is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,570 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Portugal!

Day 2’s road trip itinerary introduces you to many popular attractions and activities in Porto, proving that cheap holidays in Portugal can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary Parque da Cidade do Porto. This attraction is an urban park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 26,193 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Parque de Serralves. This popular place of interest is a stunning park that boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 9,832 visitors.

To make your trip to Porto more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Casa da Música. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 17,921 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Casa da Música is often mentioned in Portugal road trip itineraries.

The magnificent Clerigos tower is another stop you might want to add to your sightseeing plans. This bell tower and popular travel destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 16,541 reviews.

If you’re interested in seeing something else, make your way to the amazing Porto Cathedral. More than 28,470 visitors have rated this cathedral and tourist destination an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Your discovery of Porto does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Porto on a personal level. Check out the fantastic selection of affordable tours and tickets offered on this leg of your journey across this top cheap holiday destination in Europe, Portugal.

After exploring some of the most remarkable sights in Portugal, you also have the chance to experience the country’s food culture. Eat at Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker, one of the best restaurants in Porto. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,325 reviews.

You can also check out Chama. Offering appetizing foods and refreshing beverages at reasonable prices, this restaurant is an excellent choice for budget travelers in the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 574 diners.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Porto for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at Bonaparte Downtown and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,088 customers.

Letraria Porto is another great place to hang out in and relax after a busy day in the city. This bar offers various drinks at affordable prices and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,654 customers.

Savor the rest of the night and celebrate another incredible road trip adventure in the magical Porto!

Day 3 of your self-drive vacation in Portugal gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Braga for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Portugal.

While you’re in Vila Nova De Gaia, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Jardim do Morro. The fantastic Jardim do Morro is a popular park and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 26,941 travelers.

Make Santa Luzia Sanctuary your first stop. This popular church building among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 10,314 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in Viana do Castelo is the outstanding Peneda-Gerês National Park. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 23,484 visitors, this remarkable national park and attraction deserves a spot on your Portugal travel bucket list.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Portugal. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Portugal and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Braga. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Braga, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Retrokitchen, one of the best restaurants in Braga. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,007 customers.

Bira dos Namorados is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Bira dos Namorados is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,412 diners.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Braga, Cozinha da Sé. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,019 bar goers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Portugal. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Portugal!

Day 4 of your road trip across Portugal offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Braga and the enchanting Guimarães, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Braga and end the day in Guimarães, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 4 of your affordable vacation in Portugal will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Braga is the magnificent Arco da Porta Nova. Around 6,139 visitors have rated this excellent triumphal arch and travel destination an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Park Avenida Central on this leg of your self-drive tour in Portugal. This attraction is a well-known park that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from around 6,039 travelers.

The remarkable Bom Jesus do Monte is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Portugal. This attraction, an amazing minor basilica, is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 28,503 travelers.

Beyond the above-mentioned sites, you also have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Sameiro Sanctuary. This church building and well-loved attraction in Braga is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 9,619 visitors.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Braga, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Guimarães.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Castle of Guimarães. This popular site is a valued castle in Guimarães and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 29,608 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Portugal. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Portugal. Make your cheap holiday experience in Portugal more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Porto offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Portugal. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Porto offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Portugal.

Abadia do Porto is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,633 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Porto is Negra Café Baixa, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,213 customers.

Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Porto’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Capela Incomum is an excellent example of a great bar in Porto offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,234 customers.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Portugal with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Portugal!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Portugal as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Porto.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Portugal.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Porto is the remarkable Gardens of the Palácio de Cristal. This garden and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 38,920 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Porto, consider a top-rated restaurant like Bulha Sá da Bandeira. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,983 customers.

Tascö is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,119 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Porto and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Portugal!