It was time for a change! • Hi - it's still Jen It was time for a change!
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Hi - it's still Jen but no longer @chicandcheaplifestyles1 - what started off as an affordable fashion blog has somewhat evolved more to what I want it to be - I am a firm believer that a budget shouldn't keep you from dressing in the latest trends, having a beautiful Pinterest worthy home or trying something new - whether it be travelling to another country or dining at a fancy restaraunt • 
•
FashionCentswithJen is a place where I'll share affordable 🏡 decor, diy & budget ideas, tips to save you $, and of course, I'm still here for affordable fashion! [ I really wanted to get rid of the word "cheap" too. Lol ]
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• Most of you know that I am a CPA by day whose worked in finance for over 10 years, so it's only fitting to have fashion " cents" in my everyday life & share that with you!
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It was time for a change! • Hi - it's still Jen It was time for a change!
•
Hi - it's still Jen but no longer @chicandcheaplifestyles1 - what started off as an affordable fashion blog has somewhat evolved more to what I want it to be - I am a firm believer that a budget shouldn't keep you from dressing in the latest trends, having a beautiful Pinterest worthy home or trying something new - whether it be travelling to another country or dining at a fancy restaraunt • 
•
FashionCentswithJen is a place where I'll share affordable 🏡 decor, diy & budget ideas, tips to save you $, and of course, I'm still here for affordable fashion! [ I really wanted to get rid of the word "cheap" too. Lol ]
•
• Most of you know that I am a CPA by day whose worked in finance for over 10 years, so it's only fitting to have fashion " cents" in my everyday life & share that with you!
•
Thanks for being here!
It was time for a change! • Hi - it's still Jen It was time for a change!
•
Hi - it's still Jen but no longer @chicandcheaplifestyles1 - what started off as an affordable fashion blog has somewhat evolved more to what I want it to be - I am a firm believer that a budget shouldn't keep you from dressing in the latest trends, having a beautiful Pinterest worthy home or trying something new - whether it be travelling to another country or dining at a fancy restaraunt • 
•
FashionCentswithJen is a place where I'll share affordable 🏡 decor, diy & budget ideas, tips to save you $, and of course, I'm still here for affordable fashion! [ I really wanted to get rid of the word "cheap" too. Lol ]
•
• Most of you know that I am a CPA by day whose worked in finance for over 10 years, so it's only fitting to have fashion " cents" in my everyday life & share that with you!
•
Thanks for being here!
Spring break is coming!!! Loving these two @amazon Spring break is coming!!! Loving these two @amazonfashion finds from @zesica_official that come in SO many colors. This sweater doubles as a perfect pool coverup! Shop these looks in my @amazon storefront or in the @shop.ltk app.•
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Travel · August 2, 2017

Chic & Cheap on the Go – Lisbon, Portugal

 If I could describe Lisbon in one word – it would be charm. Everything about that city just oozes charm – the outdoor restaurants, the views, the buildings covered in tile, the Moorish influences, the graffiti covering every inch of well…everything. Oh and did I mention the cable cars? I have major FOMO just thinking about that beautiful, dirty city.  Another thing I love about Lisbon is that it is so affordable; definitely the most affordable city on my entire trip.

 Cheap Places to Stay

My friends and I stayed in the Bica area, a few blocks from the Bairro Alto district – right on that famous street with the cable car (see above)! I highly recommend this area – we were surrounded by locals, hole in the wall restaurants, and centrally located to everything. We could easily walk to: the Time Out Market, countless bars, the main train stations, and the Tagus River. And I want to brag on the views from our apartment as well, but because Lisbon is built on several hills, the views are amazing no matter where you go. Where wouldn’t I stay? Probably the neighborhood Baixa – this is the main shopping and tourist district, and honestly was just way too busy and crowded for my liking. Castelo would be another area I would consider –it’s a quieter part of town, and the views are of course amazing. Use Airbnb. It was by far the cheapest option.

Free Things to Do

Walk, walk, walk. Like I mentioned, Lisbon is super walkable (albeit can be steep!) so anywhere you want to go, you are able to walk to. We walked through Baixa and up into the steep hills to São Jorge Castle, because the views are spectacular. After checking out São Jorge Castle , we walked over to San Graca church (again, the views there are amazing), but the church itself is free and definitely worth a visit inside. Also near there is Miradouro de Santa Luzia, a romantic terrace with a view of Alfama and the Tagus.

On our way back to Bairro Alto, we walked through the shopping district of Baixa and through the Rea Agusta – which is a stone arch near the river and definitely the perfect place for a photo op. The opposite way, we hopped on a tram to Torre de Belem, which is a free tourist attraction along the Tagus River. From there, it’s an easy walk to Mosteiro Dos Jeronimos – the museum charges a fee, but again the church there is free to look around!

Cheap Rides:

We read everywhere that the absolute best way to see the city is on a ride on Tram 28 – it cuts diagonal across the city, and is definitely not for the faint of heart. The tram (or cable car) shares the road with cyclists and cars, is always packed, and of course does not have A/C. A single ride was less than €3 and the route was perfect if you want to see Lisbon. The next place we went after we hopped off Tram 28 was the Santa Justa Lift. The lift offers a viewing platform, up a steep staircase, with (what else?!) views of Baixa.

Cheap Things to Do:

Sao Jorge Castle: As I mentioned above, São Jorge Castle is worth the walk from Bairro Alto and the entrance fee to get in is less than €10. We spent a few hours touring the grounds, taking in the views, and of course, learning a little history. The line is long to get in, but I promise it goes very quick.

 

Sintra: Do not leave Lisbon without a train ride to Sintra. It was only about a 40 minute ride from the Rossio Train Station (again, in the main part of town). Sintra is a perfect, quaint town and has several famous attractions, but the one you absolutely cannot miss is Pena Palace. It has a long history, but now is preserved as King Ferdinand’s former palace. In real life, it looks exactly like a Disney castle and was one of the highlights of my trip. The entrance fee is around €20.

 

Cheap Places to Eat:

The markets were essential to our visit in Lisbon. Not only did we find several outdoor markets with tons of food stands (and Sangria stands!) but Time Out Market is a relatively new, converted warehouse that has about 50 different food options. Feel like a squid ink arancini and your friend wants an octopus hot dog? Done! You can find both – and then some – at this market. Note: the pricing options vary throughout the Time Out Market, but you can definitely find affordable dishes.

Another key point: “Eat on the hills, not on the flats” our Airbnb host told us. This seemed to work well for us – we found many affordable options along the hills, and they seemed to have more locals, less tourists and local food of course.

Cheap Places to Drink:

– Answer: literally, everywhere. I had no clue that Lisbon would be such a vibrant party city. Bairro Alto district has more than 200 bars, and you can buy a drink and hop from bar to bar all night – and did I mention how affordable the drinks are?! You can buy a beer/sangria/shot for around €3.

Takeaway Tips (or things we wish we would have known beforehand):

  • Buy an all day metro pass for €6.15. With it, you can take the tram to Belem, ride tram 28 all day, and access the Santa Justa Lift.
  • Bring comfortable shoes. We walked an average of 10 miles every day.
  • Most people speak English so if you’re having a hard time with Portuguese (read: can’t say anything besides Ola and Obrigada like me), use English.
  • When you arrive in Sintra, immediately hop on the bus that takes you to Pena Palace. IT’S NOT WORTH TRYING TO WALK. We wasted a good hour attempting to walk, only to turn around and walk back to the station to hop on the bus.
  • Sintra was about 18 degrees colder than Lisbon, so pack accordingly! I, of course, did not and was freezing in the overcast 57 degree weather.
  • Try the sardines, egg custard cups, and of course the Sangria
  • Don’t miss the shopping. There were stores in Baixa that were cheaper than HM and Forever 21, with even cuter clothing! Check out: Zara outlet, Pull and Bear and Bershka

In: Travel · Tagged: cheap finds portugal, cheap travel, cheapfinds, lisbon, lisbon sites, portugal, travel diy

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Comments

  1. Ashley Miller says

    August 24, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    Dream vacation.. Such beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  2. Jen D. says

    August 25, 2017 at 2:27 am

    Thanks! Definitely add it to your bucket list!

    Reply
  3. Ensemble of Elan says

    August 25, 2017 at 4:48 am

    I love your photos! I went backpacking through Europe a few years ago, but I never quite made it out to Portugal. But this post makes me want to go back and see it!

    Reply
  4. Jen D. says

    August 28, 2017 at 1:39 am

    I still want to go backpacking through Europe.. its a dream of mine so I am very jealous!

    Reply

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It was time for a change! • Hi - it's still Jen It was time for a change!
•
Hi - it's still Jen but no longer @chicandcheaplifestyles1 - what started off as an affordable fashion blog has somewhat evolved more to what I want it to be - I am a firm believer that a budget shouldn't keep you from dressing in the latest trends, having a beautiful Pinterest worthy home or trying something new - whether it be travelling to another country or dining at a fancy restaraunt • 
•
FashionCentswithJen is a place where I'll share affordable 🏡 decor, diy & budget ideas, tips to save you $, and of course, I'm still here for affordable fashion! [ I really wanted to get rid of the word "cheap" too. Lol ]
•
• Most of you know that I am a CPA by day whose worked in finance for over 10 years, so it's only fitting to have fashion " cents" in my everyday life & share that with you!
•
Thanks for being here!
It was time for a change! • Hi - it's still Jen It was time for a change!
•
Hi - it's still Jen but no longer @chicandcheaplifestyles1 - what started off as an affordable fashion blog has somewhat evolved more to what I want it to be - I am a firm believer that a budget shouldn't keep you from dressing in the latest trends, having a beautiful Pinterest worthy home or trying something new - whether it be travelling to another country or dining at a fancy restaraunt • 
•
FashionCentswithJen is a place where I'll share affordable 🏡 decor, diy & budget ideas, tips to save you $, and of course, I'm still here for affordable fashion! [ I really wanted to get rid of the word "cheap" too. Lol ]
•
• Most of you know that I am a CPA by day whose worked in finance for over 10 years, so it's only fitting to have fashion " cents" in my everyday life & share that with you!
•
Thanks for being here!
It was time for a change! • Hi - it's still Jen It was time for a change!
•
Hi - it's still Jen but no longer @chicandcheaplifestyles1 - what started off as an affordable fashion blog has somewhat evolved more to what I want it to be - I am a firm believer that a budget shouldn't keep you from dressing in the latest trends, having a beautiful Pinterest worthy home or trying something new - whether it be travelling to another country or dining at a fancy restaraunt • 
•
FashionCentswithJen is a place where I'll share affordable 🏡 decor, diy & budget ideas, tips to save you $, and of course, I'm still here for affordable fashion! [ I really wanted to get rid of the word "cheap" too. Lol ]
•
• Most of you know that I am a CPA by day whose worked in finance for over 10 years, so it's only fitting to have fashion " cents" in my everyday life & share that with you!
•
Thanks for being here!
Spring break is coming!!! Loving these two @amazon Spring break is coming!!! Loving these two @amazonfashion finds from @zesica_official that come in SO many colors. This sweater doubles as a perfect pool coverup! Shop these looks in my @amazon storefront or in the @shop.ltk app.•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
#amazonfashion #amazon #amazonfinds #amazondress #zesicaofficial #amazonswim #springfinds
This @amazonfashion sweater dress is the best date This @amazonfashion sweater dress is the best date night look with my @justfabonline booties #justfabpartner . Since it's freezing, I'm pairing it with a plaid coat! Would you wear it?
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