Porto Budget Travel is totally possible, as Porto is a working man's city. The travel destination offers a varied amount of sites for the budget traveler to take in – modern and Gothic architecture, spanning bridges, and the Duoro river, which runs through the city. Of course, any traveler, budget or otherwise, must try Porto's most famous product, Port wine. An abundance of wine cellars south of the Duoro river offer cheap wine tasting tours.

Budget Travel Must's

Porto, a medium-sized city, offers a comprehensive mass transit system, including five light-rail lines passing through 68 stations. Some affordable or free things to do are:

• Visit the Sala Arabe (Arabian Hall) in the Palacio da Bolso (Stock Exchange), where you will find an ornate room of gold and silver walls dedicated to the “Glory of Allah.” Open daily. 3-5€.
• Climb the Torre dos Clerigos (Tower of Clerics) to get a bird's eye view of Porto. Open daily. 2€.
• Take a wine tasting tour. Most wine cellars are located south of the Douro river in the Vila Nova de Gaia. Prices range from 1 to 3€.
• Stroll through the Mercado de Bolhao for fresh food and trinkets. Free. Closed on Sundays.

Where to Sleep for Cheap

Porto has quite a few options when it comes to affordable lodging. In general, nice deals on 2 and 3-star hotels can be found on Praca Filipa de Lancastre and on Rua Fernandes Tomas. Reputable hostels include:

• Oporto Sky Hostel - shared rooms starting at 20€ and 3-bed privates for 60€. Free computer and Wi-Fi. Rua da Lapa 33.
• Rivoli Cinema Hostel – movie-themed dorm rooms starting at 19€ and privates from 42€. Breakfast included. Near the historical center. Rua Dr. Magalhes Lemos, 83, 1st floor.
• Porto Downtown Hostel – basic doubles for 40€ or 17€/person in a 10-bed dorm. Breakfast and wi-fi. Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, 66, 1st floor.

Where to Eat and Drink

Filling and economical meals can be found near Praca da Batalha on Rua Cimo de Vila and Rua do Cativo. Remember that Porto natives are known for eating tripe - stomach lining. Be careful what you order!

Pubs and nightclubs abound. You will find the highest concentration of pubs in the Ribeira district, so this is where you're most likely to find the cheaper places. Remember that clubbers don't get going until 1 or 2 AM.