First Solo Travel Trip in Europe?
100% PORTUGAL 🇵🇹
Why Portugal Solo Travel - Was Perfect for Me
Hi, I’m Nina and at 19 I decided to travel through Portugal: completely on my own. Portugal solo travel was my very first experience travelling alone in Europe, and in this blog I’ll share how it turned out, where I went, which route I took, how I travelled around ++ if Portugal is a safe country.
Before I get into all the stories, here’s the route I took, because looking back, it was such a big step to do it.
I started in Madeira, flying in from Munich.
This was my starting point and where my whole solo travel journey really began.
From Madeira I took the ferry to Porto Santo
– and yes, I almost threw up because it was my first time being seasick 😅 but still, totally worth it.
After that
I flew to Lisbon.
From there I continued all the way down to Sagres by local buses, with just my red hand-luggage backpack and Google Maps. I had to change buses, but I managed it, and that alone gave me so much confidence.
My final stop – and where I stayed the longest –
was Lagoa.
I took the bus again and that became my end station for the next 7 weeks.
Even though Lagoa was my base, I travelled around a lot while living in Portugal.
I explored
Faro, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, and of course Carvoeiro.
And honestly… Carvoeiro was and always will be my favourite. Small, cute, cozy, and it just felt right from the very first moment.
I experienced the best time in Portugal. I totally found my spark back. And I even saved up money!
haha – so keep on reading, it’s going to be exciting.
MADEIRA – where it all started
My parents joined me for the first week, and I have to say, that helped so much. I was nervous, but having them there made the start way easier.
We explored everything together and then I continued on by myself.
So if you’re scared to take the first step, this is my first recommendation: ask someone to join you for the first week. You don’t have to start alone to end up travelling alone.
My first HOSTEL experience
My first hostel experience was a dream.
It was next to the ocean and directly at the mountains, so I could go hiking.
I met so many lovely people straight away and it was the perfect first hostel experience.
But then came Lisbon. I stayed in a hostel just for one night and it was honestly horrible.
I was put into an 11-bed dorm with a whole family and I was the 11th person. I couldn’t sleep at all. BUT I reminded myself: it’s only one night.
And that’s something travelling teaches you very quickly – one bad night doesn’t mean a bad trip.
On my way to SAGRES – surf camp life
From Lisbon I continued on to Sagres.
I was travelling with just my red backpack and figured everything out with Google Maps.
I had two bus changes, but the locals were incredibly helpful. Not always the best English, but we managed to understand each other.
That’s something I learned early on: don’t be afraid to ask for help. People are usually way kinder than you expect.
Dream experience in SAGRES
Arriving at the surf camp felt unreal – it was honestly a DREAM.
I met the loveliest people, had exciting surf lessons (pretty high waves, but still such an experience).
The hostel was super clean and the evenings were full of pizza nights, live music, events and FREE BREAKFAST (and I am still dreaming about that breakfast buffet).
Surf camps and social hostels are perfect for solo travellers, because you’re never really alone. Friendships form so fast and it feels like a little family.
Living in Portugal – my WORKAWAY experience
A few weeks before my trip, I downloaded Workaway and found a volunteer spot on a small farm in Lagoa. I travelled there by bus and my host dad picked me up.
I lived with a British family for 7 weeks, volunteering Monday to Friday, only 4 hours in the mornings.
I helped with feeding the chickens, walking the dog, bringing the kids to school and harvesting – and honestly, I loved it.
In return, I had my own free apartment with the cutest view, free breakfast and dinner a few times a week.
But more than that, I became part of the family. We went out together, had deep conversations, I baked them an Austrian Apfelstrudel and improved my English so much.
My recommendation: if you want to stay longer, travel low budget and really experience a country instead of just visiting it, volunteering (especially through Workaway) is such a beautiful way to do it.
Is Portugal CHEAP?
Yes, definitely not like Asia but Portugal is much cheaper than Austria.
I usually paid around 7-15€ for a full meal (sometimes even less), and a beer was like 1,50€, which still makes me laugh haha.
Buses can be a bit expensive and never really punctual, but I rented a car for around 30€ a day in the off-season.
Overall, Portugal is perfect if you want to travel on a budget but still eat well, go out and enjoy life without stressing about money.
Is Portugal SAFE?
Yes – Portugal is a very safe country.
In Lisbon, especially as a 19-year-old girl who didn’t grow up in a city, my gut feeling wasn’t always the best. I think I just needed time to get used to big city life.
Apart from that, I always felt safe. I trusted my intuition, stayed friendly and aware, and that worked really well for me.
My recommendation: trust your gut, stay aware in bigger cities, and don’t let fear stop you – Portugal is an amazing country for solo travelling.
The funny COCKTAIL BAR story
Another funny part of my trip is that I almost didn’t spend any money – because I randomly ended up working in a cocktail bar.
One evening I went alone to Carvoeiro, my favourite place in Portugal, watched the sunset with some sangria and decided to go out and meet people.
I started talking to people, had so much fun and later ended up in a cocktail bar where a woman randomly asked if I wanted to work once a week – and I said yes.
That one yes changed everything
I met amazing friends, earned enough to enjoy life and learned that when you travel, doors open in the most unexpected ways.
haha picture in the cocktail bar – working
Final recommendation from my heart 🤍
Would I recommend Portugal for a first solo trip? 100% yes.
Portugal gave me confidence, friendships, freedom and memories I’ll carry forever.
It taught me that life is not meant to be postponed.
If you’re scared but curious – go anyway.
Some places don’t just become memories, they become home.
