Sitting on the Southwest border of Spain, Portugal is a very accessible travel destination for SLU students. The distance between Madrid and Lisbon is just under 400 miles, either a 6 hour drive or 1.5 hour flight costing around €100. This makes Lisbon a wonderful destination for a weekend trip. Many students elect to take an overnight bus, with round trip tickets costing as low as €12.
Once you make it to Lisbon, there are no shortage of budget-friendly activities perfect for students. Take a tour of Castelo de Sao Jorge, a stone castle built in the 2nd century BC that boasts a beautiful hilltop view of all of Lisbon. Stop for some traditional Portuguese cuisine such as bacalhau, or cod, at Time Out Market, a food court with an outdoor market attached. Don’t forget to pick up some pastel de nata, a traditional dessert. These warm egg custard tarts dusted with cinnamon cost only €3 and are the perfect end to any meal. End the night with a boat tour of the River Tagus, taking one last look at Lisbon’s sprawling coast.
