Why millennials love Lisbon, the authentic travel destination that’s perfect for Instagram
Portugal’s hip and charming capital city, whose walls and alleys, ceramic tiles and pastel paints beg to be photographed, is also a haven for ‘the foodie generation’, writes Hillary Hoffower
I could probably use a more illustrative adjective, but I don’t think there’s a word that more aptly describes a city that masters the balance between hip, cultural and charming.
I recently stayed in Lisbon for three days, and I get why it was named the most popular travel destination for millennials in 2019 by travel-planning site müvTravel.
According to Sarah Clark for Huffington Post, millennials prioritise cultural experiences when it comes to travel.
“While baby boomers tend to seek the safety and convenience of an overcrowded touristy restaurant near a major attraction, millennials are taking a step outside their comfort zone to experience that sought after authentic meal,” Clark wrote.
Not only does Lisbon embody the millennial aesthetic, it also offers millennials everything they want when they’re on the road — without breaking the bank.
Lisbon is affordable and convenient
For a European country, Lisbon is pretty light on the wallet. The Telegraph recently rated it as one of the cheapest European cities.
The Airbnb I stayed in was around €66 per night (US$72); split with my friend over the course of three nights, I ended up paying less than €100. There was a double bed and a bunk bed. If a group of four went, the Airbnb would have been even cheaper.
Food and drink were relatively cheap, too. I typically paid less than €10 for dinner or lunch and around €1 to €4 for breakfast, depending on how many baked goods I wanted that morning. And, according to Numbeo, the standard domestic beer in Lisbon is just €2.
That’s not to mention the package you can get with the Lisboa card, which grants you access to all of Lisbon’s public transport (metro, bus, train, and trams, including travel for day trips to nearby Sintra and Cascais) as well as free access to many of the city’s main museums and attractions.