Being a travel blogger has its perks. One of them is fee accommodation and food tours in exchange of honest hostel/ hotel reviews and social media promotion.
Before heading to the capital city of Portugal, I had done some research into reliable and affordable hostels across Lisbon and food tours I would like to go for. Once my list was ready, I decided to shoot a few e-mails to hostel staff and food tour sponsors asking if they were interested in service exchange. I didn’t have to wait long. After a week, I had my Lisbon accommodation and food expenses sorted out. Thus, I spent only $1 a day when staying in Lisbon. Finally, being a travel blogger and working hard started to pay off!
Accommodation – $0
I stayed 3 nights at extremely friendly, hospitable and so cool Goodmorning Hostel – Lisbon for free in exchange of a honest review of my experience, which I have already shared in What’s Lisbon’s Friendliest Hostel? Goodmorning Hostel! post. It was my first deal made with a hostel, so I felt a bit stressed out and nervous, but everything went smooth and amazing. I enjoyed my stay here a lot and I loved taking photos of the hostel, talking with staff members as well as attending various events at the hostel such as sangria night or swing classes.
Food – $0
I was excited to attend free Lisbon’s Food and Wine Tour organised by Inside Lisbon and write a review of my day spent with my mom tasting different wines and Portuguese snacks. We both really enjoyed this tour – it’s a great intro to Lisbon and gave great advice on where to eat and where to go.
Marta was a fantastic guide. We loved the green and white wine and the cheese – so delicious!
Absolutely fantastic experience, worth the money and your precious time!
Transportation – $0
Lisbon is way too beautiful to waste your time on taxis, buses or metros. Me and my mom discovered every single corner of the city on foot. We walked everywhere in search of affordable restaurants, souvenir shops and sightseeing spots. I also jogged a lot in the morning to enjoy the beautiful scenery, light breeze and the lovely sun obviously! In this way, I saved a lot of money and stayed in shape – 2 in 1!
Souvenirs – $1
The only one expense that day were postcards of Lisbon we purchased at the local market. They were just way too lovely so we decided to take them home!
Without a doubt, working on eTramping all year long has been a challenge. We both have made a lot of sacrifices (dead social life, sleepless nights, working 24/7) to build up our audience and loyal readers and knowing that it all started to pay off was a truly amazing feeling. That was the first time I received something for free just because I was a travel blogger. Although it was a win-win deal for both sides, I feel like the biggest winner ever (if you know what I mean)!
Have you ever spent a free day somewhere just because you were a travel blogger?
39 thoughts on “How I Spent A Day In Lisbon For $1 (As A Travel Blogger)”
Really nice! And great to hear how this worked out for you! Would like to go to Portugal soon! First Myanmar..not bad too :)
Thanks a lot, Elise!
So nice to see all your hard work is paying off, Lisbon is a lovely city too!
Yes, it is, indeed!
All hard work pays off eventually! Keep up the good work! Love the pictures.
x, Robin
Yep, indeed!
Good for you, Agness! Indeed, Lisbon is a very walkable city. My husband and I just spent a month there and we only used public transport a handful of times, as most parts of the city are within a 30 or 40 minute walk of the centre. Looks like you had a lovely time with your mum. What a nice way to be able to share the benefits of your hard work on the blog!
Amazing! I’m glad you enjoyed Lisbon as well.
very high on my list of places to go. that I havent been yet that is! :) great post, love the vibrancy in your photos!
Thanks!
Wow, kudos – you totally deserve it, girl! I know the feeling – I have traveled around Japan and Melbourne for free as winner of two different travel blogging contests! :)
Many thanks, Arti!
How much would have that all cost for us who are not sponsored.
I guess between 30 and 50 euro a day, I guess.
I am glad you enjoyed! well done!
Thanks :*
Awesome work! It really is exciting when blogging starts to pay off. I’ve had a number of gigs all paid for this past year, next step, paid travels. :) Hope you are having a great weekend.
So far, so good sweetie :*!
Good to hear that your hard work has paid off … great job!
Thanks, Adam!
Great!! Love it!! I did service in exchange for accommodation in Beirut, but it was nothing like this. How fantastic!!! :D
And yes, sooooooo bella in Lisbon <3
Great!
Wow, it is really nice that you could stay there for free and do the wine tour as well! Seems like your hard work has payed off. I have never been on a sponsored trip/ accommodation, but I would love to do expand my blog and do it someday :) I went to Portugal many years ago, but didn’t go to Lisbon. Have heard many positive things to so I would love to go there some time.
:)
Well done Agness. You’ve worked extremely hard and deserve every success that you achieve. Go for it! :)
I have been extremely lucky and I am very grateful. I was invited on a press trip to France last year, in which I was not only the sole British person, but also the only blogger, as the others were “industry!” I’ve also been invited on a food tour and an alternative walking tour as well as to Berlin Fashion Week, Music Award Shows, etc
I’ve just returned from the Baltic States in which for the first time, the cruise was complimentary and the transport from country to country heavily discounted. I don’t usually stay in hostels so I make my own hotel arrangements and ask if a press discount would be possible. Most of the time it is. I choose my battles. For example, the press discount at my art hotel in Finland was €125 per night. I happily paid up and as a result, we were put in a superior room and had cocktails on the house which I thought was a fair exchange! :)
Thank you, sweetie :*
The postcards are lovely! It is always nice when someone recognizes the hard work you put into running a blog.I’ve gotten some free stuff but I do wish it came along more often.
Thank you, Rachael! I really loved Lisbon!
Yes, I agree. It is sometimes nice when someone recognizes your work, especially when you are only a travel blogger :).
Well done Agness! That’s awesome and inspiring for the rest of us. I would also have had to take those postcards home…
Thank you, Katie!
Really appreciate this article! Great to know the hard work pays off. Would love to read a post on how to pitch companies and tourism boards for service exchange. Lisbon looks like a wonderful city.
Yes, that’s so true!
Lisbon looks amazing! I was supposed to make it there last summer, but plans fell through. Definitely one of my first stops whenever I’m back in Europe. Thanks for all the honesty about receiving free stuff! So awesome you only had to spend a buck. : )
Make next time Dave :)
Well done Agness! Lisbona looks amazing, one day i’ll pay a visit. I’m actually surprised to read that you didn’t have any free stay until now! I had a few ones but the best one was a Bungalow on the beach in Palawan! Oh I loved that place sooo much! I dont really like writing reviews of hotels, so from now on I’m mentioning them in the contest of my travel articles or on social media. It’s also a good, less stressful way to manage it and it’s also better for the hotels I think :) Go girl! xxx
I hope so, sweetie. It’s just way too beautiful to be missed :).
Agness, I am happy that you enjoyed Lisbon. It is truly an amazing city, still not fully discovered by travelers! Fingers crossed to have more tips for 1 dollar! :) Happy travels!
Awesome!! :)