Daily cost: £40.
Bargain: Lisbon's back alleys serve up lovely little family-run restaurants that are considerably cheaper than the equivalent in Spain, while apartments facing the sea can be rented for a snip. The Algarve is also primed for cheap stays, while Madeira's beautiful quintas are very reasonable, with some converted mansions offering rates around £25 per night per person.
Why visit: Lisbon offers a gastronomic adventure for a song, as well as toe-tapping musical nights out, and lazy days on the beach, watching the fishermen cast their nets. Porto Santo and Madeira are a bit more mellow and preferred by package holidaymakers. Madeira is home to a spectacular market bursting with spices, vegetables and fish (including the indigenous black scabbard fish caught 1,000 metres below sea level), so our recommendation would be to hire a cheap but chic apartment and cook feasts at home.
Find cheap flights to 50 top destinations with Bing
Simon Reeve on Brazil
World's most spectacular swimming pools
52 weekend break ideas
Video: Turtles hatching eggs on Tobago
