If you’ve never been to Portugal, you’re in for a treat. You might even fall a little bit in love, especially if you know what to expect. My insider Portugal travel tips can help you prepare and make your first trip go as smoothly as possible.
Knowing a little about local customs, especially in restaurants, will help you feel more confident and avoid that nasty suspicion that you’ve been ripped off.
If you’re still trying to decide if Portugal is the place you want to visit then read my Portugal: 15 Reasons To Make It Your Next Destination post.
Read on for my insider advice on planning a trip to Portugal including what to bring, what to expect when eating out and how you can save money on accommodation, transport, food, shopping and activities. This practical travel guide is based on my 16+ years of travelling around Portugal, and helping other people plan their ideal Portugal vacation.
👉ALL THESE TIPS AND MORE IN ONE HANDY EBOOK👈
I’ve combined these 25 tips with a wealth of other insider insights and practical information to help you avoid costly mistakes and plan your ideal Portugal trip.
Before you book your first trip to Portugal
1. Try to avoid the hottest, busiest and most expensive months of July and August if possible. You’ll find great deals, good weather (most of the time) and fewer crowds if you travel to Portugal off-season.
Weather-wise, May, June and September are usually hot but not unbearably so and although the risk of rain increases from October to April, and it does get cold at night, it’s possible to get lovely sunny days any time of year. If you’re travelling with young children, these slightly cooler months would make life a little easier – see my practical tips for family travel in Portugal.
Get the full low down on the best time to visit Portugal in this post.
2. Check travel times and distances between places if you’re considering visiting more than one region. It makes far more sense to take your time exploring one area properly and come back later to see another place than to spend half your holiday travelling between destinations.
If you feel you must cram as much as possible into one trip, you can save a few hours by flying between Faro and Porto. There are flights between Lisbon and Porto but when you factor in getting to and from the airport and security checks, I don’t think you save much time compared to train or road transport and it’s not great for the environment.
See my fully-managed Portugal itineraries if you don’t have the time or confidence to plan your own trip to Portugal.
3. If you’re making your own travel arrangements for touring Portugal, find out how to get from the airport to your accommodation before you book your flights. If you’re relying on public transport for transfers, especially between cities, you could get caught out if services finish earlier than you expected or don’t run at weekends.
You can pre-book an airport transfer if you’d rather keep things simple.
You may also want to get a SIM card on arrival so that you’re connected as soon as you arrive and can order an Uber/Bolt. You can buy data and normal SIM cards from the Vodafone shop at Lisbon and Porto airports or, if you intend to a lot of data-heavy work while travelling, an international SIM card may be a better option.
Read my post on why I believe it’s important to consult a travel expert when planning your trip.
Discounts on Portugal travel
4. More and more destinations in Portugal offer a tourist card, such as the Lisbon Card and Porto Card, which give free or discounted public transport and discounts on all manner of typical holiday expenditures.
That said, you need to make sure it’s actually going to save you money so find out which of the places you want to visit offer reduced entrance fees with the cards. If you are over 65, most museums give you 50% discount anyway.
Tip: Check the local tourist information website before you travel to see what’s available and start saving money from the moment you step off the plane.
My favourite sites for saving money on accommodation and car hire are here: Where To Find The Best Portugal Travel Deals.
See my Portugal accommodation guides to help you find a great place to stay
Note that major destinations in Portugal have introduced a tourist tax of €1-2 per person per night to cover the increased pressure on the local infrastructure. You pay this at your accommodation so budget accordingly.
Keep in mind that if you’re a non-EU resident you may be able to claim back the tax you’ve spent when shopping. For details check out my Tax free shopping in Portugal for Non-EU Residents post.
Documents to bring on your Portugal trip
5. Double check that your passport is in date – you may need it to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of travel if coming from outside the EU – and bring a couple of photocopies with you.
By law, you have to carry photo ID when in Portugal but won’t want to risk losing your precious passport so leave that in your hotel safe and keep a photocopy with you and carry some alternative form of photographic ID like a driving licence.
6. If you live in the EU, apply for and bring your European Health Insurance Card. It doesn’t substitute full travel insurance but will reduce the costs of emergency treatment. If you’re coming from elsewhere, you should make sure you have insurance to cover health emergencies as the costs can quickly soar. Get a quote from Yonder
7. The good news is that you don’t need any special vaccinations for visiting Portugal unless you’re coming from a Yellow Fever zone.
8. If you have an EU passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Portugal. Other passport holders should check Visit Portugal’s Entry Formalities although American, Canadian and Australian citizens can travel visa-free for 90 days (total) within the Schengen area.
9. If you plan on renting a car, don’t forget your driving licence – if you’re coming from certain countries, you may need an International Drivers’ Permit so check with the rental company and, if necessary, get one before your trip. Drivers with licenses issued in the UK, USA and Canada don’t need an IDP.
You need to have your licence with you when driving in Portugal plus the paperwork for the car and your ID.
COMPARE CAR HIRE PRICES AT DISCOVERCARS.COMSee these essential tips for renting a car in Portugal
GET YOUR INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S PERMIT ONLINE
Money matters when visiting Portugal
10. I always like to have some local currency on me when I arrive in a foreign country but if you do land in Portugal without euros, there are ATMs (look for Multibanco signs) in all international airports and towns so you can withdraw euros directly from your bank account or top up your cash if you run out. Avoid Euronet machines as their charges can be extortionate.
11. Although credit cards are accepted in many places, smaller outlets, including some restaurants, only take cash. Note that if you pay by credit or debit card you will probably be charged for each transaction so check with your bank before deciding how you want to pay for purchases.
👉ALL THESE TIPS AND MORE IN ONE HANDY EBOOK👈
I’ve combined these 25 tips with a wealth of other insider insights and practical information to help you avoid costly mistakes and plan your ideal Portugal trip.
12. If you exchange money before travelling to Portugal, try to avoid bringing large bills, i.e. bigger than 50 euros. If your currency exchange provider has given you a stack of 100, 200 or worse, 500 euro notes, take them into a local bank when you arrive to get a stash of smaller notes.
Packing tips for a trip to Portugal
13. Clothes-wise, several thin layers are a good idea as they allow you to adapt to changeable temperatures. Loose, lightweight natural fibres will help you cope with the summer heat but you’ll need jeans/heavier trousers and sweaters in winter.
Bring comfy shoes or sandals, depending on the season, preferably with fairly thick non-slip soles. When you see the uneven cobbled pavements, you’ll understand why. Don’t wear spiky heels unless you want to ruin them or break your ankle.
For detailed advice about what to bring, read my guide to packing for Portugal.
If you’re coming to do a walking holiday, this article about what to pack for long distance hikes may be more relevant.
14. If you’re venturing deep into rural Portugal, you’ll need to be better equipped as local shops stock a more limited range of products. In the natural parks, shops of any description are few and far between.
15. It’s not standard practice for Portuguese accommodations to have tea-making facilities in guest rooms even if they do have a fridge. If you can’t live without your cuppa, pack a travel kettle and a few decent tea bags. Be warned that fresh milk is much harder to find than UHT in Portugal so you might prefer black or herbal teas.
16. Even if you’re travelling to Portugal in winter, you should bring sunglasses and use factor 30 sun cream as minimum if you have fair skin. Bring a fold-up umbrella too, just in case. You’ll need a hat in summer and insect repellent if, like me, you attract mosquitoes and other biting insects.
17. When visiting a major tourist destination like the Algarve, Porto or Lisbon, or basically any large town or city, don’t worry if you forget to pack something or are hampered by hand luggage restrictions. With the exception of obscure prescription medication, you can buy pretty much anything you’re likely to need in Portugal although some things, like sun cream and bug repellent, may be a little pricier.
Learn a little Portuguese
18. While it’s perfectly possible to get by in English in the major tourist areas, learning a few simple phrases in Portuguese will go a long way.
No one expects foreigners on holiday to be proficient in the language but just saying thank you in Portuguese is appreciated. It’s obrigado if you’re a man and obrigada if you’re a woman, by the way.
There are plenty of free and affordable resources to help you learn European Portuguese.
As for Portuguese phrasebooks, the best of the bunch is probably the Lonely Planet Portuguese Phrasebook & Dictionary, which has sections on eating and drinking as well as all the functional language you’d expect and help with pronunciation.
Eating out in Portugal – tips for travellers
The most common complaint I see on TripAdvisor is from people who think they’ve been ripped off by Portuguese restaurants. Most of the time, it’s simply a case of not knowing the local customs.
19. It’s standard practice for waiters to bring you little dishes of olives, bread, cheese and cold meats but they are not freebies unless they are part of a set menu.
If you don’t want them, just politely send them back untouched and you won’t be charged. Strictly speaking, you shouldn’t be charged for items you didn’t order but it avoids confrontation if you know how to deal with this in advance.
If you are tempted but worried about the creeping cost of your final bill, check the price before tucking in. The bread and olives are usually very cheap.
20. Super-fresh fish and seafood are among Portugal’s gastronomic highlights.
Seafood restaurants often have a selection of the catch of the day displayed on a bed of ice. You choose the fish and they grill it to perfection. In such cases, it’s hard to know how much it will end up costing as the fish is charged by weight. To get an idea of the price and avoid a nasty surprise at the end of a lovely meal, ask the waiter for an estimate during the selection phase.
Alternatively, order a Cataplana de Marisco (seafood casserole) or Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) which are usually stuffed with ocean goodies for a fixed price.
21. Don’t be surprised if your main course seems lacking in vegetables. Many Portuguese people get their greens and other vegetables by starting a meal with a soup. Ask what the main dish is served with and order a side salad or vegetables if you feel the need.
22. Unlike in the UK where a waiter will usually take your drinks order while you’re contemplating the menu, food gets priority in Portugal. The waiter may bring some unsolicited (but not free – see above) appetisers to your table before taking your order but will often not ask about drinks until the food has been dealt with. If you’re parched and need a drink while deciding, you’ll need to initiate the drinks order when the waiter brings the menu.
23. A great way of economising on eating out is to do what the locals do and have a main meal at lunchtime with a menu do dia (set menu of 2-3 courses) or prato do dia (dish of the day). Check what is and isn’t included before saying yes to everything the waiter offers you but generally speaking, you can get a 3-course meal with wine for under 10 euros.
See this post about Portuguese food you should try
Read about wonderful Portuguese drinks, beyond wine.
More information in How To Order Like A Local At Restaurants, Cafés & Bars In Portugal
The first two of these books about Portuguese food have lots of practical information to help you be more adventurous when trying local dishes.
Festivals and sightseeing in Portugal
24. It’s well worth checking out some of the local events while you’re here. Every town, village and city has at least one food or saint-related festival at some point during the year, especially during the summer months.
My guide to Portuguese festivals and celebrations gives you a seasonal sense of what’s on.
The Visit Portugal website has details of major events including music festivals, sports championships and film festivals.
For smaller events, look out for somewhat garish posters on lamp posts and bus stops or check with the local tourist information office or regional tourism websites such as Visit Algarve to find out what’s on during your stay but don’t expect the information to be published more than a few weeks in advance.
25. If you intend to visit museums and monuments, there are two important things to consider. One is that some offer free admission on Sunday mornings or discounts with the local tourist card.
The other is that most are closed on Mondays so you’ll need to check and plan around this if you have your heart set on seeing something specific.
If you need help with your Portugal itinerary, I can get you on the right track with a range of trip planning services.
Bonus tip: Getting through customs in Lisbon airport
Sometimes there is a very long queue at customs when you arrive in Lisbon airport, often early in the morning when international flights arrive (don’t ask me why they haven’t organised staffing to deal with this!).
If you have an EU passport you can use the EU passport line to avoid the longer “All passports” queue.
If you don’t have that option, the Priority Passport Line, which is mainly for crew, is also an option for anyone who is disabled, pregnant, elderly or traveling with children under two.
If none of those apply, you could be in for a long wait so go to the bathroom before joining the queue.
When it’s time to leave Portugal, you may be able to claim tax back on shopping you’ve bought. To find out what you need to do check out my Tax free shopping in Portugal for Non-EU Residents post.
Looking for a Portugal travel guide book?
Click on the links below to see my top picks via Amazon
My first choice would be a DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Portugal, partly because I’ve contributed to them in the past and partly because I like the pictures, maps and layout.
The Frommer’s Portugal Guide is written by two well-respected journalists who live in the Lisbon area, one Portuguese and the other British. Having met them both, I would certainly trust their recommendations.
I also like Rough Guides’ approach to travel guides and their Portugal travel guide is no exception.
You may also be interested in:
15 Fantastic day trips from Porto
How and when to explore the Douro Valley
Pin me for later!
First trip to Portugal? Here are 25 essential tips.
Hi Julie !
I’m travelling to Lisbon from the 7th of June to the 12th. Firstly can I travel to Portugal with expired travel documents ? I’m a Portuguese citizen and I want to travel to Lisbon to renew my documents which I’m told can be processed in a couple of days. Whilst I’m doing that how do I travel around Lisbon and maybe a couple of nearby beaches would be great. I’m originally from Goa.
Thank you
You would need to contact the Portuguese authorities to check that.
Hi! I am travelling to Portugal in June for the first time. Will ten days be enough? I will start in Oporto, and from then on where should I go? Is a country which I always been so fascinated to visit, so a little help would be very much appreciated!
Thanks!
Hi Alexia, I think you’ll find that 10 days will leave you wanting to come back for more! My advice would be to pick one or two regions and concentrate on seeing the best of them instead of trying to cover the whole country in 10 days. There’s no point spending half your time in transit just to tick off a few sights. Since you’re starting in Porto, I’d suggest exploring north of there – the Minho region is beautiful and fascinating. You could then either visit the Douro (which can be seen as a day trip from Porto) or head into Central Portugal. If you hrent a car, you’ll have more flexibility in terms of travelling to different places and seeing as much as you can in your short time. If you’d like my help with your itinerary, check out these services: https://juliedawnfox.com/portugal-itinerary-support-services/
Thank you so much!! Can’t wait to visit Portugal!!
Hi! My husband & I will be visiting Portugal and Spain in June. We’re from the US and have learned from past trips to Europe that there is a charge to use the public toilets. Is this true of Portugal also? Thank you, Karen
Hi Karen,
They’ve started charging in the bus stations and some train stations but it’s not as bad as in some other countries and most public toilets are free. There may be an attendant who will give you a few sheets of toilet paper and keep the facilities in a decent state, in which case a few cents (around 20 as a guideline) is acceptable but you don’t HAVE to pay. Except, perhaps, for heavily touristed areas, you can usually pop into a café and politely ask if you can use the toilet and they will let you go without charge.
Thank you!
Not sure if my reply went through… so trying again.
I primarily would like to go there for the beaches. There are a couple I’m hoping to see: Praia de Marinha and Praia da Rocha. But I’d also like to take a couple day trips to the towns. Any suggestions on towns to visit down there? Do you think 5 or 6 days is plenty to spend in Algarve? Thanks!
I think that’s enough time to do beaches and a couple of towns. I’d suggest Faro and Tavira, perhaps Silves. If you search my site, you’ll find some information on those places. If you need to talk through your plans at any point, take a look at my Quick Query consultation service: https://juliedawnfox.com/quick-query/
Hi Julie,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. So, primarily I want to see the beautiful beaches like Praia da Marinha and Praia da Rocha, but I also wouldn’t mind taking a couple day trips to some of the southern cities. Just wondering how much time to spend in Algarve overall… Any particular beaches and/or towns you suggest? Thanks!
Rachel
Hi Julie,
Love your blog! My husband and I are planning our honeymoon to Portugal in early September. We will be there for a full 2 weeks. We plan on visiting Porto, Lisbon, Sintra, and Algarve. How many days do you suggest we spend in Algarve? Thanks!
Rachel
Hi Rachel, That depends on what you want to do while you’re there, and indeed why you want to go. There are gorgeous beaches much closer to Lisbon if that’s what you’re after…
One of the best advice for me, Thanks for the sharing this blog and nice information…Great.!!
Hi,
We are moving to Portugal this year and will ship a small container from NYC, any recco what are the essentials we should ship? (Things that are much more expensive in Portugal and are good to ship there?
Thanks for the info! It is well appreciated. My husband and I are a planning our first trip to the Portimao area in a couple weeks. I will check out some of your links for further information. I am so excited!
Hi Julie, great info thank you. I am allergic to gluten and walking the coastal Portuguese Camino in August. Do you have any reverent advice for me?
With best wishes Mikamark
This should help: http://www.legalnomads.com/gluten-free/portugal/
Hi Julie, thanks very much for getting back to me. A bit of a dilemma as I’m allergic to insect repellent and my partner already has a nasty mosquito caused virus!
Best wishes,
Oh dear! Not sure what to suggest then. As I said, cities aren’t normally as problematic as rural areas but you can’t rule out the possibility of being bitten.
Hi, I notice that the Acuweather website gives a daily mosquito activity forecast, so am I guessing that mosquitoes have become a serious problem in Portugal? What precautions would you advise taking between June/July in Lisbon? Thank you
Hi Alexa, funny you should mention that – I noticed a swarm of them outside my kitchen window the other day. Nasty creatures. Anyway, so far, although I am prone to get bitten more than others, I’ve found that insect repellent in the evenings has been enough to ward them off. If you’re staying in an air-conditioned place, that might help, as would a room on a higher floor. Most places in Lisbon won’t have mesh on the window or mosquito netting as they’re not a huge problem in cities.
Hi Julie,
Thank you for such a simplified yet detailed to the level needed guide. I am travelling, for the first time, to Porto, Lisbon and Algarve with 3 other friends. I am little woried about the crime incidents people have reported in various blogs, especially at the beaches where we want to spend most of our time. Any word of caution and remedies from you are glady welcome.
Hi Vinai, I have always found Portugal to be the safest country I’ve ever travelled in. Yes, there is some petty crime in tourist areas so take reasonable precautions, i.e. don’t take too much money or all your valuables out, especially if you’re going to the beach – just take what you need for the day and hide it in your clothes. If you go to the beach and need to leave your belongings unattended, ask someone nearby to keep an eye on them while you go for a swim.
Use usual street smarts to avoid making it easy for pick-pockets and you should be fine. Avoid walking alone at night in dark/isolated areas and shout for help if needed. I really believe that if you are sensible, you would be extremely unlucky to be the victim of any crime.
Forgot my medication going to Portugal. Can I get atempory replacement?
I imagine so, if you’ve got your prescription. If not, or perhaps in any case, you may need to go to a local doctor to get one. It depends on what you need and I’m afraid I have no experience of this.
I am planning to go to Portugal for about a week in late April. I will be in Lisbon area and may consider going north to Porto or further south. What I am wondering is how much rain I can expect? Or how much sunshine? And where would be the warmer areas.
Hi Em, I’m afraid the weather at that time of year is notoriously unpredictable. You could have gloriously warm sunny days, torrential rain or anything in between. At this stage, it’s impossible to know, although it should be fine for travelling as long as you are not dead set on getting a tan.
You’ll have to keep checking the weather forecast before your trip (but even then, take it with a pinch of salt). The further south you go, the more likely you are to have warmer weather. I’ll be spending several days walking in the north of Portugal at that time so I’m really hoping for very little rain, and unless I’m very unlucky, should be okay.
I went their on honeymoon 2 years ago and can’t wate to go back found some lovely places to eat just saveing to go again in September
Glad you loved it enough to want to come back – it has that effect on most people. September is usually a relaxed time to visit.
It may be worth pointing out that under Portuguese law you do not have to pay for any of the appetisers that have been served unsolicited. The waiter should ask if you want them and not just leave them on the table. We are finding more and more when we eat out, that restaurants are asking if we want bread, olives, cheese, sardine pate etc, rather than just placing it on the table as happened when we first moved here 8 years ago. In these times of austerity, savvy Portuguese, ex-pats and tourists for that matter are aware of the law and restaurants have reluctantly had to give “freebies”. They don’t want to be caught out again.
That’s an excellent point, Ray, thanks for sharing it. I’ve also found that in restaurants in more touristy areas, they often ask first. Perhaps because of what you said, but also possibly to avoid complaints, which I’m sure they’ve had to deal with repeatedly from unsuspecting holidaymakers who know neither the custom nor the law.
Nice advice about eating out rituals in Portugal – really helpful if you are a newbie to #Lisbon and well worth the share.
Thanks, Mary. I think it makes the experience a lot more fun when you know how things work.