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.
What a great blog..ound it recently and have enjoyed reading all of the info and interesting tidbits. Do you have a recommendation for a really good road map to use when driving around the less touristy areas??
Many thanks for any suggestion, regards, Claudette Wren
Hi Claudette, If you’re just sticking to one or two regions, I would buy a detailed Turinta map from a Bertrand book store when you arrive. Otherwise, the one in my Amazon Shop is your best bet: https://www.amazon.com/shop/juliedawnfox?listId=GJLDJZOQISO1 I also suggest you read my road trip article: https://juliedawnfox.com/portugal-road-trip-essentials-know-before-you-go/ and use soemthign like Google Maps to help you navigate as well as the paper map.
Hello,
As a Portuguese reader I just need to say this was an excellent article.
Good job!
Best regards,
Ricardo Silva
Hi Julie, thank you for your article. I’d like to know does waiters speak English as well?
In the touristed areas, most restaurants will have someone who speaks some English. In the more rural areas, not necessarily but you can usually get by.
My final thoughts on the outside heatwave are that you need to bring a lot more drink with you. Of course, not in every area where you travel, but where it can be really hot. For me now, there are over 35C on the trails – many people no longer drink and are far from civilization. It is worth remembering that, always have a drink.
Is there a currency restriction when entering Portugal?
I think it’s €10,000 cash but you should check official sources – try the Visit Portugal website
Thank you so much for sharing this helpful information. I have a question about places to stay. Is it better to stay in an Airbnb? Or are there other places, see if I’d like to stay for a month, that would be better to stay in during the month of February?
Hi Terri, If you’re styaing longer term, it’s probably better, and certainly cheaper, to rent an apartment through AirBnB, vrbo or Booking.com, or any other booking platform that you like. Most properties are listed on several websites.
Hey Julie..! Your blog on tips to first time travelers in Portugal is exceptional. From packing to payments, you covered everything in your blog. Furthermore, it is so helpful and informative not only for the first timers, but also to all those who love to travel Portugal. Thanks a ton!
Thanks, John, that’s what I’m aiming for!
Hello:
Great article ! We are not big city or beach people, we would rather travel the country by rental car and visit small villages. We are flying in and out of Porto for this reason. Do you have any suggestions or routes to take regarding this ?
Thanks
Mike
We are are going to Portugal in July for 10 days. We are flying into Lisbon. I was wondering if you could provide me with some advice.
1. Do you think we should rent a car or do you think we should hire a driver to take us places?
2. What beach or beaches do you recommend going to?
3. I would like to go on a wine (vineyards)/cooking tour. Do you have a recommendation of a destination and what company we should use?
4. Do you recommend any amazing cities?
5. Do you recommend any bed and breakfasts, hotels or inns that is not to miss?
Hi Lisa, From what you’ve told me so far, and the number of questions you have about your itinerary, I suggest you schedule a Quick Query consultation with me.
You’re in need of more help than I can give in a quick response and by talking your ideas through with me, you’ll get the clarification you need and recommendations so that you can continue pla​n​ning your trip with confidence.
If you think this would help, please see this page for more information and the booking method: https://juliedawnfox.com/quick-query/
Dear Julie,
Very informative and nice article. I am planning to visit Algarve in month of June, however I do not have IDL, so can throw some light on taxi/can services in Algarve for proper freedom of exploring. Thanks in advance.
Mansi
Hi Mansi, Uber works in the popular parts of the Algarve and there are plenty of taxi services around. Get a local taxi number from your accommodation.
Hello Julie. Have a question. I am travelling from
Obidos to Porto by car but would like to go to monsanto or coimbra before getting to Porto. Not sure if I have time to see both since I dont want to get too late to Porto. Which of the 2 would you recommend? Monsanto (I know is a detour) or Coimbra? Thanks!
I sent you an email…
Excellent post! Really shareable and content rich. It cover up all the important point that everyone need to know thinking to visit Portugal. It also make sense when it come to go with family or without. A paying a closure look I come to know that how I will get to know about there local custom.
Great tips! Especially regarding the food 🙂 Made me more excited about our upcoming visit to Portugal.
One quick question: Do you know any nice hotels in the Lisbon area where they have free parking included in the price?
Not off the top of my head but this article might be a useful starting point: https://juliedawnfox.com/where-to-stay-in-lisbon/
Hi, Julie! I stumbled across your blog as I was researching our trip to Portugal and I absolutely LOVE it! Every article is jam packed with information and advice, which I am in much need of. After reading about renting a car in Portugal and doing more research, I have to say I am confused and worried. We want to visit the Algarve and feel a car would give us the most freedom, but now I am so worried about being ripped off once we are at the rental counter! None of the rental websites seem to give thorough information in regard to their pricing. What to do?!?
Hi Elaine, If you use Rentalcars.com and check the ‘rental terms’ before booking, you will have the information you need to make decisions.
Thank you, Julie! Turns out, we rented the car with our American Express. Amex covers the CDW automatically when used as payment for a rental car. We went one step further and purchased their premium coverage for a minimal fee (less than $20). I feel much better now!
hi Julie, such an amazing article for first time visitors! thank you! i am planning a trip in Jun’19 for 2 weeks. i would want to start with Lisbon and then cover Sintra, Algarvae, Coimbra, Porto. Would you suggest we rent a car ?
regards
Sunitha
It depends on what you want to do – you could get to these places without a car but if you want flexibility for exploring in the Algarve and making stops en route, a car would give you that.
Hi Julie. Thanks for all your help for information. My wife and I are coming over in May 2019 between the 11 and the 15th leaving on the 16th. I would like to know some information if you don’t mind. Thanks in advance. We are going to stay in alfama. Been doing some research and looking at some interesting things. We’re looking at maybe some tourism up in Agueda also was looking at going down to Algarve. We were looking at doing a boat trip maybe the Dolphins and the caves. Or some parasailing or snorkeling. Was looking at possibly renting a scooter but I see the drive is like 3 hours. Was wondering if that’s the best thing for me to do rent a scooter or should I rent a car. Where we are staying at in alfama does not really have the best parking for a car at our place of stay. I am seeing there so many interesting places we would like to check out but in such a limited time. Might have to extend my vacation by two weeks LOL. Thanks again in advance Roy
I see you’ve also sent me an email, Roy, so I’ll respond to that.
Hello Julie. I will be planning a trip to Portugal for next summer and would like to know how you feel about traveling from the north end to the south (or vice versa) finding the best places in between. We will have 10-14 days (undecided how long). Is this too ambitious? How would you recommend traveling? Appreciate your feed back! Thanks, Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I think trying to do a whistle stop tour from north to south is possible with 14 days but bear in mind that you will be wasting a lot of time in transit. I would consider sticking to one or two regions and seeing what they have to offer. A car will give you the greatest flexibility to get to some of the smaller towns and villages but is not necessary in cities so it depends on where you want to go.
Do U.S. expats have to pay taxes on their U.S. Social Security income ?
You’re asking the wrong person, I’m afraid
Hi Julie, you have a very helpful and informative blog. Certainly a lot of work went into it.
Under #24 on the page https://juliedawnfox.com/tips-first-trip-portugal/, the link for the Visit Portugal website is broken and no longer responds.
After a little poking around, I found this which I think is the new one: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/encontre/grandes-eventos/list . Please check to be sure.
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff. Fixed it 🙂
Hi Julie…travelling to Portugal in October…Algarve area. Noticed you used to do the TEFL thing…have had mixed input as to current opportunities in that area in Portugal. I am in process of getting TEFL certificate. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Hi Jeff, I think it depends on where you are thinking of living and working. You may be able to pick up work in the bigger cities fresh from your CELTA but you won’t get a full time contract so expect to be supplementing your hours with private classes or for more than one institution. Accommodation costs in Lisbon and Porto have gone crazy so I don’t know how feasible it is to live off TEFL income. It’s not easy but once you have more experience under your belt, there are better opportunities.