Portugal has a lot going for it! Stunning coastlines, lively cities, fascinating history, and, best of all, sunny weather!
But if that wasn’t enough.
It’s also one of the easiest countries to travel to in Europe. Yup, that’s right! Think great public transport, minimal language barriers, and more bang for your buck!
However, before jumping in and buying that flight ticket, you should know a few things, especially if it’s your first visit to this dreamy country.
In this guide, I’ve compiled everything I wish I knew before visiting to help you plan a smooth trip. Here are my top 11 travel tips for Portugal!
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Travel Tips for Portugal: 11 Things to Know Before you Go
Book museum & attraction time-slots in advance
Portugal literally has hundreds of fascinating museums and tourist attractions! Whether you want to explore the fairytale castles of Sintra, browse Portugal’s prettiest bookstore in Porto, or climb to the top of Belém Tower in Lisbon, the list of amazing places to visit is endless!
However, it’s important to know that most tourist attractions are usually super busy, and you’re almost guaranteed to wait in line at some of them! Added to that, some attractions require booking time-slot tickets online in advance.
My golden rule? Plan! If you want to visit a specific attraction, check online whether you need a time-slot ticket or if they have skip-the-line tickets. Trust me, you’ll thank me later! I’m so glad we grabbed our Pena Palace tickets online a few days before our visit because the normal ticket lines were crazy long!
Another good tip is to check the opening times on official websites, as Google Maps doesn’t always get it right. Most attractions are generally closed on Mondays, and some even on Tuesdays.
Psst: Looking for the best tours in Portugal? I’ve listed all my favorite ones here in my Viator shop!
Always carry some cash
Even though most shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions accept card payments, always carry a bit of cash with you.
During our 12-day Portugal trip, we had several instances where some places did not accept card payments. This mostly happened at small local cafes and mini-markets. Another example was in Lagos when we wanted to join a Grotto tour but had to withdraw cash to pay the boat driver directly.
In Lisbon and Porto, you also usually need to pay to use public bathrooms. Unlike in the Netherlands and Belgium, none of the restrooms had card facilities, so having some coins handy for bathroom emergencies will also be useful.
If you need to withdraw money, look for a Multibanco ATM. Whatever you do, avoid withdrawing cash from Euronet ATMs. They’re notorious for charging high commission fees on non-European bank cards!
Choose the right time to visit
Portugal sports hot summers and mild winters thanks to its Mediterranean climate. The most popular time to visit is during the warmer months, from May to September. During these months there is plenty of sunshine and little rain.
July and August are the busiest months in Portugal when the weather is hot and sunny, and temperatures easily reach the mid 30ºCs. Heatwaves aren’t uncommon during these months, too, so a good tip is to book accommodation with AC. Another thing to note is that Portugal is very busy during July and August. The crowds didn’t bother us much in the south or even in Lisbon, but the sheer number of people in Porto was quite overwhelming.
If I had to do it all over again, I’d visit during one of the shoulder months, like June or September. These months still offer good weather with fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices.
Renting a car in Portugal
Portugal has a highly efficient public transport network, but having a car is a fantastic way to explore beyond the main tourist hubs. That said, you do not need to rent a car in Lisbon or Porto, as both cities are surprisingly walkable, with subways, buses, trams, and trains at your disposal.
However, if you plan to spend a few days in the Algarve region and want to visit all the stunning beaches and quaint towns, you’ll need transport. The easiest way to get around is by renting a car.
A key travel tip for Portugal is to only book a car rental through a reputable agency. We got seriously ripped off after booking a car rental through a third-party website, and upon collection, the agency suddenly didn’t want to accept my fiancé’s credit card as his full name was not on the card. We had to take out a new contract directly with the car rental company at almost double the price we would have paid through the third-party website.
Bottomline: read the fine print before booking and only use well-known agencies! Although a road trip along Portugal’s coastline sounds sublime, you should know that dropping the car in a different location often costs double the rental price.
Also, check if you need an International Driver’s Permit before you go!
Book accommodation in advance
Although Portugal is considered a cheaper destination in Europe, hotels can be pricey, especially if you’re visiting during peak season.
We splurged on accommodation in the Algarve but found much better deals in Lisbon and Porto. Naturally, the cost of your hotel room will ultimately boil down to location and what kind of traveler you are, but the key is always to book accommodation at least a few months in advance. That way, you can lock in the best price and actually stay somewhere you love, especially if you’re eyeing one of the hotels near the Douro River.
You’ll find good deals on sites like Agoda and Booking.com, but you can also check Airbnb if you’d rather cook than eat out every day.
Learn a few Portuguese phrases
I always learn at least a few local phrases when visiting a new country. Sure, not everyone enjoys learning languages, but I find it fun and believe it shows respect for the locals and their customs.
While most people, especially in touristy areas, speak some English, here are a few basic Portuguese phrases if you also feel like trying them out:
- Hello — Olá
- Please — Por favor
- Thank you — Obrigado if you’re male and Obrigada if you’re female
- Goodbye — Adeus
Those yummy starters are not free
Okay, this is one of the most important things to know before visiting Portugal! And if you’re going to eat at a traditional taberna or tasca (which you should!), it’s better to know this upfront.
The starters are not free!
In Portugal, it’s customary to bring tapas to your table to choose from. These usually include bread, olives, carrots, goat’s cheese, and other small goodies to snack on while browsing the menu for mains. It’s important to know that these snacks are not complimentary!
Many tourists feel ripped off after seeing extra charges on the bill, but this is not a scam. So, a good rule of thumb is: don’t touch or eat anything you’re not willing to pay for. Also, check the prices before digging in! Some are quite pricey.
Get data for your phone
If you want a stress-free trip, having data on your phone will make your life much easier! You’ll definitely need Google Maps to navigate around, and you’ll also probably need to check train schedules or translate Portuguese menus.
You can easily buy a local SIM card at the airport upon arrival (Vodafone is a good option), but getting this Esim is a great stress-free alternative.
Consider getting the city tourist passes
Both Lisbon and Porto are peppered with amazing museums and tourist attractions. Unfortunately, most come with steep entry fees that can quickly make a dent in your pocket!
In Lisbon, the Lisboa Card is a great way to save money, as you’ll get unlimited rides on public transport and free entry to some of the city’s most important sights. Similarly, in Porto, the Porto Card offers free transport and discounts on entry tickets to the city’s top tourist attractions.
However, you should know that these cards are not cheap! And they’re really only worth getting if you’re going to make good use of them! Therefore, before you buy one, sit down, decide which (and how many) places you can realistically see within your time frame, and do the math.
Portugal has great public transport
Getting around Portugal is relatively easy thanks to its great public transport network. In bigger cities like Porto and Lisbon, it’s easy to get around. Trains, trams, buses, and metros connect you to all corners.
If you are planning to use public transport (and not buy one of the city passes), I highly recommend getting a transport card. This will make getting around so much easier! Plus, you won’t need to buy tickets whenever you want to catch the bus or metro! For Lisbon, you’ll want to grab a Navegante card (learn more about it in my Lisbon travel tips guide). And in Porto, you can buy the Adante card at one of the many train stations.
Long-distance travel is also great in Portugal, with buses and trains connecting all major hubs. We took the train from Faro to Lisbon and again from Lisbon to Porto. You can check schedules and prices or book tickets on Portugal’s official train network website. Download the app for easy access to your trip details and book tickets sooner rather than later. Tickets are available 60 days in advance.
If you prefer taking the bus, Flixbus is the cheapest option, but tickets often sell out. For more options, you can also look at Omio or 12Go.
Tipping etiquette in Portugal
In Portugal, tipping is not mandatory, but it is still appreciated. If you receive excellent service or enjoy the food, it’s normal to leave a tip of 5-10%.
That said, tipping is usually not expected at bars, coffee shops, or small eateries where you pay upfront. If you really want to leave a tip, carry some small change that you can leave on the table or throw in the tip jar.
Portugal Travel Tips in Conclusion
Well, there you have it — all my tips for visiting Portugal for the first time! You’ve truly got a lot to look forward to!
I hope these travel tips come in handy when planning your trip! If you have other must-know tips for traveling in Portugal, share them in the comments below!
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Thank you for this incredibly detailed and practical guide to Portugal! 🇵🇹 Your tips are spot-on, especially the advice about booking attractions in advance and the heads-up about starters not being complimentary—both are things that could catch first-time visitors off guard. I also appreciate the thoughtful mention of avoiding Euronet ATMs and the recommendation to learn basic Portuguese phrases; these small details make a big difference. Your personal experiences, like the car rental mishap, add a valuable and relatable touch. Obrigado for sharing such helpful insights! 🙏✨