Portugal Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go
Planning a trip to Portugal? Start in Lisbon for colorful neighborhoods, historic trams, viewpoints, azulejo-covered buildings, and pastéis de nata; travel north to Porto for its beautiful riverfront, Port wine cellars, and easy access to the Douro Valley; or explore Sintra’s extravagant palaces, gardens, and forested hills.
But Portugal offers much more than its best-known cities. You can relax on the beaches of the Algarve, hike volcanic landscapes in the Azores, explore Madeira’s mountains and levadas, visit medieval towns and castles, tour vineyards, listen to traditional Fado, and eat your way through one of Europe’s most distinctive culinary destinations.
This Portugal travel guide will help you decide where to go, when to visit, how to get around, how much to budget, and what you need to know before you arrive. You’ll also find practical information about entry requirements, currency, transportation, weather, electrical outlets, safety, food, packing, festivals, and Portuguese traditions.
Visiting Portugal for the first time? Lisbon and Porto make an excellent introduction. Add Sintra as a day trip from Lisbon, then choose the Douro Valley, Algarve, Madeira, or Azores depending on your interests and how much time you have.
Portugal Travel Guide at a Glance
Planning your first trip to Portugal? Here are the essential things to know before you go:
Capital: Lisbon
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Official Language: Portuguese
Emergency Number: 112
Driving: Portuguese drive on the right
Power Outlets: Type C and F, 230V, 50Hz
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for generally pleasant sightseeing weather and fewer peak-season crowds
Popular First-Time Destinations: Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, the Algarve, and Douro Valley
Getting Around: Trains, intercity buses, metros, trams, local buses, taxis, ride-hailing services, rental cars, and domestic flights
Visa Requirements: U.S. tourists can currently visit Portugal and the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period
Best Known For: Historic cities, Atlantic beaches, Port wine, azulejos, Fado, castles, seafood, pastéis de nata, and dramatic coastal scenery
Don’t Miss: Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Portuguese food, a Fado performance, and at least one destination beyond the major cities
First-time Portugal travel tip: Don’t underestimate the hills and cobblestone streets in Lisbon and Porto. Comfortable shoes with good traction are far more useful than fashionable footwear for long sightseeing days.
Best Places to Visit in Portugal
Lisbon: Best for First-Time Visitors, Food and City Life
Lisbon is best known for its wooden trams, rooftop views, colorful neighborhoods, Azul tile, sidewalk art, the Santa Justa Lift, Jeronimos Monastery, the Belem Tower, 25 de Abril Bridge, Christ statue, pink street, street performers, and pastel de nata (custard tarts). A day trip to the seaside town of Cascais and the rocky coastline cave of Boca do Inferno (the Mouth of Hell) is time well spent.
READ Lisbon Portugal Two Day Itinerary for First-Timers
READ 100 Things to Do in Lisbon Portugal, a Bucket List City
Porto: Best for Port Wine, River Views and Historic Architecture
Porto is a steep hillside town full of pastel homes with narrow winding streets, colorful facades, and Azul tile. Porto has a gorgeous riverfront promenade with spectacular bridges, and Port wine cellars, it is home to the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world and has sprinklings of Harry Potter throughout the city. Porto’s sister city is Vila Nova de Gaia. It is full of Port Wine Cellars and a great starting point for a day trip to the Douro Valley Wineries.
READ Porto Portugal Two Day Itinerary for First-Timers
Sintra: Best for Palaces, Gardens and Fairytale Architecture
Sintra Portugal is a magical land with a Disney-like castle, a medieval fortress, a gothic palace with an underground grotto, a secret abandoned forest monastery, and many palaces nestled into the pine trees of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Sintra is close to the rocky coastline of Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point, and the enormous waves of Cresmina Beach.
READ Top Things to Do in Sintra Portugal
What You Need to Know When Planning a Trip to Portugal
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is a country in Western Europe bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Spain. Lisbon and Porto are the largest cities in Portugal, Lisbon is the capital. Almost half of the population in Portugal lives in either Lisbon or Porto.
What Language Is Spoken in Portugal?
The national language of Portugal is Portuguese. English is taught in schools and is commonly spoken in major tourist destinations, particularly in hotels, restaurants and attractions. Be sure to learn a few key phrases as well as some slang. FluentU offers a helpful list of common words and phrases to learn before you travel.
Do U.S. Citizens Need a Visa to Visit Portugal?
U.S. citizens can generally visit Portugal and other countries in the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism. Time spent elsewhere in the Schengen Area counts toward the same 90-day allowance.
What Currency Does Portugal Use?
The currency in Portugal is the euro. US dollars are not accepted at restaurants, attractions, or stores. Be sure to download a free currency calculator before you arrive.
Can You Use Credit Cards and ATMs in Portugal?
ATMs are widely available in Portugal. Avoid large fees by using your bank’s international partner in Portugal and Google its location before you travel. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Portugal, you will need a 4-digit PIN from the bank. Save money on fees with a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and make purchases in euros. Carry cash for small businesses and traditional villages that may be cash only.
How Much Does a Trip to Portugal Cost?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of traveling in Portugal is $121. Expect to pay $1,663 + airfare for a one-week trip for 2.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Portugal?
Portugal is warm all year round and has 300+ days of sunshine each year. Avoid July and August, Portugal is very hot and crowded with tourists. It is warm with fewer crowds in May, June, and September. You may have rain and evenings are chilly from October to April.
Planning a winter visit? Check out these best destinations in Portugal in the winter
How Do You Get Around Portugal?
It is easy and inexpensive to travel between cities by train. Trams, buses, and taxis are available in Lisbon and Porto. Taxi drivers are known to be ‘corrupt’. I experienced this in Lisbon and had a driver go around the block three times as if I would not notice. Show the driver the arrival address and monitor the route on Google Maps.
What Power Adapter Do You Need in Portugal?
The plugs in Portugal are type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter with surge protection. You may need a converter if you plan to use an electric razor or blow dryer from the US.
What Should You Pack for Portugal?
Clothing styles are casual and conservative. Comfortable nonslip shoes with cushions are vital, expect steep hills and cobblestone streets.
Is Portugal Safe for Solo Travelers?
The current U.S. travel advisory is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions and Portugal is ranked as the 3rd safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index. Petty crime and picket pockets are common in tourist areas. Dial 112 to contact police and emergency medical services. Dial 112 in an emergency. Contact the US Embassy for non-urgent emergencies, such as a lost passport.
What Portuguese Food Should You Try?
Francesinha (smoked meats and cheese sandwich with beer sauce), bifanas (Portuguese pork sandwich), chicken piri-piri, codfish, grilled sardines, ginja em copos de chocolate (sour cherry liqueur in chocolate cups), pastéis de nata. Be sure to try Port Wine. It is safe to drink tap water in Portugal.
What Are the Major Festivals in Portugal?
The main Portuguese holidays are Christmas and Easter. During Feliz Natal, Christmas, children write letters to the infant Jesus, families attend Midnight mass and enjoy a traditional family dinner including codfish. Easter is celebrated with processions throughout the city followed by a family dinner of lamb. Portugal celebrates Carnaval with parades and dancing in the streets. Pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima occur in mid-May. Santos Populares, the Popular Saints Festival, occurs each June. Each region of Portugal has its own saint to celebrate and exact dates vary. Street parties continue throughout the night over several days and nights during Santos Populares.
What Are Some Important Portuguese Traditions?
Fado, a traditional music characterized by suffering and melancholy, is an important Portuguese tradition. The Portuguese are fans of soccer, futebol. There is a strong cafe culture in Portugal and people gather at coffee houses socializing all hours of the day. Families gather for lunch on Sundays for Domingos em Família, Sundays with family.
Tips for Traveling in Portugal
- The sun is strong, so use sunscreen.
- Starters are not free; you will pay for the olives and basket of bread if you eat them.
- There is no obligation to tip in Portugal; 10% is common for excellent service.
- The roads in Portugal are in poor condition.
- Bring some cash in small bills for small stores and restaurants; avoid bills larger than 50 euros.
- If someone ‘helps’ you on the street, they may expect a tip.
Top Things to See and Do in Portugal
- See the waterfalls of the Azores
- Relax on the beaches of the Algarve
- Visit Jerónimos Monastery
- Go Port wine tasting in the Vila Nova de Gaia cellars
- Take a day tour of the vineyards of the Douro Valley
- Explore Sintra and tour Pena Palace
- Walk Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe
- Check out the Livraria Lello bookstore in Porto
- Attend a Fado concert
- Ride Lisbon’s Tram #28
Check the Portugal Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Interesting Facts About Portugal
- Portugal is the oldest country in Europe.
- Portugal is the westernmost point of Europe.
- Portuguese is the official language of nine countries.
- Portugal is the largest cork producer in the world.
- Lisbon’s Bertrand Bookstore is the oldest bookstore in the world.
- The biggest wave ever surfed was in Portugal, it was 90 feet high.
- Portugal has its own genre of music, Fado.
- Japanese tempura originated in Portugal.
- It is possible to donate to charities and buy concert tickets at ATMs in Portugal.
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