30 Things to Know Before Visiting Portugal

These are the things our members wish they’d known before their first trip to Portugal, and the things we’ve learned from living here. Read this and you’ll avoid the most common mistakes.

Getting in and getting around

1. Non-EU visitors now have their face and fingerprints scanned at the border under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (fully running since April 2026), so allow extra time on arrival. The separate ETIAS online travel permit for visa-free visitors hasn’t launched yet and is expected to be delayed into 2027. Check the official EU website before you travel.
2. Lisbon and Porto airports are close to the city. The metro or a 15-minute Uber gets you in. See our Lisbon and Porto airport guides.
3. Uber and Bolt are everywhere and usually cheaper than taxis. See Uber vs Bolt vs taxi.
4. Get a navegante card in Lisbon (Andante in Porto) instead of paying per ride. See our Lisbon transport guide.
5. Trains between cities are easy, comfortable and cheap if booked early. See Lisbon to Porto by train.
6. If you hire a car, take the toll device. Many motorways are camera-only. See Portugal tolls explained.
7. Don’t drive in central Lisbon or Porto unless you have to. The streets are narrow and steep, and parking is a nightmare.

Money

8. Cards work almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for small cafés and markets.
9. Avoid the Euronet ATMs and always pay in euros, not your home currency. See money in Portugal.
10. The bread and olives aren’t free. The “couvert” is charged if you eat it. Send it back if you don’t want it.
11. Tipping is optional. Rounding up or 5–10% for great service is plenty.
12. There’s a tourist tax of a few euros per person per night in Lisbon, Porto and many other places, paid at your accommodation.

Daily life

13. Portuguese isn’t Spanish. A simple olá (hello) and obrigado (thank you, said by men) or obrigada (said by women) goes a long way. English is widely spoken.
14. Meal times are later. Lunch runs roughly 12:30 to 15:00 and dinner from about 19:30 or 20:00. Some kitchens close between lunch and dinner.
15. Coffee is a ritual. A bica (Lisbon) or cimbalino (Porto) is an espresso, often drunk standing at the counter, and it’s cheaper there than at a table.
16. Many museums close on Mondays, and some small shops close on Sunday or Saturday afternoon.
17. Tap water is safe to drink.
18. Plugs are type F (two round pins), 230V.
19. Pharmacies (green cross) are excellent for minor health problems, and there’s always one open late on a rota.
20. Strikes happen, sometimes on trains, flights or the metro. Check the news before travel days.

Sightseeing

21. Book Pena Palace and the Belém monuments ahead. They use timed entry slots now.
22. Go early to Sintra, popular beaches and viewpoints, especially in summer.
23. Tram 28 is a pickpocket favourite. Ride it early or use quieter lines. See is Lisbon safe?
24. Benagil Cave rules changed in 2024: tours only, with no landing or swimming. See our Benagil guide.
25. Portugal is bigger than it looks. Don’t try to see Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve in five days. See our 10-day itinerary.

Weather and the sea

26. The Atlantic is cold, even in summer, and can be rough. Swim at lifeguarded beaches and respect the flags.
27. The sun is strong from spring to autumn. Wear high-factor sunscreen and a hat.
28. Old houses can be cold in winter without central heating. Check that your accommodation has heating. See the best time to visit.

Comfort

29. Wear shoes with grip. The polished stone pavements (calçada) are slippery, especially when wet, and the hills are steep.
30. Pack light if you can. Cobbles, stairs and narrow streets make big suitcases hard work. Check our Lisbon and Porto neighbourhood guides for flatter areas.

Got a question we haven’t answered? Ask the 305,000 members of our groups, or grab our free Portugal trip checklist.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.