Portugal Travel Tips: 35 Helpful Things to Know
Every culture has its own quirks and customs, from how to say “Thank You” to the best way to cross the street safely. We’ve compiled our best travel tips for first-time visitors to Portugal. These are the things we share with our friends and family when they visit, so they can have a good time and not be caught off guard by closed restaurants or unfamiliar customs.
In this article, we’ll cover travel tips on paying for things, transportation, food and wine, the Portuguese language, when dinner is served, and more. Some of these tips are important for first-time visitors, while others apply more to those who are staying for an extended period or moving to Portugal and doing their own grocery shopping, etc.
We are an American family living in Porto, Portugal. There is so much to love about living here and sharing our new home with visitors. We get to see the city in a new light when we show friends around, and hope you find these travel tips helpful.
This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.
Planning your time in Porto? We have a 1-day Porto itinerary if you are just passing through or a 3-day itinerary to make sure you see the highlights of the city.
If you are interested in Portuguese culture, read what we wish we knew before moving to Portugal!
Flight Deals: Skyscanner
Digital SIM Cards: Airalo eSIM
Rental Cars: Discover Cars
Airport Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
1. Say Hello
When you enter a store or restaurant, it is polite to say Hello! A simple “Olá” will do, but ideally, you also greet someone with the time of day “Olá, bom dia!”.
This does not mean you need help, and you are free to browse quietly, but it’s polite to acknowledge the staff when you enter. We also usually say goodbye or thank you when we leave a store, even if we were only browsing.
We have a full article on basic Portuguese phrases to help you.
2. Say Thank You Properly
Thank you in Portuguese is “Obrigado” or “Obrigada” depending on who is speaking, NOT the person you are thanking. Approximate pronunciation is Oh-Bree-Gah-due or Oh-Bree-Gah-Dah.
So a woman will always use “Obrigada,” and a man will always say “Obrigado.” This is the most obvious thing most visitors get wrong and is really simple to correct.
3. Expect Hills and Narrow Sidewalks
Both Lisbon and Porto have steep hills in and around their historic centers. Especially in warm weather, the heat and climbing can wear you out. You will also find many narrow sidewalks, where you must walk single file to pass other pedestrians.
Expect to step aside for older people, and be prepared to squeeze around parked cars, tables, or vegetable cartons on the sidewalk.
If the idea of so many hills is intimidating, consider taking a tuk-tuk tour; we especially recommend this in Lisbon.
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes
One of the most iconic sights in Portugal is the beautiful calçada stones. Called “calçada portuguêsa,” these black and white dry-set cobblestones form patterns on the sidewalks and plazas. You’ll find wave patterns, and even full images of boats, mermaids, and more.
These stones are easy to pull up, maintain, replace, and allow for drainage. However, they can result in an uneven surface. Add this to the steep hills and crowded walkways, and you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes.
For the above reasons, we really don’t recommend attempting to push a stroller if you can avoid it.
5. Cover up for Cathedrals
The Portuguese are not generally strict about dress codes, but it is polite to cover your shoulders (and not wear bottoms that are too skimpy) when visiting a Cathedral. If you are visiting during a warm season, consider bringing a pashmina to use just when entering a church.
The Sé Cathedral in Porto is absolutely gorgeous, and one of the first places we send our guests. It’s on the top of our list of activities in Porto.
In general, you are free to dress as you like, from shorts to jeans, according to the season. Sneakers are very common, as are flip-flops in beachside areas.
6. The Camino Portuguese
Both Lisbon and Porto are popular starting points for the Camino de Santiago, a spiritual walking route that ends in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Pilgrims get stamps at waypoints along the route, which were originally used to “prove” they had successfully completed the walk.
Starting from Lisbon, the route takes 25-30 days of walking, with overnight stops in guesthouses along the way.
From Porto, the route takes 12-15 days. This is an extremely popular activity, and you’ll see pilgrims with backpacks embarking on either the coastal or inland routes. The starting point for either route is the Sé Cathedral in Porto, so keep an eye out for the pillar marking the start when you visit.
You will see plaques with arrows marking the Camino route along the sidewalk in other parts of town, designed to keep people going in the right direction, as well as stores or visitor centers advertising that they are a Camino Stamp waypoint.
7. Portuguese is not Spanish
While Portuguese and Spanish have the same Latin route and a substantial overlap in structure and vocabulary, they are not the same. If you understand Spanish, that does not mean you will understand European Portuguese. Even if you understand Brazilian Portuguese, you may still struggle with European Portuguese.
The Portuguese are generally very helpful and will try their best to help you communicate, especially if you are respectful rather than assuming. So do not assume that because you are fluent in Spanish, that will be enough for you to communicate.
We go into more detail about the differences in our Portuguese 101 article.
8. Get an e-SIM
Before you arrive, we recommend buying an e-SIM so you have full cellular coverage when you land. You will want to use apps like DEEPL for translating Portuguese, Uber for getting around town, and Google Maps for navigating while walking.
We like Airalo, they have great options for different length stays, and you can choose a plan that covers only Portugal or an entire region if you will be traveling to several countries in a short time.
9. The North and South Are Different
Portugal is not a large country, however, there are considerable differences between the North and the South.
Accents are different, food is different, and even the vocabulary for ordering coffee or beer is different. Even specific towns tend to have their own traditional pastries, dresses, and festivals.
The North is cooler, with more hearty, meat-based dishes and more Celtic and Galician influences. When we take day trips just a few hours out of Porto, we often marvel at how close we are to the Spanish border.
The South is warmer, more touristy, and generally more expensive. You find more Moorish influence in the architecture and Mediterranean influence in the food.
10. Coffee Culture
Coffee and cafe culture is important across Portugal. Cafes can be found on just about every block, where people sit and enjoy their coffee, often outside. Almost all coffee is espresso-based, and you don’t find drip-style coffee. Coffee is not served “to-go”, but rather you are expected to sit and enjoy your coffee.
Ready for a cup? Check out one of our favorite coffee stops. Read our article on how to order coffee like a local!
11. Portuguese Time
The Portuguese like to take their time. If you arrange a time to meet, it will likely be “around noon” or “noon-ish”, as being on time is not considered very important. Most children’s birthday parties include a half hour of “arrival time” before activities actually start, as it is not expected that everyone will arrive on time.
Even the trains often leave a few minutes late. We refer to this as being “on Portuguese time”, where being late is just expected.
This also means you should not rush through anything. We have found that eating even lunch out often takes up to two hours. Most meals are cooked to order, and eating quickly is not typical. Make sure you factor this into your plans!
If you want to eat faster, look for a restaurant where you order at the counter rather than once you are seated. You are more likely to be served quickly.
12. Ask for the Bill
In Portugal, you must ask for the bill when you are ready to pay. Simply say “a conta por favor” (ah coh-n-tah). Otherwise, you are free to sit at your table and talk as long as you like. A server may ask if you would like dessert or a coffee, but they will never bring you a bill unless you have requested it. Meals are supposed to be lengthy and relaxing, so it would be quite rude of them to rush you.
13. Do I Need Cash?
Most places will take credit cards- look for a sign indicating MB Way. However, we recommend having a few euros for smaller purchases or for any place that does not accept cash.
For example, our local fruit store is cash only. Some small cafes may be cash only (or only local cards). You can use a transit card on the bus, but in a pinch, you can pay with cash, but not with a credit card.
14. Decline Conversion
When using an international credit card, you may be asked to select 1. Dollars or 2. Euros. The second question is “Would You LIke to Accept the Conversion?”
You always want to select #2 (Euros), and then #2 again (Reject the Conversion). This rejects the machine’s conversion rate and asks your bank to do the currency conversion instead, which is always a better rate.
The way the second question is worded can be confusing, and travelers often make a mistake here. Always Reject the Conversion.
Before heading overseas, verify that the credit card you plan to use has no international transaction fees.
15. Restaurant Hours
Most restaurants do not open before 9 or 10 am. Many close between lunch and dinner, between 3 pm and 7 pm. Most restaurants do not open for dinner before 7 pm.
The traditional dinner hour in Portugal is 8-9, so eating at 7 is considered early. You may need to plan ahead for this, especially if you are traveling with kids and are used to eating earlier.
Don’t miss our favorite traditional restaurants, or try a less traditional option, from the best burgers to upscale fusion.
Smaller shops, the post office, and many other places that offer services also close for lunch sometime around 12:30-2, so check the hours posted. We have even found that funicular trams at tourist locations shut down for 1-2 hours around lunchtime.
Tipping is not traditional in Portugal, and servers are paid a living wage. You may be asked for a tip at restaurants in touristy areas. It’s ok to decline. I personally don’t like the tipping culture in the United States and don’t want to see it take hold in Portugal.
16. Soup Every Day
The Portuguese love soup. They eat it every day to start their meals. This is the main way that vegetables are incorporated into meals, and they are passionate about it. Most soups are a combination of pureed vegetables with additional chunks added. We rarely see broth-based soups.
Our girls are served hot soup every day as the first course of their school lunch. Most Portuguese parents insist that their children finish their soup.
You will find many varieties of soup, the most famous is caldo verde, a green soup made with collard greens, often served with a slice or two of grilled chorizo floating on top.
For more on traditional dishes, check out our list of local specialties to try while in Porto.
17. Look for Menu do Dia
For a fabulous, inexpensive meal, look for signs advertising “Menu do Dia”. This is a pre-fix lunch that usually includes soup, a main plate, a drink, and a dessert. You will often have a choice of one meat, one fish, and one vegetarian option for the main dish.
18. Beware the “Couvert”
In most cases, bread and olives are not free, but are listed on the menu as “couvert”. They will be brought to the table, and the server will ask if you would like them. Do not assume they are free. Couverts are typically charged per person, not per basket brought to the table.
19. Endless Cod
Cod is a staple of traditional Portuguese cuisine. You will see it flayed and dried (and stinky) in supermarkets. Called “bacalhau,” it is often served as the main dish over the Christmas holidays.
You will see it in endless other incarnations, from mixed with cheese and potatoes and fried (Pastéis de Bacalhau), to “Bacalhau à Brás” which is with thin sticks of crispy potato and a fried egg.
Cod is not native to Portuguese waters but was historically an easy, stable choice for taking on long sailing expeditions. The cod that was left over when the ship returned was sold cheaply to the local population, and so it became a part of the culture and traditional cuisine.
Cod is an intense, chewy fish that we find to be an acquired taste. Taste it a couple of different ways to decide for yourself!
To learn more about food culture in Portugal, we highly recommend taking a walking food tour, or even a food and craft beer tour!
20. Wine is by Region, Not Grape
Wine is Portugal is labeled by region, not by grape. There are 14 main wine regions in Portugal, and over 250 native grape varieties. One of the most famous regions is the Douro Valley region, where many wines, and all port wines (fortified wine) are produced. The Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and makes a great day trip from Porto.
You may also see wines labeled DOC: “Denominacão de Origem Controlada,” which means that the wine is certified to come from a specific, highly controlled region. This is similar to the AOC used on French wines.
Wine in Portugal is quite inexpensive compared to other countries. The general rule of thumb is that a similar quality wine in the United States would cost about 5x what it costs in Portugal, so a $20 bottle in the US would be about 4€ in Portugal. We routinely find very drinkable bottles of wine for under 3€.
Port wine is a huge part of Porto’s identity and history. Don’t miss this Port Wine Tour, which includes 7 tastings!
21. Double Check Mondays
Many restaurants, shops, and museums are closed on Mondays, so check your itinerary closely when visiting on a Monday (segunda-feira).
The only days when absolutely everything is closed are December 25th and January 1st.
22. Summers are Crowded
Whether you are in Porto, Lisbon, or the Algarve, the summer months of July and August are the most crowded, especially on the weekends. If you can avoid these months, you can find lovely weather in May, June, and September without such high crowds.
If you do visit during the summer, bring your patience, and book ahead as much as you can to avoid lines or sold-out attractions. Keep an eye on festivals and events that may bring even larger crowds.
23. The Ocean is Cold
Even in the summer, the Atlantic Ocean is cold. We live close to the beach in Matosinhos (just north of Porto), and see surfers in the water just about every day of the year, but always with wet suits.
Surfing is very popular, and there are lots of surf schools that will take you out and provide suitable gear to keep you warm. This is just one of the fun beachside activities you’ll find in Matosinhos.
24. Finding Bathrooms
There are not a lot of public bathrooms, so use the bathrooms strategically as you find them. Train stations have bathrooms, though you may have to follow signs around a few corners to find them.
Most stations and other public bathrooms require a few coins to enter. There is often an attendant there if you need help. Look for a small change machine on the wall close to the bathroom, as the machines often take coins of 50 cents or less.
Restaurants all have bathrooms, but you must make a purchase to use them. Keep your receipts, as chains like Starbucks and McDonald’s often print the bathroom door code on the receipt.
Note: The McDonald’s in downtown Porto is in a beautiful historical Art Deco building with a falcon handler outside to scare the pigeons away. Happy Meals also come with the option of soup or a stick of pineapple for the side dish instead of French fries. The bathroom there is usually filthy.
25. Don’t Assume You’ll Have A/C
Especially in the North, but also in Lisbon, many homes and apartments do not have air conditioning. If this is important to you, check your listing carefully. Most hotels do have air conditioning.
26. Open the Windows
The Portuguese live both indoors and outdoors. Humidity is high, and mold can quickly become a problem inside homes. Opening windows and doors regularly to move fresh air through the house is the best way to combat this. Screens on doors and windows are not common, and generally not available, but bugs are usually minimal.
You’ll probably want to open windows in your hotel room as well, so be ready for some noise from the street. For first time visitors, we recommend staying in the historic center so you are close to the most popular sights.
27. Clothes Dryers are Not Common
Another thing you will not see in most Portuguese homes is a clothes dryer. Clothes are hung on wash lines or racks on balconies. Some apartments or homes that have been renovated for travelers or expats will include a dryer.
These dryers typically do not have an outside exhaust, but instead condense the water. Some collect the water in a drawer that must be emptied, while others are plumbed. These are slow and less effective compared to North American dryers with an exhaust. Expect at least two hours to dry a load of laundry.
You may also find laundry/dryer combinations. In this case, one machine handles both tasks, but often the dryer is designed to handle half the capacity of the full washer.
28. Take a Senha
This is one of our favorite systems in Portugal! There are many, many places where you take a number (called senha, the same word used for “password) to get in line.
This applies to pharmacies, doctors’ offices, banks, customer service desks, cell phone stores, some cafes, and more. Basically, anywhere you are going to wait to speak to someone.
You take a number, usually choosing “servico geral” for general service. A cafe may ask you to choose whether you will be ordering for here “para aqui” or for takeaway “para levar” and give you a number accordingly.
Similar to delis in the United States, a board will display which number is being called, and to which counter (counter is “balcao”). You are free to take a seat or stand off to the side until your number is called.
29. Weigh Your Fruits and Vegetables
At many grocery stores, you will need to weigh your fruits and vegetables before taking them to the checkout. This is sometimes done at the checkout, but most often,”te you will see scales with a computer screen in the fruit and vegetable area.
Each product will have a sign near it that indicates price, as well as a 3-digit code called a “tecla” (which translates to “key”). Place your product on the scale and enter the code, then take the barcode sticker that prints out, and stick it on the bag.
It’s a small sticker, so sometimes you have to look to the side of the scale to find it. When in doubt, watch other shoppers for a minute to see what they are doing.
There is sometimes a picture menu for you to choose the fruit or vegetable, but the 3-digit code is faster, and pictures are not always provided. Some stores have a similar service for bread and pastries that are self-service, but this is less common.
Shopping in Porto? Check out our complete list of which grocery stores to visit to find what you are looking for.
30. Bring Your Own Shopping Bags
Shopping bags are not provided for free in any store. Best to bring your own reusable bag, or pay for a bag from the store. Usually, the charge is around 15-45 cents per bag. This includes clothing stores, fast food stores, and grocery stores.
Ready to shop? Here’s our list of the best places to buy tiles in Porto
31. Crossing the Street
Traffic in Portugal stops for pedestrians. In fact, drivers see you start to cross and time their speed to pass behind you. Unless you have a clear traffic light directing you to wait or cross, you just step out into the street, and cars will stop or go around you.
This can be a bit daunting, and we still like to make eye contact with fast approaching cars in case the driver is not paying attention. The key is just to walk into the street. If you hesitate and wait for the car, then they have to come to a complete stop, and it’s more disruptive to everyone than if you just walk.
We see people crossing all the time without even glancing up, because they are so sure that traffic will stop for them. Supposedly, the fine for hitting a pedestrian is quite high, so this is taken quite seriously. Stop signs are generally optional, and people park anywhere they can fit their car.
32. Tap onto the Metro and Bus
When entering a metro or bus, you must tap a transit card. You do not need to tap to exit. Tap on the box near the front door of the bus.
When using the metro, you must tap at a yellow box on the platform or when approaching the platform. There is nowhere to tap once on the metro.
Officers will come through and scan cards occasionally to make sure that people are paying to ride. The same is true of train tickets- tap to activate before entering the train. Fines are quite high, so make sure you have correctly activated your ticket.
Check out our full guide to transportation in Porto.
33. Watch Your Pockets
Portugal is generally very safe, and you don’t need to worry much about crime. However, busy tourist spaces attract pickpockets. When in a crowd or on a busy pedestrian street, secure your wallet and phone in a zippered pocket.
34. Renting a Car
For getting around Porto or Lisbon, you will not need a car. However, for the Algarve or to explore smaller towns around Portugal, a rental car is often a lot more convenient than taking the bus or train.
We recommend Discover Cars for getting a rental car. Check out everything you need to know before renting a car. If you’re not clear on the laws and road signs, read our guide to driving around Portugal before you get behind the wheel.
You can pick up a car near the airports, which is the most convenient and cost effective location. We often find rental cars for just a few euros a day. The cost of gas is much more than the rental itself.
35. Uber is Inexpensive
Uber is very inexpensive in Portugal. A car from the airport to downtown is around 10 euros. We often take an Uber to a rental car location (5-6 euros), or to the local mall (5-6 euros).
Especially with a family of four, the cost of public transportation x 4 is often the same or more than an Uber ride.
There You Have It
Our best travel tips for visiting Portugal, from how to move around to what to expect from restaurants and even apartments. We hope we set your expectations for a lovely visit to this beautiful, laid-back country.
Did we miss anything you are wondering about Portugal? We’ve got FAQ about life in Portugal to fill in the gaps!
Don’t miss our list of the top things to do in Porto! We also advice on how to spend one day in Porto, or three days!
If you have more time, check out all the fun things to do in Matosinhos.
Is is raining? There’s plenty to do in porto on a rainy day!
Considering a move? Read our guide to moving to Portugal and the questions we commonly get about moving here.
