Travel Tips
Portugal
Tiled hillside cities, surf beaches and great value make Portugal a favorite for relaxed travel.
What I love about Portugal
People often ask me what I love most about a country. Every country has its good and bad sides, but here I share the positives I found on my travels.
The seafood.
- Capital
- Lisbon
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Portuguese
- Best overall
- March to May and September to October
- Emergency
- 112
- Electricity
- 230V, plug types C and F
This country is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, while others need a Schengen visa. Check the current rules for your passport, including the EES and ETIAS entry systems. Passport validity rules vary, so check the requirements before you book.
Read about visa on arrival, e-visas and online registration →
Still have specific visa questions?
Spring and autumn have comfortable weather. Summer is hot and busy in the Algarve, and winter is mild and rainier.
Not sure which month suits your trip?
Lisbon
Hills, trams, tiles and riverside views.
Porto
Port wine cellars and a dramatic riverfront.
Sintra
Fairytale palaces in forested hills near Lisbon.
Algarve
Golden cliffs and sea caves on the south coast.
Douro Valley
Terraced vineyards along a winding river.
Need help choosing where to go?
- Days 1 to 3 Lisbon
- Day 4 Sintra
- Days 5 to 6 Porto
- Day 7 Douro Valley
- Days 8 to 10 Algarve
Want a route planned around your dates?
- Trains link Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve.
- A car helps in the Douro and Algarve, but you may not need it in cities.
Not sure how to get between places?
- Cards are common, but carry some cash for small cafes.
- Bread and starters brought to the table often cost extra if eaten.
- Buy an eSIM before you fly or a local SIM on arrival, so maps work from day one.
Questions about costs, cash or SIM cards?
- Pastel de nata: custard tart.
- Bacalhau: salt cod in many styles.
- Grilled sardines in summer.
Want tips on what and where to eat?
- Watch for pickpockets on Lisbon's busy trams, especially the 28.
- Wear good shoes for steep, slippery cobbles.
Planning a trip to Portugal?
Book a one-on-one call and bring your questions about your route, costs and visa.
Information on this page may change, so please confirm the latest visa and entry requirements and your government travel advice on official websites before you travel.