If you’re planning your first trip to Portugal, this article has everything you need to know as a first time visitor. From the historic streets of Lisbon and Porto to the stunning beaches of the Algarve and the vineyards of the Douro Valley, Portugal is a diverse and exciting destination. To help you make the most of your trip, here are 12+ essential tips for first-time visitors.
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Portugal Travel Tips
1. Portugal Uses the Euro (€) 💶
Portugal’s currency is the Euro (€) so if you’re a Euro user, it’s easy! We advise bringing a mix of cards and cash and try to bring more than one type of credit card. Cards are widely accepted but cash is useful especially in small towns or for small purchases.
✔️ ATMs (Multibanco) are easy to find, but avoid those inside tourist shops as they charge high fees.
✔️ If you’re asked which currency you’d like to pay in, always choose Euros. Paying in local currency means you’ll avoid bad exchange rates.
2. English is Widely Spoken, But Learn Some Portuguese 🗣️
Many locals speak English, especially in major tourist areas, but learning basic Portuguese phrases is appreciated. Wherever we go, we find that local people appreciate our efforts to speak their language.
✔️ Useful Portuguese words include:
- “Olá” (Hello)
- “Obrigado” (Thank you – if you’re male) / “Obrigada” (if you’re female)
- “Por favor” (Please)
- “Desculpe” (Excuse me)
3. Public Transport is Excellent 🚆🚋
Getting around Portugal or its major cities is easy as public transport is reliable and efficient. It’s also budget friendly. Avoid driving in cities if you can; if you do self-drive you need to expect heavy congested traffic and difficulty parking.
✔️ Trains and buses are the best choice for travel between cities. Porto to Lisbon is 3.5 hours by bus and 3 hours by train. The train is a scenic route which we highly recommend!
✔️ In Lisbon and Porto, public transport includes trams, metro, and buses. Day passes can be bought online in advance.
✔️ Consider getting a Navegante card in Lisbon. Pre-load the Navegante card (formerly Viva Viagem) to get ‘pay as you go credit’ on the metro, bus, tram, ferry and the suburban train network in Lisbon. You can also use it to get to Sintra and Cascais.
✔️ The Andante Card in Porto is similar to Lisbon’s Navegante card. You can also buy a 24 hour or 72 hour card specifically designed for tourists using public transport in Porto. You can buy the card in vending machines inside metro stations.
💡 Tip: Tram 28 in Lisbon is a great way to see the city, but go early to avoid crowds!
4. Portugal is More Than Just Lisbon & Porto 🏝️
Lisbon and Porto are undoubtedly must-visit cities but there is a lot ore to Portugal than just these two destinations. Don’t miss other gems like:
- Sintra which is famous for its fairytale palaces and stunning views.
- Douro Valley, a world-famous wine region with scenic landscapes
- Évora, a just visit for history fans who love Roman ruins.
- The Algarve which is popular for its golden beaches, sea caves, and dramatic cliffs.
💡 Tip: Portugal is small, so it’s easy to combine city and nature experiences in one trip!
5. Food is Affordable & Delicious 🍽️
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Portugal. Portuguese food is flavourful, fresh, and inexpensive. Must-try dishes include:
- Bacalhau – Portugal’s famous salted cod which can be prepared in many ways.
- Pastéis de Nata – These delicious custard tarts are our favourite Portuguese treat. We recommend eating them warm!.
- Francesinha – Porto’s legendary meat-filled sandwich which is a filling choice for lunch
- Piri-piri chicken – A spicy, flavour-packed dish.
💡 Tip: Restaurants often bring bread, cheese, and olives before a meal—these aren’t free, so if you don’t want to pay for them, send them back.
6. Wine and Port Are a Big Deal 🍷
Portugal is known for its wine and port so it’s no surprise that it’s a popular drink here. You’ll see it offered in every restaurant you visit.
✔️ Port wine comes from Porto and the Douro Valley. You can take informative tours to learn how it’s made and enjoy tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia, south of Porto on the other side of the River Douro.
✔️ Vinho Verde, from northwest Portugal, is a refreshing young green wine, perfect for balmy summer days.
✔️ Douro Valley tours are a great way to experience Portugal’s world-famous wine culture.
💡 Tip: If you love wine, try a local tasca (wine bar) for authentic and affordable options.
7. The Weather is Warm, But Can Vary 🌞🌊
As Portugal borders the Atlantic Ocean, its weather can be variable so make sure you pack appropriately.
✔️ Portugal has hot summers and mild winters, but coastal areas can be windy.
✔️ The Algarve is sunny year-round, while Porto gets more rain in winter.
✔️ Bring a light jacket for cooler evenings, especially in spring and autumn.
💡 Tip: Summer (June-August) is peak season when domestic and foreign tourist flock to Portugal’s beaches. For fewer crowds and lower prices, visit in May or September!
8. Tipping is Not Expected, But Appreciated 💰
Tipping isn’t as common as in some countries(such as the United States). In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated, whilst in cafés and taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro is fine.
💡 Tip: Some restaurants include a service charge, so check before adding a tip!
9. Driving Can Be Challenging 🚗
We usually recommend not driving in cities and Portugal is no different. Use public transport as it’s affordable, quicker and means less stress! City driving in Portugal is difficult due to narrow streets, hills, parking issues and aggressive drivers.
However, there are some parts of Portugal where renting a car is advisable such as beach hopping along the Algarve or exploring the Douro Valley.
✔️ Toll roads are common in Portugal —some require an electronic toll pass. If your rental car doesn’t include one, you’ll need to arrange it yourself.
✔️ Before you set off on a Portuguese road trip, make sure you know the rules of the road and driving regulations.
💡 Tip: If driving in Lisbon or Porto, park outside the city and use public transport instead!
10. Be Prepared for Hills and Cobbled Streets 🏛️
Many cities (especially Lisbon and Porto) are built on hills with steep, cobbled streets.
If you’re doing a lot of sightseeing, we recommend wearing supportive, comfortable shoes—heels and flimsy sandals won’t survive!
💡 Tip: Bring non-slip walking shoes, as the stone pavements can be slippery when wet!
11. Sun Protection is Essential 🏖️
Portugal gets lots of sunshine, especially in peak summer months. Good sunscreen and sun protection are a must, especially in the hotter climates in the Algarve and Lisbon.
✔️ Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are must-haves, even in spring.
💡 Tip: The Atlantic Ocean is colder than you might expect—but it’s great for surfing!
12. Book Attractions in Advance 🎟️
Portugal is a popular destination and if you’re visiting in peak season, you’ll need to get organised in advance. Popular attractions like Jerónimos Monastery, Sintra’s Pena Palace, and Livraria Lello in Porto often sell out.
✔️ Skip-the-line tickets are recommended for busy sites.
💡 Tip: Sintra gets very crowded—visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid tour groups!
Final Thoughts
Portugal is a welcoming, diverse, and budget-friendly destination with historic cities, stunning coastline, and world-famous food and wine.
Whether you’re exploring Lisbon’s historic streets, tasting Port wine in the Douro Valley, or relaxing on the Algarve’s beaches, with our Portugal travel tips to help we know that you’re in for an unforgettable trip. We love Portugal and know that you will too!