Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (2024)

AT A GLANCE | PLACES TO VISIT | THINGS TO DO | FOOD | TRANSPORT | WHERE TO STAY | PRACTICAL TIPS

We have created this Portugal travel guide to include all our travel tips on Portugal in one place and help you craft your own Portugal Itinerary and plan your trip.

Portugal is a fascinating country full of culture, history, and incredible natural wonders, not to mention great food and friendly people. No wonder it is so appealing for both occasional travelers as well as those who want a new place to call home and enjoy the quality of life Portugal offers.

One way or the other… If traveling to Portugal is on your bucket list, in this Portugal travel guide you will find all the best tips you need before planning your trip!

Situated on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal has a small population of 10 million and a Mediterranean climate. There, trade and tourism activity make up a good part of the country’s income which is also a famous producer of wines and olive oil.

A few years ago, the economic crisis put Portugal in travelers’ limbo for a long time. A few visitors included Lisbon and Porto in a road trip itinerary through Spain, and that was it.

But today everything has changed. Portugal has undergone a real tourism boom in the last five years and has become one of the most popular countries in Europe, especially in the summer.

The main reason for this is the beautiful beaches, most of which are located in the Algarve region, in the far south. But Portugal is not only made of walls of golden rocks and a very blue sea. There is much more to see, and the attractions are spread all over the country.

There are historical villages that seem to have simply stopped in time, somewhere in the Middle Ages, like Monsaraz. There are religious buildings that are architectural gems, like the Batalha Monastery. There are impressive palaces, such as Pena and Queluz.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (2)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (3)

There are fortresses such as the Castelo de São Jorge, in Lisbon, and breathtaking natural landscapes, such as the golden fields of Alentejo and the cliffs of Cabo da Roca. All of this spread throughout a quiet, welcoming country, with first-world services and affordable prices.

And we have not yet mentioned the extraordinary Portuguese cuisine. Sardines, cod, caldo verde, bifana, prego, chouriço, pastel de nata, and countless other delicacies.

With so much to see and experience, it is time to start planning your Portugal road trip itinerary. So, grab a coffee, and let’s plan a trip to Portugal?

Portugal Travel Guide – At a Glance

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Portugal capital and largest city: Lisbon

Official language: Portuguese

Official religion: In the past, the official religion of Portugal was Catholicism. Currently, there is a Religious Freedom Law in Portugal that separates the State from Religions. This means that Portugal does not adopt an official religion.

Portugal currency: Euro, as in most of Europe

Type of plug: 220 volts with two types of sockets, both with two parallel round holes (types C and F).

Population (2020): 10.31 million inhabitants

Total area: 35,603 sq miles, including the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores

International airports: There are 10 international airports in Portugal and the largest ones are in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. In addition, there are more than 30 airfields throughout the country.

Main cities: Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and Lagos

Time zone: UTC (WET); UTC−1 (Atlantic/Azores)

Fun fact about Portugal: The origin of Japanese tempura is actually attributed to Portuguese traders!

Portugal Travel Guide – Top places to visit in Portugal

With incredible landscapes ranging from paradisiacal beaches and green lush forests to numerous historical landmarks and royal palaces, a visit to Portugal is sure to please all tastes. So, next, we will talk about some of Portugal’s main tourist attractions that you will surely love to visit.

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PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Exploring Lisbon

The capital of Portugal is usually the starting point of most Portugal itineraries. Despite its modest size, the Portuguese capital offers a diverse choice of activities and tourist sites.

Actually, Lisbon has piqued the interest of a wide range of people, particularly digital nomads. This is mostly because it combines inventive co-working spaces, fashionable bars, and many alternatives for all tastes.

Besides its status as a cosmopolitan city, Lisbon has also attracted visitors for its history which can be seen all over town. For instance, Praça do Comércio in Lisbon’s major landmark sitting right by the Tagus River, the great pride of the Lisboans! It is worth visiting and taking good pictures!

The Mosteiro dos Jerônimos is at the top of any list of attractions in Lisbon, right next to the Belem Tower. Also, Lisbon is well-known for its thriving nightlife and for being such a vibrant city. The attractions of Lisbon are rich in culture, color, and a sense of individuality.

Graffiti walls, which can be found all around the city, are a prime illustration of such uniqueness.

Read more about Lisbon (Portugal Travel Guide)

  • The perfect 2-day Lisbon Itinerary
  • Traveling to Lisbon in Winter
  • How to get from Lisbon to Sintra
  • The best 21-day trips from Lisbon
  • 10 day-Portugal Itinerary (starting from Lisbon)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Traveling to Porto

Further north in Portugal is Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. Famous for its wine and codfish, the city has much more to offer.

Driving from Lisbon to Porto makes an amazing 10 days cultural road trip itinerary with many interesting stops along the way.

The Ribeira is a major attraction in the city. There you can see the typical old Portugal with its colorful houses on the banks of the Douro River.

It is also possible to take a boat trip on the river and pass over the bridges that connect Porto to the neighboring Vila Nova de Gaia.

The Torre dos Clérigos is another famous landmark in the historic center. You can climb to the top of it and have an incredible view of the city.

Also, right across the street is the Lello Bookstore, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Porto is also the perfect base if you want to visit places like Braga, Guimarães, and of course, the Douro Valley.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (11)
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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (16)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Discovering the Algarve

The Algarve is a spectacular region in the south of Portugal. It is where you can find dreamy beaches tucked along the dramatic rugged coastline, a paradise for surfers and photographers!

With its picture-worthy beaches, spectacular caverns, dramatic rock formations, and historical heritage sites, the Algarve suits the needs of any kind of traveler.

But, for obvious reasons, the Algarve beaches are the highlight of the region making it one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe.

But with an average of 300 sunny days each year and over 100 beaches, how to choose where to go? Well, know that Ponta da Piedade and Benagil Caves are the most unique rock formations that you cannot miss out on.

Praia de Dona and Praia do Camilo are also local attractions to be visited and Costa Vicentina offers some of the most impressive cliffs you will ever see!

Although the main airport is in the city of Faro, the neighboring Lagos is the most popular city to stay in the Algarve.

Read more on Algarve

  • The most popular Algarve beaches
  • The perfect 7 days Algarve Itinerary
  • 5 ways to visit Benagil Cave in Algarve Portugal and other practical tips
  • Where to stay in Lagos

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Portugal small towns

It is no secret that the cities of Lisbon and Porto are, in their own right, the main points of tourist attraction in Portugal. But what about the smaller towns, villages, and cities?

In fact, Portugal’s charms go far beyond its major cities. It lays in its hidden gems that are its small towns.

They are genuine. They are guardians of culture. They are alive. They are odes to nature, sonnets to the communion of man and environment, and popular chants.

They are a return to our origins, guardians of memory, depositaries of customs and habits.

Each one of them awaits you with the unique characteristics that make them so special.

Dare to embrace this rurality, to talk to its inhabitants, to drink from the fountain of their knowledge, to share their table and their way of life.

Some of the most beautiful towns in Portugal that deserve your attention are Guimarães, Manteigas, Dornes, Óbidos, Monsaraz.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (20)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Visit the Portugal castles

There have been hundreds of castles in Portugal throughout history, but not all of them are still standing or visitable today.

Those who think that the Portugal castles were only the luxury residence of kings and queens are mistaken. In fact, they served more as fortifications that had the function of watching over and protecting the people.

For this purpose, they have high towers that provide beautiful views, besides, of course, portraying a history full of battles of the middle age.

From the Sintra Castles to the isolated castles located in the rural areas of Portugal, you cannot miss out on visiting some of the Portugal castles out there.

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Drive along the coastline

Nothing beats going to the beach on a bright sunny day, right? Well, you should know that the most beautiful coastal towns in Portugal are well-known not just for their stunning beaches, but also for their lush scenery and welcoming hospitality.

They are also historically, culturally, and gastronomically rich. There are several palaces, beautiful beaches, breathtaking scenery, historic castles, and regional recipes to be found.

Furthermore, Portugal has the world’s third-highest fish consumption, after only South Korea and Norway.

In other words, seafood is at the heart of its cuisine, and when visiting the seaside towns of Portugal, be sure to eat some of its traditional dishes to get a full picture of the country’s coastal culture.

Among the best coastal towns to stop by are Aveiro, Nazaré, Azenhas do Mar, Cascais, Aljezur, Sagres, and many more.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (22)

Top experiences and things to do in Portugal

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (24)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (25)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Taste the best wines in the Douro

That Portugal is famous for its wine, we all know. But where in Portugal can you actually see the production and visit vineyards? Well, obviously, you can do wine tasting in most larger cities in the country but for those who wish to go beyond a simple wine tasting, you must visit the Douro Valley region.

There, you will find numerous wineries offering an authentic experience involving all the stages of the production of wine.

During this activity, guests follow the entire winemaking process and sometimes are even able to create their own wine with the support of the winery’s expert staff.

The activity begins with blending, followed by bottling, corking, and labeling, and finally, the wine is ready to take home. This is by far the most authentic way to take home one of the best souvenirs from Portugal!

Some interesting tours to Douro Valley

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Balloon flight in the Alentejo

The plains of the Alentejo are the setting for this adventure, where magnificent, charming villages and castles will take you back in time.

In the tranquility of the air, guests can enjoy the metamorphosis of the landscape as the balloon glides gently over fields trimmed by rivers and lakes.

Flights can be taken from several locations, but the most popular spot is Monsaraz, one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal. Imagine the thrill of flying over the beautiful Monsaraz Castle sitting by the Guadiana River.

But, if Monsaraz is not on your itinerary, chances are Évora is. And from there you can just as well go on an air balloon flight over the Alentejo region.

Book your balloon ride here

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (27)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Hike the Fishermen’s Trail

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (30)

Did you know that one of the most beautiful trekking routes in all of Europe is located on the Atlantic coast in Portugal? Yes, right there in the Algarve, within the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park on the Vicentina Coast (Rota Vicentina), the Trilha dos Pescadores is a smaller route of the Rota Vicentina.

This is actually considered one of the most beautiful coastal routes, walking along beaches and bordering cliffs in an environment that still preserves a great natural wealth with endemic vegetation and lots of migratory birds, as well as marine animals.

It is not an easy route, as most of the time you will be walking on sand which is very different from walking on a more stable terrain.

It is physically demanding at an intermediate level and requires a certain physical condition to be completed.

Consider that each day you will walk an average of 15 miles for about a week until you complete all 78 miles. But if you are up for the challenge, it can be a life-changing experience.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (32)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Go up to Portugal’s highest mountain, Pico

In the Azores, for those visiting the island of Pico, there is always the invitation and the question: have you climbed the highest mountain in Portugal?

With almost 8,000 ft of height, Pico Mountain is actually the third-highest volcano in the northern hemisphere of the Atlantic Ocean!

It is indeed something indescribable to be at the top of the mountain, in Piquinho, and to be above the clouds, sighting the other islands around us: Faial, São Jorge, and with luck (and clear skies) even Graciosa and Terceira.

After a great physical effort, that is our prize: to have that privileged view. But to get there, be prepared for a very tough and steep climb of around 3 hours!

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (34)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

VISIT THE AZORES ISLANDS

These spectacular volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean offer an amazing vacation spot for outdoorsy and nature lovers. Soak up in the hot springs in Sao Miguel, enjoy some of the best hikes, marvel at the views of the Sao Jorge Fajas, explore the spectacular Gruta do Natals in Terceira Island, go whale watching Rent a car in Ponta Delgada, and drive around the island, discover the spectacular waterfalls and natural pools. There is so much to see in these tiny islands. Check out my Azores Travel Guide for more details.

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Gastronomy travel tips

From seafood to pastries, be sure to try as much as possible of Portuguese cuisine. Even though each region has its own typical dishes, Mediterranean cuisine is a famous signature when we think of Portugal.

Besides the main dishes, some of the highlights also include the country’s wines and olive oils.

But let’s talk specifically about some delicacies you have to try on your trip to Portugal!

Starting with the codfish, of course! this is the most consumed fish in any city in Portugal and there are several different ways of cooking it.

The most popular are Bacalhau à Brás and Bolinho de Bacalhau, which is basically a deep-fried cod dumpling. In downtown Lisbon, there is a place that sells a codfish dumpling filled with Queijo da Serra!

Moving on to other meats, Portugal offers alheira, a smoked sausage made of various types of meat, especially poultry.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (36)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (37)

It can be baked, fried, or even rolled in puff pastry. A product that is undoubtedly part of Portuguese gastronomy is the Serra da Estrela cheese, which even has a stamp of authenticity! Creamy inside, the cheese is considered the oldest in the country.

Another travel tip is that you cannot leave Portugal without first trying a dish called Francesinha. Originating in the Porto region, Francesinha consists of a kind of sandwich made of steak, bacon, cheese, chorizo, and ham (a specific type of ham), which is covered with cheese and baked in the oven, and then a spicy tomato-based sauce, black beer, and port wine are added.

Wow, that sounds like a lot right?! Well, it is but it is also definitely worth all the fat.

For sweet-teeth, there is the famous Pastel de Belém, which is only made in the pastry shop of the same name in Lisbon.

In other Portuguese cities, it is called pastel de nata. It is like a very tasty egg-based puff pastry. The Pastel de Santa Clara is another Portuguese delicacy, made of thin puff pastry and sprinkled with sugar.

And if you happen to visit Sintra be sure to try their local Travesseiro de Sintra and Queijadinha! In short, try everything you see along the way and always accompanied by a good glass of wine, of course!

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

How to move around in Portugal

Even though Portugal is such a small country, there is so much to see and visit there it can be hard to plan everything. What might help with some of these decisions is to choose how to move around the country.

Traveling in Portugal by car

As I said, Portugal is a small country, so renting a car and driving around can be a great idea since the roads are great and with such an extensive coastline with dramatic views, it is a very inviting country for a road trip.

Also, you will have the freedom to travel at your own pace and stop in little villages or anywhere you want, considering that many towns don’t have public transport.

If you are looking for car rentals tips, we suggest using DiscoverCar Rentals, a safe aggregator that shows the best car prices in the country.

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You can also read:

17 things you should know before renting a car in Portugal tips from a local
Driving from Lisbon to Porto: everything you need to know
The perfect Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
The best 7-day Algarve Itinerary

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (39)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (40)

Traveling around Portugal by train

Although the Portuguese railroad network does not cover the whole country, there are very beautiful railroads and it is usually a cheap and very easy way to move around the country.

Comboios de Portugal is the company responsible for connecting the major cities of Portugal and you can occasionally find several discounts.

It is not necessary (nor possible) to buy all train tickets for traveling in Portugal in advance.

It is only recommended to buy in advance for long-distance trips (like Lisbon to Évora or Faro to Porto, for example).

The downside of traveling by train in Portugal is that very often the train stations are far from the city centers, so pay attention to this detail.

Also, you need to know that in Portugal there are different types of trains, which have different values, routes, speeds, etc.

If traveling long distances or if you have a limited amount of time, give preference to the Alfa-pendular trains

Traveling in Portugal by bus

As you have probably guessed, the third option to move around Portugal is by bus. This is probably the cheapest option and the easiest if you are a solo traveler. When compared to trains, buses offer way more options of routes and schedules in Portugal.

In general, the buses are comfortable, the Portuguese roads are very good and the road network is very extensive which means the buses reach areas where the trains do not.

Remember that Portugal is a relatively small country, after all from north to south it is almost 500 miles, so the trips are relatively short. Covering the entire country, Rede Expressos is the main Portuguese bus company.

But depending on where you want to go it is worth checking the Eva Transportes, Rodonorte, and Transdev as well.

INSIDER TRAVEL TIP – do not look at the destination that is written on the front of the bus, because many times the bus you will take goes to one city, but before you get there it may stop in several others, so keep in mind the number of the vehicle.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (42)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (43)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Where to stay in Portugal

When it comes to accommodation, Portugal offers something for all budgets: there are hostels, guest houses, and even five-star resorts. The cheapest options are around 20 euros and the most expensive, luxury ones, reach almost 200 (and even more, of course).

Deciding which city to use as base for your Portugal trip will highly depend on the places you want to visit. With so many cities and so many options, check out where to stay in the main cities in Portugal.

Lisbon

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (45)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (46)

It seems hard to believe, but you can stay in the historic center of Lisbon for less than $70 per night per couple and in a nice neighborhood such as Rua Augusta or close to Cais do Sodré, where you can find cute places such as City Lofts Lisbon.

This guest house is very close to where the famed Pink Street is located, close to the underground and with Tram 28 going directly through it, close to pubs restaurants, and bars.

Porto

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (48)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (49)

Porto is a big city and staying in a good location is essential to be able to see everything on foot. In this respect, it is hard to find a place as privileged as the guest house The Poets Inn. It is located right next to Torres os Clérigos – one of Porto’s main tourist attractions – and on the border between the historic center and the new part of the city.

For more hotel options you can check out my where to stay in Porto detailed guide to help you find the coolest accommodation in the best neighborhood.

Coimbra

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (51)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (52)

If there’s one place to stay in Portugal for low prices, this place is definitely Coimbra. Being a university city par excellence, many low-cost lodging options are very well located. Serenata Hostel is a high-end hostel, spread over four floors of an old building listed as a city heritage site.

The staircases are breathtakingly beautiful! In addition, it is in the most central point of the city, exactly next to the Cathedral of Coimbra and very close to the main local attraction: the University of Coimbra.

Lagos

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (54)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (55)

The further south you go in the country, the more the costs of where to stay in Portugal rise. Especially in the popular beaches of the Algarve, much sought after by Europeans and foreigners in the high summer season (June-August).

Even so, it is possible to find excellent options of where to stay in Lagos. With an excellent location and good value for money, the city serves as the perfect base for trips along the coast.

How many days do I need to explore Portugal?

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (57)

Obviously, the more days you have available, the more you will get to see all that Portugal has to offer. The fact that Portugal is a very small country misleads many people. But you can trust us: going there just to spend two days in Lisbon and two days in Porto is a big mistake.

Portugal is a fantastic country and deserves a proper trip of at least 15 or 20 days. From the fantastic beaches of the Algarve, in the south, to the valleys of the Douro River, in the north, there is plenty to see and do.

To get to know the capital, set aside two days in Lisbon. One for Bairro Alto and Baixa-Chiado, another for Belém.

On the other hand, to get to know Porto, set aside three days since you might want to explore its neighbors Braga and Guimarães which are considered two of the most beautiful towns and cities in Portugal. To get to know the south of Portugal, set aside at least 4 days for your Algarve itinerary.

And, finally, to explore the Sintra castles, one day might be enough but really, we recommend two days if you want to check out the impressive Cabo da Roca too. But, remember that you have to travel from one area to the other and in between, you will probably find some other spots you would like to explore as well.

So, as you can see, depending on the cities and places you decide to visit your trip might be shorter or longer.

Our Portugal itinerary can give you a better idea on how to organize your trip to Portugal and see as much as possible.

What is the weather like in Portugal?

First of all, you should keep in mind where Portugal is located: on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, is bounded to the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the north and east by Spain.

And precisely because of its location, the climate in Portugal is much milder than any other European country, contributing to the country’s popularity as a holiday destination.

Second, you should know that Portugal has a Mediterranean climate. But what does this mean? Well, basically, it means that Portugal has very distinct seasons. Summers are often hot and dry, with temperatures exceeding 105°F in certain places, while winters are chilly and wet.

However, temperatures still range from 47°F to 83°F for most of the year. Of course, depending on the region you are in the climate will vary, ranging from Mediterranean climate to humid subtropical.

Most of continental Portugal has an oceanic climate, where the summer has high temperatures, and the winter is milder and has a greater volume of rainfall.

An exception is the Algarve where the climate is hot and temperate. The summer is very hot, but it can also be quite windy. In the Madeira region, the climate is predominantly Mediterranean.

The summer is hot and dry, and the winter is rainy. Meanwhile, in the Azores, there are 2 different classifications besides the Mediterranean: the subtropical, with hot and humid summer, dry winter, and a big difference in temperatures between winter and summer.

But, in reality, the weather is very unpredictable in both archipelagos and on the same day you might get sun and rain, as well as cold and warm temperatures.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (59)
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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (62)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Best time to visit Portugal

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (65)
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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (67)

With all this weather information in mind, when is the best time to visit Portugal?

The good news is that it’s always a good time to visit Portugal

Since the seasons of the year in Portugal are very well defined, it might be easy to choose the period of your trip according to the style of what you want to enjoy in the country: beach, enjoying the cold, or observing the city in full bloom and a balanced climate.

But remember that not only the weather should help you answer that question.

As I said, Portugal is a very popular holiday destination so you might want to pay attention to its peak season and low season.

For instance, although the summer months are from June to September, which is the preferred season for those who want to enjoy Portugal with their feet in the sand, these months are usually high seasons, so prices get higher.

No to mention the attractions get a bit more crowded, and you might face long queues. On the other hand, during winter there are way fewer tourists around and prices of accommodation drop. But, you might face bad weather conditions and very short days with sunset around 5 pm.

The advantage is that when temperatures drop for good between December and March, you can do extreme sports in the snow in the most mountainous regions of the country, such as Serra da Estrela.

Also, Lisbon in winter is fascinating and not short of things to do.

So, overall, Portugal is a country with year-round attractions, and no matter what time of year you choose, it will be an amazing experience and a great time to visit Portugal

But, I have to say that taking into account the climate and the tourist season (summer months), the best time to visit Portugal might be the should seasons, especially spring, from March to May.

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Suggested gear and packing list

Now, let’s talk about some items that will help make your trip more comfortable… What to pack for Portugal? Of course, the first thing you need to think about is the time of the year and which region of Portugal you will be visiting.

Also, you might have to be prepared to face different climates. If you are going to enjoy the beach and the heat, it is important to protect yourself and drink plenty of water.

But, if you are going to be in the cold and exposed to the wind, adequate clothing for low temperatures and a lip protector can be a good idea.

Regardless of climate, there are a few items that you should always pack with you, such as:

  • comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes for walking, or hiking shoes if you are going to hit some of the amazing trails.
  • Copies of all your main documents and a dollar bag to carry everything safely.
  • water bottle (to save the planet)

And keep in mind that Portugal is a cheaper place compared to other European countries. That being said, the country may be appropriate to spend a little more money doing some shopping.

In our complete Portugal packing list, you will find a more detailed list of things to pack for Portugal at different times of the year and for different areas. It’s worth having a look.

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Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (69)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (70)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Insider travel tips about traveling to Portugal

We are all aware that Portugal is a popular tourist destination in Europe. We also know the most famous landmarks in Portugal, and a short Google search will reveal places to dine and drink.

But what else is there? Here I am including some recommendations from the local’s perspective

Eat Snails! Yes, the snails you regularly see in your garden are produced in snail farms in Portugal to be sold for nothing more than eating. The snails are boiled in a stew of water and spices before being presented with a ladle and everything!

Get to know the city’s street art. This suggestion is valid for those who are in Lisbon. The tour lasts an average of three hours and has a guide who will talk about street art. Murals and urban interventions are part of the activity, besides graffiti. It is a chance to get to know the city like a local. But be prepared to walk! You will pass over a lot of unpaved and uneven terrain, so it is worthwhile to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Look for small and local stores. You might want to check out Livraria Lello in Porto or buy some sardines at the “O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa” store.

But why not look for small and local businesses to buy the best souvenirs from Portugal? A great way to start is by checking out the local farmer’s markets and fairs.

Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (71)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (72)
Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (73)

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Is Portugal safe?

Now, this is a question that many people wonder about, especially if you are a solo female traveler. Well, according to the 2017 Global Peace Index (GPI), Portugal has risen in the ranking of the world’s most peaceful countries and is among the top of the list.

One of the factors for the rise in position, according to the report, was the stabilization of the financial crisis that the country was going through.

This does not mean that there is no crime in Portugal. The point is that there is much less than in other regions of the globe and, when it happens, it is considered low risk.

In other words, it is easy to walk the streets of Portugal until late at night, without panicking for fear of being robbed. However, you can always keep an eye out and be cautious.

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Traveling alone in Portugal

Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (74)

With that said Portugal is a very touristy country that is used to receiving women from all over the world.

In addition, Portugal is considered a very safe place for solo female travelers as well, and it is a small country with excellent transportation infrastructure.

Getting from one part of the country to another is very easy and safe.

In other words, being alone should not prevent you from discovering the wonders Portugal has to offer.

PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Travel Insurance

If you are wondering whether you need travel insurance or not, I have some answers for you. 🙂

I always travel with one, and I choose it depending on my needs on that specific trip. It is very important that you read through the clauses and understand what is included or not.

Among all the multiple reasons why you should get travel insurance, is the peace of mind it gives you! Knowing that whatever happens, from medical emergencies to lost bags, canceled flights, theft, and more, your bills are taken care of.

I have been using SafetyWing as I found it to be the best for what I need, but keep in mind it’s not travel insurance, and they don’t cover flight-related issues, just medical.

I have recently found TRAVEL INSURANCE MASTER which is a great site to compare different insurance companies. Make sure you read carefully what’s included before making the purchase

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Please see mydisclaimer policyhere. Boundless Roads is by no means liable for any purchase of tours, tickets, and any other online reservation that is made with any third-party provider.

Portugal Travel Guide | The most complete Portugal travel tips (2024)
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