Portugal General Tips 2023 (revised 3)

 Here are some tips for undertaking travel in Portugal or some might apply generally to Europe.   In rather random order and with some of these items from knowledge gathered from previous years and some recently learned from 2023 travel.

General Info:

Portugal is a relatively small country compared to Canada, with only just over 10 million total population and only about three quarters the geographic size of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick combined.   Portugal borders the Atlantic Ocean and Spain.  It is not on the Mediterranean.  It has mild but not hot weather in the winter but can get very hot in some regions in summer.   Many people compare Portugal and Spain.  We would probably say that as with Canada and the United States, Spain would be like the USA and Portugal more like Canada, in terms of friendliness, safety and culture.  Spain has about five times the population and geographic area of Portugal.  Portugal also includes two offshore island areas, Madeira and the Azores.   The mainland of Portugal is about 750 kilometres long.  The main areas are Lisbon in about the middle, the Algarve about 3 hours south of Lisbon and Porto and the Douro valley about 3 hours north of Lisbon.

So, now some tips before you go……

-Download google translate app and Portuguese language for offline usage.  Learn a few words in advance in the app or using dualingo or perhaps better, do a search on Youtube for basic Portuguese (or whatever language they speak at your destination) and there are lots of videos to teach you some basic useful words.  The basics like hello, thank you, bathroom, numbers, what does it cost, cheque please and food names (chicken, pork, beef, fish, salad, french fries, water, beer, wine, etc.), to be able read a menu and some other things that come to mind.    Most Portuguese people in the major cities of Lisbon and Porto speak good english (one exception we noted being taxi drivers).  As well, english is widely spoken in the main towns of the Algarve.  It is also generally well spoken by persons under about the age of 35ish, as it has been taught to them in schools as a second language.  Older Portuguese did not necessarily learn english in school.  The younger set also learn english from the closed captioning on their TV channels, unlike most of the rest of Europe, which has dubbed translation on their TV channels.   

ATM’s are all over the place but they are not all created equal.  The most common ones are “Euronet” - avoid these altogether, even though they are everywhere, as they have very high fees.   We prefer to use an ATM that is at a bank branch, if possible.   In case the machine eats your card or something goes wrong at least then you can go into the bank and see if they can help solve the problem.   Some other ATMs brands also have high fees, even maybe from the same bank in different locations - we have used Santander bank (Spanish) atm with no fee in Portugal and then in Spain this atm was going to charge 7 Euros!  Always take the conversion in the local currency, be sure to answer this question twice when using the atm, never take currency conversion in Canadian dollars, it will be way worse.   Most restaurants will prefer or some will require you pay in cash, as will taxis, so be aware. Most other businesses will take regular Canadian credit cards.  Local markets with crafts and food produce will also prefer cash.

The beaches in Portugal, not just in the Algarve, are spectacular, don’t leave without visiting a few.  No two are really alike so take note, even if you are not a “lie on the beach” type person, they offer great scenic landscapes, good walking and lots of interesting sights and sounds of Portugal life.  The ocean water at the beaches is generally cold.  Remember this is the Atlantic.  People do swim in the ocean, but not many outside of the summer season.  There are also river beaches in Portugal, where the water is warmer and people swim in the water.  

In Portugal, in restaurants they will often come to your table after you sit down and bring you a few small picky food items (might be on a dish or plates), which they call “cover” - bread, olives, cheese, pickles, etc.  These are not free and can be quite pricey, even in modest restaurants.  If you just say no thank you, wave them off and tell them you do not want these, before or as they set them on your table, this is perfectly acceptable and they will not be offended, in fact they might view it as you know what is going on at a restaurant in Portugal, even though you are a foreign tourist.   If you let them set them on your table, but you do not eat anything, you will likely get charged for them.  Seafood is very popular and great in Portugal.  It can be very fresh and delicious.  But, don’t be shocked if you order a dish of fish, such as whatever the fresh local fish is (for example seabass or golden breem) and it shows up on your plate as the whole fish, not filleted as we would see in a restaurant in North America.

Portugal groceries and alcohol.  

There are several types of places to buy these.  Groceries can be bought at small mini mercado stores (prices can be a bit higher at these, as they are small and local and often open longer hours, equivalent to convenience stores in Canada).    Next up are larger supermarkets, as you find in North America - brands include Pingo Doce, Intermarche, Continente, Lidl and Aldi, Mercadona (if north of Lisbon).  You can google locations of these obviously, we prefer Pingo Doce, of which some have a very good cafeteria and at which meals are very good and cheap.  Continente and Intermarche are also very good stores, some also with a cafe or cafeteria.  Lidl and Aldi tend to be budget stores, with less selection but sometimes lower prices.  The next option for produce is local markets.   Many towns, large and small have local produce markets for fruits and vegetables.   These are great options and will give you fresh produce from local sources.   

Alcohol can be bought at corner stores, mini mercados, super markets and wine or beverage stores (Garcias being the one we encountered in the Algarve in Lagos and near Albufeira).   Garcias is the cheapest place to buy alcohol if you can find a store.   Wine stores are not necessarily the cheapest, nor are wineries, when compared with the large supermarkets, probably Continente Supermarket yielding the best bang for your buck and great selection after Garcias.

The local beer is great in Portugal.....Sagres or Super Bock!  Also pretty cheap in most bars and restaurants, especially ones that locals frequent.

The wine is great everywhere in Portugal.  Just order house wine in any restaurant and it will be good.  We see very little of the good Portugese wine in Canada.

Something to look for at restaurants, though less common since covid, is a Prato do dia or menu do dia - item/dish of the day or something like that. It is the daily special and can sometimes include as much as a 3-5 course (counting two beverages) offering - appetizer, main and dessert, plus a beverage with the meal (could be beer, wine or sometimes soft drink, though soft drinks can cost more than beer or wine at some places) and coffee. This is usually a very good deal when eating lunch (sometimes also supper, though it tends to be the best value lunchtime) and offered at many restaurants in Portugal.

• Often the menu items will come with french fries (batata frita) by default as the “come with” item. If you do not want french fries, just ask for potatoes in some other way, boiled with olive oil is good, and they will usually gladly switch at no extra charge. Baked potato is not common.  Some places may substitute vegetables for batata fritas.

The Portugese people are very humble, quiet, reserved but friendly.  Probably the best way to learn quickly about local customs is do a walking  tour and ask lots of questions of the guide.   Walking tours are available in Lisbon and Porto and some smaller towns as well.  They are often done by locals who know the history of the area.  Sometimes you might have a tour in Lisbon lead by a foreign student, who is studying in Portugal and has studied the area information.  Still worthwhile.  The walking tours can be booked in advance online.  They work mostly based on tips.   You pay what you think the tour was worth, as a tip, rather than as a fixed price.   There are walking tours that can include food or entry into attractions and these may have a fixed price to be paid in advance.  We have done walking tours in Lisbon, Porto and Seville Spain and all were very good.

If you need a medication item like tylenol or advil or something more serious you will need to go to a pharmacy (farmacia). They are stand alone businesses (not in a supermarket for instance) and there are lots of them around (green cross on the sign outside) so not hard to find if you needed something.  You will not find basic medication items like Tylenol at supermarkets, they only carry personal care type things (deodorant, tooth paste, etc.).  The Pharmacy people can also probably guide you if you need info on a medical clinic or hospital, though your own insurance might also be the best source for this info if they provide an available toll free number to call for medical issues as part of your insurance.

Safety - Portugal is rated as one of the safest countries in the world.  Major crime is not common, almost unheard of.   Most towns and cities are very safe to walk, both daytime and even late at night.   There is petty crime like pickpockets in major cities.  This is mainly in major cities of Lisbon and Porto and often only happens in crowded places or events.   We have never had a problem at any place in Portugal, never felt unsafe or threatened.  We have also not been pickpocketed or had any incident of theft or damage to any of our belongings in Portugal.  We have done a lot of walking in all the cities we have visited, day and nighttime.  We would recommend a money belt, just the same, when travelling in Europe as a precaution to keep your large money, passport and credit cards safe at all times.   

Transportation 

Driving:

Driving in Portugal can vary from easy to stressful at times.  A few things to know in advance can help.  If you plan a significant amount of local driving, then learning to navigate a roundabout is key.   The condition of the roads is not an issue as they are generally very very good, better than many in Canada.  The local drivers can be aggressive and like to drive fast, so you will encounter tailgating.  Don’t take it personally, just let the person pass if the opportunity presents.   Also of note is that the Autostrada roads, otherwise known as toll roads, are excellent.  They have less traffic and their condition is superb.   But, there is a law in Portugal that you are not allowed to stay in the left passing lane, nor do you want to as you will encounter some very fast moving vehicles passing you on the left on the toll roads, some probably doing upwards of 200km/hour.   Having said all that we have driven in Portugal on all five trips, in 2023 clocking 4,300 km in 72 days and not had a significant problem.  

Note that if you are booking a rental car there are a number of things to consider.   Most cars are manual transmission.   You can get automatic transmission rental cars, but they cost more and are in shorter supply so booking well in advance might be advised.  There are multiple car rental companies in Portugal.   Their prices and ratings vary considerably.  There are also agencies (some of which are European and based outside Portugal) that rent vehicles in Portugal.   You can rent at the airports in Portugal or in the Algarve there are local rental companies in some towns and some companies will deliver a car to your location for a fee.   Take note of insurance for rental vehicles.  Your own Nfld car insurance is NOT transferable to Europe, which is unlike the USA for which you can add coverage for USA rental vehicles.  So you need to be covered by your credit card or take coverage, at added cost with the rental company.   This can be pricey.   Some rental companies have issues with doing a contract for more than 30 days, so note that.   Also note you cannot rent a vehicle in Europe through Costco.  

We have rented from Europcar the last two trips and taken full insurance coverage from the company.  This eliminates any hassles on return of the car, should some damage occur.  

Also note that the size of rental vehicles in Portugal, as in Europe, are smaller.   We have rented a four door compact car in 2022 and 2023.  In 2023 it was a Peugeot 208, three cylinder (manual transmission) sporty car that got over 50 miles to the gallon.   If you are travelling as more than two people and looking to rent for all travellers this might be a challenge or you might need more than one vehicle.  Renting an suv or van is expensive and availability might also be a challenge.  If you are renting a vehicle and plan to use the toll roads a lot, like we have, pay the extra cost to have the toll transponder, so you can drive on through the toll booths and not have to worry about how to pay.  Your rental company will bill you a few days after you drop off the rental car, which has worked ok for us.

Trains

Trains are very good in Portugal.  There are major routes which have moderately high speed trains and there are local trains, which are slower and have frequent stops.  Not all towns have train stops.  We have done the train from Porto to Lisbon and it was excellent.   

Buses:

These are plentiful around Portugal and is probably a very reasonable way to travel.  We have seen many but not used any, except city buses in Lisbon.  There is lots of info online for buses.  From what we have understood the prices can be very good for bus transport.

If you want to learn more about travel in Portugal there are many ways to expand your knowledge.  The Rick Steves website is a wealth of info on Europe and has a section full of info on each European country individually.   Youtube is loaded with videos that people and travel companies publish with tips and views of areas all over the country.  We have watched many and would recommend viewing the tip videos and videos on places in Portugal or elsewhere that you are considering visiting.  

Public Transport in Lisbon & Porto

In both cities public transport is excellent.  We have used it in both cities.  In Lisbon we have used all forms - Metro (subway), buses, trams, funiculars and trains to nearby Belem and Cascais and all work great.  The most recent trip we used the local metro bus system very easily.  We used google to navigate the points to get on and off the bus.  It worked fantastic.  In Lisbon the metro and buses are on the same system.   You can buy single trip tickets or you can buy a 24 hour pass.  If you are going to make multiple trips on the metro and or bus in a 24 hour period then the pass is best.   There are lots of more detail about the Lisbon Metro on the website below:

Click here for Lisbon Metro & other info

Taxi’s and Uber

We have used taxis on a limited basis in Lisbon.  Mainly for the airport.  Not had a problem, but most Lisbon taxi drivers do not speak much english, so it is recommended you have the address written down, make sure they use the meter and make sure your luggage is unloaded before you pay.  Taxis are not expensive so they are a reasonable option if public transport is not easily available.   Uber is becoming common in Portugal, we have not used it there, but have friends that have and they said it worked fine.   

Cell phones:

• You can (sort of) add a phone package from your service provider (Bell, Virgin, etc.) for Europe, it is pricey but gives you phone, text and some data (not a lot).  The Canadian telcos used to have an $80 per month package, which was expensive but an ok option.  These packages were eliminated in April 2023.  Now they only offer very expensive daily rate options so using your home cell phone is now outrageously expensive.  There is lots of wi fi in Lisbon and other bigger towns.  If you thought you needed a lot of data on your phone buying an esim could be an option. We have used these on the last two trips to Portugal and they worked great for data.  We used a company called Airalo.  The website to buy and explain the esim (only works on newer phones) is below:  
• https://www.airalo.com/portugal-esim?srsltid=AfmBOooBgeNDxQ1__sH1PJPa_2gAFW_uiy6So2jOQFjK0J-EiVsAscP7
• Also, if you didnt want to add a phone package but wanted a cheaper option for calling, there is wi fi calling using Whatsapp or Fongo.  Fongo is a Canadian company that provide a new phone number and you can add a text and phone package for wi fi calling.  You can use your normal phone with this.   Fongo has worked good sometimes but also had some problems at other times.  They were hacked in April 2023 and service was not available for 3 days.   Fongo
• Whatsapp is commonly used in Portugal, especially with property renters for Airbnb or VRBO.  Whatsapp works well with a data esim in your phone.
• It is not recommended to bring a phone to Europe and just start using it as if you are home without adding a phone travel package from your service provider as roaming fees might be very high.  Also you might need your phone unlocked to use the above alternative options.  This can be done easily these days but check with your service provider as to whether your phone is unlocked before you travel.  

Something you will see a lot of in Portugal that might throw you off is graffiti.   It is all over the place.  However, graffiti in Portugal is viewed much differently than in Canada.  It is often viewed as artwork and it is not necessarily discouraged.  You will find a wide variety, from ugly, to perhaps offensive, to lots that is art and even looks amazing.

Luggage tips - try to travel light and find out if there is an elevator in the building you are staying in.  Carrying luggage up many stairs is a pain!  Lots of older buildings, especially Airbnbs in Lisbon do not have elevators.  Big luggage can also be a problem with small rental cars, trains, busses, taxis and Ubers.   Put bag tags with your email and cell numbers inside your luggage in case it is lost.  Take pictures of your luggage - checked bags and carry ons before you leave home!

Questions to investigate or ponder when renting an Airbnb or VRBO property:

-What floor is the unit on?

-Does the bldg have an elevator?   

-How old is the building?

-If you have a vehicle, what kind of parking is available, underground, street, how is access to the unit from parking (stairs, elevator, etc.)?

-What kind of cooking appliances are available?  Be careful if you plan to cook lots, as some smaller units might not have an oven or as they call it in the UK, a hob, or they might not even have a cooktop, just a microwave!

-Are all dishes and cooking utensils provided for cooking and as if you were living at home? Are any cooking supplies provided (ex. Cooking  oil, spices, salt, pepper, etc.)?

-Look for the refrigerator and freezer part if you think you need a freezer.  Some condos in Europe have small refrigerators.

-What kind of heat is provided to the unit?  Any extra charges for heat or electricity?  If you are going to be in Portugal in winter some places are not well insulated or heated, watch for this.  Some places have only mini splits as the source of heat.  This can work but you need to know what rooms the units are in (ex.  Bedroom, living room, etc.).

-Does the unit have air conditioning?

-What kind of coffee machine is available (if it takes pods are any provided)?

-Is there a kettle?

-What is available for laundry facilities?  Washer, dryer in the unit or building?  Some places in Europe have units that are both washer and dryer all in one.  If there is a supermarket nearby they sometimes have laundry machines in the parking lot in Portugal!

-Is the unit rented just before your rental, if not when was it last rented?  If it was not rented for some time, you might ask will it be inspected and cleaned before your visit?

-Look for what safety features are listed, particularly if it is a multi-unit building and older - smoke detectors, etc.?

-What are the security features of the building and unit (keys, fob, coded lock)?

-Is there any street or neighbourhood noise or venues/bars nearby that can be heard from the unit?  Are stag or hen parties allowed in the building?

-Are there stores nearby, such as supermarkets or mini mercado?  Are restaurants walkable?   If you don’t rent a car consider how you will get groceries and how easy will it be to visit shops, restaurants and sites you wish to see.   Taxis and Uber may or may not suffice, depending on your activities and budget.

-How far is it to public transportation (trains, busses) and what forms are available at what times and days of the week?

-Is the person or organization renting the unit readily available and speaks english?  Will a person meet you upon arrival and orient you to the building, etc?  If you have never been somewhere a kneen host that provides local info and welcomes questions about the area can be very valuable.  Our Airbnb host in Seville, Spain in 2023 was a young teacher and she had fantastic info in a booklet in the condo and also gave us an orientation to the area and answered lots of our questions.  She really was a true welcoming host promoting Seville.  This was great as we had never been there before.

-Are toiletries provided - toilet paper, paper towels, dishwashing supplies, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, general cleaning supplies?

-Are towels and linens and blankets provided?

-How many and what size are the beds?  How many pillows?

-Review the cancellation policy very carefully.  Both Airbnb and VRBO have different cancellation based on the renters and when you book.  Look for how much you have to pay to book the unit and what is the schedule of and form of payments and in what currency.   Note if you pay in a foreign currency and cancel to get a refund you might still be out  money on the currency exchange and foreign transaction credit card fees.

-Review the listing pictures very carefully.   If you want to know exactly where the unit is, but they say it is not disclosed until you book, you might look at building exterior or street pictures and search google street view to find it if you know the approximate area.

-Look for or ask about internet and wi fi speed (if that will be important, as it is with most people these days)?  We recommend using a vpn on your devices when connecting to the internet in a foreign country.  Look up about using a vpn service if you are not familiar.

-Does the unit have a smart tv with cable or Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV or whatever service you like to use?   Some units in Portugal will have cable with numerous English channels, while others will have no cable at all and it may or may not have a smart TV.

-What time is check out required and what has to be done before you leave (ex. Cleaning, keys, etc.)?

-Take photos of your unit at the beginning and end of your stay.  If there are any broken or damaged items bring it to the attention of your host asap.

Europe & Visas

Europe has a trading block known as the Schengen Area, which includes 27 countries, though there are some technical differences among some of those 27 countries.  Essentially the area acts like it is one country in terms of border access.   Though one should note there are a few quirks with this among some of the countries.   Research is suggested as things can change at any time.  For Canadians visiting Portugal or Spain or most of the countries in this area the maximum allowable stay for a tourist is 90 days out of a 180 day period.   If you stay more than 90 days you risk getting in serious trouble with authorities.  They are some possible ways to get an extension inside certain countries but these are not easy or certain.   As well, this Schengen area will soon implement a new Visa requirement for Canadians called Etias (European Travel Information and Authorization System).  The implementation of this new Visa system has been in the cue for years but delayed many times.  It is now likely to come into effect in 2025.   Etias is an advance travel approval process.   It will mean Canadians have to fill out a form online and apply to travel to the Schengen area.  It is expected to be relatively easy and low cost.

Here is a website about it:

Etias Visa Info

If you want more general or specific info on Portugal, of course there is tons on the internet.  The Rick Steves website has a great wealth of info on every country in Europe and lots of info about Portugal.  It has online forums like Tripadvisor where people ask questions and provide info sorted by specific countries and the website also has info on Rick Steves group tours to Portugal.  Even if you are not interested in going on a Rick Steves tour we have used these tour itineraries on the website as an idea guide to places we have visited or stayed in Portugal, as well as Greece and Italy.  Also on Youtube there are dozens of videos done by all kinds of people showing places to visit, things to see and do in Portugal.  Guidebooks are also useful, such as Lonely Planet or Frommers.   

Here is a link to the Rick Steves website:

Rick Steves website

 Link to Rick Steves Portugal Info Page