Tips for your first trip to Portugal: where and when to go for the first time, how to behave in a cafe, and what to take with you.
Portugal is one of my favorite countries and I come back there every year. But once I visited Portugal for the first time and didn’t know how to plan a trip before. I was a little surprised by some things that are different from other countries.
Traveling in Portugal is very easy, but I would like to give some tips to help make your trip better.
1. Don’t try to see all in one trip
Portugal is a small country, but it is so full of different attractions that it is almost impossible to see everything at once. There is a lot to see here: from the Lisbon hills and palaces of Sintra to the port wine cellars in Porto and the beautiful beaches of the Algarve, to the remote beaches of Costa Vicentina and the hilltop villages of Alentejo.
If you are traveling to Portugal for the first time, I advise you to plan an optimal route to get acquainted with the well-known points of the country. And at other times, try to expand your interest and familiarity with other regions of the country more and more.
I’ve been to Portugal 5 times: I walked three hiking routes in the north and south of the country, drove several car routes in a rented car, explored and compared the big cities of Lisbon and Porto. And even now I have quite a few white spots on the map of Portugal.
For example, I have never been to the vineyards in the Douro Valley – the best time to do this is in the fall. Or did not walk on a wonderful route Via Algarviana. I have not seen Fatima and Braga, and many other wonderful places in this country. But it’s good to do all this when you’ve already seen the most famous cities and places in Portugal.
2. Choose the best season to visit Portugal
Portugal is a good country for traveling at any time of the year. But you need to understand exactly why you are planning a trip. If you want to walk in big cities, choose spring and fall.
If you want to lie on the beaches and swim in the ocean, summer will be the best season.
In winter, it is good to walk along one of the hiking routes in Portugal.
When planning the time and style of travel in Portugal – read about the weather conditions When is the best time to go traveling in Portugal?
3. Book your accommodation in advance
Portugal’s popularity is growing every year. If you look at any rating or travel guide, Portugal is everywhere.
This crazy popularity means that accommodation in some of the most popular destinations is booked several months in advance. That is, if you are traveling to Porto in the summer and want to find cheap apartments, you need to book in the spring. This is especially true if you travel during the peak months of June through August.
If you travel during the off-season (November to March), you will have many more opportunities to find reasonable prices and good deals on hotels and apartments. Therefore, you can even book on Booking.com for the first few nights and then travel around looking for accommodation today for tomorrow.
4. Mix and match different things in one trip
Portugal has many travel options – from the mountains and coast to the narrow streets of Porto and Lisbon. With a week at your disposal, you can combine a bit of urban adventure with scenic getaways nearby. If you go purely to Lisbon, you can plan several days together with day trips to Cascais, Sintra, and Cape Cabo de Roca.
A wonderful northern route combines Porto with a visit to the vineyards along the picturesque Douro River. Beach lovers can completely abandon city life and spend time in the Algarve, visiting beaches with cliffs, hidden coves, and sleepy fishing villages. If you’re planning something more active, plan a walking pilgrimage Camino de Santiago – from Porto to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. This way you will be able to see the coast, Portuguese towns and villages, cross the border on foot, and continue your route to Spain.
I advise you to read it: Diary of Camino Portugues – walking from Porto to Santiago de Cosmostela
5. Don’t worry about tips, but you will have to pay for compliments
In Portuguese restaurants, where people eat mostly locally, they don’t give tips at all. Most often, the change is rounded up (without a penny) when paying for food. But in tourist-oriented establishments, waiters expect a tip, usually about 10% . But when you get the check, check to see if the service charge is included. In this case, no tip is required.
In cafes or bars, people don’t give tips. However, if you’re in a trendy upscale establishment, you should plan on tipping (approximately 1 euro for a signature cocktail). Rounding up the fare is also a common practice when using a taxi or carpooling.
But there’s an interesting difference in Portuguese restaurants: when you place your order and wait for it, they bring you bread and a small compliment – cheese, olives, etc. All of this will be included in the bill, so you can refuse such a compliment right away (approximate price – 2-4 Euros). If you don’t need them, just say a polite “no, thank you” ( não obrigado) – it’s okay and no one will say anything nasty to you for it.
6. Forget cappuccino – Portugal has its own types of coffee brewing
One thing that really annoyed me in Portugal when I first came here was that I couldn’t find a decent cappuccino. In a country that drinks coffee from morning to night, it’s a challenge to have a good cup of coffee with milk. Later I found out that there are not only proper names for types of coffee, but also proper brewing methods.
Of course, if you come to Lisbon or Porto there is a choice of coffee shops, you can even find specialty coffee. For example, the Fabrica coffee shop chain. But if you are planning to explore the country, it is better to understand the names and types of coffee in Portugal. One cup costs 1.5-3 euros, depending on the type of coffee you order.
- Bica is an Espresso, but it’s a little bigger (30 ml versus 20 ml of Italian).
- Duplo is a double portion of bica.
- Curto is a cup of strong coffee filled literally “to the brim”.
- Pingado is a strong espresso with a drop of cold milk.
- Abatanado is an analog of Americano, when strong coffee is diluted with hot water.
- Galão – Espresso in a tall glass, about 3/4 filled with milk (this drink is usually consumed for breakfast).
- Carioca is a weak espresso that is made from the “grounds” again.
- Café com gelo – iced coffee.
- Garoto / Pingo – a small cup in half with milk.
- Meia de leite – Espresso and milk in a large cup, approximately 50/50.
- Descafeinado is decaffeinated coffee.
7. Take your walking shoes and a swimsuit
Even if you limit your travels to the city, you’ll need good, comfortable shoes. In Lisbon, Porto, and many other cities, you will find steep streets with cobblestones and slopes where you have to walk up and down all the time. Leave the heels for parties or restaurants. You’ll need good sneakers or sandals with good tread during the day, whether you’re walking around the city or at natural attractions.
Portugal also has a long coastline of ocean beaches. If you are planning a trip in the summer, a swimsuit or swimming trunks is something you should definitely pack in your suitcase.
I have three separate texts about Portuguese beaches:
Beaches near Lisbon – where to relax, walk and play sports
8. Learn a few phrases in Portuguese language
To travel in Portugal, it is enough to be able to communicate in English. Most residents of large cities or hotel or cafe workers also know English. But if you are planning to immerse yourself in the mountains and villages, it is better to know a few phrases that will help you establish communication and understand each other.
What phrases will you need?
- Well, first of all, learn how to say hello: “bom dia” (good day) or “boa tarde” (good afternoon).
- A simpler way is “Olá” (Hello!).
- When we walked along the Portuguese Camino, we would say “bom caminho” (have a good trip) to people who came towards us.
- If you need to thank someone for something, just say “Obrigado/a” (thank you for a man/woman).
9. Rent a car to see as much as possible
Portugal has well-developed public transportation. But to see places that are far from cities, to travel comfortably with children and family, it is easier and often cheaper to rent a car. I’ve rented a car at the Lisbon airport several times – it’s very convenient and all the times it was cheaper than in other European countries.
I recommend to read – Road trip in Portugal – from Lisbon to Porto
Just calculate how much train tickets cost (from 30 euros from Lisbon to Porto), or, for example, see how to get to the town Nazaré where buses run several times a day, and you’ll immediately realize the benefits of renting a car.
If you don’t travel on foot, or if you don’t focus on big cities like Lisbon or Porto, I highly recommend renting a car and feeling the freedom of movement and the opportunity to see much more.
10. Remember to stay safe even in one of the safest countries in the world
In general, Portugal is a safe country to visit. The overall crime rate here is quite low, with violent crimes being extremely rare. I traveled alone along the rocky shores of the Vicentine River – along the west-north coast, and only once was I a little nervous when I saw a shepherd who for some reason decided to greet me with kisses on the cheeks. I have never had any problems since.
But in large cities where there are crowds of people, such as on trams and subways in Lisbon or Porto, pickpocketing and bag snatching can sometimes occur. To avoid this, keep your belongings with you and do not leave your pockets open.
Useful articles and links:
- Top 20 places to see in Lisbon
- Cascais – a beach resort near Lisbon
- Algarve – the best beaches in Portugal
Find train tickets in Europe conveniently on Trainline
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
