Things to Know Before Travelling to Portugal

Rabbie
Posted on 26 Jun 2024

Exploring new areas can be exciting, but there’s always one or two things you best know before you go. And travelling to Portugal is no different. While situated amongst other popular European countries, it's always best to discover local customs and cultures, especially if they’re vastly different to your own home countries. Let’s dive into the top 5 things to know before making your journey to Portugal, so you can ensure your trip is a success.                

Coming up in this article:

• 5 Things to Know To Make Your Trip to Portugal Easier
  • Pack Comfortable Shoes For Exploring
  • Plan, Plan, Then Plan Some More
  • Learn Basic Portuguese
  • Public Transport Vs Hire Cars
  • Local Delicacies 
• Visiting Portugal FAQs

5 Things to Know To Make Your Trip to Portugal Easier

Making the most out of your tour of Portugal is key, which is why preparation is needed no matter how many times you’ve travelled around Europe. Breaking down our top 5 tips, we explore what to pack, local transportations, and not forgetting the best food to try. Let’s get started, so that your tour of Portugal is as seamless as it can be. 

Pack Comfortable Shoes For Exploring

Comfort is key for any trip you may take, but especially if you’re travelling to Portugal. Touring from Lisbon and other cities, you can find the streets covered in beautiful cobbled stones, while further a field can have steep inclines only the best grips could cope with. If you’ve not experienced cobblestones before, our top tip is to watch your footing. Not only can they be very slippery, in non-grippy shoes they can start to hurt the souls of your feet over time, so pack your most comfortable gripped footwear! As one of the most walkable countries in Europe, we’d hate for you to miss out on the captivating sights because of uncomfortable footwear. 

Get ready to put your best foot forward and step into a kaleidoscope of mosaics when you venture to Portugal this year.

Plan, Plan, Then Plan Some More

Planning your trip should be fun and not seen as a chore. It's this dedicated time which can allow you to start getting excited for what's to come and the adventures you're about to embark upon. But the most important part of planning is to create a loose agenda. Now we’re not expecting you to ensure every minute of your day is accounted for, but having a rough idea of what you want to see and do, or the places you most want to eat and drink at can help guide you. Ultimately, you want to make the most of your Portugal trip, and not leave feeling like you could have seen more had you planned your time better. 

If you’re touring as a solo traveller, you may be told not to plan your itinerary, but without a guide of some sort, you may find yourself missing key aspects of Portugal. If you’re still not convinced by planning, turn your head to our guide of things to do in Lisbon to get you started. 

Learn Basic Portuguese

If you’re an adventurous traveller, or like to go more off-grid, knowing basic Portuguese will go a long way. While in the tourist hotspots (Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve) English is widely accepted. But as you tour further afield, you may encounter locals with limited English. For peace of mind (and good manners) knowing the local phrases is beneficial when travelling to Portugal. 

• Hello - Olá [O - la]
• Goodbye - Adeus [A - day - us]
• Please - Por favor [poor - fah - vore]
• Thank you - Obrigado [Ob - re - guard - oh]

Public Transport Vs Hire Cars

When you travel Portugal, you’ll soon realise it’s a very walkable country, with a pretty good public transport network. But we understand the need for freedom and to not have to rely on timetables to get you from A to B. Why not get the benefit of both by having someone drive for you, and allow you freedom at each stop when you take part in one of our small-group tours?  

Public Transport

Pros:

• No need to drive yourself, allowing you to enjoy a glass or two of the famous local tipple, Port.
• Major cities are widely connected and easily accessible.
• Public transport includes:
  • Trains
  • Buses
  • Metro Lines in Porto and Lisbon

Cons:

• May have to rely on local taxis when wanting to visit more remote locations.
• Using public transport can be a very time-consuming experience, which may not be ideal when travelling to Portugal for a short period of time.
• You have to stick to a timetable which could often lead to unpredictable delays or closures.

Hire Cars 

Pros:

• Hiring a car allows you to visit where you want, when you want.
• Provides you easy access to off-the-grid destinations, not easily accessible by public transport.
• You can stick to your own timetable.

Cons:

• You need to be 18 years old to hire a car, but on occasion some companies will not allow you to hire a car if you’re under 25. This varies from company to company, so it's worth checking beforehand.
• It can be stressful to drive in a country which you haven’t done before. From not knowing the roads, the rules or having time to take breaks, the chances of having accidents could be a lot higher.  

Local Delicacies

Being a European country conveniently located near the sea provides guests travelling to Portugal with a wealth of fresh seafood options. One to seek out on your travels has to be Pastéis de Bacalhau, sometimes referred to as salt cod fritters. But if seafood is not your first choice, and you’re craving something a little sweeter, a Pastéis de nata is not to be missed. From the outside they may just look like a plain old custard tart, but they are so much more than this. From the crisp flakey pastry which melts with every bite, to the velvet filling which coats the inside of your mouth, each bite will leave you aching for more.  

Visiting Portugal FAQs

What Currency is Used in Portugal?

Portugal uses the Euro (EUR) as their primary currency. It can be handy to have your currency already converted prior to your trip, but it’s always best to check the exchange rate first. Alternatively, you can travel to Portugal with a bank card or a prepaid travel card, some banks may even offer a separate travel card so it’s always worth checking. But in both situations, cash is still considered king in Portugal, so make sure you have it on hand before you land.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Portugal?

A trip to Portugal is a good idea all year round, however, the best time to visit in our opinion is in spring (March - May). Travelling within this shoulder season not only is beneficial if you don’t like the busyness of tourists, but also the weather can still be pleasant. 

Do I Need a Visa To Visit Portugal?

If travelling to Portugal from the UK or USA, currently you don’t need a visa for a short term stay. This also applied when visiting a European country within the agreed Schengen Area. Meaning as a tourist, you can stay for 90 days or less in a 180-day period. This being said, there are certain regulations you do need to consider before flying such as, the remaining period left on your passport before expiry. If in doubt, you can head to the GOV.UK website or travel.state.gov, which will be able to help advise you further.

Experience The Wonder of Portugal For Yourself

It’s never too early to start planning your next European getaway. Step outside the capital’s walls and explore the beauty Portugal has to offer you this year. Led by knowledgeable drivers and guides, roam the peaceful landscapes all in the comfort of your vehicle. Who knows what tales you’ll bring back. To ensure you don’t miss out, sign up to our newsletter which brings you all the latest from Rabbie’s, including new tour dates and destinations. What are you waiting for?