Dreaming about a trip to Portugal? These Portugal Facts & Travel Tips gives you everything you need to plan your trip. Save this page!
Here are some important Portugal facts to keep in mind as you plan your dream Bucket List trip. The devil truly is in the details, and these insights will make your travel planning that much smoother!
Based on my years of travel experience both in the U.S. and abroad, I’m also sharing lots of Kari’s Travel Tips that I wish someone had told me before we set off.
The Table of Contents below will help you easily navigate to the sections you’re interested in, or you can simply scroll through all the information at your leisure.
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Currency
The currency used in Portugal is the Euro (€), which is also the official currency of most European Union countries. Euros come in both banknotes (5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, and 100€) and coins (1€, 2€, plus smaller cent coins).
Credit and debit cards, like VISA and Mastercard, are commonly accepted, but there are still places where you’ll need to have cash.
- Smaller shops, markets and restaurants may only accept cash.
- Many public restrooms require a small fee (usually 1€ or 2€).
- While we often pay for our accommodations through booking sites using a credit card, we still have to pay a daily city tax in cash when we arrive.
Currency Conversion
We use the Xe app to check current currency exchange rates.
Currently, the Euro is fairly close in value to the US dollar, so we don’t stress over calculating the small conversions. A 3€ snack is roughly the same as a $3 USD snack.
Kari’s Travel Tip: The best exchange rates are usually found at your bank back home, so it’s worth getting some Euros before you leave. If you need more, ATMs from banks offer the lowest fees and best rates. Avoid using ATMs at touristy spots or transportation hubs—they usually have higher fees.
Kari’s Travel Tip: If you can, choose to be charged in the local currency when using your credit or debit card. This avoids the hassle of double conversion fees. We also found that Apple Pay worked at many larger establishments.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Remember to notify your bank before you travel. This way, you won’t risk having your card declined while you’re abroad.
Kari’s Travel Tip: On your last day, make sure to spend any leftover Euro coins and small bills. We like to use them on snacks or drinks to avoid leaving with small change.
Tipping Culture in Portugal
Tipping in Europe isn’t as common as it is in the US, but it does happen in certain places. Many restaurants will include a Service Charge on the bill, so there’s no need to tip extra if it’s already added.
However, if no service charge is included, a small tip of 5-10% for good service is always appreciated.
Another easy way to tip is to pay in Euros and tell the server to keep the change.
Guides also appreciate a tip at the end of a tour, so be sure to show your appreciation for their services.
Language
Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. Many people assume it is Spanish, due to the proximity to Spain, but it’s not. You will probably offend them if you try to speak Spanish in Portugal.
Luckily, many Europeans, particularly those in the hospitality or tourist industries, speak a good amount of English. If you’re at a restaurant and speaking English, they might even bring you a menu in English.
Are you excited to travel internationally, but worried about not knowing the language?
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Kari’s Travel Tip: I like to start by saying “Hello” when I greet people—it’s friendly and lets them know I speak English. And when I need to find a bathroom, I just ask, “A Toilette?” with a hopeful look, and they usually point me in the right direction.
Kari’s Travel Tip: It’s always a good idea to learn a few basic Portuguese phrases. Even if you don’t say them perfect, the locals really appreciate the effort. Here are a few to help get you started:
- Please = Por favor
- Thank You = Obrigado
- Hello = Olá
- Goodbye = Adeus
- That is delicious! = Isto é delicioso!
- Good morning = Bom dia
- Good evening = Boa noite
- Where is a bathroom? = Onde fica uma casa de banho?
- Where is a grocery store? = Onde fica uma mercearia?
Google Translate
For everything else, I rely on Google Translate. It’s great for translating both ways, whether you type or use the microphone to speak the words you want translated.
I use it in grocery stores when I need to ask for something like “I’m looking for ham” or “Where are the onions?” I simply type or speak it, and then show the translation to the store employee.
The camera feature is another lifesaver! I can snap a picture of a menu, food label, or cooking instructions, and Google Translate gives me an instant translation.
Time Zone
Mainland Portugal and the island of Maderia are in the Western European Time Zone, which is 5 to 8 hours ahead of the continental US, depending on where you are in the States. The Azores Islands are in the Atlantic/Azores Time Zone, one zone farther west, making it 4-7 hours ahead of the continental US.
Portugal observes Daylight Savings Time, starting in the Spring and ending in the Fall. Dates vary by year.
I use Lisbon as the city in the World Clock on my phone to see the time in mainland Portugal and Maderia. Use Ponta Delgada for the Azores Islands.
Are these Portugal Facts giving you the travel inspiration you need? Keep reading, there’s more to come!
Date Format
Portugal formats their dates in a DD-MM-YYYY format. This is different than the MM-DD-YY format that we Americans tend to use to say November 16, 2027 (08-12-23). In Portugal, that date would be displayed as 16-11-2027.
Kari’s Travel Tip: This date format becomes especially important when filling out any forms or applications – you want to get your birthdate, your passport issue date and your passport expiration date recorded properly. Pay close attention to how they display the information you are supposed to enter on the application!
Driving
Europeans drive on the right side of the road, just like we do in the US. Bill and I enjoy having a rental car when we’re in Europe since it suits our travel style. No issues for us, though some of the roads in Portugal can be very narrow, and in the cities, there are more one-way streets than we’re used to. We just have to stay extra vigilant.
If renting a car isn’t for you, there’s a comprehensive network of trains, buses, ride-shares, flights, and ferries that make getting around the country easy.
Rome2Rio is an excellent app for exploring transportation options across Europe, both within countries and from one to another.
It provides journey times and cost estimates, which is really helpful when planning travel.
International Phone Code
Portugal’s country code is +351 (followed by the local number).
To get the + sign on your mobile device, press the zero key for one full second while in dialing mode. This will input the plus symbol. Then, you can add Portugal’s country code (351) and the local number.
In Europe (and many other parts of the world), WhatsApp is the primary method for texting, calling, and sharing files.
People don’t typically use traditional text messaging, iMessage, or phone calls like we do in the US.
Kari’s Travel Tip: I strongly recommend downloading and getting familiar with WhatsApp before your trip. It’s the easiest way to stay in touch with drivers, guides, hotel hosts, and anyone else you meet along the way.
We use WhatsApp to keep in contact with our kids and family while we’re traveling. As long as I’m on Wi-Fi or using my Airalo eSim for data, I avoid international roaming charges from my cellular provider—no need for an international plan.
WhatsApp uses your US phone number, but you can only communicate with others on WhatsApp. And don’t forget, if you’re sharing your number on WhatsApp, make sure to include the +1 in front of your area code.
Airalo eSim
I use an Airalo eSim for affordable data access while traveling internationally. This saves me hundreds of dollars in international roaming fees that I would incur if I just used my cellular plan.
If you’re heading to Portugal, they offer a specific eSim for the country called Fofo Mobil. Or, if you’re traveling to multiple European countries, the Eurolink Regional eSim covers 42 countries!
It’s super easy to install, activate, and use. You can choose which apps access your data via the eSim. I typically turn off apps that I won’t need while traveling (like weather apps and services back home).
If you run low on data, you can “top it off” with more data whenever needed.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Buy and install the eSim before you leave home but hold off on activating it until you’ve landed and connected to free Wi-Fi at the airport. That way, you’ll have data when you leave the airport and head to your first destination.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Double-check with your carrier that your phone is set up for international roaming and is “unlocked” to use the eSim.
Plug Adapter
Portugal uses Plug Adapter Type C, which is common throughout most of Europe. A universal travel adapter kit will typically include this type.
I personally recommend the Ceptiks Universal Travel Adapter Kit. It has worked great for me, all around the world.
I hope having all these helpful Portugal Facts in one place is making your trip planning a breeze!
Can I drink the water?
Yes, water out of the tap in Portugal is safe to drink, cook, bathe and shower with.
Visa Requirements
According to the US State Department, US citizens do not require a visa to visit Portugal, but your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date and it must have two blank pages.
Schengen Zone Limits
However, you’re limited to a 90-day stay within a 180-day period in the Schengen Zone, which includes 29 European countries. Once you’ve hit that 90-day limit, you must leave the Schengen Zone and wait at least 90 days before returning.
A few countries, such as the UK, Ireland, Albania, and Serbia, are not part of Schengen, which is why long-term travelers often do the “Schengen Shuffle” to extend their stays.
If you’re planning to stay in Europe for an extended period, it’s important to familiarize yourself with Schengen rules. The State Department provides detailed info, but this website offers a much simpler explanation.
In most cases, you won’t be required to show your passport when crossing borders within Europe—unless you’re flying. I was a bit disappointed by this, as I had hoped to get stamps from every country we visited!
Safety
Before traveling abroad, I highly suggest checking out the US State Department website. It’s a great resource for information on safety, potential risks, and important local details. They give each country a Risk rating: Level 1 (travel with normal precautions), Level 2 (travel with increased caution), Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Level 4 (Do not travel).
They also offer the STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), which allows you to register your travel dates and accommodations. This helps them notify you in case of emergencies, such as nearby protests or changes to embassy operations. We’ve received alerts a few times that helped us steer clear of protest areas.
Embassy Assistance for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Embassy Lisbon
Av. das Forças Armadas, Sete-Rios
1600-081 Lisbon Portugal
Telephone +(351) (21) 770-2122
Emergency +(351) (21)-770-2122 or +(351) (21) 727-3300
Fax +(351) (21) 727-2354
Email conslisbon@state.gov
Website https://pt.usembassy.gov/
Feeling the Portugal excitement yet? I hope these Portugal Facts are giving you all the info you need to plan!
Vaccine Requirements
None are required at this time. I’d always check with your personal physician before doing any big travel.
Metric System Conversions
Portugal, like the majority of the world, follows the metric system for measurements such as distance (in meters and kilometers), temperature (in Celsius), weight (in grams and kilograms), and volume (in liters and milliliters).
Kari’s Travel Tip: I keep a few conversion charts in a note on my iPhone for quick reference while traveling. Feel free to use these too.
Temperature: Celsius to Fahrenheit
- 0 C = 32 F
- 10 C = 50 F
- 15 C = 59 F
- 20 C = 68 F
- 25 C = 77 F
- 27 C = 80 F
- 30 C = 86 F
- 40 C = 104 F
- 45 C = 113 F
- Formula for calculating: C x 1.8 + 32 = F
Weight: Kilograms to Pounds
This is especially useful for checked and carry-on luggage limits on different airlines. Internationally, the limits are often quite a bit smaller than on US Airlines so it’s important to check. And they do tend to weigh the carry-ons sometimes.
- 7 kg = 15.4 pounds
- 10 kg = 22 pounds
- 15 kg = 33 pounds
- 20 kg = 44 pounds
- 25 kg = 55 pounds
- 30 kg = 66 pounds
- 32 kg = 70 pounds
- 35 kg = 77 pounds
- Formula for calculating: kg x 2.2 = pounds
Area: Square Meters to Square Feet
This is helpful when you are looking for accommodations to know how big the space is. A standard hotel room in the US is about 300-350 square feet. Rooms in Europe are often quite a bit smaller.
- 20 square meters = 215 square feet
- 25 square meters = 269 square feet
- 30 square meters = 323 square feet
- 40 square meters = 430 square feet
- 70 square meters = 753 square feet
Distance: Kilometers to Miles
At first, we were constantly trying to convert all the kilometers over to miles. But after a while, we just adapted to thinking in terms of kilometers.
- Precise calculation: km x 0.621371 = miles
- Rough calculation: km x .6 = miles or km x 2/3 = miles
Conclusion: Portugal Facts
I hope these fun Portugal Facts and Travel Tips have given you some great insights to help you plan your dream trip!
If you have any other Portugal facts or tips you’d like me to share, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear your suggestions!
More Information About Portugal
More posts coming soon about traveling in Portugal. To receive email notifications when new content is added to Achieve Your Bucket List, please fill out the short form above.
- Coming Soon: Things to do in Lisbon
- Coming Soon: Day Trips out of Lisbon
- Coming Soon: Where to stay in Lisbon
- Coming Soon: Things to do in Porto
- Coming Soon: Day Trips out of Porto
- Coming Soon: Where to stay in Porto
- Coming Soon: Things to do in the Algarve
- Coming Soon: Where to stay in the Algarve
- Coming Soon: Best Cave Tours in the Algarve
- Coming Soon: Best Birding Places in the Algarve
- Coming Soon: Street Art of Portugal