Portugal

Travel tips for Portugal: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities and hotels, but some smaller shops, cafes, and rural vendors only take local Multibanco cards or have minimum spends, so carrying some euros is necessary.

Try the food

Pastel de Nata: A crisp, flaky pastry tart filled with a rich, blistered egg custard, often dusted with cinnamon.
Bacalhau à Brás: A comforting dish of shredded salted cod, onions, and thinly chopped fried potatoes bound together with scrambled eggs.
Francesinha: A massive sandwich layered with cured meats and steak, covered in melted cheese, and drenched in a hot, thick tomato and beer sauce.
Polvo à Lagareiro: Tender roasted octopus served with smashed potatoes, heavily drizzled with olive oil and garlic.

Say it in Portuguese

Hello: Olá
Thank you: Obrigado / Obrigada
Please: Por favor
Excuse me: Com licença
How much is this?: Quanto custa?
The bill please: A conta, por favor
Yes / No: Sim / Não
Goodbye: Adeus

Essentials

Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Driving: Right side
SIM tip: Pick up a prepaid Vodafone or MEO SIM card at the airport, or download an eSIM like Airalo before your trip for instant connectivity.

Etiquette

The 'couvert' (bread, olives, cheese) brought to your table before a meal is not free; if you eat it, you will be charged, so politely decline if you do not want it.