What NOT to Do When You Visit Portugal
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the don’ts of visiting Portugal. As you may know, the Wolters family lived in Portugal. Our youngest son was born there while Mark was teaching in Lisbon, so it’s a special place we love. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Portugal, we also want to share what you should NOT do on your trip to Portugal!
Don’t Expect Timeliness
Timeliness is not common in Portugal; they’re a bit more casual with time. If you show up “on time” to a party, you will actually be very early, which is kind of rude. If a party “starts” at 7, don’t go any earlier than 7:30. Keep this in mind if you have dinner plans with any locals during your trip.
Don’t Think You’ll Bust Your Budget
Portugal is a very affordable destination. The prices are very reasonable from your flight to Portugal to hotels and restaurants. Because of this, it’s very popular with Europeans so it’s gotten a bit more expensive than it used to be. However, it’s still one of the most affordable countries in Europe.
Don’t call it cheap, though, especially if you’re talking to locals. It may be affordable to visit, but it’s not cheap to live there, especially as tourism increases.
Don’t Worry About Safety
Aside from the usual safety precautions that you should take anywhere, including at home, you don’t need to worry about safety too much in Portugal. It’s part of what I loved about living in Portugal. It felt very safe to let our kids play outside, which is important!
The biggest safety issue in Portugal just might be walking around town! The drivers can be a bit crazy, so you have to be careful. But you really need to be careful when walking because the tile pavers can be very slippery, especially in the rain! It’s almost a rite of passage to slip and fall on the streets of Lisbon.
Don’t Forget to Explore Beyond Lisbon
International flights will usually arrive in Lisbon, and we highly recommend spending some time there, but make sure you see more than just Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve. There are so many beautiful destinations in Portugal and many of them are small towns that are not as popular with tourists.
For a tropical break in your vacation, there are two sets of islands that are also part of Portugal and well worth visiting. The Azores Islands the Madeira Islands are two beautiful destinations in Portugal if you are looking for some beach time.
Don’t Be Afraid to Rent a Car in Portugal
The best way to explore Portugal is to rent a car and go off on your own. There are some really great small towns in Portugal to explore. Having a rental car makes it so much easier to explore at your own pace.
But we don’t recommend driving in Lisbon; it’s just a hassle. The traffic sucks and the drivers are crazy. It’s super easy to get around Lisbon without a car so pick up your car after your time in Lisbon or drop it off before ending your trip in Lisbon.
Don’t Worry if You Don’t Speak Portuguese
People in Portugal speak English very well, so you will get by just fine if you don’t speak the local language. It’s pretty impressive how well most of them speak English. If you learn a few words before you go (Obrigado, Por Favor) they will appreciate it so much. Portuguese may sound like Spanish, but it’s not. And don’t think Portugal and Spain are the same!
While we can’t teach you Portuguese, there are a few things to know. If you learned Portuguese in Brazil, they will understand you, but they’ll definitely recognize the difference and may tease you about speaking “Brazilian.”
- Ão sounds like “ow”
- If a word ends with “O” it makes a “U” sound, but elsewhere it sounds like “Oh” This includes the O at the end of Obrigado.
- If a words ends with an “M” it makes an “N” sound
That said, if you visit the Algarve, you won’t even hear much Portuguese. The south of Portugal is popular for European retirees. You’ll hear all kinds of international languages like German, Spanish, French, and English. I spoke more German and English than Portuguese in the Algarve.
Don’t Plan on an Early Dinner
Portugal, like Spain, is a late-night culture. They typically don’t even start dinner service until 7 pm or later. In most places, the kitchen will close but you might be able to find a sandwich or cold food. However, 9 pm is a normal dinner time in Portugal. (Places that cater to tourists might have dinner earlier) This goes for the nightlife as well; they start late and stay out into the wee hours of the morning.
Don’t Judge Restaurants by Their Appearance
Some of the best restaurants in Portugal look a bit run-down from the outside. Don’t let this fool you; this is where you get the best authentic Portuguese food. These mom and pop places are part of the experience of dining in Portugal. Just don’t be surprised if a grandma comes out of the kitchen to feed your kids. It’s a very family-friendly culture in Portugal.
That said, don’t think it’s weird when you see a parent spoon-feeding their 10 year old kids. It’s just a thing they do in Portugal.
Don’t Think Small Plates Brought to Your Table are Free
When dining out in Portugal, they may bring bread and butter or olive, cheese, and ham to your table. Just because they bring it without you asking, it does not mean it’s free. If you don’t want any of this, be prepared to tell them no before they put it down on the table. Like all the food in Portugal, it’s usually pretty cheap, so we like to sample whatever they bring out. You can also ask to see a menu if you want to know how much they cost.
Don’t Count Carbs in Portugal
Carbs are king in Portugal. Every meal is served with rice or potatoes, and sometimes both! We’ve had many entrees come with French Fries and rice. Fortunately, you can balance out the carbs with plenty of delicious seafood, which often comes with a salad rather than fries.
Sardines are especially popular in the summer, and you’ll see it on a lot of menus. They’re like a regular-size fish here, not the tiny ones you get in a can at home. They do come whole, so you have to peel the skin and look out for bones; your waiter can show you how if you’re not sure. They are really tasty, though, so it’s worth the effort. (If you are budget-conscious, double check the price as sometimes it’s listed by weight so you pay more than what the menu shows.)
Don’t Limit Yourself to Port Wine
Many people think of Port Wine and the Porto caves when they think of Portuguese wine. However, that’s not something they actually drink often. We have found that almost all of the wine in Portugal is really good, even the house wine that flows from a tap! We love that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good wine in Portugal. Of course, you should try the Port Wine, but make sure you also try the green wine. It’s delicious if it’s served ice cold.
Don’t Bring Big Bills
This is a tip we often recommend when traveling because you want to frequent the mom-and-pop shops, and they often don’t have a lot of cash on hand. If you have Euros on hand, that’s great! Otherwise, make sure you exchange money at a bank so you can get some smaller bills for tipping and shopping. If you don’t have small bills in a taxi, you might just be out of luck and pay more than you planned.
Don’t Think You Have to Pay to Hear Fado
Fado is a popular type of music in Portugal, and many tourists want to see a Fado show during their stay. A lot of guided tours of Portugal will include a Fado show. A lot of restaurants and bars have live music so you don’t necessarily have to go to a specific show to hear Fado. Your hotel might be able to direct you to the places with free music.
Don’t Be Surprised by Random Holidays
Portugal has multiple Independence Days and Saints Days. It can feel like there’s always a holiday in Portugal. They love festivals! But that might mean random closures of stores and facilities. If something is super important to you, call ahead and make sure they will be open.
Don’t Be An Annoying Tourist in Portugal
While the Portuguese people are typically super chill, it’s still possible to annoy them from time to time.
- Saying anything disparaging about Portugal will be taken personally, especially if it’s about the food. Likewise, if you visit the Monument to the Discoveries, don’t downplay the Discoveries. Magellan was from Portugal but sailed under Spain’s flag.
- Assuming Portugal is the same as Spain or speaking Spanish instead of Portuguese.
- Staying at an Airbnb in Lisbon. Airbnb has displaced locals and driven rents up, so they are not a fan.
- Supporting the tuk tuk’s that clog up the streets. We’re not saying don’t take them, but don’t mention it to the locals
- Asking your local friends to take Tram 28. This is super touristy and kind of expensive.
- Not sharing your food with friends; even if you order your own dish, dining out in Portugal is a shared experience. It might annoy your Portuguese friends if you don’t share.
- Not giving up your seat on the bus to an elderly or pregnant person. Although this applies anywhere in the world, the Portuguese are very accommodating in situations like this, so don’t be a jerk; give up your seat!
Don’t Fall for These Tourist Scams in Portugal
Any popular tourist destination will have people trying to scam visitors; Portugal is no exception, but it’s also not that bad. We’ve seen way worse scams in other countries. In any case, it’s good to be aware so you don’t fall for these during your trip to Portugal.
- Drug dealers may approach to offer to sell you sunglasses or something innocuous, but then quickly switch to offering you hashish or cocaine. They will specifically target younger tourists, especially men. Obviously, don’t engage and do not buy anything from them.
- Scammers may also pose as distressed tourists who need a few Euros to get back home. I’ve seen the same person doing this trick for years in a row.
- Currency conversion can be a scam if you let the business convert the amount for you. If you pay with a credit card and it asks if you want to pay in US Dollars or Euros, choose Euros. Your bank will give you a better conversion rate than a random kiosk or restaurant.
- Some very touristy restaurants may claim to have “traditional Portuguese food” but then try to serve you paella or some other Spanish or Brazilian food.
- Taxis can try to scam you, but you can avoid that by knowing where you are going and about how long it should take.
- Street games are a common scam, whether it’s a card game or a magic trick. They are meant to get a few bucks out of you.
- The “designer bags” on the street are not real; it’s not necessarily a scam if you’re ok buying knockoffs, but please know you’re not buying an authentic Prada purse on the street for 20 Euros.
One thing that is not a scam is getting the toll pass when you rent a car. It might seem like they’re trying to upsell you, but it’s actually quite useful. It’s not a scam!
Don’t Make These Common Mistakes in Portugal
Lastly, we have a few more common mistakes that we often see with first-time visitors to Portugal.
- When you are served Tremoços with your beer, don’t eat the shell! They will usually give you a second plate, which is for you to toss the shells.
- Requesting Starbucks-level coffee from a mom and pop coffee shop. They love their coffee in Portugal, but they don’t do a lot to it. If you want cream and flavors and foam, you might need to go to an actual Starbucks.
- The bone chapel in Faro is not the only bone chapel. The big one is in Evora. They’re both cool to visit, but if you only visit the one in Faro, you’re missing out!
- Visiting Alentejo in the summer can be a mistake. It’s the hottest and driest place in Portugal. It’s not uncommon to see temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pouring the last of the wine into your glass is a faux pas in Portugal. Always give the last bit to someone else!
- Being a vegan or vegetarian can be difficult in Portugal. In some places, you might have to get by on French Fries, rice or a very basic salad.
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Portugal is a beautiful country with beautiful people. We loved our time living there and always look forward to our next trip to Portugal!
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