portugal travel app

Our Portugal Journey

The Top Free Apps for Travelers to Portugal

Best expat mobile apps.

Whether you’re moving to Portugal, visiting on a scouting trip, or taking a vacation, things can get confusing in a foreign country. And frustrating. Knowing which train to take, how to order take-away, making a dinner reservation, or getting a ride to your favorite beach or museum can be less of a challenge if you have the right tools at your disposal. Here’s my list of the best free expat mobile apps for travelers and new residents to Portugal for Android and iOS mobile phones. There are other useful apps that you can pay for, but the apps listed here are free.

I have listed the apps according to their function. Although this list is for living in or traveling to Portugal , many can also be used for other travel destinations.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Idealista – Idealista is a real estate portal for Portugal, Italy, and Spain. The app lets you find properties for sale or rent. You can create alerts for new listings in specific areas and you can contact realtors via the chat function. Note that listings can sometimes be outdated, and you may see multiple entries and prices for the same listing.

Download the app for Android

Download the app for iOS

Booking.com – The Booking.com app lets you book accommodations like hotels, guest houses, hostels, and apartments. Although not intended for long-term rentals, if you need a place to stay while scouting or visiting Portugal, this is a reliable app that I’ve personally used.

Download the app for Android and iOS

MB Way – This is a digital wallet app connected to all the major Portuguese banks. It allows users to make purchases online or in-store. You can make remote withdrawals or instant transfers using the app and your MB Way pin on your mobile device.

Download MB Way for Android

Download MB Way for iOS

CALLING AND TEXTING

WhatsApp – When you’re visiting or moving to another country, WhatsApp is an essential tool for calls, texts and even video calls. You can communicate with anyone who uses the app anywhere in the world. All you need is cellphone data or an internet connection to use it.

Download WhatsApp for Android

Download WhatsApp for iOS

CAR, BIKE AND SCOOTER RENTALS

Gira Bicicletas de Lisboa – If you’re living in or visiting the Lisbon area, this bike-sharing app lets you select the type of pass you prefer – daily, monthly, or annually. The app shows you where the bike stations are located throughout the city.

Download Gira for Android

Download Gira for iOS

Lime – Located in major metropolitan areas across the globe, Lime is the electric scooter and bike sharing app.

Download Lime for Android

Download Lime for iOS

RentalCars.com – A subsidiary of Booking.com, this app lets you find rental cars and compare prices. You can rent from the app and when you pick up your rental car, your eVoucher proves that you have paid for the rental.

Download RentalCars for Android

Download RentalCars for iOS

Google Maps – When you need to find your way around the city or just around the block, Google Maps is the go-to app for directions – be it directions for walking, driving, or riding on public transport.

Download Google Maps for Android

Download Google Maps for iOS

Waze – Waze is also another popular and reliable app for getting directions plus real-time alerts for traffic, accidents, and road construction.

Download Waze for Android

Download Waze for iOS

EXPLORING PORTUGAL

All Trails – Looking to do some hiking, climbing, running or mountain biking in Portugal? This app helps you find the best trails tailored to your needs – challenging, easy, stroller-friendly, wheelchair accessible, or even if your dog can accompany you.

Download All Trails for Android

Download All Trails for iOS

Info Praia – This app, developed by the Portuguese Environmental Agency provides updated information about beaches during bathing season. Find your favorite beach in Portugal based on name of beach, location, or the type of beach. You can search for uncrowded beaches or beaches located near you. (In English and Portuguese)

Download Info Praia for Android

Download Info Praia for iOS

Seek by iNaturalist – Using image recognition technology, this app lets you point the Seek camera at plants and animals all around you. It helps you to identify things in nature such as birds, animals, plants all over the world. It’s a great app if you want to learn about the natural beauty of Portugal.

Download Seek for Android

Download Seek for iOS

SmartGuide – This app turns your mobile phone into a personal audio tour guide. Includes self-guided tours, audio traveler guides, city offline maps and tips for finding the best places to go sightseeing. The app covers places worldwide including Portugal.

Download SmartGuide for Android

Download SmartGuide for iOS

Walkbox – is a self-guided walking tour app for Portugal. There are several tours for many areas of the country.

Download Walkbox for Android

Download Walkbox for iOS

FOOD AND GROCERY DELIVERY

Order groceries and food for take-away from many establishments throughout Portugal using one or more of these popular food delivery apps:

Download Bolt Food for Android

Download Bolt Food for iOS

Download Glovo for Android

Download Glovo for iOS

Download Ubereats for Android

Download Ubereats for iOS

SNS 24 – Keep your health information all in one place with this app developed by the Portugal Ministry of Health. Access your vaccination records, exams, and other health information.

Download SNS 24 for Android

Download SNS 24 for iOS

LANGUAGE TRANSLATION

If you haven’t learned the lingo yet, no worries! These two language translation apps can help you communicate in several languages.

DeepL – This translation tool, developed by a former Google employee, produces a more naturally worded text than Google Translate. The app also has a voice playback function, and you can also translate documents. This is the language translation app I prefer to use, and it’s helped me out of language barrier problems numerous times. It’s also available for desktop use.

Download DeepL for Android

Download DeepL for iOS

Google Translate – This is the most well-known translation app. It allows you to translate text, photos, and handwriting in over 100 different languages. Use the microphone function on the app to speak into the translation tool.

Download Google Translate for Android

Download Google Translate for iOS

MONEY TRANSFERS

There are numerous money transfer services, but two of the most popular money transfer apps are:

Revolut – This money transfer app offers services including currency exchange, Visa debit cards, airport lounge access, Apple Pay, and a host of other financial services such as stock trading and crypto.

Download Revolut for Android

Download Revolut for iOS

Wise (formerly known as Transferwise) – This money transfer app lets you send and receive money internationally at cheap rates. Their rates are clearly posted on the transaction page and the functionality of the app makes it easy to use, even for a novice user. Use the Wise debit card to pay bills or shop always using the local currency for more than 80 countries in the world.

Download Wise for Android

Download Wise for iOS

NETWORKING AND SOCIALIZING

InterNations – InterNations is global network for people living and working abroad. Network, socialize, and attend events. You can become a member of InterNations for free, but many events require you to be a paid member.

Download InterNations for Android

Download InterNations for iOS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Citymapper – This app is for public transportation and mapping and includes other modes of transportation including walking, driving, and cycling. The app displays transport options between any two locations in the cities the app supports.

Download Citymapper for Android

Download Citymapper for iOS

Comboios de Portugal (CP) – Purchase train tickets and view schedules for the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades on Regional, InterRegional, Porto, and Coimbra urban trains.

Download CP for Android

Download CP for iOS

Lisbon Metro Guide – This app helps you navigate around Lisbon via the Metro and Subway.

Download Lisbon Metro Guide for Android

Download Lisbon Metro Guide for iOS

MobiCascais – This app integrates all the public transportation services in Cascais including buses, parking, and shared bikes. You can purchase tickets and reload your Viver Cascais or Navegente card on the app.

Download MobiCascais for Android

Download MobiCascais for iOS

Moovit – This app is a real-time public transit app for several areas of Portugal including Lisbon, Porto, and parts of the Algarve. You can plan your travel route including navigation for buses, ferries, metro, trains, trams, shared bikes, walking, rideshare and scooters.

Download Moovit for Android

Download Moovit for iOS

ScottURB – This app is for bus travel to Cascais, Sintra, and Oeiras. You can view bus schedules and purchase tickets.

Download ScottURB for Android

Download ScottURB for iOS

Vamos Algarve – This app gives the user the ability to plan and choose the best bus routes and to purchase tickets for buses in the Algarve region of Portugal.

Download Vamos Algarve for Android

Download Vamos Algarve for iOS

Via Verde – This app is for the Via Verde electronic toll payment transponder which allows drivers (visitors and residents alike) to drive through designated toll booths without having to stop to pay the toll.

Download Via Verde for Android

Download Via Verde for iOS

RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS AND REVIEWS

Restaurant Guru – Looking for a great place to eat in Portugal? This app provides complete information on restaurants in your area including reviews, photos, and menus. Ratings are compiled by popular restaurant review sites including Zomato, Yelp, Facebook, Google, Michelin, Frommer’s and Zagat.

Download Restaurant Guru for Android

Download Restaurant Guru for iOS

The Fork – This app is the most popular app in Europe for booking a restaurant online. Sort by location, cuisine, and price.

Download The Fork for Android

Download The Fork for iOS

TAXI AND RIDESHARE

Bolt – The app allows you to book a rideshare and works the same way as Uber. Choose your destination and request a ride. Add your payment information into the app and your ride payment is automatically deducted, so there’s no need to use a credit card or cash. Many expats and locals alike prefer using Bolt to other rideshare services because they’re usually faster and cheaper especially around the urban areas of Portugal.

Download Bolt for Android

Download Bolt for iOS

FreeNow – is an app that allows riders to book a taxi in ten European countries including Portugal. Like Uber, you add your payment information into the app and your ride payment is automatically deducted, so there’s no need to use a credit card or cash. Taxi drivers use FreeNow when they’re - you know – free now.

Download FreeNow for Android

Download FreeNow for iOS

Uber – Arguably the most popular rideshare, Uber is widely used in Portugal. We have used Uber to take us to Cascais city center, to many parts of Lisbon and in Coimbra. Choose your destination and connect with a driver. On the app, you can add your payment information and your ride is automatically deducted, so there’s no need to use a credit card or cash.

Download Uber for Android

Download Uber for iOS

WEATHER AND FIRES

Fogos – The app from Fogos.pt alerts you to fires in Portugal in real time. You can set alerts to receive notifications of a fire in your area.

Download Fogos for Android

Download Fogos for iOS

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IMPA) - monitors weather and weather events as well as seismic occurrences, beaches and ports, and marine forecasts. The app provides alerts for weather and sea status information for over 300 cities in Portugal.

Download IMPA for Android

Download IMPA for iOS

WiFi Finder - If you’re new to Portugal or just visiting, you may not have access to Wi-Fi right away. This app will show you the nearest Wi-Fi hotspots.

Download WiFi Finder for Android

Download WiFi Finder for iOS

Did I miss anything? Do you have a favorite free app for expats and travelers to Portugal? Leave a comment and tell me about it.

Leave a comment

Until next time…

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Ready for more?

25 Essential (and Free) Apps to Download for Portugal Travel

**This post contains affiliate links, which means if you buy something through those links I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to view my legal page . Thank you for your support!

Portugal—my beautiful new home. While preparing for my big move to Lisbon in August (I can’t wait! 😍), I’ve been clocking plenty of trip-prep and destination research to make my transition into Portugal expat a little bit smoother. Part of that prep includes researching the best and most helpful apps to download for Portugal!

As travelers in the 21st century, we’re blessed with smart phones that – at the click of a button – can provide us with any information we need about a destination. Although I’m already an experienced European traveler after study abroad and living in Italy for two years, there are some essential apps that are sure to make my move to Portugal much easier (and my time there more enjoyable).

Ordering cars, translating Portuguese, making restaurant reservations and scanning wine reviews are only a couple of helpful functions provided by the apps below. So, if you’re planning a trip to Portugal soon, be sure to keep reading for the best apps to download for Portugal!

Find what you need:

Protect Your Trip to Portugal

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World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world! Click below to get a quote for your next trip.

👉🏼 Get your quote for trip insurance here !

The Best Apps to Download for Portugal

No matter your travel style, these Portugal travel apps will make your trip to Europe easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Just a quick note: I do recommend downloading these apps and setting them up before you leave home. Many will require 2-factor authentication and, trust me, that’s a nightmare when you’re using a foreign number. It also tends to be easier to set up a credit card at home, since your location won’t raise any red flags with your bank.

I’ve linked all apps below on both the App Store and Google Play Store for easy downloading. Keep reading for the best apps to download for Portugal!

What do you need to use all of these apps? 🤔

Oh right…DATA might be a little necessary. With Airalo , it’s never been easier to buy and install a local eSIM. Simply download the app, select the data package you need for your trip (options for Portugal are listed below), pay and activate your eSIM for instant connectivity in Portugal.

• Foto Mobil 1 GB for 7 Days
• Foto Mobil 2 GB for 15 Days
• Foto Mobil 3 GB for 30 Days
• Foto Mobil 5 GB for 30 Days
• Foto Mobil 10 GB for 30 Days
• Foto Mobil 20 GB for 30 Days

Once your eSIM is activated, you can get right on using the apps to download for Portugal below! Data is also a necessary safety tool for solo female travelers on the road . I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the #1 way to k eep yourself safe abroad is with reliable data and a portable phone charger .

👉🏼 Click here to download and purchase your Portgual data plan !

Bolt is Portugal’s version of Uber, which makes it a necessary addition to this list of apps to download for Portugal. Uber actually does operate in the area (although there is no Lyft in Portugal), so I would recommend downloading both to compare fares. Both options seem to be consistently cheaper than hiring a taxi in the area.

Although taxis are still in high demand all over Europe, it’s very common to get screwed on the fare if you’re an obvious tourist (in Honduras , we called that “getting gringo’d”). When you download Bolt Portugal or Uber, at least you know what you’ll be charged upfront. But heads up – if you want to leave a tip, you have to do it within 15 minutes of the end of your ride.

Note: Bolt is one of the Portugal apps that you absolutely must set up before leaving home. You’re going to need it for rides to some of Lisbon’s best viewpoints, like the Santa Luzia Viewpoint !

👉🏼 Download Bolt on the App Store 👉🏼 Download Bolt on Google Play

3. DeepL Translate

Give a warm welcome to DeepL, your language barrier breaker in Portugal. Don’t let the fear of getting lost in translation hamper your Portuguese escapade. DeepL is widely considered the best app for Portuguese translation services in Portugal. Many popular translation apps, even Google Translate, offer a mixture of European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese – which are very different dialects. Expats in Portugal swear by DeepL as the best Portuguese translator app for iPhone. 

I always learn some common phrases in the local language as a sign of respect while traveling. Even if your pronunciation is abysmal and no one knows what the hell you’re saying, most people will still be grateful for the attempt. That’s the magic DeepL provides. It’s more than just a translator; it’s your personal language tutor, helping you blend in like a local among the friendly people in Portugal. 

👉🏼 Download DeepL on the App Store 👉🏼 Download DeepL on Google Play

4. The Fork

Alright, foodies, this one’s for you!

The Fork is an essential and free app to download for Portugal (honestly it’s just one of the best apps for European travel in general ) if you’re already dreaming of tasting all of the delicious local cuisine. This handy app is all about restaurant bookings, but it’s not just about snagging a table at the hottest spot in town. Oh no, my fellow gastronomes, it’s so much more than that.

With The Fork, you can explore thousands of restaurants, read reviews and even score some hefty discounts on your meals (we’re talking 50% off in some cases). 

Plus, since it’s widely used in Portugal, you’ll have a plethora of choices at your fingertips. Don’t leave your dining to chance, download The Fork before you leave and get ready to dominate the Portuguese culinary scene during your trip. 

👉🏼 Download The Fork on the App Store 👉🏼 Download The Fork on Google Play

Picture it –

You just had an amazing, long day of exploring Portugal ‘s best viewpoints, restaurants and beaches. All you want to do is kick back in your Airbnb, wrap yourself in a fluffy robe and scarf down some delicious local food (or some bangin’ chickie nuggies). Alas, the thought of venturing out again feels like a Herculean task.

Thankfully, Glovo is here to save the day!

This food delivery app is the hero you need for those cozy nights in. Glovo is very popular across the country—from Porto to Lagos to a hungover morning in September in Madeira —delivering a wide variety of scrumptious Portuguese meals directly to your doorstep with the touch of a button.

If you’re not feeling Glovo’s choices (which would be difficult given the wide array of restaurants/cuisine available), Uber Eats also operates in Portugal or you could give other local food delivery apps, like noMenu or Comidas.pt, a try during your stay.

👉🏼 Download Glovo on the App Store 👉🏼 Download Glovo on Google Play

6. Too Good to Go

This one is for the eco-conscious travelers out there.

Too Good To Go is a free mobile app that helps you fight food waste by offering delicious, perfectly edible meals at discounted prices from restaurants that have surplus food at the end of the day. Not only can you treat yourself to some yummy eats, but you’ll be doing your bit for the environment at the same time.

Too Good To Go is available across Portugal in cities like Lisbon and Porto. It’s a great way to get a taste of Portugal’s local cuisine while helping to reduce food waste – so everyone wins! From a sustainability perspective, Too Good to Go has definitely earned its spot on the list of the best apps to download for Portugal. Wouldn’t you agree?

Since Too Good to Go works all over the continent, I would also consider it one of the top travel apps for Europe travel in general. 

👉🏼 Download Too Good to Go on the App Store 👉🏼 Download too Good to Go on Google Play

7. WhatsApp

This one is a given when traveling abroad, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention WhatsApp on this list of the best apps to download for Portugal. This free messaging app offers the ability to make calls and send text messages to other users while using WiFi or your Airalo data plan .

You can use WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family back home during your time in Portugal without having to pay for an international plan (although I would still recommend purchasing international data). It’s also the perfect way to keep in touch with your new Portuguese contacts, as most people in Europe use WhatsApp over iMessage.

If you set up WhatsApp before you leave, you can sign up with your regular phone number. WhatsApp is not affected by new SIM cards or changing numbers, it will always use the phone number you registered when you set it up.

👉🏼 Download WhatsApp on the App Store 👉🏼 Download WhatsApp on Google Play

Attention all wine-lovers! You’re not going to want to miss this essential app to download for Portugal. 

Vivino is the perfect app to install before you venture into Portugal’s wine regions. Its camera feature allows you to take photos of labels and instantly learn more about different wines, including ratings from experts and other users, food pairings, bouquet and much more.

Vivino will help you locate nearby stores where you can buy your favorite wines and help you find the best deals in the area. And, if you’re worried that your knowledge of Portuguese wines isn’t up to par, no worries – Vivino offers an extensive collection of Portuguese wine suggestions that are perfect for the budding wine connoisseur.

👉🏼 Download Vivino on the Apple Store 👉🏼 Download Vivino on Google Play

9. CP: Comboios de PortugaL

The CP app is an absolute must-have if you’re planning on travelling around Portugal during your visit. CP stands for Comboios de Portugal, which translates from Portuguese as “trains of Portugal.” With this handy app, you can easily purchase tickets and check train times throughout the country. In combination with trusty Google Maps, CP is the best way to travel around Portugal.

CP also offers great discounts for students and senior citizens, so don’t forget to ask. This app is available in both English and Portuguese, making it perfect for any traveler.

👉🏼 CP app download on the Apple Store 👉🏼 CP app download on Google Play

If you’re planning to drive during your trip, the Waze app is one of my favorite apps to download for Portugal. It’s one of the best navigation apps out there, and tends to be the most accurate navigation app in the country. With Waze, you’ll get real-time updates on traffic conditions, as well as voice guidance and live maps so you won’t get lost. If you’re asking how to get around in Portugal, Waze is the answer. 

The only downside of Waze is there are no offline maps available for download. In this instance, Google Maps Portugal download is still your best bet. Additionally, since Waze is not compatible for pedestrians, I always use Google Maps to map walking directions and local transit options.

👉🏼 Download Waze on the App Store 👉🏼 Download Waze on Google Play

Since half of the country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, it’s important to download this handy Tides app for your trip to Portugal. Tides will provide real-time updates and guides to tidal patterns, wind speeds and water temperatures, so that you never have any nasty surprises during a beach day.

Tides is especially important if you enjoy taking long walks on the beach around cliffs during low tide. It may just save your life!

This handy app also offers information on popular beaches and swimming spots in Portugal. It’s hands-down earned its spot as one of the best apps to download for Portugal.

👉🏼 Download Tides on the App Store 👉🏼 Download Tides on Google Play

If you plan to visit Portugal in the summer (fire season), I highly recommend you download the Fogos app. Fogos provides real-time updates on forest fires in both the city and the country, and alerts you if there are any active fires in your area.

Although chances are you won’t need to use it, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Plus…it’s free, so there’s no downside to a quick download. And remember, it’s forbidden to start fires in Portugal outside of your own property in a safe and controlled environment (like a BBQ).

👉🏼 Fogos has been (hopefully temporarily) taken down from the App Store, but you can use the online version here . 👉🏼 Download Fogos on Google Play

13. Info Praia

After living in Roatan , Honduras for a year – I definitely consider myself a beach bum. I plan to take full advantage of Portugal’s beautiful beaches during my stay…and Info Praia is the app to turn that dream into a reality. 

Ready to pack up your cooler with ice-cold Sagres, your trusty bluetooth speaker and some reef-safe sunscreen before heading off for an amazing beach day in Portugal? Before loading up the car, be sure to download this handy app for information on all the best beaches in Portugal. With Info Praia, you’ll be able to easily view photos of each beach and find out which beaches have lifeguards and/or facilities like toilets and showers. It will also help you find the closest beach to your accommodation.

Info Praia is available in multiple languages, so it’s suitable for travelers from all countries. And since it also comes with a built-in map feature, you’ll never get lost on your way to the beach. This app makes planning your beach day in Portugal fun and easy!

👉🏼 Download Info Praia on the App Store 👉🏼 Download Info Praia on Google Play

While CP is the best for booking trains within Portugal, Omio is one of the best for booking trains around Europe. It helps you find the most convenient and cheapest train tickets around the entire continent – all at the click of a button.

If you’re looking for more than just a train ticket, the Omio app allows you to book flights and tickets for the Portugal bus service as well as trains. With Omio, the options are limitless!

👉🏼 Download Omio on the App Store 👉🏼 Download Omio on Google Play

Apps to Download for Portugal FAQs:

A: Yes, there is both Uber and Uber Eats in Portugal. Uber tends to be cheaper than local taxis, so it’s a preferred member of transportation for tourists. Portugal also has a local version of Uber called Bolt, so I would recommend downloading both apps before your trip.

A: No, you cannot use Lyft in Portugal as of 2023.

A: There are a couple of great transportation apps to download for Portugal. My first choice is always Google Maps for walking and local transit instructions. However, Waze is best for those planning to drive while in Portugal. Moovit is another good option for European travel, but I find Google Maps to be a bit more accurate. One thing is for sure—whichever app you choose—navigating Lisbon is definitely worth it !

A: That depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a Portuguese alternative to Uber – Bolt is your answer. If you’re looking to browse local restaurants and make reservations – download The Fork. Or, if you need to communicate quickly and easily with your new Portuguese friends – you’re looking for WhatsApp. There are tons of helpful apps to download for Portugal, it just depends on your needs.

A: Glovo is one of the best food delivery apps in Portugal, along with Uber Eats. Other great options include noMenu and Comidas.pt for local food delivery.

A: Skip Google Translate entirely and download DeepL – the best app for translating European Portuguese. This app is free and much more accurate than other translation apps on the market.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – 14 essentials apps to download for Portugal! If you plan on traveling through Portugal (or Europe) for a while, there are a few other helpful apps I would suggest downloading for your trip. Make sure to grab a reliable VPN like Tunnelbear , the best hostel app for all over the world – Hostelworld and a handy Currency Converter app to make sure you’re staying within budget during your trip. 

You could also download Airbnb or VRBO for short-stay rentals, Splitwise for travel with friends (to split up costs evenly) or Duolingo to work on your Portuguese language skills. I also always recommend having Venmo set up and running like a well-oiled machine before you leave, since it’s impossible to set up or manage without a functioning US phone number. 

I’ll be living in Lisbon for at least three months in 2023, so stay tuned for more Lisbon travel tips coming your way. And, if you enjoyed these essential apps to download for Portugal, you may enjoy the related posts below. Happy travels!

The Miradouro de Santa Luzia: One of Lisbon’s Best Viewpoints

The Best Itinerary for 5 Days in Lisbon, Portugal

Why You Should Choose Porto for Your Next Long Weekend Vacation

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Madison Krigbaum is the founder and sole contributor of Madison's Footsteps – a solo female travel blog started in 2017 with a focus on destinations in Honduras, Italy, and Thailand. Since her study abroad semester in Rome, Madison has traveled to 32 countries, many of which she visited as a solo traveler. She lived in Roatan, Honduras for one year, Southeast Asia for 8 months, and spent over two years in Italy (in Florence and Rome). She just returned from three weeks in Cartagena, Colombia, and is considering Puerto Rico as her next destination!

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Smart, Savvy, & FREE Travel Apps For Portugal: Apple & Andriod

If a trip to Portugal is in your future, you will want to prepare a suitcase and your smartphone with these handy travel apps!

With my years of traveling Europe, I found that you can never be too technologically prepared when visiting a foreign country.

In this post, I will share the essential travel apps to download before arriving in Portugal! And, the best part is these are free apps!📲.

📲 Quick List of Apps To Download for Travel in Portugal

• Google Maps (Navigation)
• Comboios de Portugal (National Trains)
• Bolt (Taxi)
• May Day (Personal Safety)
• Tripit (Travel Planning Organization)
• Get Your Guide (Day Tours)
• Airlo (Data for Cell Phones)
• Wifi Finder (Internet Finder)
• WhatsApp (Text & Wifi Calling)
• Google Translate (Language App)
• XE Currency (Currency App)
• Tides (Tidal Patterns App)
• FOGOS (Fire Info)
• Info Praia (Beaches Info)
• The Fork (Reservations)
• Glovo (Food & Grocery Delivery)
• Nomad Her (Find Solo Female Travelers)

📲 Pro Tip: I like to create a folder for all my travel apps to easily find them amongst all the chaos on my phone.

Human-written content, by me, and nearly all original images, unless stated. Posts could have affiliate links to help offset the cost of maintaining this blog. When you click on a link, we receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you. See Our Affiliate Policy and Advertiser Disclosure for more info.

Navigation & Transit Apps

#1. google maps.

I don’t go anywhere without having Google Maps downloaded to my phone!

You will find it helpful to navigate the winding and narrow streets in Portugal.

But a pro tip is not to be too reliant on the operational hours of some establishments if you are traveling in the off-season.

For example, places in the Algarve close in winter , but if the establishment doesn’t manually update it, it could appear open when its not…

Make sure to download the offline maps, so you will always be connected.

If you’re planning to visit any cities covered in my destination guides for Portugal , you’ll find I’ve already pinned maps with my favorite spots , ready for you to explore.

These maps will download directly to your phone!

📲 iphone or Android

Additional Navigation Apps to Consider:

📲 Waze – Another popular choice in apps for getting around is WAZE. It’s free and has all the same functions as Google Maps.

#2. Comboios de Portugal

When I’m exploring Portugal, I always make sure I have the Comboios de Portugal app on my phone.

It’s the official app for Portugal’s national train system, making it super easy to get around the country by train.

With this app, you can check train times, plan your trips, and even buy tickets right from your phone.

📲 This app is not for the inner city metro, but for the regional trains.

Use this app if you want to make a day trip to Faro or visit Porto for the day from Lisbon.

So, charge your phone, grab your spirit of adventure, and let this app guide you through Portugal.

📲 iPhone or Android

No. I have seen reports that certain apps allow you to buy transit tickets, like Carris, but I tested this and it doesn’t work. To get tickets purchase a Navegante card at the machines at transit stations.

Need a taxi in Portugal? Download the Bolt app!

Bolt is one of the most popular apps for securing a taxi ride.

While Uber and FreeNow are also available in Portugal, you might find Bolt to offer more competitive pricing.

For convenience, download it before your trip and link it to your payment method, so you’re all set to go upon arrival in Portugal.

Personal Safety Apps

#4. mayday safety.

Traveling solo in Lisbon? It’s a good idea to download the May Day safety app.

It’s a handy tool for solo travelers, providing quick access to local emergency services and useful safety tips.

With May Day on your phone, you can explore the streets of Lisbon with an extra layer of security at your fingertips.

Stay safe and enjoy your adventure!

Travel Organizations & Tours

Having the TripIt app on your phone makes planning trips super easy, like a day trip from Lisbon to Cascais.

Just add your travel details to TripIt, and it organizes everything for you in one place.

You can see your route, travel times, and even get suggestions on what to do when you arrive in Cascais.

It’s a great way to keep your travel plans smooth and stress-free, especially when you’re exploring new places!

iPhone or Android

#6. Get Your Guide

I use the GetYourGuide app to discover the best tours across Portugal.

Whether you’re deciding between the magical palaces of Sintra or the charming coastal views of Cascais, you can easily compare and book exciting experiences with this app.

It offers a wide range of tours throughout the country, making planning your adventures effortless and ensuring you’re experiencing each destination’s highlights.

With GetYourGuide, exploring Portugal’s epic history and stunning landscapes is just a few taps away!

Communication

Absolutely, data is crucial! Getting connected with Airalo couldn’t be simpler.

Just grab the app, pick a data package that suits your journey (there are several tailored for Portugal), pay, and activate your eSIM.

Plans start at 7 days for $4.50 for 1GB. Pretty reasonable if you ask me!

You’ll have instant connectivity across Portugal.

Once your eSIM is up and running, you’re all set to use any essential apps for your trip!

#8. WhatsApp

If you’ve never traveled outside your home country, you might never have heard of WhatsApp?

WhatsApp makes it super easy to text and call via Wifi.

Just install the app, and you can instantly connect with friends and family back home, or make new friends in Portugal.

Whether you’re sending updates from Lisbon, sharing photos, or arranging meet-ups, WhatsApp has you covered.

It’s simple to use, works on any network, and best of all, it keeps you connected wherever you go!

Internet Services

#9. wifi finder + map.

During my trip to Portugal, having a WiFi finder app was incredibly handy.

Maybe you are low on data or don’t want to use it too fast.

This app simplified the process of locating internet hotspots , ensuring I stayed connected no matter where I was.

Whether I was wandering cities or relaxing on the beautiful beaches, WIFI Finder app made my journey much smoother.

And the best part? It’s free!

Language Apps

#10. google translate.

While it’s true that many Portuguese speak some English, you may find varying levels of fluency, especially among older generations and outside major tourist areas.

I discovered that about half of the taxi drivers could understand English, so having a language app like Google Translate downloaded was invaluable.

To fully utilize this free app, it’s a good idea to download the Portuguese keyboard on your phone for typing local characters.

If you forget, don’t worry; the app includes a handy feature that allows you to use your camera to hover over text, like menus, for instant translation.

For these reasons, it’s smart to have Google Translate installed on your phone before you start your trip in Portugal.

Currency App

#11. xe currency.

For me, having a currency app is essential, especially since my home currency isn’t euros like in Portugal.

It’s incredibly handy for quickly converting prices and understanding how much things cost in my own currency.

This app offers help in budgeting and makes spending decisions while exploring Portugal easy.

Plus, it ensures that I always have a clear understanding of the value of the money I’m spending, making my travels in Portugal even more enjoyable and stress-free.

Iphone or Android

Weather Apps

When visiting coastal areas in Portugal, it’s crucial to be aware of the tidal patterns.

It is especially important if you’re planning activities like swimming, surfing, or exploring tidal pools.

The app provides real-time updates on high and low tides, helping you plan your day around the safest and most enjoyable times to be near the water.

Knowing the tides can be essential to find the best times for photography or beach walks, ensuring you make the most of the natural beauty of Portugal’s coastline.

iPhone and Android

If you’re heading to Portugal during the summer, which is also the fire season , it’s a wise move to download the Fogos app.

Fogos offers real-time updates on forest fires throughout Portugal, whether you’re in urban areas or the countryside, and alerts you to any active fires near your location.

While you might not need to use it, having it could be crucial for your safety.

Plus, the app is free—so there’s no harm in a quick download.

And just a reminder: in Portugal, it’s illegal to start fires outside of private property unless it’s a controlled environment like a BBQ.

#14. Info Praia

If you’re planning to hit the beaches in Portugal and you care about safety as much as I do, the Info Praia app is a must-have.

This app gives you all the essential details about beach conditions across the country—from water quality to the presence of lifeguards and even the flag warnings of the day.

It’s perfect for ensuring that you find the safest spots to swim and sunbathe.

Plus, Info Praia updates in real-time , so you can always be up to date with the latest safety information.

The app is free, easy to use, and provides peace of mind, so you can fully enjoy your beach days without any worries.

Food Delivery & Reservations

#15. the fork.

If you’re traveling to Portugal and you’re anything like me— a serious food lover —you won’t want to miss out on the best dining spots.

That’s where The Fork app comes in handy. It’s a lifesaver for finding and booking top-rated restaurants all over the country.

From cozy taverns in Lisbon to gourmet spots in Porto, The Fork not only helps you discover incredible places but often offers great discounts too.

You can easily read reviews, peek at menus, and secure a table right from your phone.

It’s free, user-friendly, and an absolute must-have to ensure you get a seat at highly sought-after restaurants.

Trust me, you’ll dine like a local without any of the guesswork!

If you feel like ordering in one night while visiting Portugal, this app allows just that!

It’s like Uber Eats, which also works. I find the most restaurants on Glovo.

Whether you’re craving traditional Portuguese for food delivery or something a bit more international, Glovo makes it easy.

So, if you’re in the mood to relax and dine in, just tap the app, pick your favorite dishes, and let Glovo take care of the rest.

Solo Traveler Apps

#17. nomad her.

The Nomad Her app is a fantastic resource for solo female travelers exploring Portugal .

It is designed to empower women by providing safety tips, connecting them with fellow travelers, and offering recommendations tailored to female interests and needs.

Whether you’re looking for safe accommodations, female-friendly activities, or simply want to meet up with other women on the road, Nomad Her enhances your travel experience.

It’s a great way to feel supported and secure while enjoying the freedom and adventure of traveling alone.

Looking for more travel planning resources?

Read my full travel guide for Portugal with detailed posts for the country!

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Melissa Byron, a seasoned solo traveler since 2009, is the founder & visionary behind A Solo Woman Traveling. Drawing from her extensive personal experience globetrotting solo to over 40 countries, she has dedicated herself to a mission: crafting invaluable guides and itineraries for women who embark on solo adventures.

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When moving to Portugal , having the right apps on your smartphone will help make your life just a bit easier. From discovering the best routes to other Portuguese cities, having food delivered, and reporting issues in your neighborhood, you’d be surprised at the wide variety of apps available. To help you download the most useful mobile apps, we have selected the 9 best apps for expats in Portugal.

1. CP – Comboios de Portugal

This one is useful whether you are visiting or moving to Portugal. The CP app is the official mobile app for the Comboios de Portugal company (Trains of Portugal). The app allows you to plan your trips in an efficient matter. You can consult all the schedules offline, find out which trains are passing by your nearest station, receive alerts, and more.

Moreover, you can purchase tickets for the trains Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Regional, InterRegional, Comboios Urbanos de Coimbra, and Comboios Urbanos do Porto. You can also choose your seats for some trains.

2. Too Good To Go

An easy way to become more sustainable in Portugal and reduce your food waste is by downloading the Too Good To Go app. This app allows you to purchase a Magic Box from restaurants and food stores for 3x cheaper. The products inside would have been otherwise wasted as they were not sold in time.

Using the app, you can find the magic boxes available near you. After paying for your magic box, you will select a timeframe to pick it up. You can cancel any order up to two hours before pick up.

The SNS 24 app, also known as the MySNS Carteira (Wallet) is a one-stop-shop for your healthcare information. Your information is organized through cards, including vaccines, treatment guides, allergies, and rare diseases. It also has a section for disability certificates, sick leave, and prescriptions, so you have everything at hand. 

The SNS 24 app is only available to residents with a Portuguese healthcare number that can access the public health system. 

To log into the app, you will need to have your Chave Móvel Digital or your healthcare number, with your email or Portuguese phone number registered in the National Register.

4. Google Translate

This one is self-explanatory. If you still haven’t gotten around to learning Portuguese, Google Translate is your friend. If all you do with this app is copy and paste text to translate, you are missing out. Google Translate is an extremely useful tool for navigating everyday life in Portugal as a non-speaker. 

Our favorite feature is the camera. Just click the camera button and let it read forms, menus, ingredients in the supermarket, and so much more. It will translate the words in front of you into the language of your choice. You can even highlight certain words if you only need certain parts translated. 

You can also have two-way conversations on Google Translate, which is useful if you are not understanding someone in Portuguese and need to communicate.

We recommend downloading the Portuguese language feature so you can use it even when you’re offline.

5. Na Minha Rua Lx

If you live in Portugal’s capital of Lisboa, the app Na Minha Rua Lx is extremely useful. This app name translates to “In My Street Lx” and is where the municipality reports issues on public roads, homes, and equipment. 

You can request that objects such as furniture be collected, ask for certain repairs to municipal homes, report abandoned vehicles, and so much more. For example, if you spot a broken lamp post or issues in a park, you can use the app to report these in a quick and efficient manner. 

Glovo stands out from other food delivery apps because it is actually not just that, it will deliver literally anything you need.

In the “qualquer coisa” (anything) section, you can actually request that a driver picks up anything you need. This is a great service if you are sick and need meds from the pharmacy or left your laptop at your friend’s house and need it delivered.

You can also send things to others under the “envios” (courier) service. The only rule when it comes to Glovo is that it needs to fit in a courier’s bag.

You can also get products from shops, including fashion, flowers, electronics, sports, and more. Restaurants near you are also available on the app, along with supermarkets, drugstores, and more. 

Lime is available in many countries worldwide, including Portugal. However, you will mostly find it in main cities such as Lisbon and Porto. Limie is the largest shared electric vehicle company in the world. 

Using the app, you can pick up a Lime vehicle by digitalizing its QR code to unblock it. Lime allows you to ride to your destination at an affordable price without emitting any carbon emissions. There are two vehicles available in Portugal: the electric scooter and the electric bicycle. 

However, make sure to ride only on the roads and paths where you are allowed to circulate.

8. Bolt 

Not to bad mouth any other ridesharing companies, but we find that in Portugal, Bolt has the most affordable and efficient rides. We recommend you compare it to other services when you need a ride, and you are likely to find much cheaper rides. Moreover, they tend to have better labor conditions for riders than other companies, as Bolt has low commission fees. 

You can find all kinds of rides at different price points, such as Bolt Pet, Bolt Economy, Bolto Electric, and Bolt Wheelchair. 

Bolt also has scooters and e-bikes that you can rent. However, their carsharing service is not available in Portugal.

While still a small app, MyCNAIM is set to be one of the most useful for immigrants, refugees, and/or EU citizens in Portugal, developed by the National Support Centres for Migrants’ Integration (CNAIM). The app is supposed to work as a complement to the in-person services provided by the High Commission for Migration. The app comes in Portuguese, English, and Arabic. 

The app allows migrants to access information on “the legal framework for entry and stay in Portugal, requests for international protection, access to Portuguese nationality, housing, work, health, education, equivalence and recognition of academic qualifications, learning Portuguese, among other useful information related to their integration in Portugal,” according to the government.

MyCNAIM also gives access to the Online Portuguese Platform website, the complaint form of the Commission for Equality and Against Racial Discrimination, and the Welcome Kit for Refugees.

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Handy Tips: 5 of the best apps to use in your trip through Portugal

Patrícia Caetano

February 27, 2018

Do you think that planning a trip can be a pain? It’s 2018 and you have all the necessary tool to make your vacation through Portugal a breeze. From the App Store to Google Play, we’ve rounded up some of the best travel apps to help you!

We live in the Smartphone’s Era. Our phones are full of social apps and little games, but did you know that you could use smart apps for your trip to Portugal? Today we recommend you 5 of our favourite apps to explore and travel through Portugal.

Guia de Viagem Visit Portugal app (“Travel Guide”)

The far most important app for you to use is Guia de viagem Visit Portugal. This app will allow you to plan your trip at the moment! You’re able to check the interesting places near you and to plan your trip as efficient as possible. You can also choose your dream trip by topic: Nature, Sun and Sea… Check it now!

Lisbon Street Art app

If you’re visiting Lisbon keep your eyes wide open because the capital of Portugal breathes Street Art. Lisbon Street Art app provides you a guide for a smarter trip to Lisbon.  While you’re searching for a monument you can also check out graffits and new types of urban art. With this modern and incredible app, your visit to Portugal will be richer.

VisitAzores app

Because travel to Portugal also means visiting Azores Islands, VisitAzores app is mandatory! This app offers you tips of every kind: best places to eat, events, places to see, experiences… But also some History, Geography and Gastronomy explanations. In this app you will find valuable tips and recommendations for each island, so you can visit the best (handy) places.

Algarve Events app

Is Algarve your destination? You can’t miss all the events that took place in this sunny region. Especially on Summer, Algarve is full of events, so you can combine beach and other leisure activities. Concerts, Seafood festivals, book fairs, street performances and so on. Algarve is a gem in the South that you can’t miss; Algarve Eventos app will allow you to plan your dream trip to one of the most memorable places in Portugal.

Talking Heritage Sintra app

Sintra is a must-see near Lisbon. With a fairy tale landscape and palace, it’s difficult to see everything at once. Talking Heritage Sintra is perfect if you want to make your own little Tour. With a bunch of different routes to explore this app is perfect for the adventurous ones!

This incredible 5 apps will make your journey and experience in Portugal easier. But if you need more advices and other recommendations for your perfect Portuguese trip or city break, talk with our expert and friendly team  and we can plan everything for you!

Patrícia is Portuguese bookworm and TV series addict who loves to share her passion about travelling.

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Best apps for travelling to Portugal

Offline translator:.

Nothing better to break the language barrier than having an instant translator in your mobile. The best application is undoubtedly (available for Android and iOS ). This application not only allows us to manually enter text to be translated, but allows taking pictures of signs or restaurant menus and automatically translate them. It is also able to listen to a person and simultaneously translate one language to another (internet conection required for this option). It is very important that you activate offline translation before travelling: access the options menu and select "Languages offline / offline translation". Select the languages to use and download (you will be asked if you want to download immediately or wait to have Wi-Fi connection, the second best option for not using data).

App with Way Away routes on offline maps:

We advise you to install the Way Away app on your smartphone or tablet and download the guide with the maps of your destination before leaving home  (available for  iOS-Apple  and  Android ). You'll have detailed maps with your daily itinerary, without the need of an Internet connection. Besides, there is a GPS geo-location tool that will allow you to know where you are at all times (even if you're not online). Download it on to your device, log in with your user and password and you'll have access to the travel guides you have previously purchased at our website.

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Currency converter:

No doubt, XE has the best app for your smartphone or tablet. Be aware of how much you are spending regardless the currency you are using!

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Essential mobile apps needed for visiting Portugal? - Lisbon Forum

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Essential mobile apps needed for visiting Portugal?

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I will be travelling around lisbon, porto, funchal and albuferia, I wonder if there are any good mobile apps on finding the transportation, finding the restaurants, weather, some travel guides/things to do?

The national railway company has an app you can find on their site http://www.cp.pt and likewise the major long distance bus system at http://www.rede-expressos.pt - most of the functionality on both is available in English.

You will have to visit the city transport websites for Lisbon and Porto to see what is most useful to you :

Lisbon tram and bus - http://www.carris.pt

Lisbon metro (subway) - http://www.metrolisboa.pt

Porto city tram and bus - http://www.stcp.pt

Porto metro - http://www.metrodoporto.pt

Sorry I cannot help with Funchal but I am sure someone can.

Do NOT trust third party websites particularly the terrible rome2rio.

Or you could take my recommendation and leave the mobile phone at home.

Yes. I agree!

Leave your mobile phone and wander the streets.

And as for for your selfie stick.....!

I'll tell you where to stick it!

No essential apps are required anywhere!

How did we travel before the mobile phone?

Thanks for the info guys. Yes I found those 3rd party apps are dangerous and not reliable. For the local weather i found an app called ipma but it is in Portuguese. (always trust the local weather source instead of weather.com)

I guess I have to resort to the official websites for the information then. How about any good apps for restaurant reviews? We usually just eat where we end up but even that we want to find a better one in the area.

A snatched lunch has not caught on here so all the restaurants are full at lunch time on week days and the pastelarias all offer a couple of pratos do dia.

A "tasca" is a small, cheap restaurant (if it looks smart that is reverse snobbery), a "marisquera" is a fish restaurant, a "cervijaria" is seafood, steaks and beer (that one is sometimes misused, if it looks cheap and nasty and offers six fish dishes and six meat it is a tasca which at some time had pretensions).

Do try Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, a starter - just simple clams with garlic and coriander, Portugal's best dish. Also a cataplana (oval sealed copper dish - fish, seafood or meat) and, if coming at this time of year, sardines. Both a bit expensive but worth it.

Sorry about the app addiction, I am sure there is a programme somewhere. Perhaps there is an addiction app that helps to find it?

Thanks John for your tips on food, i will now have to note them down on paper :)

We have been travelling the globe since 1992. Both my early Nokia phones and Blackberry served me well over the long years. I agree with John that the smartphone craze has changed how people approach travel. I see so many people glued to their phones and not even noticing where they are walking. I think one exceptionally upsetting experience was in 2012 in Athens during some serious protests and a woman fell in front of me not looking at what had been left behind (not pretty) and I helped picking her up covered in stuff I wouldn't want to be covered in. I guess this was the biggest wake up call to be aware of your surroundings and leave your smart phone some place other than in your hand,

In Funchal, the bus companies all leave rom the same area, their bus timetables and destinations are all on the sites.

https://www.sam.pt/

http://www.horariosdofunchal.pt/

https://www.eacl.pt/index.php/transportes/horarios-e-percursos/todas-as-carreiras

https://www.rodoeste.com.pt/

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Offline Maps and much more! Discover new places and insider tips. Collect, save and organize them as you like. And have the best trip ever! With us, traveling got easier and even more fun. Here’s what you get – the shortest possible version: • Free offline maps – no roaming, no hustle • Multifunctional lists to plan and organize your trip • Insider tips and places to discover We let you discover new places, beautiful spots and insider tips at the touch of a button. Collect your personal best-of and save it for later. You will experience your best journeys yet with detailed offline maps and in-depth travel content on your mobile travel companion. And here’s why 5+ million travelers love our apps: CLEAR AND CONCISE MAPS Never get lost again. See your location on the map via GPS, no internet connection is required. Find streets, addresses or attractions and get pointed in the walking direction. IN-DEPTH TRAVEL CONTENT You’ll never have to buy another guide book. Our Guides features pictures as well as comprehensive and up-to-date information is available for thousands of places and attractions. SEARCH AND DISCOVER Search a specific place by name or browse by categories like restaurants, architecture, shops, bars, hotels, etc. PLAN TRIPS AND CUSTOMIZE MAPS Book the hotel for your next city tour right within the app. Remember and save all the places you would like to visit. Create new or individual ones. Mark them with different colors or add notes to them. SHARE WITH FRIENDS Create your own reviews and ratings of your favorite places. Share these tips and recommendations with friends and other travelers. SAVE ROAMING FEES Maps and guide content are stored on directly your device so you can access them at any time even without an internet connection. An internet connection is of course required for initial downloading of data or booking hotels. BACKUP AND SYNC Create a user account and login from any of your iOS devices. So all your personal content is right where you want it to be.

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Best off line navigation tool.

I have been using this application for a few years now I have traveled several places in Europe I’ve been to Jordan, Israel and cities in the United States and it is always accurate and easy to navigate. The zoom capability is second to none. It appears to use cell tower to accurately pinpoint your position and thus there is no need for internet or live data, but it works with it as well. Love this app!!!!!!!!

Portugal trip

My wife and I are planning a trip to Lisbon and love this app. I like the ability to write notes for each attraction, restaurant, etc. this way we can store what other peoples liked and disliked then use it for our own good

Great Guide

I have used this app and recommended to others to use while traveling in unfamiliar Countries. Your own personal Guide!

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14 things Portugal locals want you to know before you visit

Feb 25, 2024 • 7 min read

Learn how to act like a local in Portugal by following these key tips © AnnaTamila / Shutterstock

Many years ago, as a young backpacker, I made plenty of mistakes when traveling around Portugal – from trying to see everything on one trip to indulging in free appetizers that weren’t really free. 

Since becoming both an honorary Lisboeta (Lisbon resident) and Tripeiro (Porto dweller), I have learned some essentials about the country. From the best methods for getting around to wardrobe essentials. Here are the key tips to help you make the most out of your trip to Portugal.

Don’t try to see it all in one trip

Portugal is a small country – roughly the size of the state of Indiana in North America and slightly larger than Scotland. But there’s a lot to see here , from hilltop villages in the Alentejo to remote UNESCO World Heritage sites , not to mention over 100 beaches in the Algarve. A rookie mistake is trying to see all of Portugal during one visit. Even if you have a few weeks to spare, you won’t be able to visit everything in this diverse country. Instead, pick one or two regions and focus your trip there, allowing yourself time to see both highlights as well as local markets, vineyards and other less-visited attractions. 

Decide where to go

The mountains, the seaside, cobblestone-lined city streets? Portugal has plenty of options when it comes to travel. With a week at your disposal, you can combine a bit of urban adventure with scenic getaways nearby. If you have Lisbon in mind, you can spend several days there, along with day trips to Cascais , Sintra and the beach-dotted Setúbal Peninsula , or spend a couple of days in Évora or on the lovely Alentejo coastline. 

A great northern itinerary combines Porto with some vineyard visits along the picturesque Douro River . Beach lovers might skip city life altogether and spend their time in the Algarve , checking out cliff-backed beaches, hidden coves and quiet fishing villages. If you have something more active in mind, plan a hiking outing in the mountains of the Serra da Estrela , which you can pair with time spent exploring craggy villages like Manteigas and Linhares, as well as the university town of Coimbra . 

Book your accommodation well in advance 

Portugal’s growing popularity means some of the best places to stay get booked up months in advance. This is especially true if you’re traveling in the peak months of June through August .  Once you have your itinerary organized, reserve your lodging. If you’re traveling off-season (November through March), you’ll have much more flexibility – so you can book your first few nights and plan your other nights on the go. 

Lower your carbon footprint by traveling on trains and buses

You can go green by ditching the car and getting around by public transportation. Portugal has a decent train network that connects major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Faro. Buses help fill in the gaps to smaller towns across the country. Service has expanded in recent years, particularly in the south, where the new Vamus Algarve covers just about every part of the Algarve, from tiny beach villages on the central coast to the soaring sea cliffs near Sagres . Skipping the car rental also means you won't have to hassle with parking, toll roads and heavy traffic, among other things.     

Don’t bother taking a taxi from the airport

Speaking of trains and buses, as soon as you arrive, you can save money and cut down on CO2 emissions by hopping on public transport from the airport. Portugal’s three international airports all have good options for whisking you into town. The Lisbon metro’s linha vermelha (red line) can get you into the center, as can the speedy Aerobus, while Porto’s metro (violet line E) runs from the airport to the heart of town. From Faro airport in the south, you can take the Vamus Algarve Aerobus, which shuttles into Faro and also to the key towns of Albufeira , Lagoa, Portimão and Lagos .

Remember the cardinal rule of dining in Portugal: nothing is free 

Servers often bring bread, butter, olives and even cheese or other appetizers to diners before their meal. Keep in mind that these unordered items will always be added to your bill if you choose to partake. If you don’t want them, just send them away – a polite "no thank you" ( não obrigado/a ) will do the job. Prices for couvert range from €2 per person and upwards. 

Bring a few smart-casual outfits 

Shorts are fine on the beach, but if you wear them around the city, you’ll quickly brand yourself as a tourist. At nicer restaurants, bars and nightclubs, you’ll want to follow the local lead and dress things up a bit.

Become an expert on tipping etiquette

At restaurants in Portugal, many locals don’t tip at all or simply round up when paying for a meal. In more tourist-oriented establishments, a tip is more common – usually around 10% – and may even be added as a service charge. Tipping is not expected in cafes or bars. However, if you’re in a fancy high-end place, you should plan on tipping (along the lines of €1 for a specialty cocktail). Rounding up the fare is also common practice when taking a taxi or rideshare. 

Bring your own bag to the market 

Portugal has huge markets where you can see stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as charcuterie, cheeses, olives, bakery items and other fare. Amid such culinary largesse, you can assemble a first-rate picnic, just be sure to bring your own bag to the market. You might want to throw in a corkscrew so you’re always prepared to pop open a bottle of vinho verde , an Alentejo red and other good-value Portuguese wines. 

Pack sturdy shoes

Even if you limit your travels to the city, you’ll want to have good shoes. You’ll find steep streets, loose cobblestones and uneven sidewalks in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and many other towns. Save the heels and dress shoes for nicer restaurants and nightclubs. Good shoes will also come in handy when you want to take a walk beyond the town. Across the country, Portugal has some magnificent hikes , like the stunning clifftop trail of Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos – not difficult to do, but you need proper footwear. 

Dress modestly when visiting churches

Save the shorts, short skirts and tank tops for the beach – keep things covered up when visiting the cathedrals ( Sés ) and monasteries of Portugal.

And don’t forget to throw in the swimsuit 

No matter where you roam in Portugal, you’re never far from the beach or a sparkling inland lake or river. Porto and Lisbon both have lovely beaches within easy reach of the city center, while remote corners of Portugal – like Peneda-Gerês National Park have waterfalls and natural pools. It would be a mistake not to bring your swimsuit, even if you think you won’t need it.   

Learn some Portuguese and use it

Outside of Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, you might encounter people with limited English. For smooth sailing, it helps to learn some Portuguese. If nothing else, locals appreciate the effort to speak their language, however rudimentary your accent. When entering a room, it’s polite to say " bom dia " (good day) or " boa tarde " (good afternoon) to those around you.

Be mindful of petty crime 

Portugal is generally a safe country to visit with a low overall crime rate – violent crime is extremely rare. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the main concerns to keep in mind, especially when traveling on the trams and metro in Lisbon or Porto. Avoid moving around during the crowded peak times, and don’t zone out on your phone. At night, be cautious walking around empty streets wherever you are: you’re better off taking a taxi. 

Car break-ins can also happen, and rental vehicles are sometimes targeted. Don’t leave anything of value in your car, and it's best not to leave luggage or other items in the trunk/boot of your vehicle (yet another good reason to embrace public transportation). 

This article was first published Aug 9, 2022 and updated Feb 25, 2024.

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Essential apps to explore Porto

When I travel anywhere in the world, I always try to create a technology free experience for myself. I do…

When I travel anywhere in the world, I always try to create a technology free experience for myself. I do my best to connect, embrace and enjoy wherever I am as purely as I can. And though I do this so that I won’t forget what I feel and see or be distracted, I am also aware that technology makes travel all the more easy and enjoyable.  

These are the essential apps to explore Porto:

Available on ios and android.

Let’s start our list of the best apps to explore Porto with a truly versatile one. Meetup is an app that works not only to do research on the Invicta, but many other cities around the world. Besides being very intuitive and easy to use, it also turns up a huge number of events from the most varied lines of interest. I was absolutely baffled by the possibilities this app affords. I found a bookclub in Porto, you guys. Being an absolute nerd, that was the first thing I searched for and Tada! Now I’m a bookclub member! 😉

VIRAL AGENDA

In Viral Agenda, you will find not only entertainment events happening in Porto (and all over Portugal) but also free courses in universities, workshops, fundraisers, food festivals and competitions and pretty much anything you can think off. It is one of the most complete apps I could find on the goings on in the city. The page for each event is complete with all the information you’ll need and further links so you can find out even more about the event. When you select each event it also connects you to all other entries by the same organizer or place. You can narrow your search by selecting dates, specific places and tags.

This is the most “official” app of this list of app to explore Porto because it is actually produced by the Office of Communication and Promotion of the Porto City Council. It is a sort of news portal for the city with the dissemination of third party articles and official news.   It lets you choose what kind of news you want to be shown from the environment, culture, economy, tourism, among others. Besides news, it is also connected to U.Porto, which stands for University of Porto, and the Municipal Theater and spreads information and alerts related to those two institutions. It also has a calendar of events and is available in English. Personally, it is my go-to app for news about Porto and truly an essential app to explore Porto.

+Parque (Serralves)

+Parque is an app by the Serralves Foundation focused on the ecological importance and impact of the park in the city of Porto. For the ecologically minded – and really, shouldn’t we all be right now? – this is the most important amongst the apps to explore Porto.   In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful apps in terms of design on this list. It is absolutely stunning and extremely easy to use and understand. It is essentially a map to explore the park that surrounds Serralves House, but in reality it is so much more.   +Parque, very aptly named, opens with a map of the park where twelve points of interest are signaled and named very creatively. From here you can select each point which leads you to a page with information, always with fun facts and very tongue-in-cheek. It also has really cool videos about each subject, extra bibliography for the nerds (thank you very much I will take all of it) and seasonal contents. Sadly, it is not yet available in English, but if you can grab a Portuguese person and get them to tag along with you to translate – you can’t miss the extra fun you get with visiting the park accompanied by this app. As a side note: Serralves also has an app for the Serralves em Festa! Summer event, but it’s only ever useful for a few days a year. Still, you can always download it when the time comes! 😉

Official FC Porto

For starters this isn’t really the app for me because football is not my sport (sorry, football fans, but I like the more subtle arts of rock climbing or figure skating). Still, I can appreciate how cool the Official FC Porto app is. Besides being really well put together it’s very complete in terms of information.   The feed has all the recent publications and an overview of the latest and approaching games with dates and times. And if you select a past game it gives you a minute play by play of the whole game with links to videos of specific highlights from the game.   It has pages for each competition the team is competing in with full information about their rating and performance. You can of course consult the current squad, get access to the online store to buy tickets, merchandise and the fees to become a dragon supporter (that’s the team mascot, by the way). Members with a season pass also have a special page that “only a true Dragon can access”. That almost makes me want to become one.

Francesinhas

Let’s talk about food, shall we?   To be more specific let’s talk about Porto’s holy grail when it comes to food: the francesinha . Considered one of the best sandwiches in the world, the francesinha is, in my opinion, so much more that a sandwich. Come on, it is a whole meal just by itself. A filling, wonderful, dreamy piece of heaven. This app has one of the most simple premises on this list of essential apps to explore Porto: where can you find the best francesinhas in Porto? That’s it, that’s the whole thing. But it is so essential – believe me. I know because we have also compiled a list of the places where you can eat the m ost delicious and inventive francesinhas in the city . Francesinhas is the perfect place to share your experience of this local dish and find other people’s experiences and the places they recommend for a tasting. It is complete with maps, photographs uploaded by the users, their commentary and honest opinions and a huge list of restaurants. Don’t miss out and give your belly a treat!

Metro do Porto

If you are a traveller, one of the essential apps to explore Porto is the subway app. Metro do Porto has an app and it is incredibly useful, even for a frequent user like me. Through it you can access a map with all the subway lines and a city map to compare and make sure you are taking the right route. Besides that, it also has an easy to consult chart of all the lines with every station clearly signaled and services available at each one like parking, andante stores, bus stops and tram stops. There’s also a news tab, but frankly it’s not really that relevant. The most important feature though is the Plan tab of the app. It allows you to choose a departure point and destination, and a date and time for your trip. It then gives all the information you need to make that journey. Proper schedules with all the vehicle changes, if they are necessary, the zones and cost of the trip for a single title or a monthly title and the expected time of the journey. You can also create a notification so you won’t forget you have a trip ahead of you!

UBER • Bolt • Kapten

For the last recommendations of the essential apps to explore Porto, we have a trio of ride-hailing apps. It really makes sense to group them all together since they are essentially the same app and have the same purpose.   They also don’t need a lot said about them since they are all so well known. I will say this though, they are really useful to get around in a big, crowded city center, especially if you are in a hurry. If you are visiting Porto and wish to do it with as little hassle as possible, plan ahead and download some of these essential apps to explore Porto. Make your time with us the most efficient and relaxed experience.

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Portugal Is a Great Family Destination for Its Walkable Cities and Beautiful Beaches — How to Plan a Trip

Small plates in Lisbon, fancy soaps in Porto, sandcastles on the beaches of the Algarve: Portugal is country with something for everyone.

Rodrigo Cardoso

We brought a tooth to Portugal . 

It wasn’t planned. Our six-year-old daughter’s first wiggly tooth had been bothering her for days and had fallen out just before we left for the airport. I wrapped the precious cargo in tissue, promising that the tooth fairy would visit her once we reached Lisbon. 

We were setting off on what Lulu called “the magazine trip.” She’d been desperate to join me on my recent book tour, which wasn’t possible, but here, finally, was an adventure for all of us. For Lulu, there would be many firsts: her first transatlantic flight; her first visit to Europe; her first time staying anywhere that wasn’t an Airbnb or a great deal on Priceline.

Though my husband, Adam, and I had traveled extensively before becoming parents, this would be only our second family vacation, with four destinations in Portugal spread over 10 days. We’d talked about visiting Portugal for years. Adam, a documentary filmmaker, loves Pedro Costa’s Letters from Fontainhas, a trilogy of films set in Lisbon. Over the years, my interest had been piqued by stories from our friends Miranda and Gabriel, who’d lived in Portugal when their first child was an infant. During my own childhood, I was fortunate to have my curiosity shaped by traveling with my parents. Here was a chance to continue that tradition with Lulu.

Lisbon was glowing. Even after only two hours’ sleep on the red-eye flight, I was convinced that Portugal had a brighter sun and bluer sky than suburban Chicago, where we live. “Are we climbing a mountain?” Lulu sighed with the weariness of a child from the hill-less Midwestern suburbs. We’d walked exactly one block. She hadn’t wanted to leave our apartment at the luxurious Martinhal Chiado Lisbon hotel, having immediately climbed onto the bunk bed and changed into the child-size terry robe. 

How does one become fascinated with a place? What role does beauty play? I suppose I’ve always felt drawn to photos of Lisbon’s old-world grandeur and its buildings covered in tiles the color of the ocean. 

Founded by hotel developers Chitra and Roman Stern, who are parents of four, Martinhal has four properties in Portugal, all of which are designed for families. Located in a renovated 19th-century building in the upscale Chiado neighborhood, our chic one-bedroom had numerous Martinhal-specific features, such as a high chair and potty seat, strollers for rent in the lobby, and a kids’ club that resembled a Montessori dreamworld, complete with a climbing wall. 

Having trudged to a blazingly sunny, tree-lined square, Lulu seemed ready to fall asleep in her father’s arms. As we continued to wander, I spotted a solution: toys. At the charming boutique Mexerica, a newly energized Lulu selected two sets of dainty Maileg toy mice (not Portuguese, but IYKYK), including a “Dream & Tooth Fairy” with a heart-shaped tin for leaving under the pillow.

While Adam and Lulu sat on the square and listened to a busker playing electric violin, I lined up for a 6 p.m. seating at Taberna da Rua das Flores, which Miranda and Gabriel had promised us was the best restaurant in Lisbon. A tiny place with a cash-only, no-reservations policy, dining there required extra effort, but the food was indeed exquisite. 

Lulu perched on a stool between us at a table for two, receiving the procession of small plates — razor clams, scallops, goat cheese covered in ashes, bittersweet tiramisu, and more — like a jet-lagged little queen. 

In the morning, she discovered that the Portuguese tooth fairy had left six euros in her heart-shaped tin. 

Tile-making is considered an art form integral to the country’s identity. (Fun fact: the term azulejo is derived from the Arab word for a “small polished stone.”) During a workshop at the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, we decorated tiles of our own, using charcoal and a stencil to apply the pattern, then adding color. Our visit to the rest of the museum, which is housed in a former convent and showcases examples dating back to the 15th century, was brief, my desire for tile-gazing conflicting with Lulu’s flagging energy level. We were learning how to travel at her pace. 

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More successful was the perfectly proportioned Museu da Marioneta, where dramatically lit exhibits of puppets from around the world give way to larger displays celebrating the artistry of Portuguese puppet makers. While Lulu enjoyed trying on a roberto (glove puppet) and performing as “jet lag puppet,” she preferred Lisbon’s simple pleasures — tiny robe, bunk bed, evening stroll — and thrilled at the chance to people-watch as we walked from the Santos neighborhood back to our hotel in Chiado. 

Though I’d organized most of our itinerary around Lulu’s interests, on our last day in Lisbon, we set out to look at the city’s terra-cotta rooftops from the Castelo de São Jorge, a medieval castle on a hilltop. After convincing Lulu not to chase the peacocks, I led us downhill through the winding streets of the Alfama neighborhood to the Hospital de Bonecas (Hospital for Dolls), located in an old apartment building in Praça da Figueira. My first novel, The School for Good Mothers, includes lifelike child robots called “dolls,” so once I learned of this place, we had to go.

Our guide, Marta Machado, a doll nurse of 24 years, explained how the hospital, a family business since 1830, restores antique dolls from around the world, some more than a century old. Describing the hospital’s intake process, Machado said: “We look at the problems and tell you about the triage-ing. We have a paper with the number of the hospital bed.”

Part of the doll hospital’s immense charm is the staff’s total commitment to both premise and execution. This is a hospital; the patients just happen to be dolls. You’ll enjoy it more if you, too, are willing to believe. 

There were tables of broken doll bodies, shelves of legs, trays of eyes, rows of vintage heads, faces peeking out of glass windows in cabinets, one with a single tear falling from her eye, another mid-scream. Some might find the hospital and the attached museum a bit spooky, but I felt truly transported, lost in the joy and wonder of this singular place. Lulu, meanwhile, was rewarded for her patience with dollhouse toys from the shop — books, candlesticks, teacups, a china set, cookware. The whole lot fit in the palm of her hand. 

During one of our post-dinner strolls, I’d spotted a stylish fiftysomething American couple traveling with their teenager. A glimpse of the future, I thought. What would life be like eight years from now? Where would we travel with Lulu? Who would she become? Would she still enjoy spending time with us? 

The store of a soap company that dates back to 1887 might not appeal to most children, but Lulu is a child who loves fancy things. The ornate vintage designs on the brand’s famed packaging spoke to her, as did the scents.

On the train north from Lisbon to Porto, she slept in my lap for the first time since she was a toddler. I touched her still-round cheeks and considered her beauty. It’s such a bittersweet part of parenting — that watching your child grow up involves less and less time spent really looking at them. 

Once we reached Porto, our excitement at seeing the shimmering Douro River was tempered by the first of several rounds of getting lost. Our hotel, the Rebello, had been open for only two weeks, and the address foiled taxi drivers and Uber’s GPS. 

Comprising four 19th-century industrial buildings across the river from Porto in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia, the Rebello made me feel like I’d been plunked into the most glamorous Elle Decor spread, with concrete floors and touches of steel and tile. Interior designer Daniela Franceschini’s choice of vintage and contemporary furniture and works by Portuguese artists emphasizes the themes of water, wine, and wood. Franceschini explained: “The hotel has a story of manufacturing and wine storage, and we try to preserve it.” I’m still dreaming about the fuchsia velvet desk chair and the citron verbena scent of the Claus Porto toiletries.

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From her own room in our palatial riverfront suite, I heard Lulu shout: “Mama, I have my own safe!” Words I never expected to hear in this life. 

I came to appreciate the Rebello even more once my plans began to go awry. 

That night, Adam and I forgot to set an alarm, so we had to skip breakfast. I’d ambitiously booked 9 a.m. tickets for Livraria Lello, “the most beautiful bookstore in the world” and a huge draw for tourists as the supposed inspiration for parts of the Harry Potter series. 

Our first Uber driver got lost on the way to Porto and began driving in circles, and driving so erratically that Adam insisted we get out on the side of the road. On the second try, we made it to the bookstore an hour late. I talked our way past the snaking line, and we stayed exactly 15 minutes. 

We got to see the bookstore’s famed red double-helix staircase, but the crowd was too much. “It feels like we dropped into the vortex of Porto,” Adam said. 

Strike two was Clérigos Tower, where I wanted us to see the views from the historic quarter’s highest point. Deeming the stairs too scary and the stairwell too narrow, Lulu abandoned the climb halfway up, and I quickly discovered that a floor-length Dôen sundress was exactly the wrong thing to wear when climbing an 18th-century tower with very smooth stone stairs. 

Surprisingly, everyone’s mood lifted after we visited the Claus Porto flagship store on Rua das Flores. Imagine Barneys (RIP), but for soap, with displays befitting the finest jewels. The store of a soap company that dates back to 1887 might not appeal to most children, but Lulu is a child who loves fancy things. The ornate vintage designs on the brand’s famed packaging spoke to her, as did the scents. Choosing four tiny soaps for herself, she announced: “I love soapies! I love soapies!” 

Despite soap joy and Adam and Lulu’s happy chess playing in the Rebello lobby, strike three was a tour of Ferreira Cellars. Having spent an hour learning the history of port wine, during which we trudged dutifully past row after row of enormous casks, Adam commended Lulu on her endurance, telling her: “You’re a boss wine tourist.” 

Even though I had followed the Internet’s advice regarding Porto’s “must-sees,” my plans had been that unfortunate combination of hot, crowded, tiring, and boring. Why hadn’t I just scrapped the tickets and taken us to the hotel’s indoor pool? 

Thankfully, dinner at the Rebello’s Pot&Pan offered redemption. Diogo Magalhães, the food and beverage manager, served as our friendly, mellow guide, commiserating about our messy day as we feasted on chef André Coutinho’s modern take on Portuguese gastronomy.

“Lulu, your taste in food is insane,” Adam said. At home, she’s often a picky eater, but that night, she cheerfully tried Portuguese-style prawns, crisp pork belly and clams with sautéed potatoes, baked octopus à lagareiro, and too many other dishes to name.

A tray of desserts arrived, garnished with dry ice that had the aroma of violets: Toblerone-shaped tiramisu, lemon meringue tarts, honeycomb-shaped cinnamon cookies, macaroons, ice cream, sorbet, and abade de priscos, a traditional caramel pudding.

Food rarely makes me emotional, but this was our favorite meal of the trip, the pleasure of the dishes enhanced by the succor it provided. Coutinho stopped by to say hello. Then only 33, this was his first time opening three dining outlets from scratch. He told me about working in partnership with Magalhães: “I believe the connection with the kitchen and service must be like this — like a marriage.” Both want the restaurants to be accessible, with food and drink priced accordingly, so locals can also enjoy the food and the stunning view of the river. 

Later, Adam summed up our admiration for the Rebello when he said that Magalhães and Coutinho had a “great vibe.” For my husband, who isn’t given to effusiveness, this was the highest of compliments.

“You didn’t tell me we had our own pool.” Lulu stared at me over the top of her glasses. She’d never sounded more like a tiny teen, but soon she was prancing through our villa at the Six Senses Douro Valley, singing “We have our own po-ol! We have our own po-ol!” 

In our living room, a cavernous rotunda decorated in serene earth tones, she found a welcome note addressed to her and a box filled with fruit skewers, berries, and granola. In the fridge, a bottle of chocolate milk had her name on it. 

We first saw the resort from the road above, which added to the sense of decadent unreality as we descended into a lush green world. Set on almost 20 acres alongside the Douro River in Portugal’s oldest wine-producing region, the Six Senses was once a manor house owned by the wealthy Serpa Pimentel family, who were apparently close friends of King Carlos I and owned numerous vineyards in the area. Having never been to any manor houses, I’d describe the estate as castle-esque.

Spotting another box on the coffee table, she said, “I’m just going to see if it has my name on it.” On her pillow, she found a woolen puppy with LULU embroidered on the side.

“I can’t believe you’re experiencing this at six,” Adam said to Lulu. We exchanged nervous glances. How would she ever go back to Airbnb? Our 2,700-square-foot villa, a short walk from the main house, was more than twice the size of our current apartment, not including the private pool, sun deck, garden, and gazebo.

But parenting is still parenting, even in such splendor. Lulu had another loose tooth. She’d become reluctant to eat.

The Six Senses strives for “emotional hospitality” — to empathize with clients and provide whatever they need — and I’ll assume this is how everyone heard about her tooth. There were cries of “Hi, Lulu! Hi, Lulu!” wherever we went. Staff stopped by at meals to inquire about the tooth’s progress. 

Adam and I wondered whether it had been discussed via text messages, or maybe walkie-talkies. This level of service, combined with our lack of resort experience, became almost comical. When shown the daybed on which Lulu would sleep, I asked where the linens were, not understanding that a turndown service would magically appear or that they’d leave gifts — chocolate, port wine, sliced fruit. While we gawked and bumbled, Lulu swiftly adjusted her standards. Spotting another box on the coffee table, she said, “I’m just going to see if it has my name on it.” On her pillow, she found a woolen puppy with Lulu embroidered on the side.

Months before, our daughter had learned to swim. My parents had taken her to lessons, so Adam and I didn’t witness her new skills until our stay at the Six Senses. We were astonished to see her dip underwater, float on her back, and demonstrate her “froggy” moves. Who was this swimming, toothless big kid? 

Tearing her away from the pool was challenging, but we had a packed roster of activities to try. At the Earth Lab, we pickled vegetables, made yogurt, and learned how to grow sprouts. At the Alchemy Bar, we made an organic body scrub. At the Activity Hut, we chatted with resident artist Helena Ferreira about travel while she and Lulu painted. 

More Trip Ideas: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Comporta, Portugal

One morning in this idyll, I heard screams. When I ran upstairs to the bathroom, I couldn’t see Lulu at first, only the geyser of water spraying from the bidet and out the door of the toilet stall. 

The bathroom was getting soaked. Lulu, still hollering, was plastered against the wall in terror. Scrambling to turn off the water, I got sprayed in the face. We’d asked Lulu not to touch the buttons. I didn’t begin the day needing a massage, but after cleaning up the water and speaking too harshly to Lulu, my existing spa appointment felt more necessary. During the treatment, I wanted to relax, but I ruminated on my mistakes. Perhaps there are no best practices for handling a child’s bidet emergency at a five-star resort, but I could’ve been more patient. 

I found my family waiting for me at the entrance to the spa. Lulu had been in another section getting her nails painted, a special vacation-only treat. I admired her pink nails and apologized. It wasn’t her fault. The buttons were too tempting. 

I’d heard that for families at Six Senses, part of the wellness experience is having time to reconnect, and for us, this was true. Beyond the cinematic setting and the beautiful meals, what I’ll remember most is taking Lulu for one last bit of pool time before checkout, seeing her swim the whole length of the spa’s vast indoor pool, playing “mommy dolphin and baby dolphin.” How instead of using the circuit of jets, cold plunge, and Jacuzzi as intended, she sat on the divider between hot and cold and plunked one leg in each.

Next we flew to faro, a city on the southern coast. From there we were driven to Sagres, a beach town in the western Algarv e known for its excellent surfing and near-constant sunshine. 

During the journey, my sudden summer cold had blossomed into a sinus infection that sent me crawling into bed at 5 p.m. Our villa at the Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, which had a view of the ocean, turned out to be a comfortable, scenic place to recuperate. There were sweet moments as I convalesced: Lulu changing into her pajamas to keep me company; Lulu and Adam standing on the terrace that night for “star seeing.”

We were familiar with the Martinhal approach from our stay in Lisbon, but we really experienced the brand’s ethos in full at this hotel, its first property, which opened in 2010. It has everything a family could want, from trampolines and playhouses in the Village Square to gourmet baby purées on the kids’ menu.

“We want to make sure parents can enjoy their cappuccino with the foam still on it,” Martinhal CEO Chitra Stern told me. “We have curated a lifestyle hotel where parents don’t have to be stressed about their children. Kids are welcome to finish their meal and head over to the Kids Corner and they’ll be well entertained by toys, art supplies, and well-trained people. Adults can be adults and enjoy great food, the best of Portuguese wine — and their cappuccino!”

Related: Braga, Portugal, Named Europe's Next Emerging City

We saw the benefits of this thoughtful approach at every meal. While there were plenty of roaming kids, Lulu stayed glued to us, so the effects were more subtle. It was a relief to know that we didn’t have to nag her to be quiet or sit still.

In Sagres, Adam finally got his bike ride: a rugged, well-designed route that covered 50 miles. He’d taken Lulu to the beach that morning, so I rallied to give her more time in the water. At home, I rarely sit and truly play with Lulu, but that afternoon, we built sandcastles for hours. I tried to be present in the moment and let images imprint on my mind: my water baby at her most content; the piercing turquoise of the ocean; the agave growing on the terra-cotta cliffs. 

How strange to be in paradise while receiving news that Canadian wildfire smoke had spread to Chicago. I texted my parents to close their windows and wear masks outdoors. Lulu announced she wanted to bring all her friends to Portugal, away from the smoky air. 

She made a sand birthday cake for her friend Ruby. Invented a character named Seaweed Seaweed. Jumped in the waves. On the beach, she felt no hunger, thirst, or boredom. To her, the icy water wasn’t cold at all. 

We ended our ocean-oriented day at the Martinhal’s beachfront seafood restaurant, As Dunas. Lulu heard about the fresh-caught fish list and requested “sardines just for me.” Having lobbied unsuccessfully for Lulu to try the Kids Club, her request reminded me that her adventurousness emerged in other ways. While waiting for Adam to return, I proudly watched our child feast on clams in white wine sauce, carefully dip her bread in oil and vinegar, and tuck in to her own towering pile of fresh-caught sardines on toast. 

It was a test, in a way. Whether the memories of this trip would last in my heart and mind, even without the perfect family pictures. Whether Lulu would remember. 

What’s a family vacation without one last twist? While packing for our return flight, I couldn’t find our camera — the one I’d bought just for the trip. We had left it behind on our train ride back to Lisbon. In these extraordinary places, we’d used this camera to take mother-child photos, and many of the three of us together, and now they were lost. I’m not proud to admit that I wept in front of my daughter for a full 20 minutes. 

We had stayed overnight at the sleek, newly opened Martinhal Lisbon Oriente. In my emotional state, I was especially grateful for the kind concierge, who received my illogical ramblings, called the train company on our behalf, and suggested we stop by the station’s lost and found, just in case. 

After these efforts proved futile, Lulu tried to console me during the drive to the airport. We agreed that we’d take more photos and make more memories. I told her that I’d write about our trip, share our family’s stories with readers. 

A year later, I can tell you that she’s still talking about Portugal and wants to know, more urgently than ever, when we’ll go back.  

Martinhal Chiado Lisbon : A luxurious family hotel with 37 apartments, drop-in childcare, babysitting services, a playroom, and numerous other amenities.

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente : Hotel residences in the Park of Nations neighborhood, with 82 apartments ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, plus a Family & Baby Concierge and indoor and outdoor pools.

Taberna da Rua das Flores : Wonderfully inventive Portuguese small plates. Line up early for the 6 p.m. seating. Better for older children who can sit still in the narrow dining room.

Hospital de Bonecas : Entrancing “hospital” where dolls are repaired, plus a museum. Miniature enthusiasts will have a field day in the gift shop.

Museu da Marioneta : A well-curated collection of puppets from around the world, with fun, interactive displays.

Museu Nacional do Azulejo : Located in a former convent, it showcases the history of the art form from the 15th century to today. Tile-painting workshops are also available.

The Rebello : A design-lover’s fantasy, with 103 spacious apartments (each with its own kitchen), a kids’ club, and a Roman-baths-style indoor pool. High glamour for parents and comfort for kids.

Floresta Café by Hungry Biker : A great, affordable option in a touristy part of central Porto. Try the green smoothies and the pancakes with ricotta, fruit, and nuts.

Pot&Pan : Named for the site’s prior life as a kitchen-utensils factory, the Rebello’s fine-dining restaurant serves fantastic modern Portuguese.

Claus Porto : Impeccable displays of soaps, plus a second-floor museum that brings the history of this storied brand to life.  

Ferreira Cellars : The cellar tour and wine tasting will entertain parents, but younger children will need to practice patience.

Livraria Lello : Famed as the “most beautiful bookstore in the world.” Reserve timed tickets, and be prepared for crowds.

Douro Valley

Six Senses Douro Valley : Otherworldly splendor for wine tourists and wellness enthusiasts alike, with activities that range from kayaking to tree climbing. Dinner at the Garden Barbecue is especially memorable.

Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort : This sprawling resort has a range of accommodation options for families, plus a watersports center and multiple pools. Its seafood restaurant, As Dunas, has the best ocean view.

A version of this story first appeared in the June 2024 issue of  Travel + Leisure  under the headline "Our Portuguese Adventure ."

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Portugal - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. 

Exercise normal precautions in Portugal.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Portugal.  

If you decide to travel to Portugal:  

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive travel alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Portugal.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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3 months beyond the date of intended departure.

Not required for stays in the Schengen area under 90 days and within a 180-day period. A new period begins after a 90-day absence from the Schengen area.

10,000 Euros or equivalent

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U.s. embassy lisbon.

Av. das Forças Armadas, Sete-Rios 1600-081 Lisbon Portugal Telephone: +(351) (21) 770-2122 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(351) (21)-770-2122 or +(351) (21) 727-3300 Fax: +(351) (21) 727-2354 Email:  [email protected] Facebook

U.S. Consulate Ponta Delgada Av. Príncipe do Mónaco No, 6-2 F 9500-237 Ponta Delgada, Açores Portugal Telephone: +(351) (296) 308-330 EmergencyAfter-Hours Telephone: +(351) (21) 727-3300  Fax: +(351) (296) 287-216 Email:   [email protected]

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Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Contact the embassy of Portugal at 202-350-5400 for the most current visa information. 

Portugal is a party to the Schengen Agreement and part of the European Union.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• U.S. citizens may enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa.
• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.  If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .   
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket. 

For information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page .

If you are not staying in a hotel or a similar tourist accommodation, you are required to register your presence in Portugal with the Portuguese Immigration Service (SEF) within three working days of entering Portugal. You must download a declaration of entry form (declaracão de entrada) from SEF's website and personally submit it to the nearest SEF office within three business days of entry. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in an administrative offense punishable with a fine from €60 to €160.

Under Portuguese Immigration law, foreign minors under 18 years of age entering or exiting Portugal must possess an authorization letter of parental consent to travel, if travelling with adults other than their parent(s) or legal guardian. The document must be signed and dated, with the signature(s) certified by a notary. The letter of parental consent to travel must include the dates and reason for travel and the details about the adult responsible for the child. More information here .

Find additional information on traveling with minors on the  Portuguese Immigration Service  webpage.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Portugal.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. All European countries, including Portugal, remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations. U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.

Crime:  Crimes of opportunity, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, particularly at popular tourist sites, restaurants, and on public transportation, are common. Pickpockets take advantage of crowds getting on and off all forms of public transportation, such as the popular Tram 28, using the jostling of the crowd as a distraction. Avoid standing near the doors on public transportation, as thieves will often strike just as the train/bus doors open and then dash onto the platform and disappear into the crowd.

• Safeguard your passport and identity documents when traveling throughout Portugal. Foreigners who arrive in Portugal without a valid passport will not be permitted to enter and will be returned to their point of origin.
• Be aware of your surroundings and take personal security measures to stay safe. Thefts of backpacks, electronics and luggage occur regularly. Do not leave valuables in rental cars, especially those with stickers identifying the vehicle as a rental car. Tourists are frequent victims of petty crime/car break-ins.
• Avoid using automatic teller machines (ATMs) in isolated or poorly lit areas. Use the buddy system and indoor bank ATMs when possible. Leave extra cash, credit cards, and personal documents at home or in a hotel safe.
• Keep doors and windows of private rentals locked at all times, taking extra care if easily accessed from the street or other places.
• Illicit drug transactions increase at night, and travelers are often approached by drug dealers in the downtown area of Lisbon, especially near the bars and restaurants. Some travelers have reported incidents in which criminals used drugs to assault or rob them. Use caution when accepting open drinks at bars or clubs, and do not leave drinks unattended.
• Always use a taxi from the queue or kiosk. Do not go with someone who walks up to you and offers a ride. If you have called a ride sharing service such as Uber, confirm that the car information in the App matches the vehicle you are entering.
• Tourists should not leave personal items or valuables unattended while at the beach.
• Reports of thefts from rental homes and online rental apartments have increased.  Secure belongings and lock windows while away or sleeping.

Demonstrations occur in Portugal. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent.
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Victims of Crime: Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. Report crimes to the local police at 112 (National Emergency Number) and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(351) (21) 770-2122 or the emergency after-hours telephone: +(351) (21)-770-2122 or +(351) (21) 727-3300.

• U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should seek medical attention if needed and are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.
• For social welfare emergencies such as domestic violence or child abuse, dial the National Social Emergency Line - 144. English-speaking operators are available.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• provide information about a Portuguese victim assistance program, administered through an organization known by its acronym “ APAV ”  
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. Additionally, Portugal has an “SOS” immigrant line with English-speaking operators who are ready to help you in case of emergency. You may contact them at +351 808 257 257 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules regarding best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage, and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Natural Disasters: In the event of a natural disaster or other widespread emergency, travelers can monitor the Portuguese Civil Protection Authority’s website at Prociv.pt for the latest information. All U.S. citizens living or traveling in Portugal should also monitor local news reports, follow directions from local officials, and take appropriate action needed.  Additionally, information about areas in Portugal impacted by any events can be found at: http://www.prociv.pt/en-us/SITUACAOOPERACIONAL/Pages/ocorrenciassignificativas.aspx.

We recommend all Americans enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages, alerts, and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

• Filming and photographing the police or military and certain buildings in Portugal is illegal and could lead to arrest or detention.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol could land you in jail.
• Possession and/or use of narcotics and illegal drugs can result in fines, administrative penalties, mandatory drug treatment, criminal punishment, or prison, depending on type, quantity and usage. 
• Penalties for trafficking illegal drugs are severe. Offenders can expect long jail sentences.
• Pepper spray is illegal and will be confiscated. Persons carrying it are subject to fines or prison.
• Possession of unlicensed metal detectors is strictly forbidden, and persons caught with them are subject to fines.
• Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.  

Furthermore, some U.S. laws allow criminal prosecution in the United States, regardless of where the crime was committed. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. Your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

See our  webpage  for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Portugal. See   our  LGBTI Travel Information   page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:   General information on accessibility and accommodations is available on the website of the  Portuguese Tourism Board .

• Driving : You can drive with your U.S.-issued driver’s license for up to six months. Please note that many highways require a toll for use. Highway tolls in Portugal can be confusing, please visit  https://www.portugaltolls.com/en  for more information.
• Public transportation : Public transportation, in general, has specially reserved seats for individuals with disabilities, but some vehicles may not be equipped to load and secure wheelchairs mechanically.
• Trains : The State Railway Operator, Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses (also known as CP – Combóios de Portugal ), has a free service called “integrated mobility service” (SIM), mainly aimed at reduced mobility customers. English-speaking customer service representatives can be reached by phone at + 351 808 100 746 (to request SIM Service) or (+351) 707 210 746 (reduced mobility passengers can request information about various concerns, 24 hours a day). SIM staff provides train and station accessibility, assistance with boarding/exiting or during the train ride, and assistance with trip planning. Some train stations are equipped with elevators. Requests for information or assistance must be made at least 48 hours before travel. For additional information, please visit Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses’ page for Special Needs Customers. 
• Subway (Metro) : Thirty-one of Lisbon Metro’s 52 stations offer full accessibility to people with disabilities. Elevators and moving walkways at main stations provide access from the platform to street level, as well as payment machines adapted for passengers with disabilities and/or visual impairment. Passengers with visual disabilities can travel with their guide dogs as long as their service animals are leashed and muzzled. Check  Lisbon Metro’s website  for more information. Porto’s new metro system provides system-wide accessibility for passengers  with a network of elevators, ramps, and spaces for wheelchairs onboard metro cars. Check  Porto Metro’s website  for more information about accessibility.
• Airports : All Portuguese airports provide wheelchairs and bathrooms to accommodate persons with disabilities.
• Parking : Designated parking with a wheelchair symbol is available in most supermarkets and commercial centers. The National Help Line for the Disabled (Linha Nacional de Apoio à Deficiência) can be reached by phone at +351 21 795-9545 (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday). Assistance is only available in Portuguese.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

For emergency services in Portugal, dial 112.  Ambulance services are widely available, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. 

The U.S. government does not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.  Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

• Good medical care is available, but facilities may be limited outside urban areas. Public hospitals offer services at costs lower than private hospitals.
• Payment is expected upon admission at private hospitals.
• Call the national emergency response for an ambulance at 112 for life-threatening emergencies.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas. We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  Government of Portugal to ensure the medication is legal in Portugal. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Portuguese law prohibits the mailing of prescription medicines from the United States to Portugal. Any prescription medications mailed to Portugal will be impounded by the Portuguese customs office.

You should bring a sufficient supply of medication with you to cover your anticipated stay in Portugal, along with a copy of your physician's prescription. Portuguese pharmacies generally carry equivalent medications to those found in the United States; however, they may be sold under a different brand name, may not be available in the same dosage, or may require a prescription from a local doctor.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals for Medical Assistance . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  While Portugal has significantly expanded its motorway network with well-constructed roads that decreased the total number of accidents and fatalities, its road-accident fatality rate is still high. Use caution when driving, as aggressive driving habits and high speeds pose special hazards. Use appropriate care and caution while on the roadways, practice safe driving habits, and adhere to the applicable speed limits.

Traffic Laws:  It is against the law to speed, drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or use a mobile phone while driving. Fines for traffic offenses are substantial.

• Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and all passengers. Small children must be in a child safety seat in the rear seat with seatbelts fastened.
• Portuguese law requires you to leave your vehicle where it is and immediately notify the police when involved in a traffic accident. The national emergency phone number 112.
• Police in Portugal have the authority to fine on-the-spot and most of their vehicles have portable payment machines to facilitate immediate payment.
• You may drive with a valid U.S. driver's license for up to six months. For international driving permits, please contact AAA or the National Auto Club.

Public Transportation:  Taxis and prominent ride-sharing services such as Uber are a reliable means of transportation. Refer to the crime section of this page to alert yourself to other threats related to taxis and ride-sharing services. Bus service is also reliable.

In the Azores, driving can be challenging due to narrow cobblestone streets, blind curves, blind corners, and livestock on country roads. Public buses are inexpensive. Bus services begin at 7 a.m. and generally operate until 8 p.m., depending on the destination.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of Portugal’s  national tourist office  and the national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight:

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed that the government of Portugal’s Civil Aviation Authority is in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Portugal’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Portugal should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be available on the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency  broadcast warnings .

Please see Fact Sheet for Portugal here.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Portugal . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Portugal Trains: How to get around Portugal by Train

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Portugal has a great train service. It’s old, and it’s a little slow in comparison to the trains in many other European countries, but it’s functional. Sometimes the air con even works as well!

There are four different types of train in Portugal:

• Alpha-Pendular: The fastest trains in Portugal. These are usually the newest and the most comfortable, and have additional luxuries like audio channels that you can listen to and televisions. This type of train is the most expensive, but the difference between Alpha-Pendular and Intercidades is usually only a few euros. 
• Intercidades:  This train is slightly slower than the Alpha-Pendular trains as it makes more stops, but it isn’t really significantly slower. Theses trains are older, the bar is a bit more basic, and they’re a little less comfortable. 
• Regional (R) and Interregional (IR):  These trains cover much shorter distances and are much more basic again. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance or online. 
• Urban (U):  These trains are common in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto and, again, are quite simple. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance or online. 

Train routes run throughout Portugal and connect all of the major regions by rail. Not every town has a train station, but the majority of the large towns and cities do. If you can’t find a train to the town that you want to visit, it may be worth looking at taking a bus or renting a car instead. 

In fact, sometimes it’s worth looking at where the train station is before booking a train: in some towns, the train is 5 or 10 km outside of the town (meaning you’ll need to get a taxi from the train station to the town centre). Bus stations, on the other hand, are usually always fairly close to the town centre. 

It’s cheap (and here’s how to get it cheaper)

What’s amazing about Portugal’s train service is the cost. Here are some sample prices (accurate at the time of writing in September 2023, and for booking around two months in advance): 

• Porto to Lisbon: €26.60 for a single
• Faro to Lisbon: €9.50 for a single
• Albufeira to Lisbon: €9 for a single
• Faro to Coimbra: €19 for a single
• Vila Real de San Antonio to Valenca (a 715km journey): €55.80 for a single.

All of those prices are for second class tickets booked more than eight days in advance to take advantage of the discounts. These are:

• Up to 56% off if you buy your tickets at least 5 days in advance
• Up to 65% off if you buy your tickets at least 8 days in advance

Note: Discounts aren’t available on all the tickets. The 7 am train pictured below doesn’t have any discounts available, for example. 

Those are for the Intercidades (IC) and Alpha-Pendular (AP) trains. The Urban trains (which can’t be booked in advance) are often even cheaper. These trains aren’t everywhere in the country, but are especially common around Lisbon and Porto. 

As well as advanced tickets, there are also discounts for:

• Under 25s: 25% off for those under 25.
• Under 30s: 12-30 year olds get 25% off with a European Youth Card .
• Group travel:  Travel as a group of 3 or 4 people on the Alfa Pendular or Intercidade trains and get up to 50% off.
• Those with special needs: Up to 75% off for you, and 25% off for your carer.
• Senior Citizens: Over 65s get 50% off. (It’s a good idea to take ID with you as you may need to show this at the ticket office and also on the train). 
• Under 3s: Half-price tickets for under 3s that don’t occupy a seat.

You can select any of these discounts when you’re booking online. If you have booked in advance, this is usually the best discount you can get. You can select a Senior Citizen or Under 25 discount, but this will actually be less than the advanced promo price. Unfortunately, you can’t combine discounts e.g. 5 days in advance and under 25.

Tickets can be booked through cp.pt , which is the official website for Comboios de Portugal (the Portuguese train company). You can pay with a credit or debit card or with PayPal. Some people have problems paying with a foreign credit or debit card: if that happens to you, try paying through PayPal (you don’t need a PayPal account to do this). 

Read more about discounted train travel in Portugal

1st class vs 2nd class

First class on Portuguese trains is a bit disappointing, at least in comparison to other countries like Spain and the UK where you are served a meal and drinks. It depends on the type of train, but first class on Portuguese trains could just mean more legroom and comfier seats. 

There are three types of train used in Portugal (Alpha-Pendular, Intercidades, Regional (R) and Interregional (IR), and Urban (U)) and only Alpha-Pendular and Intercidades offer a first and second class option. 

First class on Alpha-Pendular usually means you get a drink, a newspaper or magazine, and headphones. First class on Intercidades usually just means that you get larger and comfier seats and, on some seats, a plug socket (plug sockets are also available on some seats in second class). 

You can also book single seats on both Alpha-Pendular and Intercidades trains. This alone could be worth it if you’re travelling alone, and want a bit more space to yourself. The difference between first and second class is often less than 5 Euros, so it’s not a lot to spend to treat yourself to a little extra comfort. 

Do the trains have Wi-Fi?

Increasingly more and more trains in Portugal have wi-fi, especially the Alpha-Pendular routes, and sometimes it even works (but usually it’s very slow). 

Unfortunately, although some trains do have working wi-fi, it’s not a given which means you can’t rely on it if you want to work. Mobile internet connections are also pretty unreliable on the train, particularly when you’re going through more rural parts of the country, and the trains are also quite jiggly which can make you feel sick if you’re staring at a laptop screen. It’s fine for watching a movie, but not great for trying to work. 

Buying Train Tickets

The Comboios De Portugal (Portugal Trains) website is reasonably easy to use, and is one of the easiest ways to buy train tickets. There’s also an app for both iOS and Android, or you could buy your tickets at the counter in a train station.

You can get your ticket sent to your by SMS, which is much easier than having to print it off. You can also get your ticket delivered via the app.

A lot of people use Rail Europe for booking train tickets while travelling in Europe, but it’s much better to use the official website. Rail Europe doesn’t always have all the timetables, you can’t book tickets same day or next day for Portuguese trains, and you don’t get access to the discounts. Just use cp.pt instead.

Note: Regional train tickets (marked ‘R’ on the trains website) and Urban train tickets (marked ‘U’ on the trains website) aren’t normally sold in advance. You can buy them on the day from the train station or on-board if there isn’t a ticket office at the station.

If your long distance train journey includes a change onto a regional train, sometimes you can buy the whole journey in one ticket (this is the case when going from Lisbon to many places in the Algarve, for example). This isn’t always the case, though, and you may need to buy that ‘R’ ticket of your journey on the day. 

Tip: Try to avoid clicking ‘Train times’ (in English) or ‘Consultar Horários’ (in Portuguese). This section of the website feels like the section of the website where you buy tickets, but you can only look up the timetables. If you’re wondering why there’s no ‘buy now’ button, this is probably why.

Credit card problems? Try paying with PayPal instead (you’ll see the option at checkout). You don’t need to have a PayPal account to do this: you can pay with your card using PayPal. 

Ticket details for tax purposes? In Portugal, it’s common to add your personal tax number (known as a NIF ) to a receipt when making a purchase. Doing so can allow you to claim some taxes back.

If you don’t have a NIF number (which you probably won’t unless you’re living in Portugal) and you don’t want to add your personal tax number from your country of residency, you can skip this section.

Travelling with luggage 

A lot of people have asked questions about travelling on the trains with luggage. 

Yes, you can bring a suitcase or backpack onboard the train. Every passenger is entitled to bring one piece of luggage (such as a suitcase or a backpack) and a small bag like a laptop bag or handbag. Any more than that is considered excess baggage and you should have to pay extra to bring it but it’s not monitored. 

Luggage storage is generally in a rack above the seats. The racks are wide and can easily take a backpack or a cabin-size suitcase, but may not be suitable for a very large suitcase.

On the long distance AP and IR trains, there is normally a space for extra large bags at the entrance to each carriage (and sometimes in the middle of the carriage as well) however these can fill up. 

If you’re concerned about travelling with luggage, especially large suitcases, consider taking a coach instead. Baggage is stored underneath the bus so there’s more room for wider suitcases and you don’t have to lift it above your head. 

Travelling with pets

Yes, you can travel with a pet (for free) on the trains in Portugal as long as the pet is not dangerous, is housed in a properly enclosed transportation box, and as long as they don’t smell or there isn’t any reason that other passengers might object to travelling with them. 

On some trains, it’s also possible to travel with a dog that’s not in an enclosed transportation box. The dog will need to be muzzled and on a short lead, and the owner will need to bring the dog’s vaccination card and valid licence with them. They’ll also need to buy a ticket for the dog as well. 

Guide dogs can travel with the owner on all trains for free. 

For more information about travelling with a pet on Portuguese trains, visit CP.pt . 

Bringing your bike

Yes, you can bring your bike onboard any intercity train (e.g. from Lisbon to Faro). There is normally space for 1-2 bikes per carriage, and passengers are normally limited to 1 bike per passenger. 

More information about travelling with a bike can be found on CP.pt . 

Getting Train Timetables

If you want to see the train timetables, the easiest thing is to enter your dates and do a search. If you click the (+) button, you can see a list of all the stops on the journey.

International Tickets: Portugal to Spain, France & the rest of the world

It’s not possible to book international train tickets with CP.pt. There’s a route from Lisbon to Madrid, for example, but you need to book this through the Spain train website, Renfe.es .

Travelling further than that is even more complicated. I wanted to see if it was possible to book a train ticket from Lisbon to Barcelona or Lisbon to Paris, but neither RailEurope, GoEuro, or thetrainline.eu could do that for me. If you want to do an international trip like this, you will need to book all of the train tickets for each individual leg.

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