Travelling in Portugal

Key info & facts

Yellow tram on steep narrow street with people and graffiti in Lisbon.

  • Capital: Lisbon

  • Official Language: Portuguese

  • Population: Approximately 10.2 million (2023)

  • Currency: Euro (€)

  • Visa Requirements: EU citizens don’t need a visa; others may need a Schengen visa for short stays.

  • Main Religion: Predominantly Catholic, though Portugal is a secular state.

  • Time Zone: GMT (Western European Time)

  • Electric Plug Types: Type C and F (230V supply)

  • Driving: Drive on the right-hand side; toll roads are common, and ViaMichelin helps plan costs.

  • Emergency Number: 112 (works across the EU)

  • Public Transport: Trains, trams, and buses connect cities and rural areas; Lisbon’s metro is very efficient.

  • Administrative Regions: 18 districts on the mainland, plus the Madeira and Azores islands.

  • Dialling Code: +351

  • Water: Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is common in restaurants

 

Ultimate Guide to Things to do & Places to Visit in Portugal

Portugal Travel Guide (Coming Soon)
View through a window of historic buildings with tiled roofs and a river in the background.

  • Portugal is famous for its historic cities, stunning coastlines, wine (especially Port), and Fado music.

  • Portugal is in Southern Europe, located on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Lunch: 12:30–3:00 PM; Dinner: 7:30–10:00 PM; late-night dinners are common on weekends.

  • Independence Day (10 June), Portugal Day (5 October), and Easter are widely celebrated

  • Service charge is often included, so tipping is not customary. Howeverm rounding up or tipping 5-10% for good service is common.

  • Use ViaMichelin to calculate motorway toll costs and plan your route efficiently.

  • Use "Bom dia" (Good morning) or "Boa tarde" (Good afternoon)

  • EU citizens don’t need a visa; non-EU citizens may require a Schengen visa for stays under 90 days.

  • Although card is widely used, it’s always good to have cash on hand.

    Smaller markets and businesses may prefer cash payments over card transactions.

  • Many shops close, but restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions in popular areas remain open.

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