Portugal Travel Guides

Portugal is known for amazing food and wine, beautiful beaches and for being a country full of sunshine and outdoor activities.

Lisbon is the Portugal capital city, and a great place to start your trip. Make sure to sample pastel de nata and visit some of the city's historic sites when you visit.

However, it’s worth visiting some of the islands in Portugal if you have the time. Madeira and the Azores are ripe with lush greenery and beautiful hiking trips.

No matter what area you visit, Portugal should definitely be on your European bucket list.

This post contains affiliate links, see our disclaimer for more information.

Portugal Travel Tips

  • Portuguese is the official language in Portugal, so it helps to know some basic Portuguese. However, many locals are also able to speak English. Do not try to speak Spanish here.
  • It’s easy to get around the major cities using public transportation. However, in smaller or more remote areas, you may want to rent a car.
  • Tipping is not necessary in Portugal, but it’s fairly common. If you receive good service at a restaurant, you may want to leave about 10%.

Portugal Travel Resources

Heading to Portugal soon? Here are some resources to help you plan!

  • You’ll want an international phone plan to get around. An eSIM is an easy and affordable way to use your phone while traveling abroad.

  • If you're hiking in Portugal, I recommend the All Trails Plus Membership! This will allow you to download offline maps and take advantage of other features that will help keep you safe.

  • Compare rental car prices in Madiera using Discover Cars. Be sure to pay attention if you're renting an automatic of manual car!

  • Search for hotels in Madeira or Lisbon using Booking.com

Portugal Travel Guides

Read my guides to Madeira and Lisbon to plan an epic trip!

Let's stay in touch!

Join the Lost with Lydia email list to get monthly travel guides and tips!

More International Travel Guides