What's the best way to get around Portugal?

Within Lisbon, the metro, trams, and funiculars cover the hilly center well. Trains connect Lisbon to other Portuguese cities and to day-trip towns like Sintra and Cascais.

Do I need to speak Portuguese to visit?

No. English is widely understood in Lisbon's hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, though a few basic Portuguese phrases are always appreciated.

Is Portugal expensive to visit?

It's generally one of Western Europe's more affordable destinations — meals, transport, and hotels tend to cost less in Lisbon than in comparable capitals like Paris or Amsterdam.

Belém Tower rising from the Tagus River in Lisbon, seen from the water on a clear day

Andriyposka / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Europe

Portugal Travel Guide

Portugal sits on Europe's western edge, facing the Atlantic. It's a small country that packs in a lot: cobbled hill towns, wide river estuaries, wine country, and a coastline that runs for hundreds of kilometers. Lisbon, the capital, is built across seven hills above the Tagus River — trams climb streets too steep for regular buses, and nearly every neighborhood ends in a viewpoint over red-tile rooftops and the water.

Quick facts

Flag: Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
Language: Portuguese
Currency: EUR (€)
Timezone: Western European Time (UTC+0, UTC+1 in summer)
Calling code: +351
Driving side: Right-hand side

The pace is unhurried and the food leans on the Atlantic — grilled fish, bacalhau (salt cod) in a hundred forms, and pastel de nata custard tarts everywhere you turn. This guide starts with Lisbon, Portugal's capital and the city most first-time visitors fly into. More cities are coming soon.

Planning your trip

Best time to visit: Aim for spring (March–May) or fall (September–October). Temperatures are mild and pleasant, without the summer crowds or the heat that can push past 30°C inland in July and August.
Good to know: Portugal uses the euro (€). English is widely understood in Lisbon's hotels and tourist areas. The country's hilly terrain means comfortable, grippy shoes matter more here than in most European capitals. Tipping isn't required — rounding up the bill is normal and appreciated.

Cities

Where to stay in each of Portugal's cities — pick one below to see its best neighborhoods and hotels.

Dudva / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Lisbon

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Architecture lovers, Nightlife

Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Porto

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Architecture lovers, Budget travelers

Tips

Pack shoes with real grip. Lisbon's hills are steep and its pavements are traditional Portuguese cobblestone, which gets slippery when wet.
Meals run a little later than in Northern Europe — lunch from 1pm, dinner rarely starts before 8pm.
Keep bags zipped and in front of you on crowded trams and in busy squares — pickpocketing is the main safety issue for visitors, not violent crime.

Good to know

Portugal is one of Europe's oldest countries, with borders that have remained largely unchanged since the 13th century.
Portuguese is the official language nationwide, and it's also the most widely spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere thanks to Brazil.
Lisbon is built across seven hills above the Tagus River — its historic trams and funiculars exist specifically to help residents get up them.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best way to get around Portugal?: Within Lisbon, the metro, trams, and funiculars cover the hilly center well. Trains connect Lisbon to other Portuguese cities and to day-trip towns like Sintra and Cascais.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to visit?: No. English is widely understood in Lisbon's hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, though a few basic Portuguese phrases are always appreciated.
Is Portugal expensive to visit?: It's generally one of Western Europe's more affordable destinations — meals, transport, and hotels tend to cost less in Lisbon than in comparable capitals like Paris or Amsterdam.