Travelling in Portugal
Key info & facts
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
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Portugal is famous for its historic cities, stunning coastlines, wine (especially Port), and Fado music.
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Portugal is in Southern Europe, located on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.
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Lunch: 12:30–3:00 PM; Dinner: 7:30–10:00 PM; late-night dinners are common on weekends.
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Independence Day (10 June), Portugal Day (5 October), and Easter are widely celebrated
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Service charge is often included, so tipping is not customary. Howeverm rounding up or tipping 5-10% for good service is common.
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Use ViaMichelin to calculate motorway toll costs and plan your route efficiently.
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Use "Bom dia" (Good morning) or "Boa tarde" (Good afternoon)
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EU citizens don’t need a visa; non-EU citizens may require a Schengen visa for stays under 90 days.
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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.