Portugal

A little gem located on the western border of Spain, Portugal is a colorful, enchanting and captivating country. It is a country with pristine landscape and culture-rich cities. With over 800km of coastline, Portugal also has some of Europe’s most striking beaches. Despite the cost of food and accommodations being low, Portugal is far less touristy than other countries in Europe.

Getting There And Around
Portugal’s three major airports are in Lagos, Lisbon and Porto. Most international travelers arrive to Portugal via air at one of these locations. Passengers arriving to Portugal from Australia, Canada, EU and Schengen, New Zealand, or the United States are not required to obtain a visa before arriving to Portugal for tourism. Non-EU visitors are allowed to stay in Portugal, or the Schengen zone for no longer than 90 days.
Travel to Portugal via rail is possible, but the journey from neighboring countries can be long (from Madrid to Lisbon is over 9 hours) and tiring. With budget airlines flying into the country, it is often more convenient (and less expensive) than to travel by train. For discounts on frequent rail travel, Portugal is a participating country for the Eurailpass, and it also has discount passes for travel to and from Spain (the Saverpass).
Compared to many other European countries, the rail system in Portugal is undeveloped. Lisbon is connected to other major cities, but travel times are long and sometimes consist of many changes. Bus routes connect the major cities and almost all the smaller cities throughout the country. Taking a bus also is the cheapest and most well developed form of internal transportation within the country. Keep in mind, quite a few of the scenic places in Portugal are not near train or bus stations, so renting a car is a great way to explore the many wonders this country has to offer.

Money
Portugal is a member of the European Union and uses the euro as its official currency. The euro has eight coins belonging to the currency, ranging from 1 cent to 2 euros. The smallest denominations of change are bronze colored, and the one and two-euro coins are gold and silver colored. Banknotes for the euro range from 5-500, and vary in size depending on the denomination. When the size of the banknote is larger, the value of that bill is higher.

Language
The official language in Portugal is in Portuguese. It is a romance language that uses the Latin writing system.
Hello – Bom dia (literally “good day”)
Thank You – Obrigado (male) / Obrigada (female)

Housing
Portugal is one of the best bargains in Europe. There are hostels in major cities for as little as 5 EUR a night for a bed in a dorm room – an incredible bargain anywhere in Europe. Of course, Porto also has its share of 5-star resorts and private apartments to rent.

Food
Portugal has some of the most unique and flavorful food in Europe. Portuguese cuisine has influences from the Mediterranean, despite being located on the Atlantic Ocean. Olive oil is one of the main foundations for many dishes in this country. Portugal has a well-developed fishing industry, which is reflected in the amount of seafood consumed by the locals. Delicious dishes to try while in Portugal are caldeirada (a fish and vegetable stew), enchidos (unique Portuguese sausages), panqueca de batata (potato pancakes), and the famous Francesinha sandwich. Don’t leave Portugal without trying the Francesinha!
Portugal is also home to some fantastic wines; after all, it is where port wine was invented.

Save Cash
Portugal is one of Europe’s best bargains, even though the euro is its official currency. Avoiding the super-expensive touristy restaurants and choosing to dine at smaller local establishments allows you to save money, and to experience a more authentic Portugal.
Use public transportation, and steer clear of taxis while in Portugal. Taxi fares in this country are extremely expensive. Quite often, fees are added for baggage handling and for airport pickups.
Most museums in Portugal have free entry on Sundays. Take advantage of this and save!
Visiting Portugal during the off-season brings travelers the best prices on accommodations. It’s rainy and a bit cold in the winter months; therefore prices on accommodations can be as much as fifty percent less in major tourist areas during the winter season.

Stay Fit
Portugal’s unique landscape provides visitors with world-class biking, skiing and trekking. Serra da Estrela National Park, Arrábida Natural Park and Peneda-Gerês National Park have many wonderful marked trails for adventurers to enjoy. São Miguel Island has everything including beaches, whale watching, hiking and even hot springs to relax in. It is a great place to enjoy Portugal’s natural surroundings.
The tap water in Portugal is perfectly safe to drink. Refilling your bottle from the tap is a great way to save some extra cash.

Stay Connected
Porto is still developing its tourism, and Wi-Fi isn’t as widely available as in other European countries. Most accommodations offer the service free of charge for guests. Some bars, cafes, and restaurants offer Wi-Fi, but be sure to ask an employee to guarantee it’s free.
For 24/7 connection and cheap calling rates, prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at local Portuguese mobile carrier shops. SIM cards can only be used in unlocked, tri-band mobile phones.
Standard type-C/F, 220V two-prong European power outlets are used in Portugal.