50+ Must-Know Travel Tips for Portugal: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Trip
Video Overview & Insights
I’m sharing my most helpful Portugal travel tips — including what actually helped, what was different than what my research led me to believe. Whether you’re planning your first trip or just dreaming about it, this guide will help you feel more prepared (and way less overwhelmed).
Who's going to Portugal!?! 👇(links to everything below):
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► Carry-on & Bags:
Monos Carry-on: https://shrsl.com/4w5we
Bric’s Carry-on: https://amzn.to/4lUVy3I
Travelpro (either 19” or 2-wheel): https://amzn.to/3EI1eNX
Nomad Lane Sling: https://nomad-lane.myshopify.com/products/tomodachi-sling?rfsn=8318354.ddb71b
► My Carry-on database: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTWZGWlD1LstbGDx0dOBRn80Yebxq2vSgKiIwA-8V7AO6QVReNsc6MRAbyqvai9OQjhCV83mYcAxf-N/pubhtml
► Best Airport Pickup: https://tpo.li/LT96sqSD
► Hotel Info:
My Porto Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/de5d0chWUF
My Lisbon Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/Nbptr6_qZH
My Algarve Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/SCok356YPW
► Plannin (for extra discounts on hotels): https://plannin.com/en/profile/alysmalls?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=pttips&refId=alysmalls
► Shoes:
Walking shoes: https://amzn.to/439BRN9
REEF Sandals: https://amzn.to/4d92Lt5
►Other things I packed:
Handheld fan: https://amzn.to/3Z0FYty
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► Check out my blog post for more bonus tips! https://likewhereyouregoing.com/portugal-travel-tips-first-time/
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Love it 🎉
► LINKS TO EVERYTHING:
Car rental: https://discovercars.tp.st/Zx7S8u4U
Algarve is a whole region..thou
eSIM (SAILY): https://saily.com/alysmalls
eSIM (Airalo): https://airalo.tp.st/LiGBiCf6
► Carry-on & Bags:
Monos Carry-on: https://go.shopmy.us/p-22259004
Thank you ! so helpful
Bric’s Carry-on: https://amzn.to/4lUVy3I
Travelpro (either 19” or 2-wheel): https://amzn.to/3EI1eNX
Uk russia Moscow and german too much beautiful compare to porto
Nomad Lane Sling: https://nomad-lane.myshopify.com/products/tomodachi-sling?rfsn=8318354.ddb71b
► My Carry-on database: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTWZGWlD1LstbGDx0dOBRn80Yebxq2vSgKiIwA-8V7AO6QVReNsc6MRAbyqvai9OQjhCV83mYcAxf-N/pubhtml
Traveling seems so stressful!!
► Hotel Info:
My Porto Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/de5d0chWUF
Great Content 🎉
My Lisbon Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/Nbptr6_qZH
My Algarve Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/SCok356YPW
Just great. Laconic, informative, and exactly what each tourist needs to know
► Best Airport Pickup: https://tpo.li/LT96sqSD
► Plannin (for extra discounts on hotels): https://plannin.com/en/profile/alysmalls?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=pttips&refId=alysmalls
Doing a two week trip from Barcelona, San Sebastián, to Porto and Lisbon!
► Shoes:
Walking shoes: https://amzn.to/439BRN9
This was so helpful, thank you!!
REEF Sandals: https://amzn.to/4d92Lt5
►Other things I packed:
Very good well-thought video. Thanks.
Handheld fan: https://amzn.to/3Z0FYty
► Buy Me a Coffee?
Great video, when you done seeing the main land (Lisbon, Porto, and the rest of it) don't forget to visit the Azores, a 9 island arquipelago off the coast of Portugal, also know as the Hawaii of Europe, and Madeira/Porto Santo Islands also off the Portuguese coast but more south, you won't regret it. They're only 4, 5 hour flight from the US east coast.
If you found this helpful and would like to support me, you can 'buy me a coffee' (thank you!!!!)
https://buymeacoffee.com/alysmalls
You can avoid ATM fees for both Europe and the US by using a Charles Schwab Investments Debit Card. You do not need to keep money in the investment account to use it. Just the ATM account. The ATM fees you will incur initially, will be rebated by Charles Schwab usually by your next statement. There is no fee for the card either. You cannot avoid conversion fees, unfortunately.
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Booking a trip soon?
Thanks for the tips , im planning a week, 3 days in lisbon and 3 in ericeira.
My Free Travel Resources & Toolkit: https://likewhereyouregoing.com/ultimate-travel-resources-guide/
Where I find flight deals: https://www.dailydrop.com/pro?via=aly-smalls
If you need to get money on a atm only use machines marked MB (multi banco). Do not use the ones that shows only ATM, you will be charged a heavy fee.
Carry-on Luggage Amazon store (US): https://amzn.to/4dFXCsj
Carry-on Luggage Amazon store (CA): https://amzn.to/3wupGOJ
What is “CRA” when you connect it to Lisbon itinerary?
I book all my tours on Viator: https://viator.tp.st/UkezLrSc
Where I find hotel deals: https://plannin.com/?refId=alysmalls
Thank you! So helpful ❤
Chapters:
0:00 Let’s Begin
Nice young lady. I deleted my first comment. We are full.
0:20 Transportation
0:40 Rideshare
Damn! As a Portuguese that lives in the UK, this is actually decent advice.
1:11 Trains
1:22 Rental Cars
The video is one year old but as a Portuguese citizen I have to say this video is loaded with accurate and to the point tips. Every point is flawless and obviously by someone that clearly knows what they are talking about. For US visitors I would add that the ongoing "Europe has no AC" trend doesn't apply much if at all in Portugal. You would have to go to some sort of very history airbnb not to have AC.
1:36 Driving Tips
2:02 Roundabouts
I'm currently in Lisbon - after searching a ton of Portugal videos, this one is the best. Clear and concise.
2:13 IDP
2:36 Tolls
Americans, please stop coming to Europe and tipping everywhere. We don't want that culture here.
2:48 Money/Credit Cards
3:17 Cash
You are just awesome!!
3:30 ATM Tips
3:50 How Much Cash?
best gaming laptops under $1000
3:58 Phone Tips
4:38 Food
Sintra is the one that catches almost everyone off guard. The main sites — Pena Palace especially — sell out days in advance in spring and summer, online only. People show up assuming they can buy tickets at the gate and just get turned away. Book before you even book the train from Lisbon.
4:47 Dining Culture
5:09 Restaurants
informatiave / thanks
5:37 Places to Eat!
5:50 Couvert
I'm visiting Lisbon now. This is a problem across Europe.
I hate graffiti and don't believe that it should ever be normalized.
6:36 More Food Tips
6:50 Local Dishes
What is the restaurant shown at 6:29 that looks like something out of The Flintstones and the view site at 10:00 which might be somewhere in the Douro Valley?
7:09 Wine
7:39 Water
The wines and ports are fantastic in Portugal! We experienced a lot of rain in March last year (2025), apparently record amounts, but that didn't dampen our trip to Albufeira
7:59 When to Go
8:25 Packing Tips
Just a note, we are Portuguese not Brasilians. Onde fica is On-de fee-kah not on-jee just like boa tarde isn't boa-tarje. We don't incorporate the letter J in everything like Brasilians do. We love our Brasilian brothers and sisters but this isn't Brasil. While this is Portuguese technically its like speaking Puerto Rican to someone in Barcelona. Lastly, things are closed on Sunday because it is a holy day after all it is a Christian country and our faith is still acknowledged. I know in the USA everything is 24/7 non stop because the USA is a business with little values so it can be a cultural shock to some when visiting. Other than that you do offer up some really good tips.
8:53 Shoes
9:09 Not Needed
You are welcome once again and again and again 🤗😀
Special tip .. June and August are the months to discover the real Portugal 🇵🇹. Parties everywhere 🥳🎉
9:20 Summer Tip
9:24 Carry-on Tips
We used Bolt in Portugal too! Very convenient
Also Duro valley was amazing! Definitely a highlight
9:47 Daily Bag
10:12 Pickpockets?
Nice video. Just starting the process of looking at southern Portugal as a destination for the month of February 2027 as our first retirement trip. We are budgeted for 900.00 USD for accommodations. Other than the typical Airbnb could we ask all you folks if there are local websites for looking at rentals? Also is 900.00 not realistic? Thank you in advance.
10:31 Itinerary Tips
11:39 Hotels
I love those fancy large white chompers you sport! Are those Veneers, crowns, or implants?? Thanks
12:16 Cheaper Hotels
12:26 Tours
Great review!
12:57 Culture
13:10 Language
Is it better to go in Spring (April/May) or Fall (Oct/Nov)?
13:37 Logistics
13:50 Graffitti
why can't we use 3rd party to buy train tickets?
14:10 Tipping
14:59 Making this video…
Thank you for all the tips. Planning to visit Portugal, this video will be very useful.
#portugal #traveltips #europetravel
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Wow! So much excellent information! Hope to retire to Portugal this year!
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Thank you for this video! Taking the family to Lisbon and Porto in the Spring. Very helpful. Good tips!
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I really enjoyed this video. It was realistic and thorough. I have seen many videos and found this one to be informative for the tourist who is looking for quick tips. No negativity either. I would give you a gold medal as you gave more than one idea thought or suggestions. Bravo. Thank you for your honest candor. 😊
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Aly, this is the best video I've watched about traveling to Portugal! Great advice! I've been to Portugal twice. I hope to retire in Porto this Spring!. This Vid is a keeper!
More User Perspectives
Wow great info! Well done!
@andreaLloyd-f1mMy girlfriend and I are going in may but can’t decide if we want lisbon and porto or lisbon and algarve since we only have 6 nights. What do you recommend
@andrewmalyGood video! I just booked that hotel in Porto for March. Portugal has been on my list for some time. Now I'm looking for flights. ETA: reviews on this hotel say that it is apporx 40 stairs to climb from street level to get to this hotel. I'm rethinking it now.
@jovicrazedWhy not to book on Rail Ningjia? I find those prices cheaper....please advise the reason no to?
@essentialadvantages6790Amazing video, so helpful! Will be returning to this as my trip gets closer. :)
@healthfirstfreelancerWow so many great tips! Thank you❤
@taladh5658