So, you’ve booked your flight to Portugal. Parabéns! You’re dreaming of pastel de nata, golden beaches, tiled streets and maybe a soulful Fado tune echoing through a cobbled alleyway. But before you start practising your “obrigado” and packing your favourite linen outfit, let’s have a chat.
Portugal is magical, charming and sometimes just a bit confusing — in the most endearing way possible. The locals are friendly, the food is divine and the wine is dangerously affordable. Still, there are a few tricks to know if you want to explore like a pro and not like a dazed tourist wondering why the shops are closed again.
So, grab a glass of vinho verde and let’s dive into ten top hacks to help you navigate Portugal like a suave explorer who totally knows what they’re doing (even when they don’t).
1. Time Moves Differently in Portugal
⏰ You might think you’re early. Portugal will prove you wrong.
Dinner rarely starts before 8pm, lunch stretches well into the afternoon and no one’s in a rush to leave the café after finishing their espresso. It’s a country that savours the moment — literally.
💡 Hack: Stop checking your watch. Eat when the locals eat and learn to love the long, lazy pace. You’re in Portugal, not on a stopwatch.
2. Learn a Few Magic Words
🗣️ Portuguese is not Spanish. Say it louder for the tourists in the back.
Locals truly appreciate even the smallest effort to speak their language. Learn a few basics:
Olá (hello)
Por favor (please)
Obrigado / Obrigada (thank you, masculine/feminine)
Uma bica, por favor (an espresso, please)
📢 Hack: Even if your accent sounds like a broken accordion, try anyway. They’ll love you for the effort.
3. Cash Still Reigns in Many Places
💳 Not every pastelaria is ready for your fancy contactless card.
While big cities like Lisbon and Porto are pretty modern, smaller towns and markets often prefer cash. Some cafés still have that charming “Máquinas não” sign taped to the till.
💶 Hack: Always carry a few euros in your pocket. You never know when you’ll stumble upon the world’s best custard tart — and it’s cash only.
4. Bring Comfortable Shoes — Seriously
👟 Portugal’s streets are gorgeous but treacherous.
Those picturesque cobblestones (calçada portuguesa) look beautiful in photos but feel like an obstacle course for ankles. Add steep hills in Lisbon or Porto and you’ve got yourself a cardio session disguised as sightseeing.
🦶 Hack: Pack proper shoes. The kind you can climb a hill, chase a tram and still look cute in.
5. Eat Like a Local (and Don’t Fear the Codfish)
🍽️ If there’s one thing Portugal loves, it’s bacalhau — codfish in every form imaginable.
Locals swear there are over 365 recipes, one for each day of the year. Even if you’re sceptical, give it a go. Pair it with a glass of wine and prepare to convert.
😋 Hack: Step away from the tourist menu and head for the neighbourhood tascas (local taverns). If it looks slightly worn out but full of old Portuguese men, it’s probably amazing.
6. Public Transport Is Your Best Friend
🚆 Trains and trams in Portugal are a traveller’s dream.
The comboio network connects the country beautifully and the trams are practically an Instagram filter on wheels. Just don’t expect punctuality that rivals Switzerland.
💡 Hack: Buy your train tickets online in advance for discounts and avoid paying extra at the counter. For city trips, grab a rechargeable travel card.
7. Don’t Underestimate the Wind
🌬️ Lisbon and the coast are basically in a long-term relationship with wind.
One minute you’re sunbathing, the next your towel’s in the Atlantic. It’s all part of the charm.
🧥 Hack: Always carry a light jacket or scarf. And if you’re planning to eat outdoors, maybe avoid the napkins — they’ll be gone faster than you can say “sardinhas”.
8. Respect the Siesta Vibe (Even if It’s Not Called That)
😴 The Portuguese might not call it siesta, but they absolutely live by it.
Shops close for long lunch breaks, small towns feel deserted mid-afternoon and your hunt for souvenirs might be put on pause.
🕶️ Hack: Use this time to relax like a local. Find a café, sip a galão (milky coffee) and watch life go by at a delightfully slow pace.
9. Skip the Tuk-Tuk, Take the Tram
🚋 Those bright yellow trams aren’t just cute — they’re iconic.
Sure, tuk-tuks might look fun, but they’re loud, pricey and about as subtle as a brass band. The trams, however, are a timeless Portuguese experience.
💡 Hack: Hop on the famous Tram 28 early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy the scenic ride through Lisbon’s prettiest streets.
10. Don’t Just Stick to Lisbon and Porto
🌊 Portugal is so much more than its two main stars.
Explore Coimbra’s old university charm, Évora’s ancient history, Faro’s sunshine and the surf towns of Nazaré or Ericeira. Each corner has its own flavour — sometimes literally, in the form of pastries.
🎒 Hack: Rent a car or use regional trains. The distances are short and every journey comes with a view worth framing.
✨ Final Pastel Thoughts:
Portugal isn’t just a place you visit — it’s a rhythm you fall into. Between the salty air, the slow pace and the endless espresso breaks, you’ll find yourself thinking “I could live here”.
So, relax your schedule, embrace the wind-blown hair and keep that fork ready for another pastel de nata. Because in Portugal, every day feels like a little celebration… even if you have no idea what time it is
