With sandy beaches, vibrant cities, rich history, varied cuisine, and relatively low prices, Portugal has a lot to offer. It’s not surprising that it gets prizes for being one of the best destinations to travel. If you decide to visit this country, you won’t regret it, especially when you come prepared. Here are some tips which can help you with getting ready for unforgettable holidays in Portugal.
Create Your Trip Plan
From the rich history and many sightseeing places in Porto, through the wild nature of Geres natural park, the academic vibe of Coimbra, interesting Lisbon, stunning Sintra, to the glorious Algarvian shore, and much more – Portugal has it all. Although the country is small, depending on your time, you should plan your trip. Think of the places you really want to see and find the best way to get the most out of your trip.
Learn Some Basic Language
Although Portugal is a country where many people speak English, you should learn some Portuguese phrases. Knowing only English can be useful in tourist spots and while talking with the younger generation. However, if you want to communicate with older Portuguese people or you want to see smaller towns and villages, Portuguese will be an amazing skill. Portuguese people are very kind and will surely appreciate your effort. You don’t have to take an advanced course to learn some basics. An app to learn Portuguese is enough to get a grip on the most popular phrases.
Get Travel Insurance
Portugal is a safe country, but anything can happen anywhere. For your peace of mind and security, buy travel insurance that can cover unfortunate accidents, losing luggage, or getting robbed. It’s a good idea to choose the option that covers delayed and canceled flights, as airport workers’ strikes often happen in Portugal.
Book in Advance
To make sure you will have a lot of options to choose from and to get the best deal, book your holidays in Portugal in advance. June, July, and August are hot tourist seasons, so the prices are usually much higher than the rest of the year. While you can expect crowds during all three months, the worst one is August, when most Portuguese residents also go on holiday.
If you plan to visit popular spots, such as Livraria Lello in Porto, Pena Palace in Sintra, Jeronimos Monastery and Santa Justa Elevator in Lisbon, always buy tickets in advance. This way, you will avoid standing in lines for literally hours and won’t risk tickets selling out.
Get Euro Currency
Portugal is in the Eurozone, so the currency you need to take with you is the euro. While in many places in Portugal you can pay with a credit card, smaller businesses will only accept cards from Portuguese banks. This is why it’s always better to have some spare money. You can find ATMs very easily, so you don’t have to walk around with a crazy amount of cash.
