The official currency of Portugal is the euro (EUR).

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US citizens may enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism without a visa.

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The best times to visit Portugal are in the spring (April and May) and fall (September and October). These are considered the shoulder seasons and will have fewer crowds, but the weather is still comfortable.

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Portuguese.

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The lighter, the better! If you only have a rolling suitcase, that will work, but getting your hands on a more mobile bag, like a large backpack, would be better. We take private and public transportation. We move often on this trip, changing locations every 2-3 days. Loading your suitcase on and off different modes of transport can be challenging. 

You'll also want a daypack for your gear, food, and drinks for the day.

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March through May:

Temperatures rise as the flowers bloom, and Portugal vibrantly comes to life. The average temperatures are in the mid to upper 60s Fahrenheit (18-20 celsius), and towards May, it will reach the 70s Fahrenheit (21-26 celsius). . 

June through August:

As the heat of summer reaches its peak, so too do the crowds. Sunseekers from northern Europe head for Portugal’s pristine beaches and vast numbers of Portuguese. The Algarve, in particular, gets very busy at this time. The average temperature ranges from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (21-29 celsius).

September and October:

September and October are two of the best months to visit Portugal. The weather is still warm and pleasant, and the temperatures are much more manageable for sightseeing or hiking. The average temperature ranges from lower 70s to lower 80s Fahrenheit (21-26 celsius). The later it gets into October, the cooler the temperatures will drop.

Yes, the tap water in Portugal is safe to drink.

When you ask for water in restaurants, they usually serve bottled water, but it’s fine to ask for tap water.

Portugal has glorious, much-underrated cuisine. There are filling, well-priced main courses enjoyed with good beer and excellent wine, followed by some of Europe's tastiest desserts. Restaurants have a growing awareness of vegetarian and vegan options.

Sample Breakfast Menu:

• Continental buffet breakfast, including hot and cold dishes: eggs, toast, pastries, fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea, and orange juice.

Sample Dinner Menu:‍

Please note this will depend on the restaurants that the Trip Leader chooses, but you can expect the following:

• Grilled Sardines
• Cocido a la Portuguesa: This Portuguese stew is a type of cozido, a traditional Portuguese boiled meal. Numerous regional variations exist throughout Portugal, and the dish is considered part of the Portuguese heritage, as well as one of the national dishes of Portugal.
• Bacalhau à brás: A Portuguese dish made from shreds of salted cod, onions, and thinly chopped fried potatoes, all bound with scrambled eggs. It is usually garnished with black olives and sprinkled with fresh parsley.
• Bolinho de bacalhau: Typically made from a mixture of potatoes, bacalhau (codfish), eggs, parsley, onion, and sometimes a hint of nutmeg. They are also called "salt cod fritters" or "salt cod croquettes."
• Caldeirada de peixe: A Portuguese and Galician fish stew consisting of various fish, potatoes, and other ingredients.
• Polvo à lagareiro: Portuguese dish based on octopus, olive oil, potatoes, grelos, and garlic.
• Cataplana: Portuguese fish stew. A savory feast of shellfish and smoky linguiça hailing from the Algarve in Portugal. It is traditionally cooked and served in.

Sample Vegetarian Menu:

• Realistically, most Portuguese cuisine is meat or fish-based, so there will be many options for pescatarians.Portugal has local vegetarian dishes such as açorda, vegetarian caldo verde, vegetarian migas, or vegetarian francesinha.
• The Trip Leader will always be able to suggest vegetarian options from the restaurant’s menus.

This should be fine when traveling through Portugal. Portuguese cuisine has a wide variety of foods, including bread, meats, fish, and seafood. However, nuts, especially almonds and chestnuts, are used in many baked goods. 

If you have a nut allergy and are traveling through Portugal, we suggest you avoid baked goods.

For any traveler with a dietary restriction, we recommend printing out an allergen card that describes your allergy in the local language.

Moderate. This trip is a good mix of activity and relaxation and includes moderate physical activities.  Participants should expect to be active for 3-4 hours most days. An active lifestyle is helpful, though not required to enjoy the trip.

There is a hike that some travelers may find above a moderate activity level if they do not normally engage in an active lifestyle.

We suggest booking a round-trip ticket arriving and departing from Lisbon. Then, book a separate domestic flight from Faro to Lisbon.

You can also arrange your departing flight directly out of Faro International Airport (FAO).

Portugal has standardized on type F sockets and plugs. 

You can order a European travel adaptor here.

We suggest bringing $300 USD in cash to be used at establishments that do not accept credit cards. You must exchange this money for euros. Establishments in Portugal do not accept USD. 

There are 6 lunches not included. You should expect to spend $15-20 on average for lunch. However, you can also find meals for as little as $5-10 when eating at street food vendors. 

There will be 3 dinners that are not included. On average, you should expect to spend $25-30 for dinner at a sit-down dining establishment. Optional activities range from $10 to enter museums to $40 for a boat tour.

Yes. This trip includes 4 nights in southern Portugal, home to some of the most excellent beaches in the country. You will spend one afternoon on the island of Culatra and another morning on a boat tour  to Ponta da Piedade. There is also free time to enjoy the beaches in Lagos, Faro, and Olhao.

Portugal's nightlife is exciting and diverse. Whether you’re looking for a quiet meal followed by a stroll on the beach or dancing to the early hours, you will surely find it all.

Though the trip begins in Lisbon, we recommend you come a day early to experience more of what the city has to offer. 

This itinerary includes a walking tour of Lisbon on Day 1 and then an evening of free time in Lisbon on Day 2, after your return from a day trip to Sintra.

Yes. Most banks will charge a fee for making international withdrawals. Don’t forget to inform your bank that you will be traveling abroad. While credit card payments are becoming more common, cash is still preferred.

Of course! This trip is your trip, and you don’t have to participate in anything you don’t want to. Remember that opting out of included activities will not change the trip's price.

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Tips are not expected but are always appreciated. Between 5-10 percent of the final bill would be appropriate.

Portugal does not have a strong “tipping culture,” and there are no standards or rules regarding tipping. The tipping practice may vary throughout the country itself, depending on the region where you are traveling.

If you do decide to leave a tip, please leave it in euros.

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Tipping is not required but is very much appreciated.

We hire the best local Trip Leaders to give you the best cultural experience possible. We pay our Trip Leaders well, but your gratuity supports them, their families, and their communities.

How much should you tip? 

Tipping is a practice deeply entrenched in the travel and tourism industry in all the countries we visit. The amount you tip is up to you, but a general guideline is $3-6 per person daily for excellent service.

Internet access in Portugal is generally good, with widespread Wi-Fi in cities and smaller towns.

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Travelers should be able to use their mobile phones across Portugal. The most economical way to use your phone in Portugal is by purchasing a local prepaid SIM.

The leading domestic carriers are Vodafone, TMN, and Optimus, but make sure your phone is unlocked before purchasing a prepaid SIM.

You can also consider an international roaming plan with your carrier at home, or purchasing an e-sim.  If you wish to use your own SIM, activate global roaming before departing your home country, and always check with your carrier about any additional charges that may be incurred.

If you’re traveling in the summertime, loose clothing that protects from the sun is best during the day, but be sure to cover your shoulders when visiting churches or other religious sites. The winters can get quite cool, as can the evenings in spring and autumn, so pack a light jacket and a raincoat too.

Portugal is considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations in the world. In recent years, Portugal has doubled down on the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people with progressive changes in policies for transgender and intersex people, as well as stronger punishments for hate crimes.

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