The Good Trip guide · For U.S. travelers
PortugalA little local knowledge.
Experience charming cobblestone streets, golden beaches, and the soulful sounds of Fado music.
Safe on mainland and Madeira; bottled water recommended on smaller Azores islands.
Ambulance (INEM): 112
Euro
Exercise Normal Precautions
Essential Etiquette in Portugal
Key dos and don'ts every American traveler should know before arriving.
Portuguese are warm but reserved initially
Portuguese people are genuinely friendly and helpful but tend to be more reserved than neighboring Spaniards at first meeting. They warm up quickly once initial formalities are observed.
Greet with a cheek kiss or handshake
Among friends and relatives, two air-kisses on the cheek (right cheek first) is a standard greeting. In more formal settings or when meeting someone for the first time, a firm handshake is the appropriate gesture.
Greet shopkeepers and restaurant staff
Always say 'Bom dia,' 'Boa tarde,' or 'Boa noite' when entering a shop or restaurant. Leaving without saying goodbye is considered discourteous.
Note the difference between obrigado and obrigada
The word for 'thank you' changes based on the gender of the speaker: men say 'obrigado,' women say 'obrigada.' Using the correct form, even as a tourist, is appreciated.
Essential Portuguese Phrases
Respectful expressions with phonetic pronunciations to help you connect with locals.
"Hello"
"Thank you"
"Sorry / Excuse me"
"Please"
Take all 66 phrases and offline audio with you in Good Trip.
Water & pharmacies
Tap water is drinkable
Tap water is SAFE on mainland Portugal and Madeira. Azores: bottled water recommended on smaller islands.
Local Pharmacy Rules
Pharmacies (Farmácia) marked by a green cross. Highly trained pharmacists can advise on minor ailments. After-hours pharmacies (farmácias de serviço) rotate for 24-hour service. Look up the nearest on-call pharmacy online.
Apps to Download Before Flying to Portugal
Useful apps for transit, navigation, and food delivery in Portugal.
CP — Comboios de Portugal
CP is Portugal's national railway app — essential for intercity and regional train travel between Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and beyond. Buy and store tickets in-app, get real-time schedules, and plan journeys across the national network. Accepts international credit cards.
Bolt
Bolt is the leading ride-hailing app in Lisbon and Porto, widely used by locals and tourists. Book licensed drivers with upfront pricing, real-time tracking, and cashless payment via international card. Typically cheaper than licensed taxis and far more transparent than street taxis in tourist areas.
Uber
Uber operates throughout Portugal — Lisbon, Porto, Faro, the Algarve, and other major tourist areas — and is interchangeable with Bolt. Your existing U.S. Uber account works seamlessly with no new signup needed. Fares are in euros and charged to your U.S. card. Bolt usually has a slightly larger driver pool in Portugal, but prices swing between the two, so having both installed lets you pick the cheaper option every time.
Emergency Contacts & U.S. Embassy
If you lose your passport, need urgent medical evacuation, or encounter legal trouble, keep this info accessible offline.
U.S. Embassy Lisbon
Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon, Portugal
Field Guides & Dispatches for Portugal
This preview comes from the Good Trip country guide. Conditions and travel advisories can change. Check the latest U.S. State Department advice before departure.
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