7 Useful Travel Tips for Travelling to Portugal

Hi everyone! Today’s guest post is from Ellie Reed, a freelance travel writer for the Travel Department. She’s sharing 7 tips for travelling in Portugal.

Read below and let Ellie prepare you for your next Portugal trip.

Portugal is an incredible place offering you an endless journey of adventure and wonder. More specifically, this southern European country is famous for three things namely Fado music, the Fatima Pilgrimage, and Football. In fact, Portugal is the home of Cristiano Ronaldo, the most famous athlete in the world according to ESPN. While football is a big deal in Portugal, the culture and tradition are what you will really fall in love with. Although, totally understandable if you fall in love with Ronaldo too!

Here is a list of 7 useful travel tips for travelling to Portugal.

Save money as you move from one place to another

The surest way of doing that is by skipping taxi services because they are expensive in Portugal. Some of them even charge extra fees for picking you from the airport or luggage. The best alternative to taxis is using the bus or metro system. It is inexpensive and convenient. However, you can also go for car rentals as well. Check for an electronic device in the rented vehicle that allows you to pay tolls. Find an alternative way of paying them if it does not have this device. You can also reduce your costs by traveling using Portugal’s back roads because the highways are toll heavy.

Caution at the beach is advisable

Portugal lies on the Iberian Peninsula. It has 1,794 kilometers of coastline. It is worth noting that massive waves occur along this shoreline because of the climatic conditions in this area. These waves are ideal for watersports such as surfing. However, they can be dangerous as well especially for children. Keep them in sight at all times and that goes for the big kids too!

Watch out for forest fires

These fires happen yearly or once every two years. Fortunately, authorities prepare for them in advance. However, some injuries and extensive damage to properties may occur. Be wary of such events especially if you are hiking in the countryside. The terrain is challenging, the landscape is breathtaking, and the animals are majestic. However, everything can change in a split second if you are hiking in an area that may experience a forest fire. Consult your travel agent so that you can visit locations where the likelihood of forest fires is low.

Carry your sunscreen everywhere

Portugal is hotter than other European cities. For example, the hottest and coldest months in Lisbon reach an average temperature of twenty-four degrees Celsius and eleven degrees Celsius respectively. In contrast, the temperatures in London reach a high of nineteen degrees Celsius and a low of five degrees Celsius. That means your skin faces intense pressure from the sun’s rays when you are in Portugal. Protect it with a suitable sunscreen so that you can enjoy visits to Portugal’s cities and parks without damaging your skin.

Get a power converter if necessary

Portugal current voltage is 220 to 230 volts. Moreover, this current has a standard frequency of 50 Hertz. Most countries in Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia use the same settings for their electricity. However, some might go as high as 240 volts. Your electrical devices should be compatible with this current. Otherwise, they might suffer from damage. For example, visitors from the US, Canada, and South America have to buy a power converter. They do that because most of their devices are compatible with a current of 100 to 127 volts. Make sure that you buy this converter if you are traveling from the Americas to Portugal.

Travel in the low season

Portugal is a popular destination for tourists welcoming more than 12 million people annually. Most of them come to the country during the high season in summer. In fact, overcrowding in beaches especially those located in Algarve is common. However, the low season is free of large crowds. During this time, you can visit Portugal’s sights and sounds. That includes its restaurants, museums, theaters, and nightclubs. These adventures in the low season will be cheap for you. Moreover, they will be convenient for you because you will not be competing against many people for the same sights and services.

Remember the emergency number

Many people think of 911 as soon as they hear of an emergency number. Others presume that it is 999. However, in Portugal, the emergency number is 112. Remember it so that you can use it in case of any trouble during your stay in this remarkable nation. You can this number toll free from any telephone device.

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Ellie is a freelance travel writer, originally from the UK. Publishing for some of the top travel websites around the world, writing about everything from hidden gems to luxury hangouts all over the world, Ellie is currently writing for Travel Department.