Planning a trip to Portugal? Before travelling it’s best to ask “what are the dos and don’ts in Portugal” to avoid getting into any sticky situations. Here are our essential tips for your first trip to Portugal!
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Etiquette and manners | Language | Dress code | Weather | Food | Portuguese seaside | Car Rental dos and don’ts in Portugal
Etiquette and manners
Do
Similar to most countries, a firm handshake with eye contact is appropriate in formal situations for any first-time encounter. For informal greetings, men tend to embrace one another with a pat on the back whilst women greet by kissing both cheeks (from right to left).
Don’t
Avoid raising your voice in public, consideration with your manners is greatly appreciated amongst the locals. Refrain from arriving to any meetings late, punctuality is important! Whilst the Portuguese themselves may turn up to meetings a little late, it would be considered rude for you to do so.
Language
Do
Attempt to learn any Portuguese phrases and vocabulary whilst visiting the country. Even if you mispronounce phrases, acknowledging the locals language goes a long way. Although English is widely spoken across Algarve, Porto, and Lisbon, it is considered rude to simply assume they’ll adapt to your language. Learn useful phrases such as:
- Bom dia/Boa tarde/Boa noite — Good morning/afternoon/night
- Olá — Hello
- Oi — Hi
- Tchau — Bye
- Até logo! — See you later!
- Por favor — Please
- Com licença — Excuse me
- Obrigado/Obrigada — Thank you
Don’t
Avoid attempting to speak Spanish to the locals. As Portuguese and Spanish are closely related, many visitors attempt to speak to the locals in Spanish. However, the Portuguese don’t generally speak Spanish. Speaking Spanish to the locals can be considered rude and you may even be politely reminded that you are in Portugal and the native language is Portuguese.
Dress code
Do
Wear comfortable footwear. Hilly cities with cobblestone streets like Lisbon can be difficult to navigate if you’re wearing flip flops! Wear something durable that you’ll comfortably explore the streets of Portugal in.
Don’t
Although swimwear is appropriate for a beach, you are expected to dress more modestly when visiting any establishments such a store, restaurant, or church. Due to Portugal being a fairly conservative country, it is frowned upon for women to be topless whilst on the beach.
Weather
Do
During summer, you can be expected to have temperature highs of around 28 °C! The sun will be at its strongest from 12 – 3pm, it is essential that you wear sun lotion during these hours. Try to stay out of direct sunlight and keep hydrated throughout the day.
Don’t
Don’t expect the weather to be perfect all year round in Portugal. Although it’s still hotter than most European winters, in January the average temperature drops to around 14°C. On rare occasions the winter weather can get quite bad when gale force winds blow in from the ocean.
Food
Do
Eat and drink like the locals! Try out Portugal’s fresh fish, pork, cheese, and wine when visiting. Expect to have a lot of seafood and olive oil on the menu. Make sure to try traditional Portuguese dishes such as Caldo Verde soup, the Cataplana de marisco seafood platter, and Bacalhau (Portuguese cod fish).
Don’t
When eating at a restaurant, seemingly free starters will be brought out to you such as olives or bread. Don’t assume these as free and they are often added to your bill after you finish eating. If you don’t want to risk paying extra, politely decline any extras that are brought out to you. Furthermore, you should avoid any tourist trap restaurants that may charge extortionate prices for bad quality food. Instead compare restaurant prices, research reviews, and ask the locals for recommendations.
Portuguese seaside
Do
Portugal has a wonderful selection of beaches for those who enjoy relaxing, swimming, water sports, or surfing. Visiting any of the beaches that Portugal has to offer is an absolute must! Visit Algarve, Faro for some of the best beaches in the world. Check out our guide on everything you need when hiring a car in Faro, Portugal if you choose to explore Faro in a rental car.
Don’t
Don’t get too confident with your swimming abilities. Nazaré is a popular surfing spot due to its huge Atlantic waves. This can be a dangerous spot for surfers or swimmers who get too confident. The highest wave at Nazaré was measured to be around 100 feet tall! Make sure to keep an eye on any children and not swim too far out to sea when visiting this beach.
Car Rental dos and don’ts in Portugal
Do
With a car you will get the chance to travel further inland and visit remote villages and national parks that are hard to access by public transport. Rent a car in Portugal with Zest for a stress-free and protected experience! We offer excess protection, fair fuel policy, free cancellation, no hidden costs, and full customer support.
Don’t
There are several pitfalls that can occur when renting a car. Falling for hidden costs and the hard insurance sell can be a costly mistake for first time renters. Read our guides on hiring a car for the first time and common mistakes made in a first time car rental.
