Plan Your Trip to Portugal
Updated: Aug 29
Everything you need to start planning your Portugal getaway, from getting there and getting around to booking your stay, experiences, and the travel tools I actually use.
Quick Trip Planning
✈️ Find A Flight
Search and compare flights to Portugal.
🛏️ Book Your Stay
Find hotels and stays throughout Portugal.
✨ Book Your Experiences
Tours, day trips, attractions, and experiences.
📍 Stay Connected
eSIM/mobile data for Portugal.
Getting to Portugal
✈️ Flying into Portugal
For most trips, Lisbon, Porto, and Faro are the main mainland airports you'll be looking at. Lisbon works well for central Portugal, Porto for the north, and Faro for an Algarve focused trip. Portugal's official tourism site lists all three among the country's major airports.
✈️ Getting around Portugal
By Train
Portugal's train system makes traveling between Lisbon, Porto, and other major destinations relatively easy. Tickets for Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains can be purchased directly through CP, Portugal's national railway. CP allows online ticket purchases up to 60 days in advance.
MY TIP: Don't treat the posted departure time as the time you should arrive at the station. I arrived early for one of my trains and it still departed about 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time. Give yourself extra time at the station. If you're traveling to the Algarve, I also recommend buying your ticket in advance because popular trains can sell out.
By Rental Car
You probably won't need a car if you're spending your trip in central Lisbon or Porto, but renting one can give you much more flexibility when exploring the Algarve, smaller towns, beaches, and areas outside the major cities.
For U.S. travelers, the State Department says a U.S. driver's license can currently be used in Portugal for up to six months. Portugal also has toll highways, so travelers should check how their rental company handles toll charges before driving off.
Rideshare & Taxis
Uber and Bolt are available in Portugal and can be convenient for airport transfers, getting around cities, or when you simply don't feel like navigating public transportation. Taxis are also widely available. The U.S. State Department describes regulated taxis and major rideshare services such as Uber as generally safe and reliable in Portugal. Bolt also currently operates ride-hailing service in Portugal.
Explore Portugal
🛏️ Soft Life Stays
Boutique hotels, luxury stays, and accommodations worth checking into.
🍷 Soft Life Eats
Restaurants, cafés, cocktail bars, bakeries, and unforgettable meals.
✨ Soft Life Experiences
Wine country, Pink Palace, museums, shopping, and memorable experiences.
🇵🇹 Complete Portugal Guide
Looking for more? Explore my complete Portugal guide for stays, eats, experiences, nightlife, and more.
📍 My Portugal Map
Want everything in one place? Explore my saved Portugal map with hotels, restaurants, things to do, and places worth keeping on your radar while planning your trip.
Before You Go
Currency:
Euro (€)
Language:
Portuguese
Best for:
City breaks, food, wine, beaches, history, slow travel
Major destinations:
Lisbon, Porto, Algarve
Getting around:
Trains, metro, rideshare, rental car depending on destination
Entry Requirements:
U.S. travelers visiting Portugal should check current passport, visa, and entry requirements before departure. Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, and entry procedures for Europe have been changing, including implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System. Always verify the latest requirements through an official government source before traveling.
What to Pack
Cute, comfortable, and prepared for a little bit of everything.
Portugal may look like an easy summer destination to pack for, but between Lisbon's hills, Porto's cooler evenings, Sintra's unpredictable weather, and beach days in the Algarve, you'll want a little more variety than swimsuits and sundresses. Here's what I'd make sure is in my suitcase.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Because those pretty cobblestone streets will humble you.
Lisbon and Porto involve hills, stairs, and plenty of uneven cobblestones. Bring at least one pair of shoes you can comfortably walk in for hours. This is not the trip I'd recommend breaking in a brand-new pair.
Lightweight Layers
Especially for Porto and Sintra.
Even during warmer months, temperatures can change throughout the day. A lightweight jacket, cardigan, or other easy layer is worth throwing into your bag for cooler mornings, evenings, and day trips.
Summer + Resort Clothes
For everything from sightseeing to the Algarve.
Pack lightweight dresses, breathable separates, shorts, and other pieces that can handle warm days without taking up your entire suitcase. If you're heading south to the Algarve, add your swimsuits, cover-ups, sandals, and a few pieces for resort days.
Dinner & Going-Out Looks
Comfortable during the day does not mean giving up the cute clothes.
Portugal has plenty of beautiful restaurants, rooftops, cocktail bars, and speakeasies worth dressing up for. I like having a few outfits specifically for evenings so I'm not trying to turn my sightseeing clothes into dinner clothes every night.
European Power Adapter + Portable Charger
Two things I don't want to be searching for after I land.
Portugal uses European-style outlets, so bring the appropriate adapter for your devices. A portable charger is also worth carrying, especially on long sightseeing days when you're using your phone for Google Maps, photos, videos, reservations, and everything else.
Beach & Sun Essentials
Especially if the Algarve is part of the itinerary.
Pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuit, cover-up, and whatever else you need for a proper beach or pool day. A small day bag or tote also comes in handy for carrying everything without bringing your entire travel bag.
Shop My Travel Essentials
I've rounded up the travel essentials, packing favorites,
and pieces I actually use when I'm on the road.
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For brand partnerships, destination storytelling, and creative collaborations,
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