My first time in Portugal was an experience unlike any other country I have been to before. Despite my setbacks – I still made the most of my time there.

Still… there were a few things I wish I would’ve known before going.

orange rooftops and blue skies — View of Lisbon from the Santa Justa Lift in Portgual; June 2019

Is Portugal Worth Visiting?

I think Portugal has stunning moments that make it well worth seeing at least once, but it isn’t my personal favorite place to repeat-travel to – as the vibe wasn’t as warm or welcoming everywhere as I expected.

Having several Portuguese friends in the past myself, I know that culturally they take a lot of pride in their country – and that more under-the-radar places outside of Lisbon, like Ponta do Sol Beach, could make the trip more pleasurable.

Biggest Mistakes Tourists Make in Portugal

Portugal and Lisbon as a whole aren’t like other major European cities, meaning it’s a little less formulaic. This is great in terms of it being a unique, beautiful city – but it also makes planning a trip to Portugal a little more challenging.

The overview cards below will break down some of the most common mistakes I see tourists making in Lisbon:

🚋 Biggest Mistakes People Make Before Traveling to Lisbon

⛰️ Underestimating the Hills

Lisbon’s hills are no joke. Distances that seem short on maps can feel much longer in real life because of the constant uphill walking, stairs, and uneven terrain throughout the city.

🎫 Not Validating Train Tickets

One of the easiest mistakes travelers make in Portugal is forgetting to validate their train or metro tickets before boarding. Even if you bought the ticket correctly, you can still risk fines if you skip validation.

🧳 Overpacking for Cobblestones

Dragging oversized luggage across Lisbon’s cobblestones and steep hills can become exhausting very quickly. Packing lighter — especially with a manageable suitcase or backpack — makes getting around much easier.

🚆 Doing Lisbon + Algarve Too Quickly

A lot of travelers underestimate how tiring it can be to combine Lisbon and the Algarve too quickly into one short trip. Giving yourself enough time in each destination makes the overall experience far more relaxing and enjoyable.

Want to see some of these common first time mistakes in Portugal in action?

Check out my Lisbon travel vlog below to follow along my first trip to Portugal in real time!

What Do I Need to Know Before Traveling to Portugal?

Here are some things I suggest you know prior to your Portuguese adventure:

1. They Don’t All Speak English In Portugal

In many European countries, (Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands…) it’s common for them to speak English at a fluent level; as they are required to take it in grade school.

In Portugal (at least, in Lisbon), so many of the residents are from Brazil in South America. At times, it can be difficult to converse with others –as I personally found English to be very sparse in Portugal.

Just be sure to preface your questions like this,

“Hola! Do you speak English?”

Which brings me to…

View of Rossio Square in Lisbon, Portugal; June 2019

**2. Spanish is not that similar to Portuguese**

Do not start speaking to someone in Portugal in Spanish thinking that they’ll understand the majority of what you’re saying. They might both be romance languages, but they aren’t similar enough for you to get by on your high school foreign language classes.

Furthermore, people in Portugal were often offended when I tried to speak to them in Spanish. I think that the fact I knew some Spanish was helpful for us to at least try to communicate, and they should appreciate the effort – but I also completely understand why they’re offended. Portugal truly is its own country and culture, and I can understand why they don’t want to be grouped with Spanish or the rest of Latin America.

3. Bring Smaller Bills with You to portugal

I had a moment of derisive disapproval at Belem Tower when I only had a €20 bill. It wasn’t the end of the world, but if I could go back in time and make change in Dublin before flying to Portugal… I would have.

Praça do Comércio: a major shopping street in Lisbon; June 2019

**4. The National Sanctuary of the Christ & Belem Tower Are Far From the City Center of Lisbon**

Belem Tower was a good 30 to 40 minute venture from Rossio Square (which is relatively considered the city center of Lisbon) … and the National Sanctuary of the Crist is even further away.

Had I known this before going, I would have planned my itinerary for Lisbon and Portugal accordingly.

5. The Tiles in Lisbon are Slippery

There were too many times where I almost slipped in Lisbon. I must say, the novel, sleek finish of Lisbon’s floor is aesthetic – but it’s dangerous too.

Be really careful when walking down the hills in Lisbon.

Are the Tiles Slippery in Portugal?

Yes, according to two Portuguese friends I have had – they have both told me that the slippery tiles are everywhere in Portugal, from big cities to small towns. Therefore, it is important to exercise increased caution when walking in Portugal, as the slippery tiles in combination with the steep hills are no joke.

Street view in Lisbon, Portugal; June 2019

6. Walking the Hills of Lisbon is a Workout

Along with the slippery tiles, the streets are steep and narrow in Lisbon. It’s important that you bring water, a snack, and shoes with really good traction while exploring this city.

Did you know that Lisbon is known as a city of “seven hills?” This shot of Ponte 25 de Abril was taken from the top of incline… be careful when you go *down.*

Walking a mile in Lisbon is not the same as walking a mile in Manhattan. The texture of the pavement and dramatic inclines makes for a good workout.

The overview cards below will reaveal how to safely prepare for walking around Lisbon and other Portuguese cities with slippery tiles and hills:

👟☀️ Preparing to Walk Around Lisbon

👟 Wear Shoes With Traction

The slippery tiles in Lisbon require shoes with excellent traction. I definitely would not recommend slip-on shoes here — sneakers or walking shoes with good grip are a much better bet, especially on steep hills or after rain.

⏰ Give Yourself Extra Time

Something that says “5 minutes away” on maps in Lisbon may realistically take closer to 10 minutes because of the hills. Plan your walking routes accordingly so you don’t miss timed tickets for attractions like the Santa Justa Lift.

☀️ Sunscreen + Hydration

Especially if you visit Lisbon during the summer, the sun can feel incredibly strong. Combined with all the uphill walking, it’s important to keep water and sunscreen with you throughout the day.

Additional Things to Know Before Traveling to Portugal

There are a few more things to keep in mind if you’re planning a trip to Lisbon or Portugal:

Late Dining Hours: While I was in Portugal, I was stunned by just how late they eat dinner – which is even later than the Spanish. I’ve had two close Porteguse friends myself, and they both tend to eat dinner around 10 or even 10:30PM – meaning restaurants in Portugal often don’t open until the later end, so plan your meal times accordingly!
Make Use of Public Transportation: Lisbon actually has a great public transportation system, which includes trams, trains, and buses to get from places like Porto to Lisbon or even just take a day trip to Sintra.
Bring Cash: Portugal still appreciates cash over card in my experience. When I was at the Belem Tower, a lady inquired if I had bills smaller than a 20 – meaning it’s best to bring lots of small bills or even Euro coins with you on a trip to Portugal. However, you should still be able to use your card for major tourist attractions and established restaurants – but I strongly recommend having cash on hand just in case you can’t.
Beaches are Cold: As Portugal’s beaches aren’t along the Mediterranean like French and Italian Riviera’s or even the Greek Island’s beaches – the water is often colder than most tourists expect. This is due to the Canary Current, which is a wind driven current part of the North Atlantic Gyre – right about where Portugal is situated, making it’s water on the colder side.

☀️🇵🇹🐟 Portugal Travel FAQs 🐟🇵🇹☀️

💸 Is Portugal expensive?

No, Portugal is honestly the opposite of expensive. In fact, it’s one of the best budget travel destinations I’ve ever been to. I stayed in a hostel once and bought two veggie patties and a bag of frozen vegetables that made two dinners for only €3.49.

🧍‍♀️ Is Portugal safe for solo travelers?

Yes and no. Personally, I didn’t feel quite as comfortable with the topography and mapping in Lisbon as I usually do elsewhere in Europe. As a solo female traveler, I occasionally felt a bit less safe navigating certain streets alone. A local once even told me to download Google Maps instead of Apple Maps and pointed out that I was walking down a street that wasn’t considered very safe.

🗓️ How many days do you need in Portugal?

Personally, I felt pretty satisfied with Portugal after about 3 days — but many travelers may want longer if they plan to explore beyond Lisbon into Porto, Sintra, and some of the country’s more under-the-radar beaches.

🏙️ Is Lisbon or Porto better?

Lisbon feels more like a big, bustling capital city, whereas Porto feels a little cuter and more full of personality. I’ve had many Portuguese friends over the years, and surprisingly, a lot of them have told me they actually prefer Porto to Lisbon.

🗣️ Do people speak English in Portugal?

Not as much as people might expect. Younger people often speak English, but overall, I found Portuguese to still be very dominant throughout the country.

🚗 Should I rent a car in Portugal?

Renting a car can actually be a fantastic way to explore Portugal — especially if you want the freedom to take day trips or visit places like Sintra from Lisbon without relying entirely on bus or train schedules.

🚶‍♀️ Is Portugal walkable?

I would say Portugal is mainly walkable for younger people in decent physical shape. I personally would never advise my older parents to walk around cities like Lisbon or Porto all day, as I could easily see them struggling with the hills or slipping on the tiles.

💶 Is Portugal cash-only?

When I first visited Portugal, it still felt predominantly cash-based. Things have changed somewhat in recent years as tourism has grown, and cards are definitely more accepted now. However, I strongly recommend bringing cash as a precautionary backup while in Portugal.

I hope this helped you prepare for your upcoming trip to Portugal. If you’re looking for a more detailed list of things to do in Lisbon, click here.

Additional articles you might find helpful include:

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About the Author

Hi, I'm Stephanie Safdie, a travel writer and content creator based in Paris. Since living here, I've spent years exploring the city and regularly update my Paris travel guides with firsthand experience while also exploring destinations across Europe and beyond as a solo female traveler. I've been solo traveling for the past decade, having visited more than 70 cities and nearly 30 countries before turning 30.

Before moving abroad, I grew up moving all around the United States, having lived in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Tampa – which sparked my desire to discover and experience new places and cultures from a young age.

As a true writer at heart passionate about being open-minded, adventurous, and diaristic – it's my goal to share honest, practical travel advice, local insights, detailed itineraries, and real-life experiences that go beyond typical tourist recommendations. With over 200 guides published on Destination Dreamer Diaries, I’m here help you plan the most memorable trip of a lifetime with confidence.

When I'm not traveling or working professionally in content creation, you'll find me doing just about anything creative: writing, practicing my photography skills (the large majority of photos featured on this blog were taken during my own travels), playing my music at open mic nights, editing videos for my YouTube channel, cooking, or creating travel content.

Last updated: May 17, 2026

Be Prepared in Portugal: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting