Portugal is a wonderful country, with outstanding natural beauty and fascinating history. As you are planning your trip to Portugal it is good to be well informed about the country before actually traveling. Some basic information can save you much time and money during your stay in Portugal.
Portugal is one of the most developed countries in Europe and has a high standard of living. Portugal provides free basic services (education and healthcare) to all citizens. In other words, Portugal has been a modern country for many years and it’s people are used to live in a western society.
Tourism is a big part of the economy, so they know how to treat tourists well. The Portuguese people are known for being very helpful and friendly. They will always try to help you if they can, so don’t be afraid of asking for directions or recommendations.
It’s a good idea to learn a little Portuguese before you go. Although most people in tourism in Portugal will speak English, it is polite to make the effort and that will be apprecitaed. I worked my way through all of the Duolingo leagues on the Duolingo language app before my trip and it really helped.
If you intend to travel by train in Portugal it’s a good idea to download the CP App so that you can book train tickets online and store them digitally. Also you will need to take your passport ID with you on train journeys.
Portugal is a very safe country to visit and you will feel totally secure while walking even in the night time. Portugal has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe (even lower than Spain), which makes it an ideal place for family vacations.
However, before you go to Portugal you should be aware of some customs and traditions that may look a little bit strange at first, but are actually very common in Portugal.
Here is an example: In Portugal it’s normal for friends and family meet up to drink a coffee together around the local café. They will sit down for half an hour or more chatting, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes without actually buying anything in the café.
When you see an old stranger sitting in a local café, don’t be surprised if they ask you for a cigarette or the time. They will probably start to chat with you about football or politics (Portugal is not big on baseball). It doesn’t mean that they are homeless or crazy, they are just being polite and trying to be friendly.
In major cities like Lisbon or Porto it’s not very common to smile at strangers on the street. They will probably think that you are a little bit strange if you do that. Just don’t forget about smiling when you say “thank you” or greet someone 😉