How to plan a trip to Portugal: the complete guide - part 1: before you set off

How to plan a trip to Portugal-1

Have you talked to friends who have returned from Portugal and heard about wandering the colorful streets of Lisbon or the amazing views in the Douro Valley? Sounds like a perfect experience, but before you start packing, there are a few things you should check with yourself before you want to book plane tickets.

In this guide: How to plan a trip to Portugal: the complete guide will help you understand how to make this vacation perfect, from the initial preparations to the unforgettable experiences you will meet along the way

Is Portugal the destination for you?

Portugal is an amazing country that offers varied landscapes, historic cities and rich culture.

When you plan a trip to Portugal, there are some things that are important to pay attention to to make sure that your trip will be comfortable, experiential and successful.

In this guide I will detail everything you need to know - from flights to questions about mobility, transportation and how to divide your route in the best way.

When you come to plan an independent trip, Portugal is a destination that is important to get to know in depth to know what to expect.

It is a country that manages to exceptionally combine historical charm, mesmerizing nature and rich culture, which does not always rely on flashy attractions such as large theme parks.

If Disneyland offers imaginary castles, then in Portugal you will find real, romantic and mysterious castles, which serve as natural playgrounds for children and adults alike. The spectacular beaches and dramatic rocks become a dream setting that leaves a much stronger impression than any amusement park.

Topographically

This is part of the beauty of Portugal:

When traveling with children, you should be aware that Portugal offers other experiences - ones that are not based on huge and artificial facilities, but on natural beauty, local culture and the possibility of small and large adventures that are discovered at every corner. This is what makes Portugal a perfect destination - its experience is far beyond the obvious.

Is Portugal suitable for my trip?

Portugal welcomes all types of travelers

• Families:

• Couples:

• Solo travelers and backpackers:

• Young and old:

Portugal offers a perfect combination between energetic and relaxed experiences - so that everyone can find the pace and experience that suits them.

Is Portugal suitable for my travel style?

In Portugal you will find a wide variety of experiences suitable for every type of traveler, with an emphasis on history, culture and diverse landscapes. If you are looking for diversity, diverse experiences and fascinating attractions - Portugal is the perfect destination for you.

Portugal is undoubtedly a diverse destination suitable for every type of traveler, with a perfect combination of culture, nature, history, cuisine and unique experiences.

Is Portugal suitable for my travel pace?

Every traveler has their ideal pace. There are those who prefer to get as much done as possible in a short time, jump from attraction to attraction, and fill the days with non-stop activities. In contrast, there are those who prefer a more relaxed pace - to start the morning leisurely, take a leisurely stroll, and stop occasionally to rest and observe the view.

Whether you like to spend every moment in motion or whether you prefer to take your time, it is important to adapt the itinerary to your pace. You should place the important attractions during the hours when you will be at your best - in the morning or in the afternoon - so that you don't miss them. Plan the days to contain enough content, but leave room for flexibility and surprises along the way.

Portugal is suitable for every pace

Remember, the goal is to have fun, not to tick everything!

Language, do the Portuguese understand English?

In Portugal, especially in the big cities like Lisbon and Porto, and in tourist areas, many Portuguese understand and speak English at a good level. Young people and people working in the tourism industry such as in hotels, restaurants and attractions, will usually be fluent in English and will be able to help if needed.

In more rural and remote areas, you may encounter fewer English speakers, but even there the Portuguese are very kind and will try to help as best they can. Therefore, it is useful to know some basic phrases in Portuguese, but in most cases, tourists will do well in English. We got along fine in most places, and in exceptional cases we simply used Google Translate - a wonderful tool, by the way. In restaurants, in cases where we had difficulty, we simply entered Google reviews and voted on the desired dish.

And to make sure you get along at the basic level, get the

How much does a trip to Portugal cost?

Estimating the cost of the trip to Portugal depends on a wide variety of factors such as the length of stay, the number of participants, personal preferences and the preferred style of travel. Therefore, there is no single clear answer to this question. To help you understand what is right for you, we will present three main travel styles at three different budget levels: luxury, medium and low budget (backpacker). Planning a successful trip to Portugal is one that combines the characteristics of each of these styles, according to your personal preferences and budget limitations.

High budget:

• Flight: A direct flight to Portugal in business class will cost between 800 and 1,200 euros per person, and depending on the season, a flight with tourist sickness will also reach these amounts.

• Accommodation: Accommodation in luxury hotels (5 stars) can cost between 150 and 400 euros per person per night.

• Food: Luxury restaurants, including restaurants with Michelin stars, will cost between 50 and 150 euros per person per meal. Dinner at gourmet restaurants may be more expensive.

• Transportation: Renting a high-end private car or using private taxis/personal driver services, between 50 and 150 euros per day.

Medium budget:

• Flight: A direct flight in economy class will cost about 300 to 600 euros per person, depending on the season and the airline.

• Accommodation: Accommodation in 3-4 star hotels or Airbnb apartments will cost between 60 and 150 euros per person per night.

• Food: Mid-level local restaurants will cost between 15 and 30 euros per person per meal, mostly at lunch and dinner. Meals in small family restaurants may be cheaper.

• Transportation: use of public transportation, standard car rental or local taxis, between 20 and 50 euros per day.

Low budget (backpackers):

• Flight: A low-cost flight with an intermediate stop (connection) will cost about 100 to 300 euros per person.

• Accommodation: Hostels or shared apartments (Airbnb) will cost between 20 and 60 euros per person per night.

• Food: street food or small, local restaurants will cost between 7 and 15 euros per person per meal. Another option is to buy groceries and cook independently, which will save even more on costs.

• Transportation: Using public transportation only (buses, trains and metro) will cost between 5 and 15 euros per day.

General budget estimates in Portugal

transport:

• Trains: Lisbon-Porto: between €31.90 and €46.05 on the Alfa Pendular (fast) train and between €25.10 and €37.15 on the InterCity train.

• Lisbon-Faro: between €23.50 and €31.40 on Alfa Pendular, and €22 and €28.80 on InterCity. Lisbon to Sintra or Cascais: between €1.35 and €2.25.

• Intercity buses: Lisbon-Porto: about €19. Lisbon-Faro: €20. Faro-Porto: €32. Lisbon-Coimbra: €15.50.

• Taxis: minimum daily rate: €3.25. Nightly rate: €3.90. Baggage surcharge: €1.60.

• Urban transport: Lisbon card: unlimited use of public transport and entry to sites (21 euros for 24 hours, 35 euros for 48 hours, 43 euros for 72 hours). Traveling by bus in Lisbon: €2.00, by tram €3.00. Simple metro ticket: €1.50 in Lisbon and €1.60 in Porto.

eater:

• Espresso coffee ("Bika"): between €0.60 and €0.70 in traditional coffee shops.

• Galleau (coffee with milk): the price is between €1 and €1.50.

• Beer or Coca-Cola: €1-€1.50.

• Sausage and cheese sandwich: €1.50-€4.

• A full meal: in a snack bar it will cost about €8-11, in standard restaurants €13-20, and in first class restaurants or Fado houses €30-50.

communication:

• A SIM card with a 10 GB data package in Portugal costs on average between 10 and 20 euros, depending on the carrier and the current promotion. Popular providers such as Vodafone, MEO and NOS offer different packages for tourists, and a SIM card can be purchased at airport sales points, telecommunication shops or convenience stores. Most packages also include local calls and text messages.

• For Airalo's eSIM card, the 10GB package costs about $17 (€15.50) and offers a data-only connection for 30 days, without calls and messages. If you are looking for a larger amount of data, an eSIM card with 30 gigabytes of data will cost about $32 (about €30) and is also valid for 30 days.

• To receive a $3 discount

Early planning of the use of communication can save you a lot of time and money. For example, you can purchase the eSIM online before your trip, so that as soon as you land in Portugal you can connect to the Internet immediately and without delays. In addition, if you are planning a trip with many attractions or in changing weather, you should prepare in advance a "bank of things to do" and places to visit, so that you are ready for changes in plans or to add attractions at the last minute.

Health insurance for travel to Portugal:

The cost of health insurance for a trip to Portugal depends on several factors, such as:

• Duration of the trip

• Age of the insured

• Pre-existing health condition

• Desired coverages

The prices for average health insurance for a standard trip to Portugal usually range from 1 to 3 dollars per day for a young and healthy person, that is, about 3-10 shekels per day, but they may increase for extended coverage or for older policyholders.

This way you will make sure that your trip in Portugal will be enjoyable, well planned and adapted to your needs!

Attractions:

Here is an estimate of the cost of attractions in Portugal:

1. Free guided tour based on a tip

   • Cost: These tours are free, but it is customary to leave a tip for the guide depending on the experience. It is recommended to give about 10 to 15 euros per person if you enjoyed the tour.

2. "Themed" tour (tasting, graffiti, Segway, etc.)

   • Cost: A food tasting tour in Portugal (in Lisbon or Porto) ranges from 40 to 75 euros per person, depending on the length of the tour and the number of stops/places visited.

3. cable car

   • In Lisbon: the Telecabine Oriente on the Tagus River costs about 6 euros per person one way and 9 euros round trip.

   • In Porto: Teleférico de Gaia costs about 6 euros one way and 9 euros round trip.

4. Museums

   • Average cost: admission to museums in Portugal varies between 5 and 12 euros per person. For example, admission to the Closata Golban Museum in Lisbon costs about 10 euros, while smaller museums may cost less.

5. Zoo and aquarium

   • Lisbon Zoo: about 22 euros per adult.

   • Lisbon Aquarium (Oceanário de Lisboa): about 19 euros per person.

How can you reduce the cost of transportation and attractions in the two major cities?

Tourist cards - Lisbon Card and Porto Card:

• Lisbon

• Porto

This was the first part of our guide, where we looked at the questions to ask before starting to plan a trip to Portugal. In the next part we will dive into the stage of practical decisions - when is the best time to travel in terms of the weather, how to choose flight tickets, what you should know about the airports, and of course, everything related to accommodation and route options such as a star or circular trip. So get ready to go from the dream stage to the practical planning -

Nice to meet you, I'm Ilanit, owner of ILANITRAVEL, a Portugal travel specialist. I accompany families, couples, and individuals in planning their perfect vacation.

I entered the tourism industry out of my love for movement, new experiences, and getting to know cultures and people from around the world. I'm here to help you turn your dream into an unforgettable vacation.

My Services:

Digital Travel Guide to Portugal: Love planning independently? My comprehensive digital guide centralizes all the essential information, tips, and recommendations in one place. Discover Portugal your way, at your pace. [Click here for more details about the digital guide]

Personalized Itinerary Planning: Prefer professional guidance in planning your trip? I'll be happy to create a personalized itinerary based on my experience and deep familiarity with Portugal. [Click here for more details about itinerary planning]

Focused Trip Planning Session: Already started planning and want to fine-tune your route? Book a one-hour personal planning session to get answers, recommendations, and tips that will help you continue planning with full confidence. [Click here for more details about planning sessions]

Come discover the magic of Portugal with me - from the stunning Douro vineyards, through Lisbon's enchanting sunsets, to the endless ocean beaches! 🌟

Ilanit