Portugal

Capital: Lisbon
Population:  10.35 million
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: Portuguese
Drives on the: Right
Time zone: WET (UTC 0)

U.S. citizens must have a passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Portugal for stays up to 90 days. You should have at least 2 blank visa pages in your passport to be stamped upon arrival. See the U.S. Dept. of State website for more information.

If you do not hold a U.S. passport, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and meeting all entry requirements. If a visa is required, we recommend using a fee-based visa service, such as by our preferred provider, VisaHQ.

More information about passports & visas.

Immunizations are not currently required for travel to Portugal.  However, you may wish to consult your personal physician regarding any concerns, or for health recommendations. 

Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization

Portugal has a Mediterranean-like climate. The months of May - June and September – October are ideal times to visit, as the weather is not too hot.  There is heavy rainfall during the months of November – March. The temperature in the winter (December – February) is moderate and usually in the 50’s.In the spring (March – May), the temperature is in the 60’s.In general, the summer is hot and the winter is wet.  The sun is strong, so take along sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of sunscreen. 

Since weather can be unpredictable and to be sure you are comfortable during your trip and prepared for all types of weather possibilities, we suggest that you carry a small folding umbrella and take with you a light jacket or sweater.  If you have two pairs of comfortable (broken in, not brand new) walking shoes, by all means, take both pairs.  Packing to dress in layers is a great way to prepare for a variety of weather conditions.  Finally, remember that comfort and convenience should dictate your wardrobe for the tour, and casual clothes are in order for most every occasion as you travel.

The official currency in Portugal is the Euro.Hotels and some restaurants and stores will accept major credit cards.For street shopping, you will need the local currency. ATMs are available in most major cities.Please notify your bank prior to departure that you will be traveling abroad in order to avoid any issues. 

Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad.

Shop for wine, olive oil, azulejos (colorful ceramic tiles), earthenware, faience (particularly from Coimbra), leather goods (including shoes), antiques, gold and silver filigree (particularly from Minho Province and Oporto), cataplanas (clamshell-shaped copper pans for cooking shellfish and stews), lace, Madeiran embroidery, cork items, Portuguese guitars, and Arraiolos rugs.

230 volts. Plugs C & F. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. View more information about electrical standards around the world.

Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? See our blog posts on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad.

Cameras and video recorders are allowed almost everywhere, and in fact, you will want to take plenty of pictures of the magnificent panoramas you’ll encounter as you travel. Photography is generally permitted everywhere except at airports and military installations. Memory cards for digital cameras will also be readily available, especially in major cities.