The top tourist mistakes in Portugal

Do you want to fit in like a local in Portugal? Follow our tips on how not to look like a tourist in Portugal, and by doing this you'll be able to enjoy everything the country has to offer. These are the the top tourist mistakes in Portugal to avoid. 

Not bringing good walking shoes

While this may sound obvious, bringing good walking shoes with you to Portugal is an absolute must and will make you look like a local. You'll do a lot of walking in Portugal, as this is the best way to discover the country, meaning comfort is key, not to mention that Portugal has a lot of hills. On top of this, shoes with grip are important, as many of Portugal's towns and cities are cobblestoned and can be a little slippery.

Only visiting the Algarve and Lisbon

When hearing the word Portugal, most people will think of the stunning sandy beaches of the Algarve and of the country's capital city, Lisbon. And while these places are among the best places to visit in Portugal, they are by no means the only ones. 

Portugal is a very diverse country with other stunning cities to be explored, such as Porto and Braga, as well as beautiful countryside and wine culture in the Douro Valley, not to mention the Silver Coast which is a great alternative to the Algarve. It's time to head away from Portugal's tourist traps and discover the country like a local! 

Thinking Portuguese is Spanish

Although they are neighbours on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal and Spain are very different countries in many ways, from the food to the landscape. This is especially true when it comes to the language. Portuguese and Spanish are not the same, and while some words may look similar, this doesn't mean you can just speak Spanish and expect the Portuguese to understand. For this reason, it's a great idea to learn a little Portuguese before your trip, and although English levels are generally pretty good in Portugal, some basic Portuguese phrases will go a long way.

Overtipping

Tipping in Portugal is neither extremely necessary nor frowned upon. Unlike countries such as the US, tipping isn't expected or excessive in Portugal, but is always appreciated if you do leave something behind in a restaurant or taxi, for example. You are not obliged to leave a certain percentage of the bill and you will mostly find that Portuguese people will leave a few coins from their change as a tip. 

Not trying the local food

While Portuguese food isn't the most famous around the world, this doesn't mean that it's delicious and you'd certainly be missing out if you didn't give it a go. From Portugal's sweet treats such as Pastéis de Nata, to local cod dishes, trying local food is a great way to explore a country and in Portugal, you're in for a gastronomic treat.

• Check out our Portuguese food tour for a head start. 

Thinking that bread in restaurants is free

We're staying with the topic of food and a tip that will save you from surprises in Portuguese restaurants. In many traditional Portuguese restaurants, bread and maybe even some olives will be brought to your table before your meal. While in many countries this bread is free, this is not often the case in Portugal. It's a good idea to check with the waiter if the bread comes with a cost, and if you don't want to take the risk, you can simply refuse it and the waiter will take it off your bill without any issues. 

• If just going on holiday to Portugal isn't enough and you're thinking of moving to Portugal, then check out our guide to everything you need to know before moving to Portugal.