Portugal FAQs & Recommendations

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Portugal Travel Tips

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1. Portugal uses the TYPE F plug, so don't forget to purchase an outlet adapter + voltage adapter ahead of time! Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3CUkkyX 2. Tipping is not customary or required, but if you do want to leave a tip, cash is typically preferred & 10-15% of the bill is appropriate 3. Olives & snacks will often be offered on the table at restaurants, however, these items are not complimentary, so be prepared to pay if you snack on them 4. Uber & Bolt are the two common rideshare options in Portugal, however Bolt is typically cheaper 5. Portuguese is the national language in Portugal, which is different than Spanish, so if you can, try to learn a few key phrases like "Obrigado/a" ahead of time! 6. Average temperatures across Portugal in December are typically in the high 50's to low 60's and rain is common in the winter months. Most hotel accommodations will have centralized heat, but quintas and other establishments will not, so make sure you bring something warm to cozy up in and possibly a rain jacket if you have one! 7. Lisbon is known as the "city of hills," and Porto has some pretty steep hills too, so be sure to plan accordingly and bring shoes you can walk in easily 8. Be sure to notify your phone service provider of your upcoming travel with the dates and country/ies to ensure you have international cell service when you land 9. There is a 23% VAT (sales tax) in Portugal 10. The national currency in Portugal is the Euro

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Famous Sites & Attractions in Porto

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PORTO ICONIC SIGHTS • McDONALD'S ALIDOS: Considered to be the most beautiful McDonald's in the world. • MAJESTIC CAFE: Cafe that was opened in 1921 where J.K. Rowling was rumored to have spent time writing part of the Harry Potter series. • LIVRARIA LELLO: Bookstore that is rumored to have inspired J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. • SAO BENTO TRAIN STATION: Located in the historic centre, this train station is a national monument and UNESCO world heritage site. known for being one of the most beautiful train stations, it's interior hall is decorated with a display of over 20,000 hand-painted blue & white azulejos tiles. Also, rumored to have inspired the Kings Crossing train station in Harry Potter. • CAPELA DAS ALMAS: Also known as the "Chapel of Souls," this site, located off Santa Caterina street, is one of the most well-known landmarks in Porto. its best known for the stunning exterior tiled in traditional blue and white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from the lives of saints. • CLERIGOS TOWER: Porto's signature landmark is the 249 ft baroque tower that was designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 1700s, and offers visitors incredible views of the city atop a 225-step climb to the top. • VILA NOVA DE GAIA: District that is South of the Douro River and home to wine cellars where port wine is stored and aged. • DOM LUIS I BRIDGE: Double decker bridge constructed in 1886 that connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia and was once the longest type of this bridge in the world. • MIRADOURO DA SERRA DO PILAR: Panoramic viewpoint that is free to visit, located in Gaia, near the Luís I bridge and Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar monastery, and offers some of the best views of Porto, Gaia, and the Douro River. • PORTO CATHEDRAL: Largest church in Porto dating back to the 12th century • RUA DE SANTA CATERINA: One of Porto's busiest and most famous pedestrian shopping streets. • AVE DOS ALIADOS: A street that is considered Porto's city center.

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Porto Famous Foods

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PORTO FOODS TO TRY {Highly Recommended Restaurants Listed Below Each} 1. PASTEIS DE NATA: Portuguese egg custard tart. • Castro • Manteigaria 2. BIFANA SANDWICH: Traditional Portuguese sandwich with marinated pork, garlic, white wine, and spices atop a toasted white roll. • Conga • Casa Guedes 3. CACHORRINHOS: Porto-style hot dog. Portuguese snack made with a crispy bread roll stuffed with two types of sausage and can be ordered with cheese. • Gazela - recommended by Anthony Bourdain *cash only* 4. FRANCESINHA: A sandwich with ham, sausage, and steak, covered in melted cheese and tomato sauce. • Yuko Tavern - local francesinha place • Cervejaria Brasao - library themed restaurant with francesinha • Londrina • Cafe Santiago • Lado B 5. BACALHAU: Codfish, which is a staple in Portuguese cuisine. Also, bolinhos de bacalhau which are fried codfish cakes. • Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau 6. SARDINES: Grilled, fried, or canned. *Matosinhos - Fishing neighborhood just outside Porto 7. PREGO EM PRATO: A steak sandwich served with fries and rice. 8. ALHEIRA: A delicious Portuguese sausage. 9. CALDO VERDE: Cabbage soup which originated in Northern Portugal 10. VINHO VERDE: Famous "green wine" 11. PORT WINE: Wine produced in the Douro Valley region of Portugal 12. SUPER BOCK: Local beer in Porto

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Restaurant & Bar Recommendations in Porto

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BREAKFAST + COFFEE IN PORTO • My Coffee Porto: coffee with a view of the Douro River • Do Norte Cafe: Light bites & American breakfast options • Delta the Coffee Experience: Coffee & breakfast, located off Santa Caterina street • Honest Greens: Healthy breakfast & coffee with vegetarian options LUNCH + DINNER IN PORTO • Mercado do Bolhao: Local farmers market with various food vendors, fresh fish and produce • Mercado Bom Sucesso: Another local indoor farmers market • PapaVinhos: Excellent choice for traditional Portuguese fare • Adega São Nicolau: Traditional Portuguese restaurant with views of the Douro River • Ristorante RC: Restaurant that offers live Fado music • Cervejaria Brasao: Library themed restaurant with various Portuguese options • Mistu: World fusion restaurant near the Douro River *book in advance* • Linha 22: Portuguese petiscos & Spanish-style tapas • Restaurante Os Lusiadas: Upscale seafood restaurant in the nearby fishing village of Matosinhos, featured by the popular YouTube food tourist, Mark Weins • Marisqueria dos Pobres: Approachable local seafood restaurant in the nearby fishing village of Matosinhos BARS + WINERIES IN PORTO • Capela Incomum: Old chapel converted into a wine bar • TerraPlana: Pizza & classic cocktails • Taylor's Port House: One of the best and most well-known Port houses in Vila Nova de Gaia, offering self-guided tours • Adriano Ramos Pinto: Another winery near Porto in Vila Nova de Gaia • Ferreira: Port house in Vila Nova de Gaia with roots relating back to Portuguese history from the XIX century • Big Bad Bank Bar: Old bank converted into a cocktail bar • Plano B: Trendy bar with DJs • Bonaparte: Super cool Porto pub • Fe Wine Club: Jazz, wine, and tapas bar until midnight, then turns into a vintage house music night club after midnight • Gare Club: Best club for EDM lovers • Hard Club: Club featuring any kind of music that isn't mainstream • Idle Club de Fado: Bar with live fado music

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Portugal Facts

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PORTUGAL HISTORY + FACTS 1. Portugal is the 4th safest country in the world 2. Portugal's national drink & most famous export is port wine 3. Over half of the world's cork comes from Portugal 4. Portugal is the oldest nation-state in Europe, founded in 1143 5. Portugal is the seafood capital of Europe 6. The national colors of Portugal are red & green 7. Portugal is known for it's bacalhau (salted cod) 8. Lisbon is home to the world's oldest bookshop, Livraria Bertrand, established in 1732