By Allison Baxley. This information to touring alone in Portugal incorporates affiliate hyperlinks to trusted companions!
Trying to expertise solo journey in Portugal for your self, however need assistance with the planning?
Then you definately’re in the correct place!
Touring solo in Portugal is straightforward, secure, and extremely rewarding. For such a small nation, you possibly can cowl loads of floor in a brief period of time and luxuriate in a powerful array of historic landmarks, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural experiences.
From castles, palaces, and old-world cities to seashores, waterfront mountaineering trails, and vineyard-flanked rivers, the nation actually has all of it.
And that’s just the start of what to sit up for while you go to Portugal.
Preserve studying to find a few of the finest locations and points of interest to suit into your Portugal solo journey itinerary.
As a neighborhood, I’m excited to share a few of the many particular experiences you possibly can have right here in addition to insider suggestions that may assist make feminine solo journey in Portugal secure, enjoyable, and actually unforgettable.
Fast tip: Whereas Portugal is secure for solo journey, it’s nonetheless good to pack journey security necessities. One high choose is the She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm, which is TSA-approved and will help scare away potential attackers. Different suggestions embrace Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments and Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves.
Table of Contents
Journey Portugal Solo With Confidence [Free Course]
However first, earlier than we get into our solo journey Portugal information, I invite you to seize a seat in Jessie’s free Savvy Solo Traveler E-Course.
The 6-day course is designed that will help you really feel assured about reserving your first ever solo journey and exploring the world alone. If you wish to know how one can journey solo in Portugal, it might probably assist.
Classes embrace:
- Frequent solo journey fears and how one can overcome them
- How to decide on vacation spot
- How one can inform family members you’re hitting the street solo
- Mentally making ready on your solo journey with out dropping your thoughts
- Important steps for staying secure
- How one can take superb solo selfies
When you’ve grabbed your seat, learn on for a Portugal solo journey itinerary and suggestions.
Is Portugal Secure For Solo Feminine Vacationers?
Portugal is among the finest feminine solo journey locations. Not solely is the nation one of many most secure on the planet, however its vibe can be very laid again, instantly placing you comfy. Plus, the ultra-friendly locals will immediately make you’re feeling at dwelling.
Violent crime in Portugal could be very low, and apart from typical precautions vacationers ought to take, Portugal feminine solo vacationers don’t want to fret about exploring this stunning nation safely.
Portugal additionally has tons to supply these touring alone. Digital nomad communities, expat teams, and social golf equipment provide frequent alternatives to fulfill different solo vacationers and locals to plan actions or meetups.
The nation is full of tradition, historical past, stunning landscapes, UNESCO World Heritage websites, nice native meals, scrumptious wine, and pleasant individuals. Irrespective of which nook of Portugal you resolve to discover, you received’t remorse planning a go to. In truth, a solo journey to Portugal will seemingly go away you wishing you may move to Portugal!
The place Is Portugal?
Portugal is a part of Western Europe; but it surely has solely just lately been found by American vacationers in the previous couple of years, regardless of being a preferred respite from the chilly for European vacationers for for much longer.
Situated on the western fringe of the Iberian Peninsula west of Spain and south of France, Portugal shares historical past and a border with Spain, but it surely has a novel id all its personal simply ready to be found by guests.
Getting To Portugal
Portugal has three worldwide airports to select from relying on whether or not you wish to begin your journey within the:
- north (Porto) – Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto Airport)
- south (Faro) – Faro Worldwide Airport
- the capital (Lisbon) – Lisbon Portela Airport (Lisbon Airport)
Lisbon Airport is the most well-liked within the nation and is normally the most cost effective to fly into. TAP Airways additionally gives stopovers in Porto and/or Lisbon in case you’re laying over in your technique to one other solo journey vacation spot.
They’re one of many solely airways that can permit you to cease over in your technique to and out of your vacation spot. This might permit you to cease over in Lisbon and Porto to bookend one other journey!
Getting Round Portugal As A Solo Traveler
Portugal gives a number of modes of transportation for solo feminine vacationers. Trains, planes, and cars are all nice methods to get round this comparatively small nation.
The rail system runs from north to south and thru the most well-liked areas just like the Algarve and might get you to standard spots like Cascais and Sintra.
Lisbon and Porto each have nice subway methods in addition to historic trams and in depth bus routes.
And there are numerous low-cost bus routes to take you round the entire nation.
By far, one of the best ways to see off-the-beaten-path areas is to hire a automobile and drive your self. Driving in Portugal is comparatively straightforward so long as you don’t thoughts navigating slender roads and steep hills. Roundabouts are plentiful, and the tollways are exquisitely maintained making journey on them fast and straightforward.
How one can hire a automobile in Portugal
Have to hire a automobile on your Portugal solo journey? Take a look at Discover Cars to rapidly examine your rental choices.
Their comparability software does the homework for you, so there’s no have to have up 10+ tabs attempting to determine which firm is essentially the most inexpensive. Really, it can save you as much as 70% utilizing their software!
Ideas for renting a automobile and driving in Portugal
- Don’t hire a automobile in Lisbon and Porto—use public transportation and/or stroll
- Do get full-coverage insurance coverage—as you by no means know what can occur whereas driving abroad
- Do splurge on the Via Verde toll tag in case you plan to drive quite a bit as it is going to prevent a great deal of time not having to cease and dig out your cash on the plentiful toll stations
- Automated vehicles can be found however can value considerably extra—go stick in case you can deal with it
- Portuguese drivers wish to go quick, so keep to the correct in case you can’t sustain
- Individuals don’t want a global driver’s license—a legitimate American driver’s license is accepted
Portugal Journey Map
To assist in giving you a lay of the land for exploring this glorious nation, here’s a map:
It has a few of the details of curiosity talked about on this Portugal solo feminine journey information pre-plotted to make it straightforward so that you can switch to your telephone and begin exploring.
Solo Journey In Portugal: The place To Go
Now let’s focus on the place to really go throughout solo journey in Portugal. Whereas there are numerous choices for nice locations, a number of high picks embrace:
Lisbon
On the subject of one of the best locations to go to, most worldwide flights land within the nation’s famous capital city, Lisbon, and this can be a great spot to begin your solo feminine journey in Portugal.
There are lots of museums to peruse, such because the Azulejo Tile Museum or the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT), that are each very a lot value visiting.
Experience the historic 28 Tram to glimpse a few of the metropolis’s finest sights, or stroll by the Graça neighborhood to take a look at a few of the unbelievable road artwork.
Miradouros, or viewpoints, are all over the place all through this metropolis of seven hills. E book an electrical eco-tuk tour and permit your information to indicate you to a few of the finest miradouros in Lisbon.
For those who’d quite store ’til you drop, wander across the Chiado neighborhood or head additional north to Avenida da Liberdade for high-end ateliers.
Strolling is among the finest methods to see Lisbon, however there are additionally public transport trams and the subway in case you favor.
After all, you possibly can all the time rent a automobile utilizing Uber or Bolt (Portuguese Uber). Getting round safely is straightforward, even at evening.
For those who’re feeling peckish, book a local food tour or head all the way down to Time Out Market Lisbon to seize a chew at one of many native distributors after which stroll alongside the waterfront towards Praça do Comércio to soak up the view throughout the river to Almada. From there, meander by the cobblestone streets and hills of standard close by neighborhoods like Baixa, Alfama, and Chiado.
A fast practice or ferry experience will take you throughout the river to the Setúbal Peninsula the place there are superb seashores alongside the Costa da Caparica, or take the 40-minute practice experience alongside the coast to Cascais for a seashore day on this charming seaside city.
Fairytale Sintra is simply an hour’s practice experience away, the place you possibly can whereas the day away within the myriad castles, palaces, and gardens.
Solo journey in Lisbon will be as fast-paced or as gradual as you want. Portuguese individuals are infamous for dwelling gradual and having fun with the second.
Lisbon Lodges: Click here for a full list of hotels in Lisbon. Lisbon Excursions: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Lisbon.
Porto
When you’ve skilled the cosmopolitan vibes of Lisbon, hire a automobile or take the 3-hour practice experience to magical Porto to get pleasure from its riverside setting.
E book a resort overlooking the Douro River, sip Port wine, eat a francesinha (layered, meat-filled sandwich lined in melted cheese and a tomato-based sauce), and head throughout the river to the town of Vila Nova da Gaia to discover the Port wine caves (storage cellars providing excursions and tastings).
Strolling excursions are standard in Porto—and Lisbon for that matter—and there are a number of firms that provide a free strolling tour every morning at a delegated assembly level. It’s an effective way to see the town from the eyes of a neighborhood and an effective way to begin the day!
An unmissable journey is a day journey to the Douro Valley to go to the wineries and do a Port wine tasting.
There are a number of methods to get there, however the most well-liked day journey from Porto is a Douro River cruise. Some choices provide a number of vineyard stops plus lunch and tastings as you’re taking the day to marvel on the stunning panorama of hillside vineyards. It actually is a sight in contrast to some other on the planet!
Porto Lodges: Click here for a full list of hotels in Porto. Porto Excursions: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Porto.
The Algarve
No solo feminine journey in Portugal expertise could be full with no cease, or two, or three within the premier seashore vacation spot of the Algarve area.
Take the scenic drive by the middle of the nation alongside the A1 which connects north to south, or hop on a fast flight from Porto to Faro. From there you possibly can choose up a rental automobile or use the rail system to discover.
The southern coast of Portugal, often known as the Algarve, has been attracting European holidaymakers and expats for some time; however, in recent times has change into extra standard with Individuals as nicely.
Temperate climate year-round makes it an excellent place to go to irrespective of while you go. In truth, visiting the Algarve within the low season can permit you to keep away from the crowds and luxuriate in a few of Europe’s finest seashores all to your self. How’s that for a solo journey win?
Fashionable Algarve locations embrace Lagos, Albufeira, Portimão, and Tavira, however you possibly can’t go flawed with any city on this space, as all of them provide an incredible time.
Algarve solo journey will be superb as you may have the liberty to discover all of the totally different and distinctive cities. Each has its personal distinct character, so it may be enjoyable to beach-hop by a number of till you discover the one which’s best for you.
Algarve Lodges: Click here for a full list of hotels in the Algarve. Algarve Excursions: Click here for a full list of fun tours in the Algarve.
Extra Fashionable Journey Locations In Portugal
The Islands of the Azores & Madeira
Madeira and Azores solo journey has skyrocketed because the islands have change into extra well-known. These are each standard mountaineering and outside locations, so if getting again to nature is your purpose you need to make time to get pleasure from a number of days of Portuguese island life.
Azores Lodges: Click here for a full list of hotels in the Azores. Azores Excursions: Click here for a full list of fun tours in the Azores. Madeira Lodges: Click here for a full list of hotels in Madeira. Madeira Excursions: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Madeira.
Silver Coast
An under-the-radar space in Portugal, the Silver Coast has stunning seashores, charming cities, and a bit extra authenticity than a few of the extra touristy areas.
Take a look at the massive waves at Nazaré, or go for a extra informal surf at a few of the finest surf seashores in Portugal—Peniche and Ericeira.
Caldas da Rainha is close by and gives a style of genuine Portuguese life, and Óbidos is a medieval walled fort city that can make you assume you’re in a Disney film.
Silver Coast Lodges: Click here for a full list of hotels in Nazare. Silver Coast Excursions: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Nazare.
Ideas For Taking A Solo Journey To Portugal
There is no such thing as a scarcity of locations to go to, day journeys to take, castles and palaces to Instagram, conventional and classy eating places to strive, and experiences to have when touring Portugal solo.
Renting a automobile is the best possible technique to get off the crushed path while you go to Portugal. Whereas the rail and bus methods are nice, there are numerous magical locations to see within the nation which are fairly removed from the closest practice station.
That being mentioned, as a result of they don’t seem to be as simply accessed by public transportation, they normally have fewer crowds and really feel extra particular!
And as a bonus for solo vacationers keen to self-drive, you’re the one one in control of the place to go subsequent. That sort of freedom and adaptability goes a good distance in a small nation like Portugal. You can see all 4 corners in only a few weeks in case you put the pedal to the metallic. It’s one of many fundamental advantages of solo journey.
As with all journey, follow warning, particularly at evening, in crowded vacationer spots, and when you end up fully alone. You may also pack some journey security necessities.
That being mentioned, generally Portugal is among the most secure international locations on the planet and gives a secure setting.
Prices Of Solo Journey To Portugal
Lodging
Whereas Portugal will be less expensive than different Western European international locations, it’s actually solely as low-cost as you make it.
One factor to like about journey in Portugal is that there are all the time choices from low- to high-end. A hostel can value as little as €20, and a 5-star resort or resort can run greater than €300 per evening.
Trip leases are usually on the cheaper aspect in comparison with accommodations and the quantity of house you will get, however in case you’re staying in a few of the hottest areas throughout peak season, be ready to pay for high quality.
Meals
The price of meals in grocery shops tends to be less expensive than within the U.S., particularly when you think about natural merchandise; nevertheless, eating places run the gamut.
A conventional Portuguese lunch of soup, fundamental, dessert, and both espresso or a beer/glass of home wine can value as little as €6-10, whereas an natural brunch dish can double that.
There are 1,000,000 native Portuguese eating places to select from, and superb seafood will be cheaper in case you select the correct place; however, it’s also possible to discover tons of Michelin-star eating places too.
The restaurant world actually is your oyster and there are many locations for any funds.
Drinks
You’re in luck in case you’re a beer or wine lover in Portugal. A small draft beer will be as low-cost as €1, and a glass of home wine will run as little as €3.
Even in a pleasant cocktail bar or fancy restaurant, premium drinks are less expensive than in different components of Europe and america, very often coming in beneath €10.
A scrumptious oat milk latte at a classy espresso store will shock you at beneath €5, whereas an espresso, or bica, is normally simply €0,50.
A superb bottle of wine will be purchased within the grocery shops or a nicer wine store for beneath €15. Whereas a really respectable bottle can be bought for €3.
Tipping
Whereas tipping is just not normally anticipated, the Portuguese individuals do admire a small token of your appreciation in case you loved your service. Sometimes, 5-10% of a bigger invoice is acceptable. If it’s a smaller invoice, rounding as much as the closest Euro or leaving your small change will suffice.
At nicer or extra touristy spots a service cost could mechanically be included, so ensure to test your invoice.
Transportation
- E-scooters and bike leases are standard and generally even free.
- Rail tickets, particularly if booked nicely forward, can value pennies on the kilometer.
- Automotive leases within the excessive season will be expensive, as can gasoline/diesel, however provide essentially the most flexibility. Costs for rental vehicles fluctuate with the vacationer season, as can stock, so e book nicely forward of your go to. Through the low season, vehicles will be rented for about €20/day.
- Trams value a substantial quantity extra per experience, however in case you intend to take greater than 3-4 rides throughout a 24-hour interval it makes extra sense to purchase a day go.
Actions
Actions throughout your Portugal journey will be fairly inexpensive as there are numerous suppliers competing for enterprise. For instance, a ship journey to go to Benagil Cave within the Algarve can value as little as €20 per particular person.
Prices of journey in Portugal span a broad vary making it inexpensive for each funds so long as you do your analysis.
Portugal Excursions For Solo Vacationers
After all, there are benefits and downsides to touring alone. Whereas many individuals discover touring solo enjoyable, others would like to have a assured group of companions to discover with.
For those who match into the latter camp, a number of group excursions which have itineraries in Portugal and welcome solo vacationers embrace:
Do You Want Journey Insurance coverage For Portugal?
When visiting Portugal—or wherever else on the planet—it’s smart to get journey insurance coverage.
One of many finest journey medical insurance coverage for vacationers is SafetyWing as they’ve obtained a big community and provide each short-term and long-term protection—together with protection in case you’re touring for months in addition to restricted protection in your house nation.
Moreover, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and gives $250,000 value of protection with only one low total deductible of $250.
Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks.
Incessantly Requested Questions About Solo Journey In Portugal
Q: When is one of the best time to go to Portugal?
When you can go to Portugal any time of 12 months, the spring and fall seasons are usually thought-about one of the best time if you wish to get pleasure from snug climate and plenty of nice issues to do whereas avoiding the summer season crowds and excessive costs. Through the winter months, it’s thought-about too chilly to go to the seashores.
Q: Do locals converse English in Portugal?
English is extensively spoken in Portugal, notably within the massive cities and vacationer locations.
Q: Is it secure to journey Portugal independently?
Portugal is taken into account very secure, and you’ll journey solo with out worrying—although it is best to in fact maintain fundamental security precautions in thoughts.
Last Ideas On Solo Journey In Portugal
As a solo feminine traveler, you don’t have to restrict your self whereas visiting Portugal.
Secure and dependable transportation, welcoming individuals, wealthy historical past and tradition, historic monuments, quite a lot of picturesque landscapes, and burgeoning hipness all make Portugal the following place it is best to go to as a solo feminine traveler.
Whether or not you’re searching for Portugese tradition, historical past, magnificence, or enjoyable, Portugal has all of it. The choices actually are countless!
What would you add to this information to solo journey in Portugal?
Loved this solo feminine journey Portugal information? Pin it for later!
About The Writer
Allison Baxley is a spouse to her highschool sweetheart, mom of two younger youngsters, former promoting artistic director, and creator of RenovatingLife.com. She and her household uprooted their comfortable lives in Brooklyn with a view to begin contemporary in Cascais, Portugal. After dwelling the rat race that’s NYC for 11 years, they determined they wished to decelerate, get pleasure from extra of what the world has to supply, and dwell life with extra intention. Along with her weblog, you could find her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for extra enjoyable Portugal content material.