Portugal is generally considered one of the safer countries in Europe, and most trips are completely trouble-free. The main things to watch are petty theft in busy tourist areas, the power of the Atlantic and a few slippery hills, all of which are easy to manage with some common sense.
Pickpockets and petty theft
Pickpockets work where visitors are distracted and packed together. Take extra care on:
- Tram 28 and Tram 15E, plus crowded metro carriages in Lisbon.
- Baixa, Rossio and the queue for the Santa Justa Lift.
- Busy viewpoints and the Belém monuments.
- Porto's Ribeira waterfront and São Bento station.
Carry a bag that zips and wear it in front of you in crowds, and don't leave your phone on the edge of a café table. On beaches, never leave bags unattended while you swim. Car break-ins happen at beach and viewpoint car parks, so leave nothing on display in a rental car.
Common scams and nuisances
- Street sellers offering drugs in Baixa, Rossio and Bairro Alto: a well-known nuisance. Simply say no and keep walking; don't engage.
- Bill surprises: check your bill for items you didn't order, and remember the couvert is only charged if you eat it.
- Currency conversion at the till: when a card machine or cash machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose euros. Use bank-owned Multibanco machines rather than standalone ones in tourist areas, which can charge higher fees.
- Clipboard collectors: people asking for signatures or donations can be a distraction for a pickpocket working alongside.
- Taxis: use the official rank or a ride app, and make sure the meter is running.
- Rental listings: book accommodation through reputable platforms and never pay a stranger by bank transfer.
Beaches, cliffs and the Atlantic
The ocean is the biggest natural hazard for visitors. Currents and waves can be strong even on calm-looking days, so swim at lifeguarded beaches during the bathing season and follow the flags:
- Red: do not enter the water.
- Yellow: you may paddle at the edge but not swim.
- Green: swimming is allowed.
Algarve cliffs are made of soft rock that can crumble, so stay well back from edges and don't sunbathe directly beneath them. The same goes for windy headlands such as Cabo da Roca. At Nazaré, watch the giant winter waves from the fort, not the shoreline. On Madeira, some levada walks follow narrow paths beside steep drops, so check conditions and closures, particularly after rain.
Health basics
- The sun is strong from spring to autumn: use high-factor sunscreen, wear a hat and drink plenty of water.
- During summer heatwaves, especially inland, rest in the shade through the hottest part of the afternoon.
- Wildfires can affect rural and forested areas in hot, dry spells. Follow local advice and never light fires or barbecues outdoors in risky conditions.
- Pharmacies (farmácias) show a green cross, and pharmacists can help with minor problems. Each area has a duty pharmacy (farmácia de serviço) that stays open late on a rotating basis.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Getting around safely
Portugal's famous patterned pavements turn slippery when wet and are tricky on steep slopes even when dry, so wear shoes with grip. Lisbon's nightlife areas, such as Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, are lively and generally friendly, but get very crowded late at night: keep valuables close, watch your drink and use a ride app to get home. On the road, expect narrow rural lanes, frequent roundabouts and assertive local drivers, and never drink and drive.
Emergency numbers
Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire services; it's the same emergency number used across the European Union. Save your embassy or consulate details, your accommodation address and your insurer's helpline in your phone before you travel, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Stay connected in Portugal
Mobile data is one of the simplest safety tools you can carry: it lets you share your live location with travel companions, navigate home confidently at night, call for a ride instead of hailing on the street and check weather, sea and wildfire updates. Remember that HelloSIM is a data-only eSIM, so keep your own SIM active alongside it for ordinary calls and texts. Install it at home before departure and you'll be online once it connects on arrival.
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