- Emergencies
- 112. 112 is the number for police, ambulance and fire, from any phone. In Lisbon and Porto, tourist police stations help visitors. A pharmacy (green cross) helps with small things.
- Tipping
- Tipping is modest: rounding up or about 5–10% for good table service. Not expected for a coffee or at the counter. Bread, olives and other starters put on the table ('couvert') are charged if you eat them; send them back if you don't want them.
- Cards and cash
- Cards work in most places, though some small cafés and tascas take cash only or have a minimum for cards. Euros. Multibanco ATMs are everywhere; avoid stand-alone 'Euronet' machines, which charge more.
- Phone
- An eSIM bought before you go is usually the cheapest data; most 'Europe' plans cover it (check). MEO, Vodafone and NOS sell prepaid SIMs (some at Lisbon airport); you need your passport to register one.
- Plugs
- Type C, F, 230 V. Two-pin European plugs (Type F 'Schuko'; Type C fits it). Australian and NZ plugs are Type I, so bring an adapter.
- Tourist tax
- Lisbon, Porto, Sintra and several other towns charge a tourist tax, usually €2–4 a person a night for the first few nights, paid at check-in (check).
- The couvert
- Bread, olives or cheese brought to the table aren't free: you pay for what you eat. It's normal to say 'no, thank you'.
- Museums close on Mondays
- Many museums and palaces shut on Mondays (Belém's Jerónimos Monastery among them). Flewaway plans around the days it knows; check before you go.
- Hills and slippery cobbles
- Lisbon and Porto are steep, and the polished stone pavements ('calçada') are slippery when wet. Wear shoes with grip.
- Sintra fills up
- Sintra's palaces use timed tickets and get very busy in summer and at weekends; go early on a weekday and book online.
- Meal times
- Lunch is about 12.30 to 3pm and dinner from 7.30pm. A 'prato do dia' (dish of the day) at lunch is the cheap option.
PortoTiled churches, a river gorge and port cellars, all within walking distance
