Portugal Travel Advice

Passport & Visas

If you are travelling to Portugal from a country whose citizens are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement, you can generally visit Portugal for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism and other permitted short stays without applying for a visa. Travellers whose nationality requires a visa must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa before travelling. Applications should generally be submitted no later than 15 days before the intended journey and no earlier than six months before travel.

Travellers to Portugal must have a passport or travel document that is valid for at least three months after their intended departure from the Schengen Area, issued within the previous 10 years, and containing at least two blank pages. If your trip includes Portugal and other Schengen countries, you should apply through the country that is your main destination or where you will spend the longest part of your stay.

Check with your embassy or your official government website for regulations. Bear in mind that our Portugal travel advice is for guidance only. You are advised to check the details as it is your responsibility to have all the official documents ready before traveling.

You can consult the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. We recommend all travelers to check their Government National Travel Advisory prior to their departure: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA 

Travel Insurance 

You need to have valid and adequate travel insurance before your tour with Travel Talk begins. It is your responsibility to have your insurance ready, but we are more than happy to provide you with guidance in the process. You can visit our travel insurance page for more details. 

When to Go

High Season

The best time to visit Portugal depends on the type of trip you have in mind, but spring through early autumn offers a particularly appealing combination of warm weather, longer days, and plenty to see and do. From the historic streets of Lisbon and Porto to the beaches of the Algarve and the vineyards of the Douro Valley, this period makes it easy to combine cultural sightseeing with time outdoors. Summer is the busiest season, especially in the Algarve and along the Atlantic coast, where travellers arrive for beach holidays, water activities, and long evenings by the sea. Coastal temperatures often sit around 25-30°C in summer, while inland areas can become significantly hotter.

April to June brings a more relaxed side of Portugal, with mild temperatures, greener landscapes, and comfortable conditions for discovering the country’s cities and countryside. It is an excellent period for visiting Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, the Douro Valley, and the Algarve, whether you are interested in historic landmarks, local cuisine, scenic excursions, or outdoor experiences. Temperatures generally range from around 15–25°C, although conditions vary by region, making late spring particularly comfortable for travelling around Portugal.