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Where Are the Portuguese Traveling Abroad on Holiday?

Becky Gillespie
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Where Are the Portuguese Traveling Abroad on Holiday?

Although summer tourist season is still in full swing in Portugal, many Portuguese families are already planning their next trips, and, increasingly, they are going abroad.

Recent data show that Portuguese residents are traveling abroad in record numbers, with the appetite for foreign destinations continuing to rise despite higher prices. In fact, travel agencies have reported a 30 percent increase in bookings for the year-end holidays compared to 2024. While Portugal itself continues to enjoy strong domestic tourism, with the Portuguese still making up 30% of the domestic market, many families are looking further afield when planning their holidays.

Why More Portuguese Are Traveling Abroad

There are several reasons for this growth in outbound travel for the Portuguese. One is the simple fact that travel has become a cultural priority. As Pedro Costa Ferreira, president of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT), recently noted, once basic needs are met, the Portuguese increasingly turn to travel as their next great ambition.

Another factor is economic. The Euro has remained strong against many currencies, which stretches the purchasing power of Portuguese tourists in destinations outside the eurozone. That strength makes trips to countries such as Thailand, Morocco, or even Japan relatively more affordable than they might be for visitors from weaker-currency nations. Japan, in particular, has been a popular destination, after the yen weakened considerably in 2022.

Finally, there is the pull of post-pandemic wanderlust. After years of restrictions, Portuguese travelers are eager to indulge in experiences they may have put off, whether that means a luxury escape to Dubai, a Caribbean cruise, or a family Christmas in Brazil.

The Rise of Luxury Travel

One of the most striking trends in 2025 is the rise of luxury travel among Portuguese tourists. High-end trips to destinations such as Dubai, Japan, and Thailand are increasingly popular. While the average Portuguese family may still opt for a sunny week in Cabo Verde or a charter package to Tunisia, those with greater disposable income are splurging on long-haul adventures or once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Ferreira points out that this mirrors wider consumption patterns in Portugal: luxury dining, high-end housing, and premium experiences are growing faster than the mainstream market. While increasing wealth inequality may play a role, the reality is that all segments of Portuguese society are showing an increased appetite for travel. Even households with more modest incomes are finding ways to travel abroad, often through competitive travel packages or promotional discounts.

The Usual Favorites – Brazil, Cabo Verde, Madeira, and the Azores

When it comes to familiar favorites, Brazil remains at the top of the list. Shared language and cultural ties make it a natural choice, especially for families visiting relatives or hoping to soak up the energy of Rio and São Paulo. The Brazilian coast offers sun and samba, while the Amazon and Iguaçu Falls cater to those looking for adventure.

Cabo Verde is another strong contender. Its beaches and Creole culture offer both an exotic escape and hospitality, all within a relatively short flight from Lisbon. Likewise, Madeira and the Azores, though technically Portuguese territory, function as holidays abroad for mainland Portugal residents by offering subtropical weather, exotic landscapes, and excellent value.

Tarrafal, Santiago Island, Cape Verde, DepositPhotos.com

Short-Haul Adventures – North Africa and the Mediterranean

For families wanting a quick escape without breaking the budget, North Africa and the Mediterranean remain attractive. Tunisia and Egypt, with their mix of culture and beach time, have surged in popularity. Morocco has also become a favorite with short, affordable flights, excellent food, and the allure of Marrakech’s souks or Essaouira’s coastal charm.

Within Europe, Italy, Croatia, and Albania are the top choices for the Portuguese. Affordable travel packages and expanding flight routes mean that Croatia and Albania are no longer considered niche. Albania, in particular, has been described as the “new Croatia,” with pristine beaches, low prices, and a sense of discovery that appeals to younger travelers.

Dougga, Tunisia, DepositPhotos.com

The Caribbean Dream

For long-haul getaways, the Caribbean continues to be a top winter escape for Portuguese families. Flights to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Cuba remain popular and all-inclusive packages that appeal to both families and couples remain popular. The mix of guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear water, and affordable prices explains why the Caribbean consistently appeals to the Portuguese.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, DepositPhotos.com

Why Not the United States?

One notable shift, however, is the decline in Portuguese tourism to the United States. Historically, destinations like New York, Miami, and Orlando have been popular with Portuguese visitors, but fewer Portuguese are making the trip today.

Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Orlando, Florida, DepositPhotos.com

You may already be able to guess a major reason for this. Despite a stronger Euro compared the US dollar, the stories of visitors to the US encountering immigration issues, including being detained in immigration centers for hours or even days, has made international travelers around the world skittish. Even though tourists are not the primary targets of such enforcement, the general atmosphere of suspicion and the possibility of intrusive questioning at airports have scared many travelers away.

At the same time, Portuguese tourists can often enjoy better value in destinations where the Euro stretches further. Spending two weeks in Thailand, with luxury accommodation and dining, can cost the same or even less than a shorter stay in the U.S. This difference in cost is not lost on travelers comparing their options.

Who Is Traveling and When?

The profile of the Portuguese holidaymaker is also changing. Families with school-age children tend to travel in summer, while New Year’s escapes are more common among couples, child-free travelers, or parents whose children are grown. These shorter breaks, often around the holiday season, are becoming a hallmark of a wealthier and more flexible demographic.

Interestingly, many of those traveling abroad at year’s end are the same families who already took summer vacations abroad. The dual-holiday trend suggests a growing confidence in household budgets and an increasing prioritization of travel as a lifestyle choice.

Rising Prices but Strong Demand

One of the most surprising aspects of this surge is that it comes despite rising prices. The global travel industry is grappling with higher costs such as airfare, hotels, and even staff shortages that push up package prices. However, none of this has slowed Portuguese demand. On the contrary, agencies report record bookings and, in some cases, year-on-year growth of 15 percent in revenue.

Promotional deals and an expanded range of destinations have helped balance things out. In some cases, travelers find that a package to Tunisia or Albania is cheaper than a domestic holiday in the Algarve. That reality makes it difficult to say that Portuguese tourists are abandoning their own country. Rather, they are simply broadening their horizons and being more financially savvy.

A Culture of Exploration

Ultimately, the record-breaking surge in foreign travel reflects a cultural shift in Portugal. Once known for being a country of emigrants who left for work, Portugal is now becoming a nation of explorers by choice. Travel has become a marker of success, a way to connect with global culture, and, for many, an expression of freedom.

From luxury shopping in Dubai to salsa dancing in Cuba, Portuguese travelers are embracing a wider world than ever before. And, with a strong Euro, expanding flight options, and a hunger for new experiences, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.

The History of MB WAY: Portugal’s Money Transfer System

Becky Gillespie
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The History of MB WAY: Portugal’s Money Transfer System

MB WAY is Portugal’s everyday money-transfer and mobile payments app, built by SIBS, the company behind the country’s Multibanco network. With MB WAY, you can send money from one phone number to another by connecting your phone number to your Portuguese bank account.

Once you become a resident in Portugal, life will become much easier once you sign up for MB WAY. And the great news? It’s free! Let’s take a look at the history of the service, how it functions, how to sign up, where you can use it, the perks you can unlock, and where MB WAY is heading next.

History

MB WAY was created and is operated by SIBS (Sociedade Interbancária de Serviços), the Portuguese interbank processor that also runs the Multibanco ATM and POS network. SIBS began experimenting with mobile access to Multibanco services as early as the 1990s under “TeleMultibanco,” later “MB Phone,” and launched MB WAY as a branded mobile wallet in 2015.

By growing out of the trusted Multibanco rails that Portuguese banks already used, MB WAY arrived with broad bank support from day one. SIBS today describes MB WAY as its most modern and complete payment app. Once you use MB WAY (and see how easy it is), you may agree that it is truly one of Portugal’s best modern inventions. 

A quick timeline:

1985–2000s: Multibanco builds a capable national ATM and POS network, offering bill pay, top-ups, ticketing, and more.
1996–2014: Mobile access appears as TeleMultibanco and later MB Phone, the precursor to today’s MB WAY app.
2015: SIBS launches MB WAY with core features like in-store QR and NFC payments, online checkout via phone number, instant peer-to-peer transfers, MB NET virtual cards, cardless ATM cash-out, and using an ATM with your phone.
2019 onwards: New features arrive such as cardless “Utilizar MULTIBANCO” for ATM access via QR, the “Ser Solidário” donation menu, MB WAY wearables, and even iPhone NFC support!

How MB WAY Works

MB WAY links your mobile number to a bank card from a participating Portuguese bank. Once paired, you can authenticate with a six-digit MB WAY PIN or biometrics and use the app to perform a variety of actions. You can send and request money instantly to your phone numbers without needing to type IBANs. Transfers clear in seconds on the same rails Portuguese banks use for instant payments. Note: the only time we have had any issues with this is when we try to send an MB WAY payment in the middle of the night. It might not always work because the Portuguese bank rails may also be closed for maintenance!

You can pay in stores by scanning a QR code on the payment terminal, tapping with NFC on Android or iPhone, or telling the cashier your phone number and confirming the payment on your device. You can also pay online by selecting MB WAY at checkout, entering your mobile number, and confirming the push notification in the app, with no card numbers required.

The app allows you to generate MB NET virtual cards for safer online shopping, either single-use, merchant-locked, or recurring. You can withdraw cash and use ATMs without your card by creating a one-time code in the app or scanning a QR code to unlock full ATM functionality. It is also possible to split bills among up to 14 people, with MB WAY calculating and requesting each share, and to donate to charities via the “Ser Solidário” menu. For those who prefer not to carry their phone, MB WAY can be paired with a wearable known as MB WAY pulse, which allows payment even when the phone is off or has no battery!

Where Can You Use MB WAY

In Portugal, MB WAY works virtually everywhere. Because it uses the same SIBS and Multibanco infrastructure that underpins POS terminals nationwide, you will find MB WAY acceptance across supermarkets, cafés, taxis, delivery apps, and e-commerce checkouts! It also accounts for a large share of Portuguese e-commerce transactions thanks to the quick mobile number confirmation flow.

How to Sign up for MB WAY

Enrolment is designed to be secure and quick. The most common and widely supported path begins at a Multibanco ATM. Insert your bank card, choose “MB WAY,” enter your mobile number, and create a six-digit MB WAY PIN. Some banks also allow you to start the process in their own app, but ATM enrolment works across most banks.

Next, install the MB WAY app for iOS or Android. Open the app, enter the same mobile number and MB WAY PIN you set at the ATM, and complete activation with the SMS code and a quick email verification. From here, you can add additional bank cards, turn on Face or Touch ID, set security limits, and, if desired, order and pair an MB WAY pulse wearable.

Special Features

MB WAY includes a number of extra features that go beyond basic transfers. The bill-splitting function lets you select contacts, enter the total, and have MB WAY request each person’s share, with funds arriving instantly once confirmed. The cardless ATM access feature allows you to unlock full ATM functionality by scanning a QR code from the app, which is useful if you have forgotten your wallet. MB NET virtual cards let you shop online more securely by creating a card number for one-time or specific use. Wearables like MB WAY pulse allow you to pay even without your phone, and the donation hub, “Ser Solidário,” enables quick charitable contributions directly from the app.

MB WAY also runs regular promotions and partner discounts, which is visible in the app’s Promos section. These include percentage-off deals, vouchers, free deliveries, and sometimes cashback linked to themed campaigns such as holidays or summer events. Offers vary seasonally, and it is worth checking before you make larger purchases. MB WAY also sends offers via text, so keep an eye on these and you might snag a great deal. 

Expansion to Other Countries

MB WAY itself remains a Portuguese service operated by SIBS, but through EuroPA, it is gaining the ability to communicate with other national wallets. After successful pilots in late 2024, instant transfers between MB WAY in Portugal, Bizum in Spain and Andorra, and Bancomat Pay in Italy began rolling out in 2025. The next wave is expected to include Vipps MobilePay in the Nordics and BLIK in Poland. This would allow you to send money from Portugal to those users by mobile number just as easily as to someone within Portugal! 

Practical Tips for New Users

The most universal way to sign up is to enroll at an ATM before activating the app. Once set up, enable biometric login and consider setting transaction limits, especially if you use MB WAY pulse. Look for MB WAY as a payment option both online and in shops. If you do not see it on a website, you can still pay by generating an MB NET virtual card. If you are traveling to Spain or Italy, try a small transfer to a friend who uses Bizum or Bancomat Pay to make sure your EuroPA setup is ready.

Final Thoughts

MB WAY is Portugal’s everyday wallet developed from the country’s uniquely capable Multibanco system. It was designed and run by SIBS and is now expanding across Europe! It is simple to join, works almost everywhere in Portugal, includes thoughtful extras like MB NET and cardless ATM access, and often rewards users with rotating discounts and cashback. If you are a resident of Portugal and have still not signed up for MB WAY, what are you waiting for?

Fast Facts: MB WAY at a Glance

  • MB WAY was launched in 2015 by SIBS, the same company that operates the Multibanco ATM and payment network in Portugal.
  • It links your mobile number to your bank card so you can send and receive money instantly, pay in stores or online, split bills, withdraw cash without a card, donate to charity, and shop more securely with virtual cards.
  • You can sign up at a Multibanco ATM by linking your card to your mobile number and creating a PIN. Then, you can finish activation in the MB WAY app.
  • The service works almost everywhere in Portugal and is increasingly connected to similar wallets abroad through the European Payments Alliance.
  • Regular in-app promotions offer discounts, vouchers, or cashback for paying with MB WAY.

João, Maria, and Tiago: The Rules about Choosing Baby Names in Portugal

Becky Gillespie
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João, Maria, and Tiago: The Rules about Choosing Baby Names in Portugal

If you’ve spent any time in Portugal, you’ve probably met a lot of Joãos: João Pedro, João Tiago, João Paulo, etc. As you stay longer in the country, you will notice that it is the same for women: with Inês, Maria, and Joana being three of the most common. So why does it seem like so many Portuguese people have the same name? Once you hear the answer, it all starts to make sense.

Portugal actually regulates baby names more than many countries do and has long-standing rules about what you can call a child, how many names you can put together, and even how and when you register the name. Although this list is 88 pages long, it is not the ultimate authority and does not include everything. You should always check with the local notary in case the name you wish to give your child is not on the list.

Below is a friendly guide to how it all works today, what happens if you want something unusual, and the most popular names in the country right now. (Yes, Maria was still the queen in 2024.)

The Official List of Portuguese Baby Names

Portugal maintains an official, searchable list of permitted given names (prenomes) and publishes rules for creating a person’s full name. The idea is to keep names compatible with Portuguese language and customs (think spelling, pronunciation, and gender clarity) while still allowing space for tradition and family heritage. While this used to be the case, now you can technically name your child with any name that a Portuguese citizen has (regardless if they were born in Portugal), as you can see from the list. In practice, this means the following:

  • Given names should be Portuguese or adapted to Portuguese spelling and pronunciation; they should not create doubt about the child’s sex.
  • Some foreign names are allowed as-is (no adaptation) when there’s a foreign tie: if the child was born abroad, has another nationality in addition to Portuguese, or if one parent is foreign/has another nationality.
  • A full legal name can contain up to six words: a maximum of two given names (first name and what English speakers might think of as a middle name) and up to four surnames. Little connectors such as de, da, do, and e don’t count toward the total. Composite names like São-José or Corte-Real count as a single word.

Portugal has regulated names for over a century with rules evolving along with language reforms and social change. The legal framework has consistently aimed to protect linguistic clarity and avoid names deemed inappropriate or confusing, while gradually opening to foreign forms for families with international ties.

First Names

Because Portuguese is a gendered language, your child’s given name must clearly indicate their sex. No unisex names are permitted. The spelling must match Portuguese orthography, and foreign names can be adapted for both pronunciation and spelling to fit the language. If there’s a qualifying international connection (birth abroad, another nationality, or a foreign parent), the original form can be kept. For example, before it was added to the list of official names due to a precedent from a foreign-connected child, “Sam” wouldn’t pass because it’s ambiguous, but “Samson” for a boy or “Samantha” for a girl would be approved.

One quirky rule: you can’t give a child the exact same name as a living sibling. The only exception is if the older child has passed away before the birth.

Surnames

Legally, surnames are usually drawn from the parents’ own names, but they can also be taken from grandparents or other ancestors if you can document the family connection. You’re allowed up to four surnames in total, which can be either simple or hyphenated. Words that are normally given names can be used as surnames if they appear in the family’s existing names.

While the law sets the maximum number, it doesn’t dictate the order. Traditionally, many Portuguese families place the mother’s final surname before the father’s final surname, but this is tradition rather than the law. Some families follow a more elaborate ancestral pattern, including all four grandparents’ surnames in a specific order, but again, that’s a cultural habit, not a legal requirement.

If both parents share a surname, you can repeat it or alternate it within the child’s name. And in marriage, spouses can add each other’s surnames, which is the only time someone can legally exceed the four-surname limit.

In daily life, most people use the final one or two surnames, but all the others are still part of the legal name. That’s why “middle name” isn’t really a separate legal field here; the second “first name” (e.g., Maria Inês, João Pedro) is just part of your given names.

What if I don’t want a name from “the list”?

If your chosen name isn’t on the list, the registrar (conservador) will review it against the rules: Is it in Portuguese or suitably adapted? Does it indicate gender? Is the spelling correct? For families with a foreign connection, exceptions are often possible. Without that link, the registrar can reject names that don’t fit the guidelines.

The rules apply to anyone registering a birth in Portugal, but families with qualifying foreign ties can often bypass some of the restrictions.

The 5 most popular baby names in Portugal (2024)

The most recent 2024 data available show Maria and Francisco as the top female and male names, respectively. Here are the top five for each:

Girls (2024)

  1. Maria
  2. Alice
  3. Benedita
  4. Matilde
  5. Leonor

Boys (2024)

  1. Francisco
  2. Lourenço
  3. Vicente
  4. Tomás
  5. João

How and when to register a baby’s name in Portugal

You can register a birth at the hospital or maternity ward at a Nascer Cidadão counter, or online via government services. It’s free. If you don’t register in-hospital, you must do so within 20 days at any civil registry office or online. Along with the registration, you can request the baby’s first Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão), which will be mailed to your address.

Are babies born to foreign parents in Portugal automatically citizens?

Not automatically, but there are pathways depending on parental residency. Since 2006, Portugal has had a modified jus soli approach. A child born in Portugal to non-citizen parents can acquire Portuguese citizenship if at least one parent has legally resided in the country for a certain minimum time by the child’s birth.

Under Organic Law 2/2018, the residency requirement was reduced to just 2 years of legal residence for a parent. Many sources continue to cite a 1-year residency rule as of early 2025.

Thus, depending on the interpretation and whether updates are applied immediately, the required parental residency ranges between 1 to 2 years.

Citizenship by declaration (not fully automatic)

A child born in Portugal to foreign parents who meet the residency requirement does not automatically acquire citizenship; instead, citizenship is granted through a formal declaration registered with the civil registry.

Simplified breakdown:

  • Automatic at birth → If one parent is a Portuguese citizen.
  • Eligible by declaration → If a foreign parent has legally resided in Portugal for enough years (1–2 years) at the time of birth. The child can then be declared Portuguese.
  • Stateless children born in Portugal automatically gain citizenship.

Can you legally change your name later?

Yes! Portuguese law allows name changes, but not automatically. You must apply through the civil registry and show a valid reason under Article 104 of the Civil Registry Code. There’s a special, free procedure when the change is connected to a legal change of sex designation.

It’s official! Cristiano Ronaldo is engaged!

Becky Gillespie
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It’s official! Cristiano Ronaldo is engaged!

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most famous athletes in the world, is officially engaged for the first time! The 40-year-old Portuguese footballer proposed to his longtime partner, Georgina Rodríguez, after eight years together.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, Rodríguez, 31, announced the exciting news on Instagram by sharing a close-up photo of an absolutely massive oval-shaped diamond engagement ring (more on that later). In the background, part of Ronaldo’s hand could be seen. Her caption, translated from Spanish, read: “Yes I do. In this and in all my lives.”

The post quickly racked up the likes worldwide and has received more than 14 million at the time of this writing from celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury.

Relationship Timeline

Ronaldo and Rodríguez first met in 2016 at a Gucci store in Madrid, where Rodríguez was working as a sales assistant. They began dating shortly afterwards and initially kept their relationship mostly private.

Their first public appearance together was in January 2017 at the Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich, Switzerland. Later that year, they began sharing photos together on social media.

In her 2022 Netflix documentary I Am Georgina, Rodríguez described the early days of their relationship, which included moments when Ronaldo picked her up from work in luxury cars. Ronaldo, speaking in the same documentary, said he had not expected to meet someone so important to him, but that he quickly realized she was “the woman of my life.”

Family Life

The couple have two children together:

  • Alana Martina, born in November 2017 (now 7)
  • Bella Esmeralda, born in April 2022 (now 3)

Ronaldo has three other children:

  • Cristiano Jr., born in June 2010 (now 15)
  • Twins Eva Maria and Mateo, born in June 2017 (now 8, via surrogate)

In April 2022, the couple announced the death of their newborn son, Ángel, who was Bella’s twin. In a joint statement at the time, they described it as “the greatest pain that any parents can feel” and thanked the medical staff for their care.

Rodríguez later discussed the loss in the second season of I Am Georgina in 2023. In one episode, she described how Ronaldo encouraged her to continue with her life and focus on their family.

And What About That Incredible Ring?

For the most popular sports figure in the world, you would expect an engagement ring of truly epic proportions – and Cristiano Ronaldo delivered! We’re seriously not sure how Georgina can hold her hand up with this beast of a rock on her finger!

The ring has not surprisingly garnered significant attention from jewelry experts for both its size and quality. Appraisers estimate the central diamond to be between 25 and 60 carats, with some suggesting it could be as large as 55 to 60 carats. This makes it larger than the famous sparklers given to Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian, and Lauren Sánchez.

The oval brilliant-cut stone holds a D color grade, the highest possible, and a clarity rating of VVS1 or better, meaning it has only the tiniest of imperfections that are difficult to see even under magnification. It is set in platinum in a three-stone design, with the center diamond held in a double-claw mount and flanked by two matching oval side stones. Experts estimate its value to be between $2.5 million and $5 million, and some are placing it closer to $3 million, describing it as among the rarest and most exquisite diamonds in the world. The jeweler responsible for creating the ring has not yet been identified.

We also wonder if Ronaldo himself might be wearing an engagement ring. While no images have surfaced yet, it would certainly bring even more attention to the couple, though it is unlikely he would wear one during a match on the soccer field.

Career and Current Life

Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. In June 2025, he confirmed that he will remain with the club until 2027, which put an end to speculation that he might retire.

Since his move to Saudi Arabia in January 2023, Ronaldo and Rodríguez have been living in Riyadh with their children. Rodríguez continues to work as a model and influencer and has taken part in television programs including her Netflix series.

What About the Wedding?

The couple has not shared any information about wedding plans or a date, and, given their high profile, there is speculation about whether they will opt for a large public celebration or a private ceremony.

Now that the couple are engaged, the speculation will begin as where the wedding will take place. Will it be an epic ceremony on the scale of Jeff Bezos’s recent nuptials? Will it be in Portugal? Will it take place in Spain or the UK? Argentina? Will it take place in Saudi Arabia where the couple currently live? Or in one of the countries where they currently own property? At this point, it’s anyone’s guess! Of course, we here at Portugal.com are incredibly biased and would love for the wedding to be anywhere in Portugal! 

For now, the engagement marks a personal milestone for Ronaldo and Rodríguez and adds a new chapter to their relationship that has grown alongside Ronaldo’s multiple career achievements. 

Planning a Summer Trip to Portugal? Here Is How to Ensure the Most Comfortable Experience

Becky Gillespie
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Planning a Summer Trip to Portugal? Here Is How to Ensure the Most Comfortable Experience

Summer in Portugal is not what it used to be. Since tourism exploded post-pandemic, the crowds in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve have gotten much bigger, summers seem to be getting hotter each year, and the fire risk continues to grow. As someone who has lived here for the past five summers, I’ve noticed some consistent patterns over the last few years and becoming aware of these trends can help people better plan for a summer trip to Portugal.

The good news? With a few smart adjustments to your travel plans, you can avoid the biggest frustrations and enjoy a much more comfortable trip. Here are my top tips for navigating a summer visit to Portugal.

1. Make Sure Your Accommodation Has Air Conditioning (Or at Least a Fan)

At this point, it’s simply too hot to gamble on surviving a Portuguese summer without air conditioning. While some accommodations in Lisbon, Porto, and along the coast offer A/C or a cool breeze coming off the ocean, many traditional apartments do not. Trust me, due to the lack of insulation, when it is over 23° C (73° F) in your accommodation at night, it becomes very difficult to sleep – fan or no fan. You can open a window, but what if one of Portugal’s annoying sounds keep you awake? If your booking doesn’t mention air conditioning, confirm it with the host or hotel before you lock in your reservation.

If there’s no A/C, insist on having a fan ready for your arrival. Don’t assume one will magically appear. Portugal is not a country where every home keeps extra fans in the closet. If you arrive without one, you’ll find them in larger retail chains such as Worten, Leroy Merlin, or Continente in Colombo Shopping Centre. Check out our guide to finding everyday items in Lisbon for more help. 

Pro tip: Request a room or apartment on the lowest possible floor. Heat rises, and in Portugal’s many older buildings, elevators can be slow, unreliable, or entirely absent.

Turning on the air conditioning, DepositPhotos.com

2. Avoid Flights on Friday to Sunday 

Weekend flights in the summer are a gamble this year, with repeated airport strikes from Friday to Sunday affecting multiple weekends. Cancellations and delays have been common and has left travelers scrambling for alternatives.

The safest days to fly are Tuesday through Thursday. Monday is your next-best option. A practical plan: fly in on a Thursday, enjoy a long weekend, and fly out Monday or Tuesday to avoid the chaos.

Lisbon Airport, DepositPhotos.com

3. Be Aware of Portuguese Summer Holidays

Local holidays can make or break your travel plans, especially when they come with higher prices, closed attractions, or transit strikes.

For 2026, here’s what to watch out for:

  • June 4 – Portugal Day (national)

  • June 10 – Camões Day (national)

  • June 13 – St. Anthony’s Day (Lisbon only)

  • June 24 – St. John’s Day (Porto only)

  • August 15 – Assumption Day (national)

If you’re in Lisbon during the second week of June, expect higher prices, lack of housing availability, and the possibility of a metro strike on the night of June 12. If you want to join the Santo António festivities that night, stay in or near Alfama so you can walk back, as getting transport home will be nearly impossible.

In August, particularly around August 15, expect many museums (including the palaces in Sintra) to close. The second week of August is also one of the most common times for businesses to shut for staff holidays.

Photo by Hannah Dalke

4. Be Aware of the Fire Risk in Rural Areas

Portugal’s wildfire season peaks in July and August, particularly in the central and northern regions. Fires can quickly lead to road closures, power cuts, and evacuations. The same risks apply in parts of Madeira and the Azores.

To minimize any disruptions, base yourself further south (Lisbon, the Algarve, or the Silver Coast) or in cities not fa the water like Porto. Avoid booking isolated rural stays during the high-risk period unless you have a reliable evacuation plan.

Forest fires, DepositPhotos.com

5. Stay Hydrated (and Ask for Tap Water in Restaurants)

The summer sun is relentless, and it’s easy to underestimate how much water you need. In restaurants, you can politely request tap water with: um copo com água, por favor.

By law, restaurants should provide tap water for free, though some may default to selling bottled water unless you ask. Carry a refillable water bottle and top it up at public fountains or your accommodation before heading out. Note that you will not receive ice with your water. The word for ice is gelo (je-loo). You can ask, but it’s not guaranteed that you will get it for free.

6. Start Your Day Early

Beat both the heat and the tour groups by starting your day early. In Lisbon, you can enjoy the Monument of Discoveries, Torre de Belém, or the city’s panoramic miradouros (viewpoints) in blissful quiet before the sun starts to beat down.

If you’re planning a trip to Cascais, note that the first direct trains from Cais do Sodré start at 8:15 am. If you want to be there before the crowds, grab a taxi or rideshare. Another early-morning option is to take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, then connect to Costa da Caparica beaches before the midday rush.

7. Be Strategic about Your Trip to Sintra 

Sintra is magical, but in summer, it’s also one of the most congested destinations in Portugal. We previously released a DIY Guide to Sintra, which you can review for more details. To make the most of your day:

  • Take an early train or taxi from Lisbon.

  • Book Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira tickets online at least one week in advance.

  • Visit Pena first (it gets the most crowded), then work your way downhill (either on foot or by hiring a tuk-tuk) to Quinta da Regaleira.

With the right timing, you can enjoy Sintra’s charms without feeling like you’re trapped in a line at a theme park.

View on Initiation Well of Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal
The Initiation Well of Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal

Final Thoughts

Portugal in summer is consistently sunny and beautiful and full of lively festivals. But it’s also hotter, busier, and more unpredictable than it was just a few years ago. With a bit of planning, choosing the right travel days, making sure that you have air conditioning, waking up early, and being aware of Portuguese holidays, you can experience the charms of the Portuguese summer and discover why so many people fall in love with this country.

Allowing yourself the chance to sip vinho verde in a shaded praça or wander along a quiet morning beach is always the best kind of Portuguese souvenir.

15 Astonishing Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know about Portugal during World War II

Becky Gillespie
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15 Astonishing Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know about Portugal during World War II

Intrigue. Duplicity. Bribery. Portugal had it all during WWII. Not only was it a neutral dictatorship threading the needle between Hitler and Churchill and the last stop for many looking to leave Europe, but it was also crawling with double agents and played a double agent itself between the Allied and Axis powers. Here are 15 surprising facts about Portugal during World War II that you likely didn’t know.

1. Lisbon became Europe’s “last open port” and the numbers are bigger than many realize.

As the Nazis sealed off borders, Lisbon became the exit point of choice for desperate refugees. Historians estimate that hundreds of thousands of people (both Jews and non-Jews) transited through Portugal during the war with approximately 60,000–80,000 Jewish refugees among them. Relief agencies operated from Lisbon, and the city’s docks, ticket offices, and hotels were crowded with people waiting for ships or rare transatlantic flights.

The human drama behind these statistics is staggering: famous artists and writers passed through, as did ordinary families with nothing but a transit visa and a lot of hope. Archival projects and exhibits continue to document Lisbon’s role as a lifeline during one of the most difficult periods in modern history.

The Alcântara Maritime Terminal (Gare Marítima de Alcântara), located in Alcântara in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, is a former ocean liner terminal building near the mouth of the Tagus River. It opened on July 17, 1943, João Carvalho, Wikimedia Commons

2. Portugal exported wolfram during the WWII and demand for it was so intense that it reshaped Portugal’s economy and then was shut off almost overnight.

Wolfram, now commonly known as tungsten, is a dense, heavy metal with an extremely high melting point. It’s one of the hardest elements in nature, which makes it invaluable for hardening steel, especially for armor-piercing shells and tank parts. During WWII, it was as strategically important as oil because whoever controlled tungsten production could give their weapons a decisive edge.

Portugal was one of the world’s top sources of wolfram, especially in the northern regions of Trás-os-Montes, Beira Alta, and Minho, as well as in parts of central Portugal. Mines like those in Panasqueira became legendary and produced ore of such high quality that both the Allies and the Axis were desperate to buy it.

The wolfram trade turned into what locals still remember as the “fevre do volfrâmio” (“wolfram fever”), a chaotic gold-rush-style boom. Farmers abandoned fields, people dug in their backyards, and rural villages saw sudden wealth pour in. By 1943, tens of thousands were involved in mining or black-market trading, and the price of wolfram skyrocketed.

Neutral Portugal sold to both sides, but Germany relied on Portuguese tungsten far more than Britain or the U.S. That made it a pressure point in Allied economic strategy. Under heavy diplomatic (and economic) pressure, Prime Minister Salazar finally banned wolfram exports to the Axis powers in June 1944. The ban was a quiet but decisive blow to Germany’s war industry, and just as suddenly, the fever broke, leaving many mining towns in economic free-fall.

3. Portugal took Nazi gold as payment (mostly for wolfram) yet later argued it hadn’t known its origins!

Portugal’s most controversial wartime role revolves around gold. Throughout the conflict, the Salazar regime sold wolfram (tungsten), cork, and other goods to Germany. Payments often came in gold. Some of this was laundered via Switzerland and some directly from the Reichsbank. Scholarly estimates put Portugal’s net receipts at no less than 123.8 tons of gold from Germany during the war (about $139.9 million at the time).

Post-war scrutiny led to the Tripartite Gold Commission and U.S. investigations into “Nazi gold.” A U.S. State Department report decades later summarized Portugal’s position: Lisbon maintained it did not knowingly handle gold looted from Holocaust victims and thus did not owe reparations, an assessment echoed by a Portuguese inquiry in the late 1990s. The controversy remains a moral gray zone: the gold almost certainly included looted bars, but proving it is another matter entirely.

Nazi gold stored in Merkers Salt Mine, Germany, Public Domain

4. One Portuguese diplomat defied orders and issued a documented 1,575 visas in a single week to people trapped by the advance of German forces.

Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese diplomat in Bordeaux, disobeyed Lisbon’s restrictive “Circular 14” and, in June 1940, issued visas at a breakneck pace to people trapped by the German advance. Yad Vashem’s archival study documented 1,575 visas between June 15–22, 1940. The total number he facilitated is widely described as “thousands,” although exact counts vary because multiple cities were involved and records are incomplete. Sousa Mendes paid dearly when he was punished by Salazar upon returning to Portugal, but he saved lives and is now honored as one of Portugal’s most notable people.

This photo shows refugee representative and advocate Rabbi Chaim Kruger with Holocaust rescuer and hero Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes, following the rescue operation of June 1940 in which they both took part, Public Domain

5. Portuguese diplomats in Budapest helped save around 1,000 Hungarian Jews in 1944.

Less known than Sousa Mendes are Ambassador Carlos Sampaio Garrido and Chargé d’Affaires Carlos de Liz-Teixeira Branquinho. With Lisbon’s knowledge, they issued protective documents and sheltered families during the Holocaust in Hungary. Multiple sources credit their actions with saving on the order of 1,000 lives, a courageous operation that relied on Portuguese passports and safe houses at the height of deportations from Budapest.

6. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance dating to the 14th century suddenly became incredibly important again.

Portugal’s alliance with England (later Britain) is often called the oldest still-active alliance in the world. In August 1943, Salazar agreed to lease bases in the Azores to Britain, which marked a quiet but pivotal turn that closed the mid-Atlantic gap in convoy coverage and helped slash U-boat successes. In a dramatic October 12, 1943 speech, Churchill told Parliament he had invoked the old alliance, which surprised MPs who barely remembered it. The United States received its own Azores agreement the following year.

Portugal and UK, DepositPhotos.com

7. The Japanese invaded Portuguese Timor after Allied troops occupied Portugal’s neutral territory first.

While Portugal was officially neutral, the war still reached its empire. After the Pacific War began, Australian and Dutch forces landed in Portuguese Timor in December 1941 and preemptively occupied a neutral colony. Portugal protested. On February 19–20, 1942, Japan invaded and occupied the island. Fighting and reprisals devastated the local population. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of Timorese civilians died under occupation.

Destroyed Chinese school in Aileu, Portuguese Timor, Norberto Benigno, Wikimedia Commons

8. Lisbon was such a spy capital that it ultimately provided the inspiration for James Bond.

Neutral Portugal, cosmopolitan Lisbon, and the resort town of Estoril swarmed with agents from every side. MI6’s station chief worked the city; German Abwehr officers lounged at hotel bars, and double agents whispered secrets over cocktails. In 1941, British naval intelligence officer Ian Fleming spied Serbian double agent Duško Popov in Estoril’s casino. Writers and Bond historians have long linked that scene to the opening of Casino Royale. You can still have a drink at Bar Estoril in the Palácio Estoril Hotel today.

Front view of the Hotel Palacio in Estoril, Portugal, Carcharoth, Wikimedia Commons

9. During part of WWII, the only regular air route from the U.S. to continental Europe that remained open ran through Lisbon.

Once war closed most European air routes, Pan Am’s Boeing 314 Clippers kept flying to Lisbon. This made it the only point of regular air connection between the United States and Europe for much of the conflict. The flights carried diplomats, refugees, and mail. The “Yankee Clipper” tragically crashed on approach to the Tagus River on February 22, 1943 and killed 24 of 39 aboard.

A Boeing 314 “Clipper” in flight, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

10. Portugal sheltered evacuees from Gibraltar on the island of Madeira.

When Britain fortified Gibraltar in 1940, most civilians were evacuated. While many endured the Blitz in London, about 2,000 Gibraltarians were sent to Madeira, where they lived for years. Some did not return until 1943 or later. The episode forged lasting ties between Gibraltar and Portugal’s Atlantic archipelago; documentaries and commemorations keep the memory alive.

Memorial commemorating Gibraltarian evacuees in Madeira, Coeli, Wikimedia Commons

11. Flags were flown at half-mast in Portugal when Hitler died.

António de Oliveira Salazar insisted on legal neutrality, which included trade with both sides (until 1944), strict internal control, and cautious diplomacy. That stance yielded moments that look bizarre in hindsight including ordering flags to fly at half-mast upon Hitler’s death as a protocol gesture. The same regime, however, let Britain and then the United States use the Azores and tolerated (and sometimes enabled) rescue work by Portuguese diplomats. History is messy, and so is Portugal’s wartime record.

12. Portugal’s Jewish community and Lisbon’s charities helped assist refugees and organize logistics.

Lisbon’s Jewish community, led for decades by Moisés Bensabat Amzalak, worked with Portuguese authorities and international relief groups to assist refugees, secure permissions, and organize logistics including the relocation of major Jewish aid offices to Lisbon in June 1940. Although we’ve just learned that Portugal flew flags at half-mast upon Hitler’s death, we can also see the great efforts that neutral Portugal went to quietly, and sometimes decisively, to help the victims of Hitler’s policies.

13. Portugal’s wartime economy skyrocketed and then crashed due to famine and embargoes.

Between 1940 and 1944, Portugal’s real GDP surged by 19% to 30%. This was largely thanks to the booming wolfram exports to both Axis and Allied powers. That trade generated a historic trade surplus in 1942. However, this fragile prosperity collapsed in 1944–45, triggered by a devastating drought (the longest on record), international pressure leading to the embargo of wolfram exports, and the rationing of goods including key staples like cod, sugar, soap, and fuel. The combination ushered in one of Portugal’s worst post‑war recessions.

14. Portugal lent a substantial credit to Britain which left a massive debt after the war.

During WWII, while officially neutral, Portugal maintained its centuries-old ties with Britain. In addition to trade, it extended generous credit to the UK, so much so that, by 1945, Britain owed Portugal around £322 million. This massive debt underscores how neutrality didn’t necessarily mean disinterest. It also meant strategic support, even if indirectly.

15. Portugal’s neutral status made it a hub for wartime smuggling for everything from diamonds to penicillin.

Portugal’s open ports and relatively porous borders turned it into a prime location for moving contraband during the war. Smugglers and black-market operators dealt not just in wolfram, but in diamonds from Africa, luxury goods from neutral Spain, life-saving medicines like penicillin (unavailable in most of occupied Europe), and even art confiscated from Jewish families. Lisbon and Porto became undercover marketplaces where Allied and Axis agents sometimes shopped side-by-side and used neutral territory to buy, sell, or move goods under the radar. The trade was technically illegal under wartime controls, but the profits were massive, and the mix of diplomatic immunity, corruption, and political balancing made enforcement patchy at best. In some cases, these unofficial channels meant that scarce medical supplies and critical materials found their way to resistance groups across Europe.

Why This All Still Matters

As we can now see, Portugal’s wartime record doesn’t fit neatly into one box. The country protected its sovereignty, profited from trade with the Axis powers, and crucially helped Allied victory by opening the Azores. Lisbon saved lives as a port of last resort, yet Lisbon’s central bank accepted gold that, in part, had horrific origins. Individual Portuguese diplomats broke rules to rescue strangers while others enforced those rules. Neutrality, in practice, was a tightrope over a churning ocean in a small Atlantic nation whose geography and politics made it unavoidable.

A Visitor’s Guide to Shopping for Everyday Items in Lisbon

Becky Gillespie
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A Visitor’s Guide to Shopping for Everyday Items in Lisbon

Whether you’re staying in Lisbon for a few days, a few weeks, or considering a longer stay, one thing quickly becomes clear: the city doesn’t work quite like the places many English-speaking visitors come from in terms of shopping. The shops that many visitors are used to seeing on almost every corner back in their home countries, such as DM, Boots, Walgreens, CVS, or 7/11, do not exist in Portugal. Convenience stores or big box shops are almost non-existent in the center of Lisbon. This leaves many tourists struggling to find even basic everyday toiletries, household items, or health food that they can easily find in their familiar homelands.

This guide is here to help. Shopping in Lisbon might feel a bit like a scavenger hunt at first. Pharmacies don’t double as mini-marts. Supermarkets aren’t guaranteed to stock basic kitchenware or medical items such as adhesive bandages or hydrogen peroxide. It’s easy for Lisbon newbies to walk right past shops that sell exactly what they need and never realize it.

Let’s break down where to find common (but elusive) everyday items in Lisbon and we will also give a few tips to make the process easier and more affordable. This is the advice that we wish we had when we first moved to Lisbon, and we hope it helps you feel more comfortable in our beautiful capital city.

Everyday Toiletries

If you’re in central Lisbon and suddenly realize you forgot your deodorant, razors, shampoo, or toothpaste, your first instinct might be to pop into a pharmacy. However, in Lisbon, most pharmacies are small and sell high-end skincare, expensive sunscreen, and very limited quantities of toothpaste or shampoo. If they have it, trust us, it’s expensive.

In 2023, Normal, a Boots/DM/Walgreens hybrid from Denmark minus the pharmacy section, opened their first store in central Lisbon and filled a much-needed gap in both affordability and convenience. By the time you finish the circuitous walk through a Normal store, you will likely find what you need and have fun while doing it – at a reasonable price. What makes Normal different is that it’s a standalone store that adds hundreds of new products a week. The simple toiletries that they sell are usually hiding in large supermarket chains in Lisbon – and the largest of these supermarkets are not in the city center, which means that their kitchenware and toiletry sections are often reduced to a single aisle! Normal is a fantastic solution if you’ve been looking for something.

Normal in Lisbon, Photo by Becky Gillespie

The Well’s chain is another alternative. The basement of the Well’s location on Rua Garrett 53-57 in Baixa-Chiado is our favorite Well’s location to find the biggest selection of toiletry/cosmetics/hand wipes/creams, etc. (though Normal is still our favorite).

There is also a huge section for shampoos, conditioners, and everyday toiletries at El Corte Inglés, which brings us to the next section. Continente on the ground floor at Colombo Shopping Centre (Av. Lusíada) or Auchan at Amoreiras Shopping Plaza (R. Carlos Alberto da Moto Pinta 9) also have sizeable toiletry sections.

El Corte Inglés – Where to Find Almost Everything You Generally Need in One Place (For a Price)

The Spanish chain of El Corte Inglés (Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 31) has exactly one store in Lisbon and it can almost singlehandedly provide almost everything you need across its 13 floors! That’s right – 13 floors! Without El Corté Inglés, Lisbon would be a much less convenient place. It even has a nice movie theater.

El Corte Inglés in Lisbon, Photo by Becky Gillespie

If you’re looking for toiletries, simple medical equipment, exotic fruit, and foreign brands of food items, head straight to the supermarket in the basement of El Corte Inglés. There is a separate gourmet deli section, a varied food court, and a pharmacy on the same floor. Just after the pharmacy, you can find an escalator going down, which leads you to four more subterranean floors that many people miss!

One of many aisles in the supermarket at El Corte Inglés, Photo by Becky Gillespie

Don’t miss these subterranean floors because you will find everything from pet goods, housewares, tools, a post office, stationery, children’s toys, and even a place to get your gifts wrapped during the Christmas season.

The very top floor of El Corte Inglés hosts an array of gourmet restaurants, an oyster bar, and fancy food products including teas, pastas, and spices. The upper floors of El Corte Inglés are a great place to find luxury home goods, kitchen appliances, and a big range of cookware.

El Corte Inglés Gourmet Dining Experience, Photo by Becky Gillespie

The thing to remember about El Corte Inglés is that prices are higher but not unreasonable. Prices are still cheaper for toiletries than you will find at the centrally located small pharmacies.

“Chinese Stores” – Where to Find Almost Everything You Generally Need for a Questionable Quality but a Low Price

When you want to find a miscellaneous tool, gadget, decorative item, or cooking implement in Lisbon, a Chinese shop (loja chinesa) is your best option! What you will buy will undoubtedly be lower quality than El Corte Inglés, but you will also pay much less. Looking for an item in a Chinese shop is kind of like a scavenger hunt and it is never guaranteed that it will have what you need, but the Chinese shop inventory is quite surprising and helpful when you need an item in an emergency. Chinese shops are usually open every day (even on national holidays in Portugal), although they don’t always take cash. Type “Loja Chinesa” into Google and you can find a slew of them scattered around Lisbon!

Inside a typical Chinese shop in Lisbon, Photo by Becky Gillespie

Supplements and Specialty Health Foods

If you’re looking for vitamins, magnesium, protein powder, or that beloved turmeric-ginger blend you swear keeps your joints from falling apart, head to Celeiro (pronounced suh-LAY-roo). It’s Portugal’s go-to health food chain, with over 40 locations across the country, including several in Lisbon. Google Maps can also help you find your closest Celeiro.

Celeiro in Colombo, Photo by Becky Gillespie

Think of it as Lisbon’s answer to Whole Foods and GNC combined. Celeiro sells supplements, organic dry goods, herbal teas, natural cosmetics, and gluten-free snacks. Some of them, like the one at Colombo Shopping Centre, even have their own cafés built in. Their staff tends to be well-informed, and the store carries many international brands.

Some larger Continente Bom Dia, Auchan, and Pingo Doce supermarkets have “natural” sections, but these are a hit-or-miss. For specialty items like plant-based protein powders or vegan supplements, stick with Celeiro.

The aforementioned Well’s store on Rua Garrett 53-57 also has quite a few supplements on the basement level.

Electric Fans to Survive in the Summer

If you arrive in Lisbon in the summer and your apartment doesn’t have air conditioning, you’ll start looking for a fan faster than you can learn the Portuguese word for hot (it’s calor, by the way). The good news is: fans are common. The bad news? They’re not always cheap or easy to find.

Chinese shops (lojas chinesas) scattered throughout the city often sell fans during the warmer months. These stores stock all kinds of random household goods, but their prices and quality can be unpredictable. Some visitors report paying €40–€80 for a simple pedestal fan.

You can also check the Continente at Colombo Shopping Centre, Worten (Portugal’s go-to electronics and appliances store), or Auchan at Amoreiras Shopping Center (which has its own attached electronics section). IKEA and Leroy Merlin also sell fans during the summer season, and both offer click-and-collect options if you’re using Uber or Bolt to transport things home. Head to both of these locations in Alfragide to get the biggest selection in house (IKEA – R. Oscar Niemeyer, Leroy Merlin Av. dos Cavaleiros 70). Leroy Merlin is the closest thing that Lisbon has to Home Depot from the US.

Entrance to Continente Colombo, Photo by Becky Gillespie

Miscellaneous Housewares: Drying Racks, Hair Catchers, Lightbulbs, and More

Portugal generally using clotheslines, but if your Airbnb doesn’t come with a drying rack, you’ll want to pick one up. These racks are found in Chinese shops, larger Continente and Auchan locations, and at IKEA or Leroy Merlin.

If you’re after random household odds and ends, like shower hair catchers, curtain hooks, clothes pegs, or light bulbs, Chinese shops are your best bet.

One of many Chinese shops in Lisbon, Photo by Becky Gillespie

Miscellaneous Kitchenware

You’d think all supermarkets would carry basic kitchen items, but that’s not always the case. Some (but not all) Pingo Doce or Lidl stores have a small housewares aisle with plastic cups and plates, but others don’t even stock a colander.

For anything beyond the bare minimum (like a good cutting board, a pitcher for sangria, or durable plastic containers), you’ll have better luck at Continente Modelo, Auchan, IKEA, or El Corte Inglés. Don’t overlook Flying Tiger (a Danish variety store chain) for quirky and surprisingly useful kitchen tools.

For higher-quality or more stylish pieces, Lisbon has a few design-forward shops like A Vida Portuguesa, though these tend to focus more on aesthetics rather than function and are better for finding a nice souvenir to take home.

Office and Stationery Supplies

Here’s where things get oddly tricky: where do you buy a single envelope? ur a roll of tape?

While American convenience stores often carry these items, Portugal spreads them out across multiple store types. You can find envelopes and basic stationery at:

  • FNAC (a bookstore/electronics chain with a surprising stationery section)
  • Staples (yes, they exist here!)
  • El Corte Inglés (department store)
  • Flying Tiger (limited but fun selection)
  • Continente (in larger locations only; the one at Colombo Shopping Centre definitely has it)

Don’t expect to find stationery at pharmacies or your neighborhood Pingo Doce. If you have a papeleria in your neighborhood, you may also be in luck. Search this in Google Maps.

Furniture (like Office Chairs)

Maybe you’re working remotely in Lisbon and your apartment has an office chair that isn’t up to your standard. You might be wondering: where do I get a desk chair?

Your best bets are:

  • IKEA (Alfragide or Loures) – Budget-friendly and great selection
  • Continente at Colombo Centre
  • Leroy Merlin – Surprisingly good for home office needs

If you don’t have a car, consider using UberXL or Bolt Van to get your furniture back to the apartment from IKEA, or take advantage of IKEA’s delivery and assembly service.

Hardware and DIY – Tools, Paint, Repairs

For anyone staying longer, renovating, or just needing to fix a loose door hinge, head to Leroy Merlin, the Home Depot of Portugal. With locations in Alfragide, Loures, and beyond, it’s your one-stop shop for paint, tools, lighting, and plumbing supplies.

IKEA also carries some hardware basics, while Worten or FNAC can help with small appliances and electronics. The subterranean levels of El Corte Inglés also have tools!

Electronics and Tech – Chargers, Cables, Headphones

If you’ve forgotten your charger or need a power adapter, head to:

  • Worten – Large electronics chain, found in most malls
  • FNAC – Combines books, gadgets, and accessories
  • Radio Popular – Similar to Worten, often slightly cheaper
  • MediaMarkt – If you’re near Colombo Shopping Center

Chinese shops also sometimes carry basic cables and chargers, but quality can be hit-or-miss.

Clothing Basics – Socks, Underwear, and Raincoats

If your suitcase didn’t survive Ryanair baggage handling and you need a few wardrobe basics, Lisbon has several affordable and centrally located options:

  • Primark – Inside Colombo or Almada Forum
  • Lefties – Owned by Zara’s parent company, but much cheaper
  • C&A – Good for basics and family shopping
  • H&M, Zara, Pull & Bear – For slightly trendier options. If you get invited to a party and are looking for something affordable to wear, our favorite stop is the massive Zara in Rossio (Praça Dom Pedro IV 96 122). They might win the prize for most changing rooms in Lisbon!

For socks, tights, and lingerie basics, even Continente has small selections in larger stores.

Cheap Outdoor and Sporting Equipment – Quality Water Bottles, Tents, and Sleeping Bags

Repeat after us. Decathlon. Decathlon. Decathlon. This French sporting goods retailer is actually the largest in the world and has stores in 79 countries as of 2024. Lisbon is lucky to have quite a few locations with the most convenient being the one connected to El Corte Inglés on the ground floor (although this is not very big compared to the Oriente or Alfragide locations). If you want the widest selection, however, you should head to the Lisbon Oriente location or the one in Alfragide next to Ikea and Leroy Merlin. Decathlon is also next to Almada Forum. Decathlon has surfing gear, running clothes, roller skates, and even equestrian products in its biggest locations.

Decathlon logo, DepositPhotos.com

A smaller chain called Sport Zone can be found in Amoreiras Shopping Plaza or Colombo Shopping Centre and is great for picking up a very cheap one-piece swimsuit or water bottle for the local gym at a very affordable price.

Bookstores and English-Language Books

Need a journal, novel, or Portuguese phrasebook? Try:

  • FNAC – Carries a selection of English books
  • Bertrand – Visit the world’s oldest bookstore in the world in Chiado (R. Garrett 73 75)
  • Ler Devagar – A must-visit in LX Factory, featuring English titles and quirky finds
  • Bivar Books – An English-language used bookstore near Saldanha (Rua de Ponta Delgada 34A)
Ler Devagar. Photo by francesbean (Flickr)

Bonus Tip: Ask Locals and Use Google Maps Strategically

When in doubt, ask a local (young people are the most likely to speak English) or use Google Maps with keywords in Portuguese. Try searching:

  • “loja de ferragens” (hardware store)
  • “papelaria” (stationery store)
  • “eletrodomésticos” (appliance store)
  • “loja chinesa” or “bazar” (Chinese shop)

Final Thoughts

Lisbon’s shopping culture has fewer big-box stores, more specialty shops, and a bit of mystery. It may not be as instantly convenient as what you’re used to, but it does come with its charms, which include unexpected finds in neighborhood shops, friendly interactions with staff, and the joy of finally spotting exactly what you need in a place you never expected.

So the next time you need a lightbulb, an envelope, or an electric fan, now you know where to look! The right shop is out there, and with this guide, you might even find it on the first try.

Pharmacy in the basement of El Corte Inglés, Photo by Becky Gillespie

Special thanks to Briana and John for inspiring this article. 

Impress Your Friends with This Portuguese Recipe: Camel Drool or “Baba De Camelo”

Becky Gillespie
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Impress Your Friends with This Portuguese Recipe: Camel Drool or “Baba De Camelo”

Baba de camelo literally translates to “camel drool,” but don’t let the name scare you off. This uniquely Portuguese dessert is anything but disgusting (or something you’d only be challenged to try in the Sahara desert). With its rich, velvety texture and sweet, caramelized flavor, baba de camelo is a dreamy mousse made from just two humble ingredients: sweetened condensed milk and eggs. Could this be any easier to prepare for a dinner party?

It’s believed to have originated in the early 20th century, possibly invented by a creative hostess named Valentina trying to whip up a dessert for some guests with whatever she had in the pantry. Worried that she may not have enough for everyone, Valentina called her improvised recipe “camel drool,” but those who tried it were won over despite the dessert’s questionable appearance.

Today, baba de camelo is a beloved staple in Portuguese homes and traditional restaurants. You’ll often find it topped with crushed almonds or cookies and occasionally served in adorable little jars. While the classic version is flawless in its simplicity, we’ve added our own twist by folding in a swirl of melted milk chocolate and a hint of sea salt to balance the sweetness. The result? A next-level mousse that still honors the original.

If you’re looking for an indulgent dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make and sure to get people talking (even if they ask why you’re serving camel drool), baba de camelo might just become your new favorite.

Ingredients (Serves 6)

  • 1 can (397 g / 14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 50 g (1.75 oz) milk chocolate (or semi-sweet), chopped
  • a pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, but recommended)
  • crushed toasted almonds or Maria cookies for your topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the condensed milk base.
Start by removing the label from the can of sweetened condensed milk. Place the sealed can in a deep saucepan and cover completely with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it cook for 2 hours to caramelize the milk. Make sure the can remains fully submerged. Add more water as needed.

After 2 hours, carefully remove the can and let it cool to room temperature before opening.

Short on time? You can use about 1 cup of pre-cooked condensed milk or dulce de leche instead. 

2. Separate your eggs.
Crack the eggs and separate the yolks from the whites. Place the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another. Beat the whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

3. Combine the caramel with the yolks.
Open the cooled can of caramelized condensed milk and pour it into a mixing bowl. Stir in the egg yolks, one at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth.

4. Add the chocolate swirl.
Melt the chopped milk chocolate in a bain-marie (double boiler) or microwave in short 15-second bursts, stirring between each. Once melted, stir the chocolate into the caramel-egg yolk mixture. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt, if using. The chocolate will deepen the flavor and add a subtle complexity.

5. Fold in the egg whites.
Gently fold in the whipped egg whites in batches, being careful not to deflate them. Use a spatula and fold just until the mixture is light and airy with no visible streaks of egg white.

6. Chill.
Spoon the mousse into small serving glasses, ramekins, or one large dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to let the texture set.

7. Serve.
Right before serving, sprinkle the tops with crushed toasted almonds or Maria cookies for a bit of crunch. Serve chilled with small spoons. 

Want to Make Baba de Camelo Even More Irresistible?

Our version adds just a touch of chocolate and salt, but feel free to get creative. A splash of espresso, a hint of orange zest, or even a crumble of Biscoff cookies can all bring something new to the party. Just keep the mousse itself airy and caramel-rich, and you’ll have a winner every time.

Ready to Try Baba de Camelo?

If you can get people to try it, we’re sure that camel drool (baba de camelo) is going to win people over, especially if you dress it up with some cookie topping. Best of all? No oven required, no fancy equipment, and just a handful of ingredients. Who knew camel drool could taste this good? 

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

The Current Status on Lisbon and Porto’s Biggest Infrastructure Projects

Becky Gillespie
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The Current Status on Lisbon and Porto’s Biggest Infrastructure Projects

If you’ve walked by a construction barrier in Lisbon or dodged scaffolding in Porto recently, you’re not alone. As a Lisbon resident passing by a metro construction site for the umpteenth time, I have often wondered: What exactly is going on with the Lisbon metro extension project or when will Avenida Liberdade look normal again? From subway tunnels snaking beneath city streets to massive rainwater drainage systems designed to withstand once-in-a-century storms, some sections of Portugal’s two largest cities resemble the epicenter of a construction site – and it seems like it is never going to end.

So what’s going on? Here’s a comprehensive update on the major infrastructure projects currently underway in Lisbon and Porto in 2025.

Lisbon Metro: Circular, Red, and Purple Line Extensions

The Circular Line (Rato to Cais do Sodré)

Originally projected to open in October 2024, the much-anticipated Circular Line has run into delays but is still mostly on track. The €331.4 million project will eventually connect Rato and Cais do Sodré, completing a full circle in the Lisbon Metro and introducing two new stations: Estrela and Santos. This connection is expected to radically simplify transfers for riders moving between the Green, Yellow, and Red lines.

However, due to construction delays and logistical setbacks, the opening is currently scheduled for Q2 of 2026, with commercial service expected shortly afterward. These will be the first new subway stations in Lisbon since April 2016 when the Blue Line was extended from Amadora Este to Reboleira.

Red Line Extension (São Sebastião to Alcântara)

While Lisbon Metro authorities awarded a €321.9 million contract for the Red Line extension in late 2023, the project has not yet broken any ground! Delayed first by legal disputes and now stuck in an administrative holding pattern, this project remains mired in paperwork. After receiving prior approval from the Court of Auditors in March last year, it still had to await the decision of a lawsuit filed by a competitor.

As of March 2025, the extension of this line with the construction of four new stations in Campolide/Amoreiras, Campo de Ourique, Infante Santo, and Alcântara is still awaiting the Decision on the Environmental Compliance of the Implementation Project (DCAPE) and a favorable opinion from the National Association for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) on the safety plan.

Once launched, this extension of the Red Line will bring the western half of Lisbon much-needed east-west connectivity. The project has strong financial backing, including €357.5 million from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and the remainder from the state budget. However, even with funds secured, it’s become a textbook case of how bureaucracy can slow down critical urban infrastructure. It will be interesting to see if the Red Line extension will be completed before the construction of the new Lisbon airport.

The Purple Line (Loures to Odivelas Light Rail)

Nicknamed the Purple Line, this light rail system between Loures and Odivelas was originally a PRR-financed project, but it hit a wall when no contractors submitted affordable bids during the 2024 tender.

A new procurement process is now nearly finalized, with an estimated build time of 38 months (based on the Circular and Red line delays, add at least 36 more months to this). Financing is being restructured, possibly pulling from the State Budget, Environmental Fund, or EU Cohesion Funds designated for the 2030 cycle. If successful, this project could ease commuting congestion in some of the most densely populated suburbs of northern Lisbon, areas that have long been underserved by rail.

Lisbon’s Flood Defense General Drainage Plan

While the Lisbon Metro slowly inches its way forward, Lisbon’s General Drainage Plan (PGDL) is making substantial underground progress. On July 22, the massive tunneling machine known affectionately as “Oli” completed excavation of the city’s largest-ever drainage tunnel: 4.4 kilometers long, 5.5 meters wide, and buried up to 40 meters deep beneath the capital.

The tunnel stretches from Campolide to Santa Apolónia and passes below some of the most historic and flood-prone areas in Lisbon. Designed to handle even once-in-a-century rainfall events, it will prevent water from reaching vulnerable low-lying areas like Baixa, Avenida da Liberdade, and Alcântara.

Three vortexes (swirling vertical chutes that manage the descent of stormwater) are being built along the route. Two (at Avenida da Liberdade and Almirante Reis) are complete, and the third (Santa Marta) is in progress.

This winter 2025, the tunnel should begin operation. Meanwhile, Oli will be dismantled, moved overnight through Lisbon’s streets, and reassembled in Beato to begin work on a second tunnel toward Chelas in early 2026. This second tunnel will be smaller but no less important in managing Lisbon’s water control in the future.

There is, however, a cost: between September 2025 and April 2026, a crucial section of the Metro Blue Line between Terreiro do Paço and Santa Apolónia will close temporarily to allow safe reinforcement work where the new drainage tunnel crosses the existing subway line.

Porto Metro

Yellow Line Extension (To Vila d’Este)

Porto residents celebrated a long-awaited moment in June 2024 when the extended Yellow Line to Vila d’Este began full operations. Originally slated for a 2023 opening, the project faced delays due to the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and inflation. Now complete, it offers southern suburban commuters easier access to central Porto and improves connections to major hospitals in Vila Nova de Gaia.

It’s also given new life to older stations along the line, which have been modernized to accommodate the increased number of riders.

Pink Line (Casa da Música to São Bento)

The Pink Line is moving forward albeit slowly. Stretching from Casa da Música to São Bento, it is now expected to be completed by July 2026. This line will help alleviate pressure on Porto’s most central metro hubs and allow for quicker east-west travel without requiring transfers. The final tunnel of the Pink Line project between Casa da Música and Galiza opened in August 2025 with this portion of the project currently expected to open in March-April 2026.

Costs for the Pink and Yellow lines have risen to €511 million, which reflects both their technical complexity and the rising cost of construction materials. Even so, city planners say the investment is crucial to meeting Porto’s 2030 mobility targets.

Rubi Line (Casa da Música to Santo Ovídeo)

The Rubi Line, awarded in late 2023 and funded by the PRR, is shaping up to be Porto’s next big step forward. The line will stretch from Casa da Música to Santo Ovídeo and feature a brand-new metro bridge over the Douro River. Construction is now underway, and the project is on track for a Q1 2027 completion.

When finished, it will serve daily commuters and ease traffic along the congested Luís I and Arrábida bridges.

Trindade Station, Porto Metro, Cornelius Kibelka, Wikimedia Commons

Infrastructure in Context

It’s easy to reduce infrastructure projects to numbers and dates: euros invested, kilometers dug, and months delayed. However, behind every tunnel boring machine and legal document are real people waiting for better lives: a grandmother in Loures who struggles with overcrowded buses, a nurse in Gaia who walks 30 minutes from the closest metro stop, or a café owner in Alcântara who fears the next big flood could destroy her shop.

These projects, as frustratingly slow as they may be, represent Portugal’s attempt to catch up with the needs of a modern, growing population. Lisbon and Porto are increasingly global cities with tech hubs, digital nomads, booming tourism booms, new immigrant communities putting pressure on aging systems.

Until recently, both cities relied on infrastructure designed for a very different era. The Lisbon Metro’s core lines were built in the 1950s and 60s, when the population was smaller, denser, and less mobile. Porto’s initial metro system didn’t even launch until the early 2000s. In addition, climate resilience, which was once a niche concept, is now central to every urban project moving forward, especially as southern Europe faces longer droughts and more intense rainfall.

The tunnels, trains, and drainage systems underway represent a deeper urban shift towards building cities that must work for everyone, not just those who can afford a car or live on higher ground. Cities must focus on resilience and also dignity: the dignity of a reliable commute, the dignity of dry feet during a winter storm, and the knowledge that your city is investing in your quality of life, even if you can’t see it being built.

What You Can Expect Next

In Lisbon, the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026 will bring more disruptions. Expect announcements from the Lisbon Metro regarding the Blue Line closure, which will require careful planning for commuters along the Santa Apolónia–Terreiro do Paço corridor. Simultaneously, Beato will become the unlikely epicenter of Lisbon’s flood prevention strategy, as Oli the tunneler prepares to begin her second act underground.

In Porto, you’ll see the Rubi Line finally take shape, particularly along the Douro River where bridge construction will soon begin. This may involve visible changes to the waterfront including temporary closures, rerouted traffic, and a great deal of curiosity from locals and tourists. By mid-2026, the Pink Line should be nearing completion, and São Bento will become an even more crucial interchange station.

Final Thoughts

Progress takes time, and in Portugal, we know that it often takes longer than anyone expects. The good news is: it is happening.

So the next time you’re stuck waiting for a delayed metro or rerouted down a side street filled with orange cones, remember: that’s the sound of the future arriving. It’s just not here yet.

But the future is always on its way. Soon enough, Lisbon and Porto won’t just be two beautiful cities. They’ll be better ones.

Can You Tell a Story in Portuguese?

Becky Gillespie
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Can You Tell a Story in Portuguese?

If you’ve been learning Portuguese for a while, you’ve probably mastered the basics: how to order a coffee, ask for directions, or introduce yourself at a dinner party. But there comes a point in every language learner’s journey when they want to say more than “Where is the bathroom?” Maybe you want to share a memory, talk about your trip to Porto, or even recount a dream you had last night. In other words, you want to tell a story.

Storytelling is where language really comes alive. It helps you connect with people on a deeper level, express your personality, and truly experience the richness of a culture. But how do you move beyond basic sentences into fluid, expressive storytelling in Portuguese?

The secret? Conjunctions.

These humble little words are the glue that holds a story together. They give your tale rhythm, structure, and depth. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 16 essential conjunctions and transition words used in European Portuguese storytelling. You’ll find their English equivalents, examples of how to use them, and tips to help you sound like a natural. Are you ready? Let’s go!

1. Era uma vez – Once upon a time

Let’s start at the very beginning – literally. This is the classic opening line for fairy tales and stories, just like in English.

Example
Era uma vez uma senhora que vivia numa pequena casa à beira do rio.
“Once upon a time, there was a lady who lived in a small house by the river.”

Tip – Use “era uma vez” whenever you feel the need to “once upon a time” your friends, even when joking around with friends.

2. Depois – Then / Afterward

“Depois” is a time-based connector that helps you move the story forward.

Example
Fomos à praia e, depois, almoçámos num restaurante à beira-mar.
“We went to the beach and then had lunch at a seaside restaurant.”

Tip – Use this to create sequence. It’s simple, natural, and essential.

3. Entretanto – Meanwhile / In the meantime

This is perfect for describing parallel actions or switching points of view.

Example
Eu estava a cozinhar. Entretanto, o meu irmão arrumava a sala.
“I was cooking. Meanwhile, my brother was tidying up the living room.”

Tip – Great for storytelling with multiple characters or when setting up contrast.

4. A seguir – Next

Here is another handy phrase for moving things along in chronological order.

Example
A seguir, decidimos visitar o castelo antigo.
“Next, we decided to visit the old castle.”

Tip – Can be used interchangeably with “depois” in many contexts.

5. Então – So / Then

“Então” is wonderfully flexible—it can indicate time, consequence, or even introduce a new part of the story. 

Example
Ela não apareceu. Então, decidimos começar sem ela.
“She didn’t show up. So, we decided to start without her.”

Tip – Listen for this in Portuguese conversations. It’s everywhere.

6. Por isso – Therefore / That’s why / So

This causal connector is key when you’re explaining consequences.

Example
Estava a chover muito, por isso ficámos em casa.
“It was raining a lot, so we stayed home.”

Tip – Think of “por isso” as the bridge between a cause and its effect.

7. Portanto – Therefore / So / Thus

This is a clear and logical way to connect ideas or explain consequences in your story.

Example
Estava cansada, portanto fui para casa mais cedo.
“I was tired, so I went home early.”

Tip – Use this when you want to explain the result of something that just happened. It’s slightly more formal than “por isso” and adds clarity and flow, especially in written or reflective storytelling.

8. No entanto – However / Nevertheless

Perfect for adding a twist or contradiction to your story.

Example
Tínhamos pouco dinheiro. No entanto, conseguimos fazer uma viagem incrível.
“We had little money. Nevertheless, we managed to take an amazing trip.”

Tip – Use this to show resilience or unexpected outcomes in your story.

9. Contudo – However / Nonetheless

Very similar to “no entanto,” but slightly more formal or literary.

Example
O caminho era difícil. Contudo, não desistimos.
“The path was difficult. Nonetheless, we didn’t give up.”

Tip – If you’re writing or telling a more serious story, “contudo” adds elegance.

10. Atualmente – Nowadays / Currently

Great for showing contrast between the past and present.

Example
Antigamente, era uma vila tranquila. Atualmente, é um destino turístico popular.
“In the past, it was a quiet village. Nowadays, it’s a popular tourist destination.”

Tip – Useful when shifting from a story to a reflection or moral.

11. Logo – As soon as / Right away / So

Context is key with “logo.” It can mean “soon” or “therefore” depending on usage.

Example
Logo que chegámos, começou a chover.
“As soon as we arrived, it started to rain.”

Tip – “Logo que” = “as soon as.” Without “que,” it may imply consequence as you can see in the following example:

Example
Ela não estudou para o exame. Logo, teve uma nota baixa.
“She didn’t study for the exam. Therefore, she got a low grade.”

12. Quando – When

An essential building block of nearly every narrative.

Example
Quando eu era criança, adorava brincar no jardim da minha avó.
“When I was a child, I loved playing in my grandmother’s garden.”

Tip – You can’t tell a story without “quando.” It’s indispensable.

13. Enquanto – While

Great for showing simultaneous events or long actions.

Example
Enquanto ele dormia, eu lia um livro.
“While he was sleeping, I was reading a book.”

Tip – Pairs beautifully with the imperfect tense in Portuguese.

14. Assim que – As soon as

Like “logo que,” this phrase helps move the story forward quickly.

Example
Assim que ouvi a notícia, liguei-te.
“As soon as I heard the news, I called you.”

Tip – Be ready to follow it with the past tense to express urgency or immediacy.

15. De repente – Suddenly

This one adds drama and surprise.

Example
Estávamos a conversar calmamente quando, de repente, o cão começou a ladrar sem parar.
“We were chatting calmly when, suddenly, the dog started barking nonstop.”

Tip – Drop this into your story for tension or comic effect.

16. Em resumo – In short / Overall

Perfect for wrapping up your story or summarizing key points.

Example
Em resumo, foi uma viagem cheia de surpresas e emoções.
“In short, it was a trip full of surprises and emotions.”

Tip – Use this to finish your story with a final reflection or conclusion.

Bonus Expressions for a Little More Storytelling Flair

While conjunctions are the framework, a few bonus phrases can spice things up:

  • “Sabes o que aconteceu depois?” – “Do you know what happened next?”
  • “Nem vais acreditar!” – “You won’t believe it!”
  • “Foi aí que tudo mudou…” – “That’s when everything changed…”

These help add a sense of intrigue and keep your listener hooked.

Telling Your Own Stories

Now that you’ve got a toolbox of 16 essential storytelling conjunctions in European Portuguese, try using them in your own life. Retell something that happened to you yesterday. Describe your first day in Lisbon. Recreate a childhood memory.

Here’s a short sample story using several of the conjunctions you just learned:

Mini-Story Example

Era uma vez uma jovem chamada Inês que vivia numa aldeia pequena. Quando terminou a escola, decidiu viajar pelo mundo. Depois, foi para Itália, a seguir visitou a Grécia, e entretanto, conheceu pessoas maravilhosas.

Um dia, de repente, perdeu o passaporte. Estava desesperada. No entanto, um senhor simpático ajudou-a no consulado. Assim que recebeu os documentos novos, continuou a sua aventura.

Atualmente, Inês vive em Lisboa e trabalha como guia turística. Em resumo, descobriu o mundo…e também descobriu a si mesma.

English Translation

Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Inês who lived in a small village. When she finished school, she decided to travel the world. Then, she went to Italy, next she visited Greece, and meanwhile, she met wonderful people.

One day, suddenly, she lost her passport. She was desperate. However, a kind gentleman helped her at the consulate. As soon as she received her new documents, she continued her adventure.

Nowadays, Inês lives in Lisbon and works as a tour guide. In short, she discovered the world…and also discovered herself.

Final Thoughts

Learning to tell a story in Portuguese doesn’t require perfect grammar or a huge vocabulary. It requires confidence, curiosity, and just enough structure to get your point across. Conjunctions are the unsung heroes of storytelling, and once you get comfortable with them, you’ll find your Portuguese becoming more natural, expressive, and fun.

So, the next time someone asks you “Fala português?,” don’t just say yes.
Tell them a story.

Learn Portuguese, DepositPhotos.com
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