Don’t Say “Gracias”! Real Mistakes Tourists Make in Portugal

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I asked my Portugal Facebook community to share the biggest mistakes tourists make here, and the answers did not disappoint.

From saying “gracias” to wearing stilettos on cobblestones, it turns out Portugal is full of subtle (and not-so-subtle) traps for the unprepared traveler.

I’m guilty of one myself: skipping traditional Portuguese food. As a vegan, it’s intentional, but I still get side-eyed for it.

Here are the most common tourist mistakes in Portugal, straight from the people who’ve lived them.

1. Speaking Spanish (or worse, thinking Portugal is Spain)

Let’s just get this one out of the way. Saying “gracias” instead of “obrigada” (if you’re a woman) or “obrigado” (if you’re a man), guaranteed to get a polite smile at best, and an internal cringe at worst.

Portugal is not Spain. The languages aren’t the same. And no, they’re not flattered by the confusion.

Map of Spain and Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula labeled with major locations including Madrid and Lisbon. Surrounding countries France and Andorra appear to the north and Algeria and Morocco to the south across the Mediterranean Sea. The map also marks the Balearic Islands such as Mallorca Menorca and Ibiza off the eastern coast of Spain.

2. Only Visiting Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve

Portugal is more than two cities and a beach. Yet so many travelers skip the north entirely, missing places like Braga, Guimarães, and the Douro Valley. If you’ve never left Lisbon or Lagos, you’ve barely scratched the surface.

3. Wearing the Wrong Shoes

Stilettos in Lisbon? Flip-flops in Porto when it rains? Portugal’s hills and cobblestones don’t care about your fashion choices. Trust me, you’ll regret anything without grip, and your ankles will too.

4. Thinking the Ocean Will Be Warm

It looks like the Mediterranean. It’s not. That’s the Atlantic, and it’s cold. Beautiful, yes. Swimmable in summer, maybe. But if you dive in expecting bathwater temps… good luck.

Bright yellow vintage trams in Lisbon, Portugal, with the white Basílica da Estrela in the background under a clear blue sky. The scene includes pedestrians, parked cars, and overhead tram wires crisscrossing the sunny street.

5. Riding Tram 28

It sounds charming, an old yellow tram rolling through Lisbon. But the reality? Standing room only, selfie sticks everywhere, and more pickpocket opportunities than views. Locals avoid it. You probably should too.

6. Trying to See Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais… in One Day

You can do it. You just won’t enjoy it. Sintra alone has multiple major sights. Cramming it into a single day with two other destinations means you’ll spend more time in transit than actually seeing anything.

Portugal: The Dont's of Visiting Portugal

Watch this video on YouTube

7. Expecting to Eat Whenever You Want

Portugal isn’t a 24/7 snack machine. Lunch hours are sacred, dinner starts later than you might expect, and many restaurants close in between. Showing up at 4pm and wondering why you’re hungry is a rite of passage.

8. Avoiding Local Food

As a vegan, I get this one a lot. I often skip traditional Portuguese dishes, not because I don’t want to try them, but because they’re rarely plant-based. But for most travelers, skipping local food for fast food or international menus is a missed opportunity.

Bonus tip: look for spots with a “prato do dia” (dish of the day). That’s where the good stuff is.

A vegan pastel de nata on a plate in front of a poster of one — You have to try Pastel de Nata when you’re in Portugal

9. Dressing Like a Walking Stereotype

White socks with sandals. Loud tourist T-shirts. Baseball cap worn indoors. Sure, it’s comfortable, but it also screams “I don’t want to blend in.” You don’t need to dress up, but you also don’t need to cosplay “confused tourist.”

10. Expecting Sunshine All Year

Portugal has great weather… in summer. But winters can be damp, windy, and colder than you’d think, especially indoors where heating isn’t a given. Pack a rain jacket and skip the flip-flops in February.

A small street in Alfama Lisbon, the oldest district of Lisbon — The streets can get really slippery when wet

11. Going All-Inclusive… and Never Leaving

Yes, Portugal has all-inclusive resorts. But if you spend your entire trip by the pool eating hotel buffet food, you’re missing the real Portugal, like hidden beaches, old towns, and local pastries that didn’t come from a warming tray.

12. Ordering Starbucks

Nothing screams “tourist” like seeking out a Starbucks in a country where café culture is a way of life. Locals sip tiny coffees at the counter. You don’t need a venti frappuccino to survive the day, just order a bica and pretend you belong.

13. Taking an Overpriced Tuk Tuk

In Lisbon especially, tuk tuks are everywhere, and almost always overpriced. You’ll get charged €70 for a 20-minute loop you could’ve walked or Ubered for €5.

Bonus mistake: assuming they’re insured (they’re often not).

Front view of the National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal, with its grand baroque architecture and domed roof under a partly cloudy sky. A group of people stands on the wide stone staircase leading up to the entrance, while several colorful tuk-tuks are parked in the foreground.

14. Being Loud

Portugal is chill. Locals don’t shout across the street or dominate conversations in public. Talking loudly in restaurants, public transport, or quiet towns will earn you looks. Many looks.

15. Being Disrespectful to Locals

This one’s more serious. Acting entitled, rude, or dismissive, especially toward service workers or elderly people, won’t fly.

Portugal is known for kindness and hospitality, but it goes both ways. Be polite. Say thank you (obrigado/a). Don’t leave trash on the beach. Don’t assume everyone speaks English. It’s basic stuff,but it matters.

16. Wearing Swimwear in Town

Walking around in a bikini top or shirtless in the middle of town? You’ll stand out in the wrong way. Portugal is casual, but still modest, especially away from the beach.

17. Overtipping (or Undertipping)

Tipping in Portugal isn’t like in the US. Leaving 10% is generous, not expected, and you don’t need to tip on a coffee. That said, rounding up or leaving a few coins is always appreciated.

18. Expecting Everyone to Speak English

In major cities, English is common. But don’t assume everyone speaks it, especially in small towns. Locals appreciate basic Portuguese or at least the courtesy of asking.

19. Leaving Trash on the Beach

Several comments mentioned tourists leaving garbage or cigarette butts on the beach. Portugal has stunning coastlines, don’t ruin them.

Secluded beach cove along the Albufeira coast with golden sands and rocky outcrops, a serene location for beachgoers looking into what to do in Albufeira. — I found a secluded beach on my coastal walk

20. Going to Pink Street Expecting Culture

It’s a neon-lit Instagram trap. Basically a club crawl disguised as culture. Most locals (and well-traveled visitors) suggest skipping it.

21. Trying to See Everything in One Trip

This came up a lot. People rush from Lisbon to Porto to the Algarve in 7 days and leave feeling like they saw everything, and nothing. Portugal rewards slowness.

So, How Many of These Have You Done?

Let’s be honest, we’ve all made at least one of these mistakes (yes, even the “gracias” one). The good news? Portugal is incredibly forgiving, locals are kind, the coffee is strong, and the views will make up for just about anything.

But that’s part of the fun. The country is still beautiful, the food still delicious (even if you skip the sardines), and the locals usually kind enough to forgive a few tourist blunders.

If you love real travel tips from people who’ve actually been there, and want more honest Portugal advice, follow my Portugal Travel Page on Facebook for more guides, rants, and travel-tested recommendations.