The language spoken in Lisbon is Portuguese but English is widely spoken by all people who work within the tourist industry. There will be no language problems for tourists who are visiting Lisbon or the surrounding coastline.
People Also Ask
While Lisbon is the most expensive city to live in Portugal, it is quite affordable when compared to other countries in western Europe, although, what once was a cheap city has seen its prices creeping up. This said, the cost of living in Lisbon for international students and expats is usually still very affordable.
The cost of living in Portugal is generally considered about 46 percent cheaper than in the United States. This, coupled with the country's excellent quality of life, beautiful beaches, stunning mountain ranges, reliable public transport, and rich history and culture, make it very easy to fall in love with Portugal.
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon has a possibility of a little higher crime rate than the rest of the country, but it is still a very safe and calm location to live in. Plus, people in Lisbon are very friendly and welcoming, so you will always feel safe as an immigrant living among the locals.
It's cheap partly as wages are so low! But yes, keep quiet. We have had massive rises in taxes and utility bills this year as the government tries to work its way out of the bad economic situation. Prices rises are happening but Lisbon and Portugal generally is still pretty inexpensive.
Generally though, Portugal is not considered expensive to eat out. To eat breakfast out at a pasteleria (Portugal's famous bakery shops) with an expresso shot included, you can pay as little as €4. Many restaurants in Portugal offer set lunch menus, and you can find a solid lunch deal for typically €8 per person.
When is the best time to visit Portugal? Where is this? The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.
Cards are by far the most popular cashless payment method in Portugal, including international cards from Visa and Mastercard. Both credit and debit cards are used, but debit cards are much more common. It's worth noting that Multibanco cards – which we'll explain below – can be used as both debit and credit cards.
If you prefer dealing in cash, then by all means get some euros out before your trip. But there are alternatives available, such as debit and credit cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most European cities. American Express is too, but perhaps less widely.