Is Portugal safe for American tourists?

Yes, Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates. Particularly, of you visit the autonomous islands of Madeira and the Azores, you'll find them to be some of the safest destinations to visit. With this said, mainland Portugal is also very safe.



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This sunny European destination has it all — great beaches, incredible history, and color around every corner. It's definitely a safe place for travelers (as long as they follow a couple of common-sense guidelines). With some local help, we've put together this guide for staying safe in Portugal.

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Portugal is home to over 500,000 foreigners from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, other European countries, Brazil, Central, and South America, Africa, and more. Everyone is accepted and welcomed here. The Portuguese people really do welcome foreigners with open arms.

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Portuguese tend to dress modestly with a sense of quality and elegance. It is important to dress in a respectful manner, particularly when entering formal spaces such as a church. Casual attire (e.g. barefoot, beachwear) is inappropriate in public and can make one seem unsophisticated.

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Uber/Bolt are plentiful in Lisbon and are often a fraction of the cost of taking a regular taxi. Uber/Bolt is more reliable and the drivers are generally very friendly, speak English and can give you some great local advice.

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Big sister Lisbon is twice the size, more cosmopolitan, faster paced and 200 miles further south, so in summer it can be sweltering. Compact, walkable Porto has a more traditional feel and is cooled by Atlantic breezes through summer, though fog and rain can roll in via the same route during the winter.

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Bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars occur. Keep valuables out of sight. Pay attention to your belongings at beaches, tourist spots, and public transport.

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In particular, taking photos during Mass is highly frowned upon. Remove any hat or headpiece when entering a church. Most Portuguese view people and relationships as more important than maintaining strict adherence to time. As such, time is seen as somewhat flexible, and punctuality is not always stressed.

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It's generally safe and healthy to drink the public tap water across Portugal. Get a water filter such as TAPP 2 to improve the taste and reduce the risk of contaminants. Avoid plastic bottled water in Portugal as most plastic doesn't get properly recycled. Get a high quality reusable water bottle like TAPP.

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In the cities you will find the locals dress in a smart, casual and understated elegant style. Opt for a smart casual look with nice shoes. Jeans are very popular everywhere in Portugal, especially with younger people, but they are always smart and clean.

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