eSIM for Portugal
Mobile data from the moment you land, no roaming fees and no SIM swap.
What makes Portugal special
Portugal is compact enough to see city, coast and countryside in a week.
About two and a half hours from Zurich you land in Lisbon, ride the yellow tram up steep lanes and finish the day with grilled fish or a custard tart. Many prices sit below Swiss levels, the cities are hilly and distances are often longer than they look.
Porto in the north has bridges, tiled facades and port wine cellars, the Alentejo has wide hills with cork oaks, and the Algarve has rocky coves and long beaches. Madeira and the Azores are a flight away and work better as a trip of their own.
Ideal for: City breaks, Surfers, Road trippers, Food lovers
When to travel
January
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
February
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
March
Outside the months we recommend. Write to us if you want to travel exactly then.
April
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
May
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
June
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
July
High season
High season. Beaches and sights are usually busier, so it pays to book accommodation and transport early.
August
High season
High season. Beaches and sights are usually busier, so it pays to book accommodation and transport early.
September
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
October
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
November
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
December
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
By region
Lisbon and Porto
Spring and autumn are mild and good for city walks. Winter brings more rain, and Lisbon can get very hot in high summer.
Algarve
June to September suit swimming, while May and October are quieter and still warm. The sea stays cool even then.
Madeira and the Azores
A mild climate almost all year, with hiking from spring to autumn. The weather can change quickly.
The weather now and in the coming days
Weather currently unavailable
Weather data: MET Norway, CC BY 4.0
What you need to enter
Pick your passport and we show you the entry rule.
Entry rule
No visa needed
For Swiss citizens
Portugal is part of the Schengen area, so as a Swiss citizen you normally do not need a visa for tourist stays. An ID card is usually enough, and a passport works too. Check whether your document is valid long enough before you book, and read current rules on the FDFA site, without guarantee.
No guarantee – the official authority is binding.
Money and budget
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Exchange rate
- Rate currently unavailable
Daily budget per person
Frugal
CHF 80
per day
Comfortable
CHF 130
per day
Generous
CHF 230
per day
Guide values excluding flights, in CHF.
How to get there and get around
Flight time from Zurich
approx. 2 h 30 min
To Lisbon, 2 h 20 min to Porto, 3 h 45 min to Madeira
Getting around
A fast train links Lisbon and Porto, and in both cities you use the metro, trams and buses. For the Alentejo, the Algarve and the coast a rental car is useful. Portugal drives on the right and many motorways charge tolls. The old towns have steep cobbled lanes, so flat shoes are a good idea.
Airports
- FAOFaro - Gago Coutinho International Airport
- FNCCristiano Ronaldo International Airport
- LISLisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
- OPOFrancisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
- PDLJoão Paulo II Airport
A selection of international airports.
Connected and mobile on the ground
Car rental in Portugal
Compare rental cars and explore on your own schedule.
Airport transfer
Fixed price, driver waiting: a relaxed ride from the airport to your stay.
Activities in Portugal
Secure tours and tickets in advance.
Partner links: we may earn a commission, the price stays the same for you.
Where to go
Lisbon and around
Alfama, Belém and tram 28, plus day trips to Sintra or the Atlantic coast near Cascais. The city sits on hills, so plan your walks accordingly.
Porto and the Douro Valley
The riverside old town, port wine cellars and tiled churches. In the Douro Valley you travel by boat or train between vineyards.
Alentejo
Wide countryside with cork oaks, wine estates and walled towns such as Évora. The south is quiet, and getting around without a car is a hassle.
Algarve
Rocky coves near Lagos, long sandy beaches and the Ria Formosa nature reserve. For surfing, head to the west coast.
Photos: Cabo Espichel, Portugal, 2012-08-18, DD 08 by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0; Lissabon - Alfama - Largo Santa Luzia - Streetcar - 1 by Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0; Ribeira from Dom Luis I bridge (4) by Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0; Praia de Benagil - Portugal 🇵🇹 (53650893917) by Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped and compressed. This adaptation is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to sleep
Lisbon and Porto
Small hotels, guesthouses and apartments in old-town districts
Coast
Guesthouses, surf camps and holiday flats
Alentejo
Country houses (herdades) and family-run quintas
Travel well prepared
Travel advice
Current travel advice and the security situation are published by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
View FDFA travel adviceHealth
No vaccinations are required. The Atlantic coast has strong currents, so stay out of the water when red flags are flying and follow lifeguard advice. The sun is strong in summer. Check your policy's terms for treatment abroad before you leave.
We are happy to advise you on travel insurance.
Good to know
- Language
- Portuguese
- Plugs
- Type C, F
- Dialling code
- +351
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up or a euro or two is usual, and up to ten percent in restaurants. Starters brought unasked (the couvert) are charged if you eat them.
- Internet
- Cities and coasts have good coverage. See your Swiss provider's terms before paying for an eSIM.
- Customs
- Sockets are types C and F, so a Euro plug fits but Swiss type J plugs need an adapter. You pay in euros, usually by card. In Lisbon you order coffee as a bica or a meia de leite, and dinner often starts after 8 pm.
How long to stay
Recommended length
7 to 10 days
Suggested route
- Lisbon (3 nights) with Sintra as a day trip
- Porto (2 nights) and the Douro Valley
- Alentejo (2 nights) with Évora
- Optionally the Algarve (3 to 4 nights) for beach days
Frequently asked questions
When is the most pleasant time to visit Portugal?
April to June, plus September and October. July to September suit swimming, but the beaches are then busier.
How much should I budget per day?
Around CHF 80 to 130 for simple to comfortable travel, up to CHF 230 with nicer lodging and a rental car. Lisbon and the Algarve cost more in summer.
Is an ID card enough for Portugal?
For holidays usually yes. If you are unsure, pack your passport to be safe. Either way, the document must be valid.
Do I need a car in Portugal?
Not in Lisbon and Porto, where you use the metro, trams and taxis. For the Alentejo, the Algarve and small coastal towns, a rental car pays off.
What should I watch for in the big cities?
Pickpockets on trams, at stations and at viewpoints. The emergency number is 112.
Is surfing in Portugal suitable for beginners?
Yes, there are plenty of schools, for example near Ericeira and Peniche. Strong waves and currents do occur, especially outside summer, so starting with a lesson is the sensible route.
How many days should I plan?
Lisbon works with 3 to 4 days. For Lisbon, Porto and a trip to the coast you need about 7 to 10 days.
We plan your trip to Portugal
In a free intro call we cover your wishes, dates and budget. Afterwards you receive a quote with options.
Pick a slot in the calendar right away – or message us wherever suits you best.
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