Why Stay Alert?


Portugal has been dubbed as one of the safest travel destinations in the whole world. It has now been placed at Level 1, meaning exercise normal precautions, by the U.S. Department of State, indicating low overall risk but with a few simple measures to follow in order to have a pleasant travel experience. That is your green light to explore the country, but with some extra caution.

Common Alerts for Travelers


1. Pickpockets and Petty Crime

In any place people congregate, in portugal these places may include Lisbon, Porto, or any touristy tram (trams 15, 25 and 28 of Lisbon in particular), bag-snatching and pick pocketing occur more frequently than you'd care to know. Make sure you leave your wallet and passport at home, do not wear flashy jewelry, and use hotel safes whenever possible.

2. Vehicle Break-Ins & Rental Car Risks

Thieves mostly target tourists who leave valuables in rental cars where they can easily see the stickers or foreign plates. Do not leave cameras, bags, or electronics unattended, not even in the trunk!

3. Nightlife Caution: Spiked Drinks & Dark Streets

There have been reports by visitors of drinks being spiked in clubs or bars. In order to be on the safe side, you should never leave your drink unattended and you should not accept drinks offered by strangers. Whenever you are alone at night, avoid lonely places and dark roads.

Author: Google Maps;

4. Wildfires & Heat Risks in Summer

During April and October, some areas such as the Algarve and inland areas experience heatwaves and wildfires. Fires have the capacity to surge, and even prompt road closures or evacuations. Look at local news and pay attention to evacuation warnings or signs.


5. Storm Warnings, Especially in Weather-Sensitive Zones

Strong storms do happen in Portugal especially in the Azores and the Madeira islands. Storm Garoe, in example, came with heavy rains, flood warnings and even coastal and wind warnings. When you are on the road in the area, watch local predictions.

6. Strikes & Transport Disruptions

Take care to keep yourself pliant, strikes can cripple airports or public transit. As an example there have been warnings of several months of disruption by airport services. Knowing other ways to go and keep an eye can be clever.

7. Emergency Help & Insurance

In Portugal, use dial 112 to call the police, fire or ambulance in case there’s an emergency. It would be a good idea to sign up with the travel-advisory program of your country (such as STEP in the U.S.) and to ensure that your travel or health insurance covers emergencies, evacuations, and overseas medical treatment.


8. Secure Your Online Connection

While you're exploring, remember to protect your device too, especially when using public Wi-Fi in cafés or hotels.A basic solution is to download a VPN so that your connection is safe and your information is confidential. This step could help you avoid online headaches and improve your mood.

Final Thought

Portugal is glorious with its history, coast, castles and appeal. And a majority of visits are full of delight and adventure. Being aware of petty crime, weather threats, and emergencies, as well as being prepared with security measures such as a VPN, will make you feel confident in sailing through your Portuguese trip without trouble.