Portugal - Travel Tips Need a Gift for a Family Member? Gift Idea-World Cup Items
Updated: Sep 28
Quick Facts
Lots of items are not made in Portugal. Look at the label if you want a gift made in Portugal
Euros are the type of money used in Portugal and all of the EU countries
My favorite souvenirs to bring home for my family include cork products, handmade sweaters from Serra da Estrela, jewelry from Viana da Castela, hand-painted ceramic tiles, tinned sardines, Ginjinha cherry liquor, a Barcellos rooster (symbol of good luck), port wine, and pasteis de nata (custard).
Souvenir ideas My ideas since I travel so often I can’t bring back expensive souvenirs
Travel tips Portugal
Euro coins from different countries Caramulo ‘0’ euro bill- value keepsake Shells from the beach Stress rings- the center turns, helping you destress Rosaries from Fatima Anything made from cork-a handbag, a wallet, a change purse, a key ring Port wine Gold jewelry- it’s pricey right now Table linen embroidered- my favorites are from Luso and Serra Estrella Cheese Handmade slippers Viseu Mateus festival, Luso, Estrella Wooden spoons Rocks from the ocean central area -the colors are so unique, and the rocks are smooth from churning in the ocean - Tocha, Nazare Portugal hats baseball style are cheap, @$5 euros For my Grandchildren- handmade sweaters, ceramic singing bird whistle- Nazare, candy, rosaries, Portugal jersey, Portugal hat Cork from Southern Portugal
Salt from the Algarve
Canned Sardines
Cork Purse
Linen
Travel tips Portugal
Always thinking of what to buy for family and friends as a souvenir? Travel Tips Portugal
Portugal uses Euros
There are 8 commonly used coins.
You can accumulate coins quickly
I save some coins and give them out as souvenirs when I go home
Euro coins are a cheap and unique keepsake to give someone
On 1 January 1999, 11 EU countries launched the euro as their new common currency. The euro was initially an electronic currency. Euro banknotes and coins were introduced three years later. The euro is the currency of 19 EU countries and over 340 million Europeans.
The euro coin series has eight different denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, €1, and €2. That is 8 coins. The euro coins have a common side and a national side. The national side indicates the country the coin represents. The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr. Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint.
Since there are 8 coins, you are always counting coins or looking for a special coin when you are paying for items.
Each country may issue two commemorative coins per year. These coins have the same features and properties and the same common side as normal €2 coins. What makes them different is their commemorative design on the national side. Only the €2 denomination can be used for commemorative coins. It's difficult to locate commemorative coins. We went to 5 different banks and couldn't locate one. Commemorative coins are very limited.
If you travel with an empty pillow case, you can put the overflow gifts or clothes in the case and carry it. Most airlines, including Delta, do not consider a pillow as a carry-on.
So pack an extra pillow case in case you go overboard and purchase too many gifts.
GLOBAL ENTRY
I am so excited to announce that I was approved for Global Entry.
How do you obtain a Global Blue Card?
I applied online, paid the fee ($100), and completed the TSA in-person interview when I landed in the Philly airport. My AA credit card covered the cost of the application.
Which website do you use to apply?
Do I need an appointment to complete the application?
I didn’t need an appointment because the calendar was backed up for one year, so they waived the requirement to have an appointment. You can complete the interview at specific international airports in the US. The interview took about 15 minutes. I needed my NJ driver’s license and current passport. I was electronically fingerprinted. I answered a few questions.
How do you know if you are approved?
Two weeks later, I received an email that I was approved. I should receive my Global Entry card in the mail shortly. The card is valid for 5 years.
How do you use the card?
When you enter the US or fly domestically, you go to a Global Entry kiosk and scan yourself in. You don’t have to wait in line for TSA or passport checks.
It fast-tracks you in a few minutes.
I am so excited. I have waited for hours in the TSA and passport lines over the past 36 years of traveling.
Do I still need TSA Pre-Check?
The agent also told me that I don’t need TSA Pre-Check. Global Entry gives you PreCheck.
Who can apply for Global Entry?
Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. legal permanent residents as well as citizens of certain countries with which CBP has trusted traveler arrangements, including Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Canadian citizens and residents enrolled in NEXUS may also use the Global Entry kiosks.
Where can I find more information about traveling, tax-free shopping, airport details, sites to see, what to pack for a trip, and airline perks?
My advice: My Opinion: My Thoughts:
Answer these questions, then plan the trip to Portugal
What are your interests?
Do you want to visit museums, castles, churches, palaces?
Do you want downtime?
How many people are in your group?
Are you with a family/ kids?
When are you going?
Do you like the beach?
What are your interests?
If you enjoy history, then visit Tomar, Coimbra, Obidos, Lisbon, Porto, Sintra
If you prefer the beach and pool, then go to Cascais, Albufeira, Algarve, Lagos
Are you capable of planning your own itinerary?
If you hope to see things like a local, hire a local guide, not from a generic website
Do you want to visit museums, castles, churches, palaces?
The best church is Fatima
Best castles are in Tomar, Montemor-o-Velho, Sintra, Mafra
Best Museums are World of Discoveries in Porto, Jeronimos Monastery, Caramulo car museum
Do you want downtime?
Walk the streets of Coimbra or Porto. Take a stroll. Stop at a cafe and have a pastry. Go to a fluvial (river beach)
Take a long train ride in Porto
How many people are in your group?
If you rent a car, make sure you have seatbelts for all passengers.
We prefer to keep our group size small
Larger groups can rent a van or use public transporation
Are you traveling with small children?
Coimbra has a child-friendly museum village to visit
Lisbon Aquarium is child-centered
Algarve kayak excursion
Dolphin watching in Lisbon
Ericeira surf lesson, family-friendly
Scenic train tour of Porto
Do you want to visit the tourist spots or local places?
When are you visiting Portugal?
January, Feb, March can be rainy and chilly
December is colorful but cold
Algarve is best from April- October, but the ocean water is cool
July and August are hot and perfect beach days but can be busy with tourists (no A/C in most areas of Portugal)
History buffs should visit Portugal in October when the weather is perfect for walking castles, palaces, and aqueducts.
Do you want to pick grapes and make wine? Go in September
Do you want to pick olives? Go to Portugal in November
Religious visitors should go to Fatima on the 13th of the month from May to October.
Easter is an amazing holiday to experience, especially in central Portugal where farmers and villages continue traditions from 100s of years ago.
Algarve is touristy.
Sintra is busy year-round
If you are not a good driver in your home country, don't drive in Portugal. Portugal has a high rate of automobile accidents.
Pickpockets are everywhere, including in Portugal.
Gift Ideas
Silva and Feijoo sells exquisite packaged food products, vintage-style soaps, and other trinkets. The Lisbon Shop, run by the Lisbon Tourist Office, offers a range of souvenirs. This store is geared more toward tourists, but the product quality is worth it.
Nothing is more traditional than Portuguese ceramics. Known as azulejos, Portuguese tiles embellish buildings, water fountains, churches, train stations, and miradouro viewpoints. The Museu Nacional do Azulejo in Lisbon. "The museum is set in Madre de Deus Convent, founded in 1509, and its collections allow a journey through the history of tile, from the 15th century to the present day."
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