5 Love & Hates of Visiting Portugal
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- Опубліковано 21 чер 2024
- The Best & Worst about visiting Portugal. Whether you are heading to the Port Wine caves in Porto and Gaia or taking in the capital of Lisbon or the beaches of the Algarve there are numerous things tourists love and hate about visiting Portugal. Here is a really honest review of visiting Portugal on vacation.
Filmed in Lisbon, Portugal
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The busses were a wild ride! My 10 year old son was flying around and a sweet man offered up his seat for him. We LOVED Portugal. The people are amazing ❤ Heading back again next spring!
Hate #1 - Restaurants' schedules is a bad example of "time is relative here". The staff needs time off after lunch to clean the place, rest and then start preparing for dinner. There's nothing to hate about it, it's what people in civilised countries do.
We spent 2 weeks in Portugal on our first trip and 3 weeks on our second trip, and it's never enough.
I really love Portugal!! Safe, great deals, clean, nice people, great food/wine. Thanks for the insightful video, Mark!
You are very welcome
@@woltersworldhow do your kids do school?
My family was in Portugal last week as part of our European vacation and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved the people, culture and experiences available there. And, as discussed in this video, communication in English was easy with the locals. Before this trip, Portugal had never been on my radar. We hope to return there within the next couple years. ...and Pena Palace was as picturesque as it has always seemed in photos.
Sintra is a treasure.
The food, the people, the sights = all TOP CLASS. The hotel staff I would see at 8am in the morning were still smiling and lovely at 9pm at night. Wonderful place and even more wonderful people ❤
Agree with everything on your lists, Wolter. The locals are indeed the most warm and genuine people I've met in all my years of globetrotting. And even many long-term Swedish, German, French, American and Italian residents seem to have embraced that local warmth. On the other hand, the Brit "expats" (particularly those I've encountered in the Algarve) are the exact opposite - entitled, loud and brash.
When you go to a café, as long as it's not full of people, you can stay for hours as long as you keep ordering something every 45 minutes. A cake, a coffee, then another cake and coffee, then maybe a beer, then a salgadinho and a beer, some even have sandwiches, maybe french fries. You can just sit, relax, chat.
Same as in Greece! Cafes are look overpriced, but you actually rent a table for as long as you like (while ordering something, of course)!
Already saving money to move to Portugal
Better start the paperwork
About the driving, for those who don't know, cars with engine displacement over 1.6 liters pay very high tax, so most cars out on the road are very much underpowered. This is why we developed more spirited driving, since our foots are always hard on the firewall.
Great point. That's also why it's hard to maintain speed on highways...struggling on uphills but way over going down!
I remember trying to speak Portuguese while visiting and a young lady yelled at me "We do speak English here!" 😂
😂
I left the US and moved to Portugal in 2022. I love it here.
Being a Portuguese descendent and have been there 5 times I love everything about Portugal 🇵🇹🇵🇹❤️❤️
I just spent one month in Portugal and my goodness I love this country so such. Weather, food, history, people, etc..everything is just wonderful ❤❤. I will definitely be back.
I love Portugal and am extremely fortunate and grateful to be living here going on 4 years…one thing that took getting used to was driving in the cities and towns, the highways here are great, but in the more urban areas you have to be very attentive and vigilant when driving…pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks even on busy streets and it sometimes looks like they are walking into oncoming traffic but drivers on both sides of the street must stop. This was disconcerting at first, but I’m aware and used to it now. The Portuguese are excellent parallel parkers and fit even large vehicles into spaces I would never attempt, I look for the large parking garages.
I remember you did a video about the loves and hates of Portugal some years ago and it covers pretty much the same things mentioned in this video.
I am travel the end of July there. My first time, thank you the video.
Your videos are always informative and I appreciate that. We’re going on a river cruise on the Douro River next month and will be spending time prior to the cruise in Lisbon, having some time to explore on our own. We will heed your advice. 😊. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Hey Mark where will you be whenever Spain and Portugal play each other in the Euro knockouts? They're both crazy good this tournament
Tourists are complaining about their "friends" timekeeping?
I would complain about the tour guide being late ....not about my friend being late!
Restaurants need to close because they may not have the staff to cover kitchen working hours or maybe their revenue is not sufficient to cover the salaries of 2 Chefs....
We are talking about Portugal...not the USA or other countries with a 24/7 service status in catering services.....
We absolutely loved Portugal! My cousin became a citizen of there and went on a 3 week stay and did a lot of cool things. We rented a car and drove all over, which I highly recommend. Once out in the county side just driving and looking at olive groves and fresh fruit groves . We will be going back to do the northern tour Porto and south.
07:06 The actual saying is Há mais de 365 formas de preparar bacalhau (there are more than 365 ways of making codfish). I don't know who's the mysogynist that told you that...
With that said I love your videos and I agreee/ understand all that you've said as a portuguese person :)
Awesome video
I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
Thank you
Great video. I LOVE PORTUGAL
Thank you. I love Portugal as well. Such a fun place
"There's so much wrong with that sentence" - lol 🤣 that's why we love you Mark
We are a country of 10 million rally drivers with a part time as a tourist guides. We have a lot of flaws but we love to help tourists.
Portugal is lovely and the people are great and very nice and helpful.
We are headed to Spain in March 2025 then off to Portugal November '25. Thank you for the info you provide.
Glad to help out!!
Great vid! Wouod love to hesr more about living in portugsl as an english speaker, esspecislly one that does not yet know portuguese😅
You're 5th hate of Portugal sounds like my 6th love and makes me want to visit even more! New bucket list goal, try as many different cod dishes in Portugal!
Ahhhh, a man of culture i see.
@@TheAquarius1978 I'm just being silly. I love cod, but I love lots of food in general.
They have great infrastructure. EU membership has been so beneficial for them. I hope they also connect to Europe with high speed train in the future.
That would be great. Sadly, I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. Spain and Portugal use a different width for their train tracks than the rest of Europe, which is why there're currently no train connections possible between France and Spain except from one track to Barcelona. They would have to build an entirely new track, which is very expensive.
Hello Mark, love your videos. Wanted to react to this most recent on Portugal. (I’m Dutch) been to greater Lisbon area many times, both work and holiday (with my wife). Think I’ve spend 1-2 years of my life in greater Lisbon area. Though these days I always stay in Cascais on holiday and take day trips if I want). So some of my personal experiences based on your remarks and comments in the chat.
You can get a food anytime, sure it might not be your preferred local restaurant, but with soo many tourists, there’s always a place that will feed you.
People selling ‘hash’, indeed, say ‘no’ keep walking. Never had an issue (I smoke and if they see me smoking they come and ask for a sigaret to start selling)
Yes I’ve met a couple with an awesome sad story about how they need just a little money to pay… whatever. You can say no and just walk on. But as I’m not on a schedule, I’ve stopped once or twice, listening to their story (often in near perfect English) and giving them 10 euro for their story (after saying I didn’t believe it, but it was good entertainment 🤣)
Until recent I took loads of taxis (as for me they are relative low cost). But found that Uber now….🤣 many short trips are a few euro and I’ll happely spend a euro extra on a taxi. But Uber is just so easy when the app.
And yes, rally drivers… though most of their cars (especially old Mercedes) are nit fit for the rally🤣
My 2 cents
Hello, please do another Hungary video again! btw, big fan of your work.
You're the man, Mark! I-L-L...
hello mark i love your videos your descriptions of my country uk and england is always correct you've said it all, i know you said you would love to move to rome in one of your videos i love learning about all the places around the world you know everything about my country and around the world, if you could do a list of your favourite cities or countries that would be brilliant you and jocelyn must have some favourites
An obsession with Cod is the 6th love of Portugal 😂
LOVES:
Love…bike path along beach in Porto. Love…Jazz bars n Coimbra. Love …Sintra..the views. Love…secluded beaches, Love…the Duono river front in Porto
HATES..
Hate …highly skilled team pickpockets in Lisbon.
(Police told me they catch cheap flights from Romania, pick tourist’s pockets on crowded busses, and then flee on a cheap flight back the same day).
Hate…Difficulty in eating vegetarian
Hate…Can’t think of anything else,sorry.😁.
I'm portugues and only have cod fish maybe three times a year. I think that is just a way to show you our traditions.
Am I mistaken or has Mark been doing a lot of Portugal / Lisbon / Porto videos lately?
I have 😀 just one more left in a couple weeks then no more portugal videos for awhile 😀
@@woltersworld
Hey Mark, we love your video's and have been watching for years. We are a couple of Canadians looking to get away this Christmas and are seriously looking at Portugal. Can you please tell us if Portugal is a good Christmas vacation destination? We're not fussy, but probably would like northern Portugal better, although we are definitely not adverse to sun and sand (especially during our winter). Do you have any advice or possibly do you have an email that we could ask your expertise on. Thanks!
Thanks
I love cod, so hate no. 5 is no problem for me!
About the food taunting: for the outsider, I understand it does look like a tourist trap. But a local will never start eating those appetizers IF he/she is not hungry. Because that's the real function for those tempting seasoned olives/crispy bread/queijo fresco/chamuças/croquetes - you name it: they are seen as a solid apéritif for people who are hungry and still need to wait for the kitchen to prepare their meal. It's a way to calm down your low blood sugar until the real thing (meaning: the actual meal) appears on the table.
Yes. And things are cooked and prepared from scratch, it's no frozen stuff. That's also why in restaurants they want you to choose the food first and then, after sending the request to the kitchen, they come to ask about the drinks.
“Cod Is God!” was right there!
on the day this came out portugal beat turkey 3-0 effectively advancing them to the round of 16 with still 1 game left in the group stage in euro 2024
I've been to Porto and a few places in the North. It's very pretty but not fun in a wheelchair. All the cobbled streets nearly shook me to pieces and there are some terrible dropped curbs. Although the walkway and along the Douro and along the coast in Porto was pretty good for wheelchairs
They definitely do not cater to the disabled. At least not by US standards but then again I understand all of Europe is this way😢
Cod is more than a simple fish for the Portuguese, it is a cultural heritage. Don´t forget that for the long ship voyages salted food was a way of preserving it. During Salazar's dictatorship, most people were impoverished, cod was very cheap and one of the few fish they could afford (along with sardine and mackerel). Anyway, if you go to Elvas or other places on the Spanish border, you will find many restaurants full of Spaniards enjoying our "bacalao", as they say.
Tradition says that there are more than one thousand ways of cooking cod so we all have a long way to go! 😁
Some people have a weird mindset when traveling, take a few days to people watch you'll figure it out.
Professor come to Galicia! Do el camino! Try octopus, Calamari, almejas, zamburiñas...
Isso também há em Portugal 😅
Portuguese are crazy behind the steering wheel. Things can get wild sometimes! I've been living here for over two years, and it's difficult to get used to it.
Portugal and the Portuguese are terrific. But please beware: there are many hills in Lisbon and Porto, so please make sure that you can handle the rigors of walking. Also, both cities have cobblestone and marble sidewalks, which are incredibly slick when wet.
I've heard that the Portuguese fixation with cod is similar to the Korean's fixation with kimchi, to the degree that people judge potential partners on the merits of their cod and kimchi recipes ;p Maybe a bit of an international exaggeration, but I do find cultural food quirks like this fascinating.
Norhern Portugal is rather rainy (for some reason it is green all the year), the Portuguese do not eat cod most of the times (quite on the contrary) and nowadays that old speech about the "relaxed" pace of living looks more and more oudated. Portugal is so varied from North to South in weather, food, landscapes and lifestyles that the risks of stereotyping and oversimplifying is always high.
Thank you for this commentary. I am from Lisbon, and I never heard that saying about "wife and cod" in my entire life. Lisbon, in particular, is no different from ay other EU capital, the pace is not really that slow, perhaps in the more touristic areas, otherwise, people work hard and are very busy with their lives. As example: the same way it might be normal for Portuguese to stay seated for 2 hours in a cafe drinking a coffee, it is also very very normal for the same Portuguese to get in a cafe, get an expresso at the counter, drink it and be out after 2 minutes. Love Wolters and his videos, but sometimes we need to be careful with some stereotypes that are very region dependent.
As local people, you won’t be meeting the people tourists meet.
Dude, all i can say is, cod ( Bacalhau ) is love, bacalhau is life!!!
Great video as always, heading to porto in two weeks can’t wait. Planning on going to Tomar, Fatima, and the Algarve.
Any other suggestions, I’m a history guy can’t wait. Love from Ontario Canada. 🇨🇦
Obidos is another good day trip from Lisbon. By porto check out guimaraes.
@@woltersworld sounds great, I’ll be in Porto for five days and wondering about the speed train down to the Algarve and Lisbon is that doable?
Valença in the North. A bit like Óbidos. Aveiro. Coimbra + Lousã + Luso + Penela + Montemor-Velho + Conimbriga + Mealhada = eat leitão.
If you like history, definitely check out Silves in the Algarve
Just came home. Loved happy hour. Easy and cheap to Uber. Only about 10 euros from downtown to airport. Loved the cafes everywhere. Restaurants were great except one that added a tip and they barely spoke English. Luckily my companion was Spanish speaking. Had a great small group guide to Sintra. Found it easy to navigate. Take your time. It’s great will go again.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
I already know I would fail the food taunt 😉😉😉
Bacalhau is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’m curious as to why Americans are so concerned about having English spoken when travelling. You shouldn’t expect everyone to speak your language. The extra food given at the beginning was amazing - eat the cheese, olives and bread! It’s a great way to sample the local fare for very little money. If you don’t like codfish, don’t go . . .
You’re not curious, you’re smug.
Bc we have the strongest economy so ya..we expect people to speak English.
As a Portuguese I almost fall asleep at the wheel when I rent a car while traveling and try to drive as the locals. I pretty much quit after a day or two. The only place I felt right at home driving was the Seychelles.
As a Portuguese I never felt such thing. Actually, the only country where I found unconfortable driving was Italy, precisely for the opposite reasons. Their driving style is incredibly aggressive.
What do I hate? Leaving Portugal to come back home!😕
As a portuguese who lives in the uk, I totally understand the driving bit, but we aren´t the worse even in europe, as for the time keeping "hey if it´s less than 15 minutes, you are not late"....
Portuguese timing?? Is there any country that speaks any of the modern romance languages with people actually do things on time?
Actually in most of the World, not just romance speaking countries. Besides, anyone who takes a train in Germany nowadays easily forget old stereotypes
France.
Great on all these, since we are scheduled to go there during the election in the US.
What was that ski-lift-like bit at 4:44?
Im not sure but i think from lisbon zoo
Been to Lisbon after I watched the don'ts video of yours...Great city, totally enjoyed BUT Lisbon is way too steep of a city...😅
Lolol, try coming to Madeira then ( Portuguese island ), Lisbon is flat compared to Madeira.
@@TheAquarius1978 That's a volcano 🌋 island so I guess yes it's way worse...Is the island already full of tourists or it's still worth to visit it?
@@nobody....168 the island just got its 8th consecutive best European turist destination award, and yes we get around 3 000 000 per year ( if Im not wrong ) however, its whats called quality tourism, instead of mass tourism like you see in Greek or Spanish islands, só yes, its worth a visit.
Mark, speaking of The Algarve, are you ever going to visit there so you can feature that wonderful place in your videos.
One thing to add, insurance and medical care is very reasonable there, even for foreigners who retire there.
Ive been quite a few times just havent done videos there. Though i know i need to
@@woltersworld that would be great!
The Algarve is wonderful. We rented a villa near the beach and walked everywhere. Yes, even into town to pick up groceries!
I understand that UA-cam sort of requires extremes, but a tourist is not going to ‘hate’ any of these things you refer to. I spent 2 weeks in Portugal and went North from Lisbon, up to the Spanish border. And yes, like you I got tired of the bacalhau ( which I don’t think is as good as in Brazil)
You only need to ask for another thing. Literaly ANY place in Portugal will provide different kinds of meat, other kinds of fish beyond cod and, increasingly, vegetarian food.
The food taunting scam is something that only really happens in the tourist areas, in the rest of Portugal it's always free
hahaha, no.
Love Lisbon except Uber
Absolutely no rules
Yea.... you really should avoid Uber and Bolt, we have been having some isues with that, iligal drivers that shouldnt be near a car, much less doint that type of job, next time just get a taxy, might be slightly more expencive but those dudes know what they are doing ( and a taxy driver permit is a frikking fortune, so they wont jeoperdise their permits )
Calma! 😂
I,m with you, the food taunting is not to my liking..Having said that I´ve loved Portugal since 1967...!!!
I mean how can we say no to queijo fresco?!?!? Its impossible 😀
Hi Walter! What’s some great cities in Portugal to live in as remote workers?
I swear I've seen this video title before
The Portuguese, and southern Europeans in general, tend to do everything late. Knowing this helps me, but it does irk many Americans, especially those who prefer a strict timetable for their own needs.
The tourism industry is very good in Portugal- the guides are very helpful and knowledgeable about many things!
I get irritated when those tempting little appetizers on the tables are priced- but what can one do?
The prices in Portugal are very good. It may not be the cheapest country in the world, but one can get really good deals there!
Many of the locals are picking up English, partly because of the American tourism, but also because of Portugal’s long-standing relationship with the U.K. (Port wine is very popular and traditional at breakfast at Wimbledon, for example!)
Slow service? Yes, but that goes along with being late for everything.
Here are my like and dislike about Portugal- like: the decorative cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Dislike: tripping on those decorative cobblestone streets and sidewalks! Wear good walking shoes while traveling in Portugal (Better yet- buy a good pair of walking shoes while there- the Portuguese know their shoes- well constructed, comfortable as anything and a very good price!)!
I’ve traveled to Portugal 7 times and would love to go there again!😊❤🇵🇹
Wolter ! It’s pronounced Bacalhau . Bacalhau . You can pronounce it slowly : Bacalhau
Speaking of Cod, didn’t the Portuguese invent Fish and Chips?
No, Christ not even close lol, we invented the " tempura " or better the batter that goes on Tempura ( what we call " panado " and as you know fish and chips are a filet of fish " Panado ", but thats all we have to do with Fish and chips )
Yes, you can say that. Persecuted Portuguese jews introduced it in Britain during Inquisition times. It is called "filetes de peixe" in Portugal. Of course, there were many adaptations through all these centuries, so the two dishes are somewhat different nowadays.
The biggest hate for Portugal is that you need to bring your own food if you're vegetarian or vegan 😂😂😂
People couldn't even compute what a vegetarian is. But to be fair, in Madrid they gave me fish when I said I'm vegetarian 😂😂😂
In almost every restaurant now in the big cities you have a vegetarian option, just don't expect great variety. You do have dedicated vegetarian restaurants too.
Another stereotype. Lots of vegetarian food available in Portugal nowadays. Even if it isn't in the menu, most people would prepare something vegetarian. And, if the more traditional ones don't provide these, any of the many available apps will find one in the next corner. No excuses.
Come on! Timing description - really bad. Portuguese will show up on time or late like 10-20mins max. This is not Mexico or South American country. And about restaurants - you can find lots of rests that are open from 18:00.
I live in Portugal. They don't leave a voice message. One thing i don't like.
The worst thing with Portugal is the high number of french tourists
Actually, I find them quite interesting. They seem more interested in visiting more cultural things rather than just beach, beach and beach. Visiting a country and trying to know more about its culture rather than just looking for sun and sand is always a good thing.
I lived there 20 years ago. Did I miss something? I couldn't wait to leave. I find their neighbor much more open and genuinely friendly. Genuine is the key word.
If Americans behaved like the Portuguese, they would be labeled incompetent.
I can drive 5 hrs to Providence, RI and see all the Portuguese I want. ALL I SEES IS PORTUGUESE