Is Portugal Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Portugal is generally a safe country for solo female travelers. It has a lower crime rate compared to other European countries. Portuguese people are known for their hospitality and are always willing to help. As with any travel destination, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings and follow common sense rules such as keeping your belongings secure. Even though the country is safe, I would still recommend you blend in with the locals as much as possible to not draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

Safety rating

4.6 /5

Based on 252 experiences from female travelers

4.3 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.3 /5

Based on 173 experiences from local women

Portugal is currently ranked #27 safest country for solo female travelers, with an overall safety rating of 4.6 out of 5. Check the full ranking.

Make friends while traveling solo

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet other women, find travel buddies and stay with locals for free through hospitality exchange.

How safe is Portugal?

Safety at night:Safe

Portugal, particularly its key cities like Lisbon and Porto, is generally a safe place to be at night. As a solo female traveler, walking alone shouldn't pose a significant issue. Portugal has a low rate of violent crime. However, some areas can be a bit sketchy at night particularly some outskirts and silent alleys, so it's advisable to stay in populated places where lighting is good. Also, be beware of pickpockets in tourist areas and in public transport like in any other major cities.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Portugal, such as buses, trams, metros, and trains, is generally safe for solo female travelers. They are often well-maintained and have clear routes. Nonetheless, as in any public space around the globe, you must stay alert and mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas and major tourist destinations to prevent pickpockets.

Street harassment:Low

Portugal generally offers a safe and welcoming environment for solo female travelers. Street harassment is relatively low, with most locals respectful and helpful. In populated tourist areas, there can be incidents of cat-calling or unwanted attention, but these don't tend to be aggressive or overly intrusive. However, it's still wise to take general safety precautions, particularly after dark, in less crowded neighborhoods or when using public transportation.

Petty crimes:Low

Portugal generally presents a low risk for petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. Mainly tourist hotspots, public transportation, and crowded areas may be targeted. Still, by maintaining a high level of vigilance and keeping your personal belongings secure, such incidents can often be prevented.

Is Portugal worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 252 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5

Portugal, Solo travel

This was my 2nd trip to Portugal. I explored Lisbon, Porto and Faro. Amazing food . If you are a seafood lover, you are in luck. Great wine culture. The cities are well connected with the public transports. If not , you will find some Uber services for a really good price. It might get crowded during the summers. I would recommend exploring Portugal in November or early December. The prices are just right and less crowded.

Posted: May 16, 2025Experienced: November, 2024

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Yénola

France

Lisbon, Family travel

I went to Lisbon with my aunt in 2023. It was an amazing trip !! The city is absolutely stunning, the food is sooo good and people were really nice. We stayed at an Airbnb with the nicest couple ever, they had tons of great recommendations and were overall super welcoming. I didn't find it very expensive. It's definitely a trip I'd recommend and if you have the chnace to find a restaurant that offers a Fado concert go for it. It's a unique experience that gets you immersed in the beautiful culture

Posted: May 16, 2025

favorite_border 2

mode_comment 0

Porto, Group travel

In porto we walk a lot, to see many things. To eat you have to try rice at tomato it is very very good, of course if you like rice and tomato. You have to go at the top of the city you can have a beautiful point of view.

Posted: May 7, 2025

favorite_border 2

mode_comment 0

Porto, Solo travel

Porto is a very beautiful city and I think it is really similar to İstanbul. Maybe I think in this way beacuse I'm Turkish but anyway both are great and beautiful cities. I stayed there 1 night. I booked a hostel which was far away from the main streets and I don't recommend it because I needed uber and I couldn't pay because I don't have a credit card and they don't accept cash and I wanted help from the owner. He helped, so I can say people are warm. Also, I recommend you to go "Livrarie Lelle" which is a little bookshop but so beautifull! They sell their tickets online for visiting! It was a great place and I also recommend to eat nata! It's sweet and creamy

Posted: May 6, 2025Experienced: May, 2024

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Greta

Poland

Porto, Group travel

It was amazing! I think it was my best trip, and I hope I'm going to come back there and have a reunion with all the surf couches. I loved the vibe and felt very safe. I recommend this city to everyone; the view is picturesque, with small colorful buildings and beautiful beaches. I'm in love!

Posted: May 6, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Porto, Family travel

I was there with my cousin when we were 19 and we never had a second thought about our safety even though we stayed in a hostel and were alone in the city. People are very nice and friendly, they speak English very well. The overall atmosphere is very pleasant and people always want to come back 💚

Posted: May 4, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Melissa

Austria

Algarve, Solo travel

While the hotels in the south of Portugal are more expensive, it has its reasons. It’s beautiful there. The sea caves are amazing. Always good waves for surfing, delicious food & much more. I was there in the summer and I got quite burned, so be sure to put that sunscreen on even for quick trips outside. One hour in the sun without sunscreen is baaaad. lol

Posted: April 29, 2025

favorite_border 2

mode_comment 0

Toral

France

Portugal, Solo travel

I visited Faro, Lagos, Lisbon, Aveiro, Sintra, Porto. I traveled alone by train and bus. I stayed in hostels, they were affordable and had a good ambiance. Don't miss out on traditional Portuguese dishes and Porto wine!! Sintra has beautiful castles but is a bit expensive. Ping me for any recommendations or ideas, happy to help!!

Posted: April 27, 2025Experienced: March, 2025

favorite_border 16

mode_comment 0

Amandine

France

Lisbon, Group travel

Lisbon was the first travel group I did with my friends. It was a great experience! We rented a villa with a pool in Costa da Caparica, and I think it was the best decision since we were 6, and since the rental prices in the center of Lisbon are much higher. To go to the center and move around, we took some bolts, which divided by 6 was the cheapest and best option (It was most of the time around 1€ to 4€ per person depending on the length of the journey!) We mostly visited Lisbon in the center and in its surroundings but also Costa da Caparica and its beaches; Sintra, where we went to the Quinta da Regaleira; Almada... We ate some local food but also in small snack places since we wanted to sped money on activities more than food. If I could recommend a restaurant, it would be Casa do Alentejo, which is hidden in a small palace. We felt pretty safe everywhere since we were never alone, always together as a group or by pair. But at night in the center of Lisbon, they were some streets which didn't feel safe. We stayed in the most touristic streets, but sometimes, when we ended up in smaller streets, we were approached by men and asked if we wanted drugs. At first, it was surprising, but we ended up not caring since we were asked like a dozen times if we wanted some lmao. But mostly people are quite friendly and nice so we felt safe the whole trip. Overall, I think I spend almost 300€ for 8 days in a villa while not restricting myself on the budget and enjoying many activities. Lisbon is really worth it for a cheap trip !

Posted: April 24, 2025Experienced: May, 2024

favorite_border 3

mode_comment 3

Antonia

Sweden

Esposende, Solo travel

•I felt very safe •Esposende Inn, a sports hostel, is in my opinion a great place to stay. They were nice and I felt very safe there. I also mert new people there. It was close to the Beach, the supermarkets and Restaurants. I had a great view from my Window

Posted: April 24, 2025Experienced: February, 2024

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Is Portugal safe for women?

Safety index

4.3 /5

Based on 173 local experiences

Crime index

1.8 /5

Based on 173 local experiences

Tamar

Lisbon

Lisbon is Like an average city for this: like women ate never 100% safe no matter where but usually I don’t feel myself insecure living here and that’s why I chose here. But still, women always have to be alert somehow

Posted: May 15, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Beatriz

Chaves

Chaves is a small city, quite peaceful where crime is almost non-existent. Of course, like everywhere, there are bad people, but crimes such as assault, rape, or other crimes against women are very rare.

Posted: May 10, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Check all reviews

Meet locals in Portugal

Beatriz

About Me

I'm a very art-oriented person who loves to paint, draw, sometimes tattoo; love to hike, impulsive travelling and camping. I see myself as someone who keeps trying to learn about the most random little things that Life brings to me.

Speaking

mode_comment 1

Sofia

About Me

21 year old aerospace engineering student passionate about knowing more about what our beautiful world has to offer us :) in addition to that, music is a really important part of my life and i live getting new music recommendations 👀

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Portugal

Zehra

Caldas Da Rainha

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello, I'm Zehra! I'm 19 years old, an art student. I'm currently doing Erasmus in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. I originally live in Eskişehir, Turkey and I'm Turkish! My favorite thing in life is drawing and singing and dancing. Since I came to Erasmus, it's been my dream to go to many European countries, I've been to a few of them, you can check out the details on my profile!!!

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Domingas

Águeda

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey my name is Domingas, I'm from Angola but now I'm living in Portugal, I've been here for about 6 years. I like listening to music, reading, drawing (almost never) watching series and watching horror movies (I love horror movies) I'm 18 and always I wanted to travel the world, like, see what's around me, you know? 🥹