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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.

Portugal is currently ranked #18 safest country for solo female travellers. Check the full ranking.

Safety rating

4.7 /5

Based on 43 travel experiences

4.3 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.3 /5

Based on 69 local experiences

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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 safe to travel?

4.7 /5

Based on 43 experiences

Lisbon, Solo travel

Lisbon is a very safe city. I felt comfortable solo traveling as a female and navigating the city at all hours of the day. I did not run into any issues and found the people to be very kind. The transportation system is fairly good and it was easy to navigate the city.

Posted: August 31, 2024Experienced: August, 2024

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Tavira, Solo travel

Tavira is a beautiful town near to Faro, have great beaches and good food. The castle is a nice place to visit the city is safety and quiet wich is good if you are looking to recover after long walks.

Posted: August 30, 2024Experienced: July, 2024

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Portugal, Group travel

I went to Portugal to spend Christmas and New Year’s there. The weather was great for winter, especially since I was in the Algarve. Although many places were closed due to the low season, the ones that were open were more than enough to enjoy. I felt safe, and the people were very kind and helpful when I needed help!

Posted: August 27, 2024

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Alicia

New Zealand

Porto, Solo travel

I always felt safe in Porto, both during the day and at night. I did a mountain tour on the outskirts of Porto and it was one of my highlight of my whole Europe trip, the views were incredible and learning about the locals and the history was an amazing experience. I think the best way to explore Porto is just to walk around and turn down as many streets as you can without using maps, then just use maps to find your way back. The metro is great and really cheap in Porto, just get a ticket from the machine at any stop and you can get 24 hour tickets for just a few euros. I stayed at Cats Hostel and it was amazing. I went there twice because I loved it so much. The staff were lovely, it’s cheap, the location is great and I made heaps of friends there.

Posted: August 24, 2024

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Aurelia

Austria

Lisbon, Family travel

I was there a few days with my friend and her family. We all felt really safe and had amazing vegan food. I was walking also alone during the night and I felt safe. Would come back for sure 👍 Public transport is also really good. The busses and underground trains are coming quite often - no need to wait that long. At least that's my experience 🙂

Posted: August 23, 2024Experienced: June, 2024

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Anaïs

France

Lisbon, Solo travel

Lisbon is a safe and nice city to a solo trip. People are really helpfull and kind. There is a lot to do and food is good cheap and good. So as my first solo trip it was a nice experience.

Posted: August 19, 2024

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Porto, Couple travel

I felt very safe, experienced no problems. A lot to see, very nice architecture and historical buildings. Interesting culture and nice and friendly people. Food was of course amazing. I think it’s a must city.

Posted: August 3, 2024Experienced: August, 2021

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Lisbon, Solo travel

Lisbon has been great so far, compared to Nz the cost of living is far affordable, supermarket items all a fraction of the price, I had my hair cut and coloured for next to nothing. Blow away. Settling half an hour walk from the touristy part I opted to walk for exercise sakes, I did not bother with the “just a lift” as the views from the top of the hill were (I imagine) the same if not better. And no line. I didn’t bother googling food near me, I always found something delicious. Trainers/sneakers are a must… the stones appear like if they were wet could be dangerous as they’re already slippery and polished even in the height of summer.

Posted: August 3, 2024

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Lisbon, Solo travel

Lisbon is simply charming! The city is not very big, so it is possible to do everything walking.What’s great to get to know every corner and save money. For me the most beautiful and unmissable part of the city are the streets of the “Old Lisbon” beautiful gardens and buildings full of stories. And you need to eat the pastel of Belém, it’s €1.40 and it was the best pastel de nata I’ve ever eaten! I stayed at a hostel in the old part of the city, well located, close to one of the viewpoints (it was around €18 a night) and it was super worth it. I felt very safe in the city, as there are many tourists, people don’t even realise you, I didn’t feel uncomfortable at any time. The attractions have some that are a little expensive (I didn’t go to these), but it’s super worth visiting and taking several photos on the outside. I loved the city and I would definitely come back <3

Posted: July 30, 2024

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Porto, Couple travel

Porto was a beautiful vibrant city with a lot of culture. Going around by metro and foot was fairly easy. I was lucky enough to have locals show me around. As a queer couple I felt quite safe with my partner. Food was not too expensive. I went to eat the famous the francesinha, and the place I went to offered a vegetarian option, which was a rare experience in Portugal over all.

Posted: July 30, 2024Experienced: July, 2024

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Is Portugal safe for women?

Safety rating

4.3 /5

Based on 69 experiences

Crime rates rating

1.8 /5

Based on 69 experiences

Marta

Aveiro

The city of Aveiro is super calm and peaceful! It's called the Portuguese Venice due to the existing canals. There's no crime at all, and even at night, it's super safe. It has a good climate and good food! The existing public transportation is good.

Posted: September 8, 2024

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Aveiro

Extremely safe city for solo female travelers and travels in general. Laid back but very helpful people that would step in should there be a need for it and will provide general info. Very low crime rate.

Posted: September 1, 2024

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Is Portugal safe right now?

Before your visit to Portugal, it's essential to check travel advisories for Portugal, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.

🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The United States government advises to exercise normal precautions in Portugal. Check the full travel advisory.

Last updated: July 26, 2023

🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Canadian Government advises taking normal security precautions in Portugal. Check the full travel advisory.

Last updated: August 30, 2024

🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

Exercise normal safety precautions in Portugal. Check the full travel advisory.

Last updated: March 27, 2024

Is Portugal worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 43 experiences

Nazare, Solo travel

I felt extremely save in nazare! I stayed a few days end of may there weren‘t too many tourists. The Beaches are great but I did not really feel comfortable going swimming on my on as the waves can be really big :).

Posted: September 3, 2024

Things to do: 4/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Algarve, Solo travel

Lagos is a beautiful and great town at the Algarve in Portgal. I felt save and very welcome. My stay was at a Airbnb with a warm and friendly host. We had good conversations. At the market hall I met friendly and helpful locals. There was always time for a talk and explanation about their products and the area around. I did a round tour by food of Lagos. The travel guide was a local. He told me many interesting things about history, locals and local food, fish etc. I really recommend Lagos

Posted: September 2, 2024Experienced: April, 2024

Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Meet locals in Portugal

Meet local women in Portugal who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.

Paula

About Me

I’m 22 years old Polish girl that loves traveling:)

Speaking

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Patrícia

About Me

I’m a Portuguese 27 years old girl, I live in Lisbon, work in a tech startup and finally got the chance to start traveling around the world for meaningful trips 🤩 My goal is to visit interesting countries with history and culture, meeting locals and understand more about their habits and traditions 🌍 I’m passionate about discovering new restaurants in town and dancing a lot of styles 💃🏻 I’m here because it’s not possible to always have a group of friends that want to travel to the same place and for the same amount of weeks with me so I need to do it by myself 🙌🏻 I would love to connect new girlies that are brave to discover the world by their own 🥰

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Portugal

Stay with local women in Portugal who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Hospitality exchange is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.

Paula

Lisbon

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I’m 22 years old Polish girl that loves traveling:)

Speaking

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Noga

Portugal

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I moved recently to the area of Ericeira to join a housing cooperative. I love dancing, cooking, nature and growing as a human in love and compassion. Im an activist in social and environmental change, mediator in NVC method and facilitator in the area of community building.