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

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How safe is Portugal?

Safety at night:

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:

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:

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:

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 250 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5

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
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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
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Greta

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
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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
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Melissa

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
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Toral

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
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Amandine

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
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Antonia

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
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Daniela

Daniela

Portugal

Porto, Group travel

i'm here in porto with lots of other erasmus students. together we feel very comfortable here. we do lots of things like go to the beach or for a walk, go to the river or just walk through the city. a nice place is the jardim do morro on the other side of the river or the sé de porto.

Posted: April 23, 2025
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Elisa

Elisa

Spain

Lisbon, Group travel

lisbon was such a pretty city ! the monasteries were a bit expensive for our budget but we went to miradores, gave à walk in the old city which is really pretty with its little streets. We also went to sintra, accesible in train at 40 min, where there are at least 3 beautiful castles in different architectural styles sooo worth it !! im vegetarian so i didnt try traditional food with fish but pasteis de nata yes and it was such a succulent desert!

Posted: April 13, 2025
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Is Portugal safe for women?

Safety index

4.3 /5

Based on 171 local experiences

Crime index

1.8 /5

Based on 171 local experiences

Porto

There are many Indians and Arabs on the streets who harass women. In general, the port is safe if you are in areas with lots of people, such as tourist spots or walking on the streets. At night, I do not recommend going alone in isolated areas (for example, in the riverside it's safe at night because there are many people).

Posted: May 6, 2025
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Mariana

Mariana

Lisbon

I think that Lisbon is a safe city in general. Of course, as a solo female I have to pay attention on what is around me, specially at night. But I have never been robbed, or experienced anything similar.

Posted: May 6, 2025
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Meet locals in Portugal

Daniela

Daniela

About Me

Hey🦋 I'm Dani, 20 years old and I'm currently doing my semester abroad in Porto. ☀️ I actually study in Venlo, Netherlands and live in Germany. From the beginning of July I would like to travel with my best friend Anna from the Algarve via Spain and Italy to Romania. 🚂

Speaking

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Hellena

Hellena

About Me

Hello, I'm Hellena ☺️ I am a Brazilian history student currently living in Portugal. I've been in Portugal since January/25 to study in Coimbra university and since then I've met so many good friends and would love to know many more from many different cultures. I love travelling 🧳 and I'm currently working from home, so I'm looking for some good new places to go!

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Portugal

Zehra

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

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Rita

Rita

Vila Real

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I’m passionate about languages, culture, and storytelling. I’m currently studying Languages and Literature and love exploring how art and identity connect across different traditions. I believe in using knowledge to make a meaningful impact, especially in preserving and sharing my heritage.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Portugal

Iman

Iman

About Me

I always struggle writing stuff about me because I don't feel like on that interesting but I grew up in the Bay Area, went to a French immersion school when I was younger, played soccer, all my life, and through my travel agent, mother and my sport, I traveled a lot as a kid. I love languages, new experiences, a good breakfast or brunch spot and wake up every day, wanting to seize the moment. I've had almost every type of job you can think of and now I'm finally venturing out as an entrepreneur to try to develop a career in property and travel. I'm trying to build my tribe of entrepreneurs, female adventures, and zest for lifers.

Speaking

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Arianna

Arianna

About Me

Hi to everyone! I’m Arianna, and I’m here to re-discover something that brings me joy such as meeting new people and discover more about the world. 🦭🦋 I’m down for meet-ups, even though for the moment I can’t host, I will happily show you around Bologna.

Speaking

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Safety in Portugal