Guidebook Updates for Portugal

When we learn of critical changes to the information in our guidebooks on Portugal, we post them here. (Of course, it's still smart to reconfirm critical transportation and sightseeing details locally.) Armed with a Rick Steves guidebook and these late-breaking updates, you're set for a great trip!

Across Portugal

For books printed before August 2025, the following may apply:

  • For drivers paying tolls, the three-day, €20 prepaid card that includes unlimited travel for those driving a car registered outside Portugal is now called the Virtual Card (formerly called "TOLL Service").
  • Some Portuguese highways have eliminated their tolls, including the A4 – Transmontana and Túnel do Marão, A13 and A13-1, A22, A23, A24, A25, and on the sections of the A28 between Esposende and Antas and between Neiva and Darque.

Algarve

Coimbra

For books printed before November 2026, the following may apply:

  • The small downtown Coimbra-A train station has closed, and the shuttle train that connected Coimbra-A with the large Coimbra-B train station (north of the city) is not running. Passengers arriving at Coimbra-B can reach the city center by bus (included with your rail ticket) while a new transit link is under construction.
  • Transdev no longer runs buses from Coimbra to Conímbriga. Regional SIT bus #209 leaves for Conímbriga from the Portagem stop (near Hotel Astória) and takes about 45 minutes (€3; weekdays at 9:00, 9:30, and 12:30, Sat at 9:30, 12:30, and 15:30, none on Sun). Return buses leave from Conímbriga's parking lot (Mon–Fri at 13:25, 16:25, and 17:55, Sat at 13:25 and 18:25).

For books printed before August 2025, the following may also apply:

  • Calado e Calado Restaurante has closed.
  • Bar Diligencia has likely closed.
  • Bar do Mercado Requinte has closed.

Douro Valley

For books printed before August 2025, the following may apply:

  • If you're taking the long, lazy river cruise from Porto to the Douro Valley (with stops in Régua and sometimes Pinhão), you'll be put on a bus back to Porto (the return trip is no longer by train).
  • The Quinta de Marrocos in Régua has new contact info: +351 966 053 517, https://quintademarrocos.pt, [email protected].
  • At the Quinta do Vallado, daily tastings and tours run at 11:00, 14:30, and 16:30; book ahead online or take your chances.
  • Dinner prices have increased significantly at the Quinta de la Rosa outside Pinhão: Options for a three-course dinner now are now €45 with no wine, €55 with regular wines, and €65 with reserve wines; reservations are required (email [email protected]). Tours of the quinta are now offered daily at 11:30, 14:30, and 17:00 (now €22.50); reserve ahead for these on their site.

Évora

For books printed before August 2025, the following may apply:

  • RSI no longer offers bus tours to the general public.

Lisbon

  • The Gulbenkian Museum has reopened after its renovation.
  • Admission to the National Coach Museum in Belém is now €15 and includes both the museum and the Royal Riding School. There are no longer separate tickets for each.
  • The Graça funicular is now running again (daily 7:00–21:00). Lisbon's other funiculars remain closed while equipment is being improved and tested following the fatal accident on the Elevador da Gloría in September 2025.

For books printed before November 2026, the following may also apply:

For books printed before August 2025, the following may also apply:

Nazaré

For books printed before August 2025, the following may apply:

Near Nazaré (Batalha, Fátima, Tomar, Alcobaça, Óbidos)

For books printed before August 2025, the following may apply:

  • Batalha's tourist information office has a new website and phone number: +351 244 769 877.
  • Fátima's tourist information office website is now at https://visitfatima.pt.
  • In Tomar, a handy minibus (line "Verde") now takes visitors from the train station up to the castle (€1.50, runs every 45 minutes from 10:00, Sat runs only until 13:00, none on Sun).
  • There's no longer a combo-ticket for the Monastery of Santa Maria in Batalha, the Convent of Christ in Tomar, and the Monastery of Santa Maria in Alcobaça.
  • In Óbidos, it is no longer possible to park inside the town walls even if you are staying at a hotel there.

Porto

For books printed before August 2025, the following may apply:

  • Porto's main tourist information office, the Porto Welcome Center, is across the street from the São Bento train station (daily 9:00–18:00, +351 222 081 833). Another tourist information office is in the crenelated tower near the Cathedral Square, and another is at the airport.
  • Trolley #22 remains suspended during Metro construction.
  • The Bolhão Market has reopened after a lengthy renovation.
  • Santa Clara Church has reopened following renovations (entry is now €4).
  • To visit the Stock Exchange Palace, you can check the schedule for English-language tours online, but you can't reserve or buy a ticket on the website. It's better to drop in and check tour options at the ticket counter (availability is displayed on a screen there).
  • 1872 River House has a new website; their new email address is [email protected].
  • A.S. 1829 Hotel has a new website; their new email address is [email protected].
  • Pestana Porto Hotel is now called Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel.
  • Pensão Residencial Belo Sonho has closed.

Sintra

For books printed before August 2025, the following may apply:

  • Tickets for the Pena Palace shuttle can now be purchased online as an add-on to your timed-entry palace tickets.
  • There is no longer a shuttle from parking lots outside Sintra's historic center. Drivers who park in one of these outside lots can take an Uber or Bolt into town.
  • Scotturb no longer runs bus #403 from Sintra to Cabo da Roca or bus #417 from Sintra to Cascais.
  • Casa Miradouro has closed.