Pickpockets: where to stay alert
As in all heavily touristed cities, pickpocketing happens in crowds: queues at monuments, shopping streets, packed public transport, around São Bento station and the Ribeira. Keep your phone and wallet in a closed pocket in front of you, and do not leave your bag on a café chair.
Classic scams
- The petition or "donation": someone hands you a form to sign, then asks for money.
- The "found" gold ring: someone "picks up" a ring in front of you and offers it to you for money.
- Fake taxis: refuse drivers who approach you; use taxi ranks or an app. See our guide from the airport to the centre.
- The restaurant bill: in Portugal, starters left on the table (bread, olives, cheese) are charged if you touch them, the "couvert". You can refuse them; otherwise, check the bill.
Cars and luggage
Theft from parked cars is a more frequent problem than many other crimes: leave nothing visible, even for a few minutes, and above all no luggage. For your bags before check-in, avoid leaving them unattended.
Useful numbers
- 112: the single emergency number (police, fire, ambulance), free, from any phone, 24 hours a day. An ambulance is not guaranteed: it is sent only for life-threatening emergencies.
- Saúde 24: 808 24 24 24, a non-emergency medical advice line.
- A theft is reported to the PSP (police); keep the receipt for your insurance.
Going further
To plan a worry-free stay, see where to stay in Porto and our budget for a trip to Porto.
