Solo travel in Portugal: where to eat, stay and meet people
Portugal is a favourite for solo travellers: safe, affordable by European standards, easy to get around, and full of other travellers.
This guide is about the social side: where to stay, where to eat and how to turn a solo trip into one with good company.
Where to stay to meet people
Hostels in Lisbon, Porto and Lagos are known for social dinners, walking tours and rooftop evenings, and many also have private rooms. Surf camps on the coast (Ericeira, Peniche, the Algarve) put you with a group from the first day. Guesthouses with shared breakfasts are a quieter option.
Where to eat when you are on your own
Portuguese tascas are small and informal, and sitting at the counter is normal. Food markets and food halls have long shared tables. Lunch menus (prato do dia) are good value and lunchtime is the most sociable time to eat alone.
Meeting people city by city
- Lisbon: walking tours, food markets, miradouros at sunset, coworks and surf nearby
- Porto: the riverside, port wine cellars with group tastings, food tours
- Algarve: boat trips, surf and beach towns full of travellers
- Coast: surf towns like Ericeira and Peniche, built around group lessons
Find company where you already are
Notai is made for exactly this moment. At a Notai place, you scan the card on your table and see who else there is up for company right now: lunch, a coffee, a workout or just a chat. A chat only opens if they say hi back, you agree who comes over, and you share a table. No sign-up, no swiping, and you disappear when you leave.
Notai’s first partner places open in Lisbon soon. Try the app demo on notai.pt.
Questions
Is Portugal good for solo travel?
Yes. It is considered safe and easy to travel, with many other solo travellers, social hostels, tours and group activities.
Where can I eat alone in Portugal without feeling alone?
Tasca counters, food markets with shared tables and lunchtime menus. Notai shows who at the same place is up for company.
How do I meet other travellers in Portugal?
Stay in social hostels or surf camps, join walking and food tours, and use apps like Notai that show people nearby who are up for company.