Tourist Scams in Portugal

Near Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, at the entrance to Alfama, and around Praça do Comércio, individuals approach tourists and quickly tie a coloured string bracelet onto their wrist without asking permission. Once the bracelet is secured, they demand payment — typically €5–20 — claiming it is a traditional gift or good luck charm. Refusing to pay can lead to aggressive confrontation. Victims who pull away may find the bracelet is deliberately knotted tightly to make removal difficult.

How to avoid: Keep your hands in your pockets or crossed when walking through tourist areas. If someone starts to touch your arm or wrist, pull away immediately and say "Não, obrigado" firmly. Do not make eye contact or engage with individuals holding bracelets or string.

The famous Tram 28 route through Alfama and Bairro Alto is one of Europe's most notorious pickpocket corridors. Organised gangs board the trams and systematically steal from distracted tourists enjoying the views.

How to avoid: Keep your bag zipped and held in front of you at all times on Tram 28. Consider walking the route instead — the streets are equally scenic and far safer.

The Algarve is one of Europe's most aggressive timeshare and holiday club sales territories. Representatives approach tourists on resort strips and in shopping centres with offers of free gifts, meals, or boat trips in exchange for attending a "short" presentation that typically lasts several hours. Sales tactics are high-pressure and can be difficult to leave once inside.

How to avoid: Decline all approaches offering free gifts in exchange for attending a presentation. No legitimate offer requires you to give up hours of your holiday to earn a gift. If you attend and wish to leave, you have the legal right to do so at any time regardless of what sales staff claim.

Restaurants near Alfama advertising authentic fado charge tourist premiums (€50–80 per person) for mediocre food with tourist-targeted fado performances that lack the authenticity of local fado houses.

How to avoid: Book fado at well-reviewed houses like A Tasca do Chico, Mesa de Frades, or Tasca do Jaime using advance reservations. Avoid restaurants aggressively touting outside.

Tuk-tuk operators in Sintra's town center quote fares of €20-40 for short rides to Pena Palace or the Moorish Castle that are available via the official 434 bus circuit for €7.50. Some tuk-tuk drivers claim the bus is fully booked or not running to steer tourists toward their vehicle.

How to avoid: The official Scotturb 434 bus route serves all major Sintra palace sites on a loop from the train station. Tickets are purchased on board. Check the Scotturb app for real-time bus schedules before accepting any alternative transport offer.

The three-card monte and shell-and-ball game operates in and around Rossio and Praça do Comércio. A ring of shills creates the appearance of a winnable game. Every tourist who bets loses.

How to avoid: Ignore all street betting games. Walk away without engaging.

At Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport arrivals, drivers present themselves as legitimate Uber or Bolt drivers, displaying phone screens showing a trip assignment that is fabricated or belongs to another booking. They charge flat cash rates of €40–70 for a journey that costs €10–18 on the official app. A secondary variant involves "helpers" in the arrivals hall who offer to book a ride on your behalf, taking your phone to log you into a fake driver account. Portuguese consumer protection authority DECO has issued specific warnings about this scam at Humberto Delgado.

How to avoid: Only accept rides confirmed inside the official Uber or Bolt app, which shows the driver's name, photo, plate number, and current GPS location approaching you. Meet your driver at the designated app pick-up zone, not the kerb. Never hand your phone to a stranger to help you book a ride.

Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists in Baixa-Chiado, near Rossio Square, and along Avenida da Liberdade, flashing unofficial-looking badges and claiming to be conducting an anti-drug or anti-counterfeit money operation. They insist on inspecting the victim's wallet and cash, then return it with notes removed. A common variant involves two "officers" — one distracts while the other skims cash. Portuguese national police (PSP) do not conduct random wallet checks on the street and will never ask a tourist to hand over their wallet.

How to avoid: Never hand your wallet to anyone claiming to be a plainclothes officer. Ask to be taken to the nearest police station (esquadra) to verify their identity. Real PSP officers will comply. If you feel unsafe, walk into any shop or cafe.