Question 1

What is the "Souvenir Shop Shortchange" scam in Porto?

Accepted Answer

Souvenir vendors near Clérigos Tower and Sé Cathedral sometimes shortchange tourists paying with €50 notes, using distraction or rushing the transaction to obscure the error. Count your change carefully before leaving the counter. Use smaller notes when possible.

Question 2

What is the "Street Vendor Shortchange on Notes" scam in Porto?

Accepted Answer

Vendors at the Mercado do Bolhão and street sellers near the Praça da Liberdade use sleight-of-hand when giving change for larger notes. A common technique is to fan out change while talking rapidly, handing back fewer notes or substituting a €5 for a €10 — counting on the tourist to pocket the change without checking. Porto's cash-dominant market culture makes this possible even in busy legitimate-looking stalls. Count your change immediately and visibly before pocketing it. When paying, state the denomination of the note you're handing over (e.g. "Here's €20"). Use contactless payment where accepted to avoid cash handling entirely.

Other Tourist Scams in Porto

Souvenir Shop Shortchange

Street Vendor Shortchange on Notes

Experienced a scam here?