---
title: Is Portugal Safe? Why It's One of Europe's Safest Destinations in 2026
description: Is Portugal safe to visit? Portugal ranks 7th in the 2026 Global Peace Index. Practical safety tips, the safest regions, and what travelers should know.
image: https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/hubfs/Belem%20Tower%20in%20Lisbon%20at%20sunset%2c%20Portugal.jpg
---
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# Is Portugal Safe? Why It's One of Europe's Safest Destinations in 2026
Posted by: [Alexandra Monteiro](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/author/alexandra-monteiro)
 4 Aug 2026, 08:30:07
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Updated: October 2026
Yes,[Portugal](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/14-day-premium-tour-in-portugal) is one of the safest countries in the world to visit. It ranks 7th out of 163 countries and territories in the 2026 Global Peace Index.
[](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/5-day-tour-in-madeira-island)
Madeira Island | © Jan Tokarczyk via Unsplash
For travelers deciding [where to spend their next holiday](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/customize-your-tour-or-experience), that sense of ease is a real advantage: it lets you slow down and focus on the landscapes, the food and the wine
## Portugal in the 2026 Global Peace Index
In the 2026 Global Peace Index, published in June 2026 by the Institute for Economics & Peace, Portugal ranks 7th in the world and 6th in Europe, with a score of 1.427. It has stayed in the global top 10 for more than a decade, a sign of long-term stability rather than a one-off result, even as peacefulness has declined in many parts of the world.
### What Makes Portugal Feel So Safe
[](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-porto-douro-valley-tour-private-3-hour-boat-trip)
© DaLiu / Getty Images Pro via Canva.com
- Low levels of violent crime and militarisation
- Political and social stability, as a parliamentary democracy, a founding member of
NATO (1949) and a member of the European Union since 1986
- Strong civic institutions and a modern public healthcare system
- A welcoming attitude toward visitors, with English widely spoken in tourist areas
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491068/3b3ab726-e181-48ad-8f1b-85c5232b9c42)
### Traveling in Portugal With Confidence: Practical Safety Tips
For anyone planning a trip to Portugal, the country's safety ranking translates into a few practical realities worth knowing:
- **City travel** is generally low-risk. Lisbon, Porto, and smaller cities are considered safe to explore on foot, including at night, with normal urban awareness.
- **Rural and countryside travel** carries no notable safety concerns beyond standard road awareness, whether you're driving through the Douro, the Alentejo plains, or the Algarve coastline.
- **Solo travelers**, including women traveling alone, commonly report feeling comfortable exploring both cities and the countryside.
- A **private chauffeur service** is comfortable, letting you take in the scenery without worrying about navigation or unfamiliar roads.
### The Safest Places in Portugal for Travelers
Portugal is safe across the country [wine regions](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-douro-valley-tour-with-2-hour-river-cruise), smaller historic towns, and the islands tend to feel the calmest, while Lisbon and Porto simply call for the usual big-city awareness.
Lisbon and Porto
Both cities are walkable and welcoming. Visitors comfortably explore historic districts, riverside areas and lively neighbourhoods day and night. The only real precaution is keeping an eye on belongings in crowded spots and on public transport.
[](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/5-day-douro-valley-tour-with-2-hour-river-cruise)
Douro | © Olha Kozachencko via Canva.com
The Douro Valley: Portugal's Wine Country
Nowhere is this sense of ease more apparent than in Portugal's wine regions. The Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of Port wine, is one of the world's oldest demarcated and regulated wine regions, established in 1756.
- Visitors regularly explore quintas, vineyards, and riverside villages on their own schedule, whether driving self-guided routes, joining a small-group wine tour, or traveling solo.
- Local wine producers and tour operators are accustomed to hosting travelers of every profile, including solo women, families with children, and older couples, without the safety compromises that can accompany rural travel in other parts of the world.
- A traveler who feels secure is more likely to extend a trip, explore beyond the main tourist routes, and return for a second or third visit, all of which is central to how the Douro Valley and Portugal's other wine regions sustain themselves as long-term travel destinations rather than one-time stops.
For those looking to experience this peace of mind at its finest, here is one journey worth considering.
### 14-Day Premium Tour in Portugal
Experience the soul of Portugal through a lens of absolute refinement. This is not merely a tour; it is a curated[14-day](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/14-day-premium-tour-in-portugal)[immersion into the history, terroir, and artistry](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/14-day-premium-tour-in-portugal)of Europe's most captivating destination.
[](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/14-day-premium-tour-in-portugal)
Belem Tower in Lisbon | © KavalenkavaVolha / Getty Images Pro via Canva.com
Experience the soul of Portugal through a lens of absolute refinement. The [14-day Premium Tour](https://www.winetourismportugal.com/en/wine-tours/all/14-day-premium-tour-in-portugal) is a curated immersion into the history, terroir, and artistry of the country, from Porto and the Douro Valley to Lisbon.
- A private trip aboard a vintage riverboat on the Douro
- Dining by Michelin-starred chefs
- Stays at five-star estates and hotels
- A private driver throughout the journey
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491068/63507f1c-5280-4673-9e13-b156a8a84540)
### Plan Your Safe, Unforgettable Escape
For many travelers, peace of mind is an essential part of the experience. With the
expertise of Wine Tourism in Portugal, you can plan with confidence and enjoy carefully curated wine estates, high-end hotels, fine dining and authentic cultural encounters, each journey designed around your interests and pace, with dedicated local support from arrival to departure.
### Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Portugal safe to travel to right now? Yes. Portugal ranks 7th in the 2026 Global Peace Index.
- What is Portugal's safety ranking in 2026? Portugal ranks 7th out of 163 countries and territories in the 2026 Global Peace Index, and 6th in Europe.
- Are Lisbon and Porto safe? Yes. Both cities are safe to explore day and night. The main precaution is watching for pickpockets on public transport and in crowded tourist areas.
- Where is the safest place in Portugal? Portugal is safe throughout the country. Wine regions such as the Douro Valley and the Alentejo, smaller historic towns, and the Madeira and Azores islands are among the calmest areas.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491068/2fe739f4-ce76-4d77-923e-87013bf3d91a)
Topics: [Portugal safety travel](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/portugal-safety-travel) [safest countries Europe 2026](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/safest-countries-europe-2026) [safest wine regions in Europe](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/safest-wine-regions-in-europe) [Portugal safest country](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/portugal-safest-country) [is Portugal safe to visit](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/is-portugal-safe-to-visit) [Global Peace Index Portugal](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/global-peace-index-portugal) [is the Douro Valley safe to visit](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/is-the-douro-valley-safe-to-visit) [solo travel safety Portugal](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/topic/solo-travel-safety-portugal)
### Written by: [Alexandra Monteiro](https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/author/alexandra-monteiro)
Alexandra is a marketing specialist with a global mindset and a deep appreciation for culture. With a Master’s in Commercial Management and Marketing - and another in Chinese Studies - she effortlessly connects strategy with storytelling. A true travel enthusiast, she finds inspiration in Eastern traditions and brings that same sense of curiosity and detail to her work. At Wine Tourism in Portugal, she blends her love for discovery with a passion for sharing Portugal’s wine culture with the world.
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