Europe
Can you drink tap water in Portugal?
YesYes, drinkable
Can you drink the tap water in Portugal?
Tap water is safe to drink. Safe and good quality nationwide, though chlorinated in places. Restaurants serve bottled by default; ask for 'água da torneira'.
Key facts
- Safely managed drinking water: 95% of people (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water by place in Portugal
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and good; locals drink it. Restaurants serve bottled by default, so ask for água da torneira. |
| Porto | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and good quality; ask for água da torneira in restaurants. |
| Algarve | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe; it is hard and chlorinated in places, so many locals prefer bottled. Water restrictions in dry summers. |
| Madeira | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and drunk by locals; very hard in places. Mountain villages may have temporary advisories. |
| Sintra | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe. Fountains in the old town are fine for refilling, but check for signs saying não potável. |
| Lagos | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe, though hard and chlorinated. Many locals drink bottled. Water-saving restrictions in dry summers. |
| Albufeira | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe, hard and chlorinated; many locals and visitors prefer bottled. |
| Cascais | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and good; restaurants serve bottled by default, so ask for água da torneira. |
| Azores | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is generally safe and drunk by locals. Occasional local advisories happen after heavy rain; check with your host. |
| Faro | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe; hard and chlorinated. Many residents drink bottled. |
| Ericeira | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe, good quality; ask for água da torneira in restaurants. |
| Coimbra | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and good; ask for água da torneira in restaurants. |
| Douro Valley | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe, though it can taste of chlorine; restaurants serve bottled by default. |
| Évora | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe, though hard and chlorinated; restaurants serve bottled by default. |
| Braga | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and good quality; ask for água da torneira. |
| Aveiro | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and good quality; restaurants serve bottled by default. |
| Nazaré | Yes, drinkable | Tap water is safe and good quality; restaurants serve bottled by default. |
| Silver Coast | Yes, drinkable | Safe and good. Ask for água da torneira in restaurants. |
| Tavira | Yes, drinkable | Safe, though chlorinated and hard in places. Ask for água da torneira in restaurants. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- Portugal visa portal (MNE)
- GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
- SNS 24
- Speedtest Global Index: Portugal
- EF English Proficiency Index: Portugal
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.