Carry Some Cash in Porto

Although most restaurants and cafés in Porto accept card payments, several of the traditional local spots in this guide are cash only or only accept Portuguese bank cards through the Multibanco network. To avoid any awkward surprises, we recommend carrying a small amount of cash with you each day.

If you need to withdraw cash, look for Multibanco (MB) ATMs, which are Portugal’s official bank cash machines. They’re widely available and generally offer much better exchange rates and lower fees than independent ATM providers.

Try to avoid Euronet ATMs if possible. They often charge higher fees and may encourage Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), where you’re asked if you’d like to be charged in your home currency. This usually results in a poorer exchange rate.

Good to know

• Carry around €20–€50 in cash for smaller purchases or traditional restaurants.

• Look for Multibanco (MB) ATMs instead of Euronet machines.

• If an ATM or card terminal asks whether you’d like to pay in your home currency, always choose to be charged in euros (€). Your own bank will almost always give you a better exchange rate.