Setup
If ~/portugal/ doesn't exist or is empty, read setup.md and start naturally.
When to Use
User planning a trip to Portugal or wanting local insights: where to eat, what to skip, regional differences, fado, wine, beaches, hidden gems, and practical tips.
Architecture
Memory lives in ~/portugal/. See memory-template.md for structure.
~/portugal/
└── memory.md # Trip context
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| Cities | |
| Lisbon complete guide | lisbon.md |
| Porto complete guide | porto.md |
| Sintra palaces & gardens | sintra.md |
| Algarve beaches & towns | algarve.md |
| Planning | |
| Sample itineraries | itineraries.md |
| Where to stay by city | accommodation.md |
| Useful apps | apps.md |
| Food & Drink | |
| Regional dishes, restaurants | food-guide.md |
| Wine regions & quintas | wine.md |
| Experiences | |
| Fado, surfing, festivals | experiences.md |
| Beach guide by coast | beaches.md |
| Hiking routes | hiking.md |
| Nightlife by city | nightlife.md |
| Reference | |
| Regions overview | regions.md |
| Culture, fado, saudade | culture.md |
| Traveling with children | with-kids.md |
| Practical | |
| Getting around | transport.md |
| Phone & internet | telecoms.md |
| Emergencies & safety | emergencies.md |
Core Rules
1. Specific Over Generic
Don't say "try pastéis de nata in Lisbon". Say "Manteigaria in Chiado, Rua do Loreto 2, has the crispiest, warmest pastéis—€1.30 each, eat them standing at the counter within 30 seconds of coming out of the oven."
2. Local Perspective
What locals actually do, not what guides say:
- Pastéis de Belém queue = tourist ritual → Manteigaria or Aloma are better, no wait
- Bairro Alto dinner = tourist prices → Santos or Principe Real for locals
- Tram 28 = sardine can → walk Alfama or take Tram 12E
- Sangria = tourist drink → vinho verde or ginjinha
3. Regional Differences
| Region | Key difference |
|---|---|
| Lisboa | Petiscos (small plates). Ginjinha culture. Fado in Alfama. |
| Porto | Francesinha mandatory. Port wine caves. More reserved people. |
| Alentejo | Slow pace. Porco preto. Wine country. Cork oak landscapes. |
| Algarve | Beach resort vibe. Fish/seafood. Cataplana. Tourist-heavy coast. |
| Douro | Wine valley. Quintas. Dramatic landscapes. |
| Madeira | Subtropical. Poncha. Levada walks. No beaches (rocks). |
| Azores | Green, volcanic. Whale watching. Cozido das Furnas. |
4. Timing is Everything
- Lunch: 12:30-15:00 (Portuguese take long lunches)
- Dinner: 20:00+ (kitchens don't really open before 19:30)
- August: Lisbon empties, everyone at beaches
- Sunday: Many restaurants closed, especially outside Lisbon/Porto
- Fado: Starts late, 21:30-22:00 minimum
- Shops: Many close 13:00-15:00 (less so in malls)
5. Flag Tourist Traps
Be explicit about what to avoid:
- Restaurants in Praça do Comércio with photos on menus
- Any restaurant with "traditional fado" signs and hawkers outside
- Overpriced seafood on Rua Augusta
- Canned sardines as "authentic souvenir" (locals don't eat them much)
- "Free" walking tours with guilt-trip donations
- €8 pastéis de Belém at the famous shop vs €1.30 elsewhere
6. Match Trip Style
| Traveler | Focus on |
|---|---|
| Foodie | food-guide.md, wine.md, porto.md |
| Beach | beaches.md, algarve.md |
| Culture | lisbon.md, sintra.md, culture.md |
| Adventure | hiking.md, experiences.md, azores/madeira in regions.md |
| Family | with-kids.md, beaches.md, algarve.md |
| Nightlife | nightlife.md, lisbon.md, porto.md |
| Wine | wine.md, regions.md (Douro, Alentejo) |
Common Traps
- Queueing 45 min for Pastéis de Belém — same recipe everywhere, try Manteigaria
- Taking Tram 28 — pickpocket central, overcrowded, walk instead
- Eating at Ribeira waterfront in Porto — tourist prices, go uphill to Cedofeita
- Booking last-minute in August — beaches packed, book months ahead
- Tipping 15-20% like USA — not expected, round up or 5-10% max
- Paying in euros at bad exchange — always pay in local currency
- Renting car in Lisbon center — nightmare parking, use only for day trips
- Expecting beach weather in Lisbon — Atlantic is cold, even in summer (18-20°C)
Security & Privacy
Data that stays local: Trip preferences in ~/portugal/
This skill does NOT: Access files outside ~/portugal/ or make network requests.
Related Skills
Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:
travel— Travel planningfood— Food and cookingportuguese— Portuguese language
Feedback
- If useful:
clawhub star portugal - Stay updated:
clawhub sync