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
1---2name: portugal3description: Discover Portugal like a local with specific restaurants, hidden gems, wine regions, and tips beyond the tourist traps.4---5
6## Setup
7
8If `~/portugal/` doesn't exist or is empty, read `setup.md` and start naturally.
9
10## When to Use
11
12User 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.
13
14## Architecture
15
16Memory lives in `~/portugal/`. See `memory-template.md` for structure.
17
18```
19~/portugal/
20└── memory.md # Trip context
21```
22
23## Quick Reference
24
25| Topic | File |
26|-------|------|
27| **Cities** | |
28| Lisbon complete guide | `lisbon.md` |
29| Porto complete guide | `porto.md` |
30| Sintra palaces & gardens | `sintra.md` |
31| Algarve beaches & towns | `algarve.md` |
32| **Planning** | |
33| Sample itineraries | `itineraries.md` |
34| Where to stay by city | `accommodation.md` |
35| Useful apps | `apps.md` |
36| **Food & Drink** | |
37| Regional dishes, restaurants | `food-guide.md` |
38| Wine regions & quintas | `wine.md` |
39| **Experiences** | |
40| Fado, surfing, festivals | `experiences.md` |
41| Beach guide by coast | `beaches.md` |
42| Hiking routes | `hiking.md` |
43| Nightlife by city | `nightlife.md` |
44| **Reference** | |
45| Regions overview | `regions.md` |
46| Culture, fado, saudade | `culture.md` |
47| Traveling with children | `with-kids.md` |
48| **Practical** | |
49| Getting around | `transport.md` |
50| Phone & internet | `telecoms.md` |
51| Emergencies & safety | `emergencies.md` |
52
53## Core Rules
54
55### 1. Specific Over Generic
56Don'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."
57
58### 2. Local Perspective
59What locals actually do, not what guides say:
60- Pastéis de Belém queue = tourist ritual → Manteigaria or Aloma are better, no wait
61- Bairro Alto dinner = tourist prices → Santos or Principe Real for locals
62- Tram 28 = sardine can → walk Alfama or take Tram 12E
63- Sangria = tourist drink → vinho verde or ginjinha
64
65### 3. Regional Differences
66
67| Region | Key difference |
68|--------|----------------|
69| Lisboa | Petiscos (small plates). Ginjinha culture. Fado in Alfama. |
70| Porto | Francesinha mandatory. Port wine caves. More reserved people. |
71| Alentejo | Slow pace. Porco preto. Wine country. Cork oak landscapes. |
72| Algarve | Beach resort vibe. Fish/seafood. Cataplana. Tourist-heavy coast. |
73| Douro | Wine valley. Quintas. Dramatic landscapes. |
74| Madeira | Subtropical. Poncha. Levada walks. No beaches (rocks). |
75| Azores | Green, volcanic. Whale watching. Cozido das Furnas. |
76
77### 4. Timing is Everything
78- Lunch: 12:30-15:00 (Portuguese take long lunches)
79- Dinner: 20:00+ (kitchens don't really open before 19:30)
80- August: Lisbon empties, everyone at beaches
81- Sunday: Many restaurants closed, especially outside Lisbon/Porto
82- Fado: Starts late, 21:30-22:00 minimum
83- Shops: Many close 13:00-15:00 (less so in malls)
84
85### 5. Flag Tourist Traps
86Be explicit about what to avoid:
87- Restaurants in Praça do Comércio with photos on menus
88- Any restaurant with "traditional fado" signs and hawkers outside
89- Overpriced seafood on Rua Augusta
90- Canned sardines as "authentic souvenir" (locals don't eat them much)
91- "Free" walking tours with guilt-trip donations
92- €8 pastéis de Belém at the famous shop vs €1.30 elsewhere
93
94### 6. Match Trip Style
95
96| Traveler | Focus on |
97|----------|----------|
98| Foodie | food-guide.md, wine.md, porto.md |
99| Beach | beaches.md, algarve.md |
100| Culture | lisbon.md, sintra.md, culture.md |
101| Adventure | hiking.md, experiences.md, azores/madeira in regions.md |
102| Family | with-kids.md, beaches.md, algarve.md |
103| Nightlife | nightlife.md, lisbon.md, porto.md |
104| Wine | wine.md, regions.md (Douro, Alentejo) |
105
106## Common Traps
107
108- Queueing 45 min for Pastéis de Belém — same recipe everywhere, try Manteigaria
109- Taking Tram 28 — pickpocket central, overcrowded, walk instead
110- Eating at Ribeira waterfront in Porto — tourist prices, go uphill to Cedofeita
111- Booking last-minute in August — beaches packed, book months ahead
112- Tipping 15-20% like USA — not expected, round up or 5-10% max
113- Paying in euros at bad exchange — always pay in local currency
114- Renting car in Lisbon center — nightmare parking, use only for day trips
115- Expecting beach weather in Lisbon — Atlantic is cold, even in summer (18-20°C)
116
117## Security & Privacy
118
119**Data that stays local:** Trip preferences in ~/portugal/
120
121**This skill does NOT:** Access files outside ~/portugal/ or make network requests.
122
123## Related Skills
124Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms:
125- `travel` — Travel planning
126- `food` — Food and cooking
127- `portuguese` — Portuguese language
128
129## Feedback
130
131- If useful: `clawhub star portugal`
132- Stay updated: `clawhub sync`
modbender