Language advice

It can be quite confusing.

Brazilian Portuguese is not an accent like Quebec French. It is very different
The good news is English is very prevalent.

The pronounciations are very different.

Thanks. Sounds like it wouldn’t be helpful.

Another language program anyone would recommend that would have the correct dialect?

Have heard about loecsen, but never used. Maybe you can take a look at it.

Memrise app is European Portuguese. However, English is very widely spoken in tourist areas. And, if you are interested in watching tv or seeing a movie, they are shown in their original language-with Portuguese subtitles!

The RS Portuguese language book will definitely work for learning a few basics, which is really all you will likely need.

I speak no Portuguese and had no problems, generally, on my visit since most of the time was spent in tourist areas including those on your trip. English is spoken in those areas by many people. The vocabulary in Rick’s guidebook suited me well. The only time I had a problem was when I discovered that I left the charging cord for my iPhone at the hotel I just checked out from. I was using it as a GPS and desperately need to charge the phone. I stopped in Castelo Branco and couldn’t find a cell phone store, pulled into the parking lot of a supermarket and used Google Translate app with a lady who also used it (on my phone) to tell me how to get to a shopping mall where I bought a new cord.

Bill Husted who pens the syndicated “Technobuddy” column recommended Duolingo a free website.

We found Portuguese speak very good English in Lisbon & Porto, better than in Italy or Spain. We were told it is due to the subtitles vs dubbing tv shows. Thank you (obrigado/a) is by far the most used word. People are wonderful & extremely helpful.

Thank you all...sounds like English will suffice withjust a few important words/phrases so we can be courteous.

Those polite words and greetings will be much appreciated. When we were in Lisbon, we had to visit a pharmacy for my husband. The pharmacist spoke English, but she was impressed that we approached her with our very limited Portuguese. She said most people don't even try.

I can understand why they don't. I found learning even the minimal words challenging, especially the pronunciation.

This little Wiki How site can get you started. Note some of the Brazil-Portugal differences and the frequent "sh" pronunciation of "s" sounds. This is a good example: "How are you?: Como está? (Coh-moh esh-tah? or Coh-moh es-tah? in Brazil)"

I'm a fan of Duolingo and you can hear and say the words, but it looks like it is teaching Brazilian Portuguese.

This somewhat older British site has pronunciations. Click on the blue words and then on the "click here" link if the audio doesn't play automatically.

I'm sure you will find many other sources for the basics.

I spent 170 hours learning Português using Memrise (Pro).
Enjoyed it a lot.
Arrived in Portugal and found that everyone spoke English.
Buy Rick's book and learn some essential phrases.

Do NOT learn Brazilian Portuguese.

Coach,

Pack one of these along on your trip to learn the usual greetings, etc. - https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/portuguese-phrase-book

As others have said, many people (especially those in the tourist trade) will have some ability to speak English.

Hello Coach,

Yes, in Portugal almost everyone speaks English, especially in the coastline and people in their 50's or younger... If you come to Porto or Lisbon, Coimbra, Braga, Aveiro and other major cities the chances are that you'll find someone that speaks English (or tries to); if you go to the countryside (in small villages for example) it may be somewhat different...
If possible, learn the European Portuguese and not the one from Brazil ;)

Enjoy Portugal :D