Portland (Maine)

Lighthouses, Lobster and Coastal Cool

Portland in Maine is a coastal city with a strong sense of local culture and history. Known for its seafood, independent shops and walkable neighborhoods, the downtown area features brick streets lined with cafes and bookstores. The harbor provides views of passing boats and access to nearby islands. Outdoor spaces like Deering Oaks Park offer walking paths and open areas for relaxation. The city’s food scene highlights lobster rolls and fresh fish, reflecting Maine’s maritime roots while supporting local farmers and producers throughout the year.

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City in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.4

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is universally spoken in Portland, with excellent communication in hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Spanish is also spoken in some neighborhoods and businesses, but English will get you everywhere.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Portland (Maine) Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for seafood and coastal scenery. Visit historic harbors, enjoy lobster restaurants, explore lighthouses and walk waterfront paths.

Place score

6.9

Best at:

Sea

Walkable

Spotless

Local cuisine

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🌈 8

LGBTQ+

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Portland (Maine), United States

❄️

Jan

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Feb

❄️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	May
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Many seasonal restaurants, island ferries and coastal attractions reduce hours or close from mid October to May

Autumn foliage peaks around mid October, cruise ships add crowds in September and October

Winter storms and nor'easters possible December to March, can disrupt travel and ferries

Don't miss

🗼 Visit the iconic Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park
🚶‍♂️ Stroll and shop in the historic Old Port district
🖼️ Explore diverse art collections at Portland Museum of Art
🌊 Walk the scenic Eastern Promenade trail overlooking Casco Bay
🛶 Kayak or sail around Casco Bay islands
🏛️ Tour the historic Victoria Mansion and its gardens

You've been here?

Why travel to Portland (Maine)?

Portland is a dream for foodies, art lovers and anyone who loves a walkable city by the sea. The Old Port’s historic brick buildings house everything from oyster bars to craft breweries, while the Eastern Promenade offers sweeping ocean views and easy access to Casco Bay’s islands. You can hop on a ferry, tour lighthouses or just wander the downtown for coffee, galleries and live music. The city’s vibrant arts scene and welcoming locals make it feel both lively and laid-back. But a few things to keep in mind: Portland gets busy in summer, so book ahead for restaurants and hotels. Winters can be snowy and cold and spring is unpredictable – pack for all weather. Parking can be tricky downtown and prices rise in peak season. While the city is very safe, it’s still wise to keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas and use common sense at night.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Portland Museum of Art
2 Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
3 Victoria Mansion
4 Eastern Promenade
5 Top of the Old Port Parking Lot
6 Wadsworth-Longfellow House
7 Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad

🎡Places for activities

1 Portland Observatory
2 Allagash Brewing Company
3 Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal
4 Eastern Promenade Trail

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Eastern Promenade
2 Willard Beach
3 Mackworth Island
4 Peaks Island
5 Back Cove Trail
6 Fort Williams Park
7 Fore River Sanctuary
8 Portland Head Light

🛍️Shopping

1 Renys
2 Sea Bags
3 L.L.Bean

🎈Events

Maine Lobster Festival (August, nearby Rockland)
Old Port Festival (June)
Portland Wine Week (June)
Harvest on the Harbor (October)
First Friday Art Walks
Portland Sea Dogs baseball games
Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Portland Brew Festival
Summer music concerts on the waterfront
Portland Farmers’ Market (year-round)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Stay in Old Port; it’s walkable and foodie-friendly.
Plan one lighthouse outing: Portland Head Light is iconic, but often windy and chilly.
Use Casco Bay ferries for easy day trips to Peaks Island and beyond.
For waterfront views without the crowds, walk the Eastern Promenade at sunrise or golden hour.

How to travel to Portland (Maine)

Portland International Jetport (PWM) is just 10 minutes from downtown, with direct flights from major US cities. Amtrak’s Downeaster train connects Portland to Boston and Brunswick. Intercity buses serve the city and driving from Boston takes about 2 hours. Ferries and cruise ships dock at the waterfront. Taxis, shuttles and rideshares are available at the airport and train station.

Access summary

From Portland International Jetport (PWM): Taxi or local bus, about 15–25 minutes.
From Boston: Intercity bus or Amtrak Downeaster train, roughly 2–2.5 hours.
From New York City: Direct flights about 1.5 hours; buses/trains 6–7 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Portland (Maine)

Portland offers everything from boutique hotels in the Old Port to cozy B&Bs, modern chains and waterfront inns. Book early for summer and festival weekends. For quieter stays, look at the West End or nearby South Portland. Prices rise in peak season and budget options are limited compared to bigger cities.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Casco Bay Hotel Portland Airport - Maine Mall, an Ascend Collection Hotel

8.4

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland

8.3

Holiday Inn Portland-By the Bay By IHG

8.8

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Maine

9.0

Quality Inn & Suites South Portland

8.1

Comfort Inn South Portland Airport

8.5

Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront

9.2

Hampton Inn Portland Downtown - Waterfront

9.4

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Portland DT/Maine Med

8.7

Extended Stay America Suites - Portland - Scarborough

8.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Portland (Maine)

Downtown Portland is easily walkable, with most sights, shops and restaurants close together. City buses, ferries, taxis and rideshares cover longer distances. Parking can be tough in the Old Port – use public lots or park farther out and walk. Cycling is popular on trails like the Eastern Promenade and Back Cove. Ferries connect to Casco Bay islands and guided walking tours are a great way to explore.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+8 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 8% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£77	£180	£484
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£90	£225
🍝 Food per day	£33	£83	£236
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£6	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£38
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£16
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£12
☕ Cappuccino	£3.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£110
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£15

Safety information overview

General safety

Portland is very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply: keep valuables secure in busy areas and on public transport, especially at night or during festivals. Use common sense and avoid poorly lit areas late at night.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and a major hospital in town. Tap water is safe to drink. No special vaccinations are needed. Weather can change quickly — dress appropriately and stay hydrated, especially in summer.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but cobblestone streets and some historic buildings can be tricky for those with mobility issues. Public transport is generally accessible — check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water in Portland is safe and widely available. Public fountains exist in parks and squares, but carrying a refillable bottle is handy, especially in summer or during outdoor activities.