Fury as popular UK long-weekend hotspot has 'secret code' where tourists are 'charged more' than locals

Tourists have been left furious after finding that a popular holiday hotspot has a menu that is priced differently for locals.

The European country has come under fire after it was revealed that a restaurant in a popular long-weekend destination for Brits had been hiking their prices up for tourists.

Portugal welcomes an average of 26.5 million non-resident tourists per year, and it seems as though some small businesses are really getting their moneys worth.

It has emerged that a restaurant in a popular holiday hotspot was charging tourists more than locals. (Getty Stock Image)

The restaurant in the Baixa neighbourhood in Lisbon had allegedly been giving locals a much cheaper menu than the one they'd been giving to tourists.

According to locals there who figured out what was going on, the code for cheaper meals was reportedly communicated 'verbally, in whispers, or indicated on menus placed in inconspicuous or even hidden areas'.

Portuguese paper Expresso reports that a steak at the restaurant costs €15 (£12), but Portuguese people pay just €9.90 (£8.38) for a full meal, including a drink, dessert and coffee.

Elisabete, a frequent customer and Lisbon local who works at a nearby jewellery shop, said: "They don’t give tourists this menu.

The restaurant is in the Baixa neighbourhood in Lisbon. (Getty stock images)

"The waiters give them the normal list, which has prices that we cannot afford."

Reporters received information from industry insiders which states that this kind of behaviour is 'completely illegal'.

Speaking to the Portuguese paper, Lawyer Marcelino Abreu said: "Restaurants cannot discriminate against people based on their nationality, charging different prices to Portuguese and foreign tourists.”

The Portuguese Hotel, Restaurant and Similar Association (AHRESP) told the paper that it had no idea of the situation that had been ongoing.

They reiterated their policies, which states that prices in restaurants must be the same for everyone, and be displayed with 'complete transparency'.

The restaurant's behaviour has been branded 'completely illegal'. (Getty stock images)

Ironically, Lisbon has adopted a policy to raise the overnight stay fee for tourists visiting the city, but the measures won't be in place until September 1.

The claims of overcharging tourists don't necessarily come as a shock, as some European countries seem to have had enough of over-tourism, with demonstrations happening this summer - particularly in Spain and Portugal.

Residents in the Portuguese capital are also annoyed about the impact that tourists are having on their housing situation.

It's not uncommon for Brits to have holiday homes elsewhere in Europe, but people in Lisbon are calling for a referendum, to decide what becomes of tourist homes in their city.

And the movement has now gathered enough signatures to present their case to the council.