Portugal Travel Guide

Full Name

Portuguese Republic

Former Name

NA

Capital City

Lisbon

Government Type

parliamentary democracy

Area Size

total: 92,391 sq km

Time Zone

No UTC/GMT offset

Climate

The climate can be classified as Oceanic in the north and Mediterranean in the south. One of the warmest European countries, yearly temperature averages in mainland Portugal 13 °C in the north and 18 °C in the south. The Madeira and Azores Atlantic archipelagos have a more narrow temperature range. Spring and summer is sunny, whereas autumn and winter is rainy and windy. Extreme temperatures occur in North-Eastern parts of the country in winter (where it may reach -12 °C) and South-Eastern parts in summer (where temperatures can soar up to 44 °C). Sea coastal areas are milder, varying between -2 °C on some coldest winter mornings and 37 °C on some of the hottest summer afternoons. The extremes have been -23ºC and 48ºC.

Geography

Mainland Portugal is split by its main river, the Tagus. The northern landscape is mountainous in interior areas, with plateaus indented by river valleys. The south, between the Tagus and the Algarve (the Alentejo), features mostly rolling plains and a climate somewhat warmer and drier than in the cooler and rainier north. The Algarve, separated from the Alentejo by mountains, enjoys a Mediterranean climate like southern Spain. The islands of the Azores and Madeira are located in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Some islands have had volcanic activity as recently as 1957. Portugal's highest point is Mount Pico on Pico Island. It is an ancient volcano measuring 2,351 m. Mainland Portugal's highest point is Serra da Estrela, measuring 1993 m.

Languages

Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)

Culture

Portuguese culture is based on a past that dates from prehistoric times into the eras of Roman and Moorish invasion. All have left their traces in a rich legacy of archaeological remains, including prehistoric cave paintings at Escoral, the Roman township of Conimbriga, the Temple of Diana in Évora and the typical Moorish architecture of such southern towns as Olhão and Tavira. Throughout the centuries, Portugal's arts have been enriched by foreign influences, including Flemish, French and Italian. The voyages of the Portuguese discoverers opened the country to Oriental influences and the revelation of Brazil's wealth of gold and jewels fed the Baroque flame in decoration.

History

Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

Travel Information

Portugal's national airline is TAP Air Portugal (TP). Lisbon (LIS) (Portela de Sacavem) is 7km north of the city (journey time - 35 minutes). Carris buses run from the airport to the city and the main railway stations. A special ‘Aerobus' departs to the city centre every 20 minutes during the day. Taxi services to the city are available, with a 20% surcharge between 2100 and 0600, at weekends and on holidays. Airport facilities are Bureau de change, banks, tourist information, post office, duty-free shops and car hire. Faro (FAO) is 4km west of the city (journey time - 30 minutes). EVA buses link the airport with different parts of the city. Taxis are available. Airport facilities are duty-free shop, bank/bureau de change, car hire and a bar/restaurant. Porto (OPO) (Oporto Sá Carneiro) is 20 km from the city. Underground trains, buses and taxis to the city are available. Airport facilities are duty-free shop, bank/bureau de change, car hire and a bar/restaurant. Main ports: Lisbon, Leixões (Porto), Funchal (Madeira) and Portimão (Algarve) are served by major cruise lines. Travelling from the UK, the quickest way is to travel by Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Paris (journey time - 2 hours 40 minutes) and, from there, to Portugal. The Sud-Expresso runs between Hendaye/Irun (linked to Paris by TGV) and Lisbon, offering first- and second-class seats, sleepers and a restaurant car. Caminhos De Ferro Portugueses offers an international rail service to Vigo, Madrid and Paris. The only land border is shared with Spain. Major border posts are open around the clock, but smaller ones may close earlier in winter. From the UK, the quickest routes are via ferry to northern Spain, avoiding the need to drive through France. Brittany Ferries runs from Plymouth to Santander and P&O Ferries runs from Portsmouth to Bilbao. Cars can be imported into Portugal for up to six months. Travelling from the UK, Eurotunnel operates trains 24 hours per day through the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone in Kent (with direct access from the M20) and Calais in France. All vehicles, from motorcycles to campers, can be accommodated. For further information, contact Eurotunnel Reservations. Eurolines operates an extensive network of coach services to many destinations throughout Portugal, including Coimbra, Faro, Lagos, Lisbon and Porto. For information on timetables and fares, contact Eurolines.

Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation available all over the country, ranging from luxury hotels, pensions, boarding houses and inns to simple guesthouses, manor houses, campsites and youth hostels. Pousadas offer very good value and are often situated in places of scenic beauty or in historic monuments.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for touristic stays of up to 90 days. Nationals of countries not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy/consulate to check visa requirements. Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals of countries referred to above except: EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed. Sufficient funds are required for all except EU nationals. Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Getting Around

TAP Air Portugal and Portugália Airlines run services between Lisbon, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo, Porto and the Azores. Charter flights are also available. The airline for the Azores is SATA, which operates its Air Açores service between the various islands. Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses (Portuguese Railways) provides a rail service to every town. Alfa Pendular trains offer the fastest rail link from Lisbon to the Algarve and from the capital to the north (Porto, Braga or Guimarães, with stops in Coimbra and Aveiro); the Intercidades (Intercity) service covers Lisbon, Porto, Alentejo and Lisbon to Algarve routes. A vast network of regional, inter-regional and suburban trains covers the country. The tourist areas of Cascais and Sintra are connected to Lisbon by frequent express trains. High-speed Alfa trains run between Lisbon and Porto via Coimbra and Aveiro. Fertagus trains cross the River Tagus in Lisbon, operating between Entrecampus station to Fogueteiro (on the south bank). Traffic drives on the right. Every town and village can be reached by an adequate system of roads. Travel by motorway is subject to a toll according to distance covered and type of vehicle. There are frequent coach services between all Portuguese cities. Taxi drivers are tipped 10%. Car hire is available from major and local providers in main towns and airports, with or without driver. Lisbon's extensive underground system is operated by Metropolitano de Lisboa , while trams and Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa (Carris) buses also provide efficient ways of getting around. The city's suburban rail lines, operated by Portuguese Railways, are useful for covering longer distances and Transtejo ferries ply the Tagus. Porto also boasts an underground (Metro de Porto), trams and buses. Taxis are readily available in both cities.

Health & Safety

There are no health risks attached to travel to Portugal. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary for entry for anyone travelling from an infected area and destined for the Azores or Madeira. Health facilities are good and reciprocal health agreements exist with most European countries, including the UK, whose citizens can receive low-cost emergency care at state hospitals. It is advisable that travellers obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travel. Dental care and repatriation costs are not covered under this agreement, and medical insurance is therefore advised. Travel to Portugal should be trouble-free, but there is a rising incidence of petty theft and pick-pocketing in tourist areas, so reasonable care should be taken.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 20 Feb - Mardi Gras (Carnival). 6 Apr - Good Friday. 25 Apr - Freedom Day. 1 May - Labour Day. 7 Jun - Corpus Christi. 10 Jun - Portugal Day. 15 Aug - Assumption. 5 Oct - Republic Day. 1 Nov - All Saints' Day. 1 Dec - Restoration of Independence Day. 8 Dec - Immaculate Conception. 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Electricity

220v AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 9.00am - 1.00pm and 3.00pm - 7.00pm.

Emergency Numbers

112