Surrounded on one side by Spain, and on the other by the Atlantic - lies Portugal. It is one of the cheapest and most fascinating countries in Europe - it has everything to offer. Wonderful beaches along the Algarve coastline, modern cities like Lisbon and Porto, cosy villages and picturesque landscapes with clusters of vineyards and fields of olive trees - all of which makes Portugal ideal for nature lovers. Portugal meets every kind of taste and only awaits your discovery. Find your travel arrangement to Portugal here
Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
República Portuguesa
Capital
Lisbon (600.000)
Size
92.345 km2
Principal Languages
Portuguese
Principal Religion
Roman-Catholic
Inhabitants
9.927.400
Government
Republic
Geography
Portugal stretches over the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. Even if the country is surrounded by Spain, the landscape here is very different. Wild flowers, forests, mountains and hills make Portugal look more inviting, varied and less tough than Spain. Portugal also has the island of Madeira and the group of Islands the Azores to offer. In both places you meet with unique landscapes of green and lush vegetation, and also more brutal, harsh and rugged formations of rock.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
Portugal is inviting all year around. In the summer you can enjoy the lovely beaches along the Algarve coastline and in the winter you can experience the big cities like Porto and Lisbon - which have many historical and cultural sights. Excursions to the surrounding small quaint villages and vineyards are also a good option.
Literature
Lonely Planet Portugal
Let's Go Spain & Portugal 2000
Let's Go Spain & Portugal 2000
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
In Portugal they use the following scales:
Weights: Kilo
Lengths: metre
Weights: Kilo
Lengths: metre
Photography
The Portuguese are rather relaxed and you do not have to take extra precautions when photographing. Of course, it is always good manners to ask in advance if you wish to photograph individuals.
Drinking water
It is relatively safe to drink the tapwater in Portugal, but it contains a lot of chlorine. Good advice is to buy bottled drinking water for the first couple of weeks.
Electricity
In Portugal they use the following electric current:
220 volts AC/50 Hz, with exception of a few remote areas who use 110 volts.
220 volts AC/50 Hz, with exception of a few remote areas who use 110 volts.
Business Hours
Banks are open from 8.30 am to 3 pm (Monday-Friday)
Shops are open from 9 am to 1 pm and again from 3 pm to 7 pm (Monday-Friday). On Saturdays they are open from 9 am to 1 pm.
Shops are open from 9 am to 1 pm and again from 3 pm to 7 pm (Monday-Friday). On Saturdays they are open from 9 am to 1 pm.
Food and drink
The Portuguese kitchen is an abundance of seafood, and when the Portuguese serve bread you can always rely on good quality. Various places in Portugal use a large quantity of garlic and olive-oil in the food. Try the spicy piri-piri sauce, which comes with many courses. For refreshments there are many great Portuguese wines. Try the Portuguese beer 'Sagres Brand' as well.
Disabled travellers
Many places in Portugal provide extra facilities for disabled people. The Portuguese are willing lend a hand, which makes Portugal a fine country to travel in for disabled people. If you travel on your own though, check beforehand the conditions in the places you wish to visit.
Holidays
Regular
New Years Day, 1st of January
Liberation Day, 25th of April
Workers Day, 1st of May
Camöes Day, 10th of June
Assumption Day (Maria's entering to Heaven), 15th of August
Day of the Republic, 5th October
All Saints Day, 1st of November
Independence Day, 1st of December
Women's Day, 8th of December
Christmas Day, 25th December
Carnival, in February or March
Good Friday, in March or April
New Years Day, 1st of January
Liberation Day, 25th of April
Workers Day, 1st of May
Camöes Day, 10th of June
Assumption Day (Maria's entering to Heaven), 15th of August
Day of the Republic, 5th October
All Saints Day, 1st of November
Independence Day, 1st of December
Women's Day, 8th of December
Christmas Day, 25th December
Carnival, in February or March
Good Friday, in March or April
Accommodation / Hotel
The choice of hotels is varied and plenty in Portugal. You can find a Hotel within every class-range and even cheap one and two starred hotels usually have extremely clean rooms and good service. Furthermore the many campsites, guesthouses and hostels offer a good variety of accommodation in Portugal.
Book your Hotel in Portugal here
Book your Hotel in Portugal here
Camping
There are plenty of campsites all over Portugal. As with much else it is cheap and good to camp there. Most campsites are located outside of the cities.
The range of hotels in Portugal is varied. You can find expensive luxurious hotels and very cheap hotels. If you are looking for a special Hotel experience try the Hotel chain 'Hotel de Charme' which specialise in wonderfully cosy small hotels. Hotel de Charme´s main office is located at the following address:
hotels de Charme
Pra_a do Principe Real, 11 -r/c
1200 Lisbon
Portugal
(Phone: 351-1-347-0146, fax: 315-1-346-1976)
hotels de Charme
Pra_a do Principe Real, 11 -r/c
1200 Lisbon
Portugal
(Phone: 351-1-347-0146, fax: 315-1-346-1976)
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
Guesthouses, B&B or private accommodation can be found all over the country. Look for E as in Estalgen (Inn).
Hostels
You can find many hostels, where you sleep in bunkrooms, all over Portugal.
Other Accommodation
For something relatively new Portugal can offer combined apartments and hotels. You live in an apartment, but can make use of the services of the Hotel.
Local transport
Portugal is covered by a well-developed bus and train system. Buses are cheapest, but trains the fastest. Special high-speed trains connect the biggest towns in the country. You can also choose domestic Flights to go from Lisbon to Porto and the islands. The only proper motorway in Portugal connects Lisbon and Porto, the rest of the roads are A-roads.
Planes
You can find domestic Flights between Porto, Lisbon, the Azores and Madeira.
Bus
Buses are about a third of the price of trains and they also cover the remote areas of the countryside. The government controlled Rodciára Nacional covers the entire country with exception of the most northern part:
Trains
You can find many high-speed trains in Portugal, amongst others IR, IC and Servico Alfas, which are the fastest and the most luxurious. The trains reach all large medium-sized cities in the country. The train company is called CP, Caminhos de Ferro Portuguese's, EP.
Taxi
In most places in Portugal it is easy to get hold of a taxi and it is cheap and comfortable. In the big towns they use a meter, but in smaller towns you bargain for a price.
car rental
You can rent a car in all main cities and airports in Portugal. You have to be 21 years of age to rent one. Look for the local car rental businesses, which are the cheapest.
Boat or Ferry
Ferries depart from Lisbon to Madeira. You can also get the Ferry from Bilbao in northern Spain and enter Portugal that way.
Other Transport
Besides regular means of transportation you will also find tramcars and metro in the big cities.
Special conditions
If you are a golfer then Portugal is the right place to have your holiday. All over the country you will find great opportunities to play golf - especially on the coast by Lisbon and in the Algarve.
