Unfortunately Portugal is often overlooked even though the country is both inexpensive and fascinating. It possesses some wonderful beaches along the Algarve coastline, as well as many little islands. There are also the beautiful big cities like Lisbon and Porto.
República Portuguesa
Lisbon (600.000)
92.345 km2
Portuguese
Roman-Catholic
9.927.400
Republic
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.
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.
Lonely Planet Portugal
Let's Go Spain & Portugal 2000
Escudo (PTE)
To call for help in Portugal dial: 112 for ambulance, fire department and police.
It is a usual practice for 10 percent tipping in restaurants. Taxi drivers normally get 10-15 percent. In cafés and bars it is sufficient to leave a little change.
When it is noon (12.00) in UK, the time is 11.00 in Portugal.
In Portugal they use the following scales:
Weights: Kilo
Lengths: metre
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.
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.
In Portugal they use the following electric current:
220 volts AC/50 Hz, with exception of a few remote areas who use 110 volts.
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.
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.
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.
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
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)
Guesthouses, B&B or private accommodation can be found all over the country. Look for E as in Estalgen (Inn).
You can find many hostels, where you sleep in bunkrooms, all over Portugal.
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.
You can find domestic flights between Porto, Lisbon, the Azores and Madeira.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Ferries depart from Lisbon to Madeira. You can also get the Ferry from Bilbao in northern Spain and enter Portugal that way.
Besides regular means of transportation you will also find tramcars and metro in the big cities.
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.
