Portugal

ESSENTIAL FACTS

Weather | Getting around Country | Driving | Accommodations | Public Holidays
 Business Hours | Money | Emergencies

 

Weather

Mainland Portugal
The climate in Portugal varies considerably from one region to another and is influenced by the relief, latitude and proximity to the sea, which offers mild winters, especially in the Algarve.
In the Porto e Norte area and Beiras region, particularly inland, nearer Spain, the winters are colder, although the temperatures are still mild when compared to the rest of Europe. There is some snowfall. It occurs most in the Serra da Estrela mountains, where we find the highest point in mainland Portugal (1,991 m) and where it is sometimes possible to ski.
The summers are hot and dry, especially in the inland areas (Trás-os-Montes in north-eastern Portugal and Alentejo). Temperatures are slightly lower in the coastal areas, because of the influence of the sea.
There are often warm, sunny days in autumn. Nice weather at the beginning of November is often called "St. Martin’s Summer" as this saint’s day is on 11 November.

Azores
The climate in the Azores is influenced by the islands’ latitude and by the Gulf Stream, and temperatures are mild there all year round. The same factors also influence the sea temperature, which is very pleasant both in winter and summer and ideal for nautical sports all year round.

Madeira
The subtropical characteristics of the weather in the Madeira Archipelago can be explained by its geographical position and mountainous relief. The climate in Madeira is exceptionally mild, with average temperatures varying between 24 ºC in summer and 19 ºC in winter.
The sea temperature is also very pleasant all year round, thanks to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. It varies between 18 ºC in winter and 22 ºC in summer.

Table of Temperatures
(average temperatures - 1961/90 - in ºC and ºF)

 

Local

  Jan./Mar

  Abr./Jun.

  Jul./Set.

 Out./Dez.

 

 

  Ar

  Mar

  Ar

  Mar

  Ar

  Mar

  Ar

  Mar

Porto       

ºC

10,3

12,9 *

15,4

14,4 *

19,6

15,9 *

12,8

15,0 *

(Porto e Norte)

ºF

50,5

55,2 *

59,7

57,9 *

67,3

60.6 *

55,0

59,0 *

Coimbra

ºC

11,2

13,3 **

16,7

15,0 **

21,5

16,8 **

13,6

15,3 **

(Beiras)

ºF

52,1

55,9 **

62,0

59,0 **

70,7

62,2 **

56,5

59,5 **

Guarda

ºC

 5,0

    -

11,7

    -

18,2

     -

  7,7

    -

(Beiras)

ºF

 41,0

    -

53,1

    -

64,8

     -

45,9

    -

Monte Estoril

ºC

17,1

14,9

21,8

17,5

26,3

19,5

17,2

16,1

(Lisboa)

ºF

62,8

58,8

71,2

63,5

79,3

67,1

53,0

60,0

Évora

ºC

10,5

14,3 ***

16,6

15,1 ***

28,4

16,9 ***

13,3

16,0 ***

(Alentejo)

ºF

50,9

57,7 ***

61,9

59,2 ***

83,1

62,4 ***

55,9

60,8 ***

Vilamoura

ºC

17,0

15,9

22,4

19,4

27,3

22,6

17,7

17,0

(Algarve)

ºF

62,6

60,6

72,3

66,9

81,1

72,7

63,9

62,6

Santa Maria

ºC

17,0

17,2

19,7

18,8

23,9

22,2

19,4

20,5

(Açores)

ºF

62,6

63,0

65,8

65,8

75,0

72,0

66,9

68,9

Funchal

ºC

19,4

18,7

21,8

20,0

24,9

22,7

21,3

21,4

(Madeira)

ºF

66,9

65,7

71,2

68,0

76,8

72,9

70,3

70,5

 

  *  Viana do Castelo 

 **  São Pedro de Muel 

***  Sines

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Getting Around the Country

Air
Portugal’s excellent geographical position makes it a stopover point for many foreign airlines at airports all over the country:
Lisbon - Portela Airport - Phone: 218 413 500
Oporto - Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport - Phone: 229 432 400
Faro - Faro Airport - Phone. 289 800 800
Funchal, Madeira - Funchal Airport - Phone: 291 520 700
Ponta Delgada, Azores - João Paulo II Airport - Phone: 296 205 406
ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, SA is the Portuguese airport authority and provides departure and arrival information on www.ana.pt

There are several Portuguese airlines offering regular domestic and international flights.
TAP - Air Portugal (www.tap.pt) is the country’s "flagship" airline and has scheduled flights to more than 50 international destinations and domestic flights between Lisbon, Oporto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores, and also between Madeira and Porto Santo.
SATA  (www.sata.pt) has regular flights between all the islands of the Azores and from the Azores to Madeira and mainland Portugal. SATA also offers regular flights to a number of international destinations.

Rail
CP - Comboios de Portugal (www.cp.pt), the Portuguese railway company, offers a vast rail network covering the whole of mainland Portugal and also offers international train services to Vigo, Madrid and Paris.

There are a number of options to meet your needs:
- The top-of-the-range "Alfa Pendular" trains offer the fastest and most comfortable rail link between Lisbon and the Algarve and, in the north, Oporto or Braga, with stops in Coimbra.
- The "Intercidades" or Intercity service covers the Lisbon-Oporto-Guimarães, Lisbon-Guarda, Lisbon-Covilhã, Lisbon-Évora-Beja and Lisbon-Faro routes.
- The international Sud-Express train and Lusitânia hotel-train leave from Lisbon.
- There is a vast network of regional, inter-regional and suburban trains covering the whole of the country.

Road
Portugal has a good road network consisting of auto-estradas (AE, motorways), itinerários principais (IP, main trunk roads), itinerários complementares (IC, complementary trunk roads), estradas nacionais (EN, national roads) and estradas municipais (municipal roads).
All motorways are marked with the internationally recognised sign and motorists using them have to pay tolls. See prices on www.brisa.pt or www.aeatlantico.pt

In case of breakdown or accident on the motorway, you can phone for assistance on 808 508 508

Toll gates have Via Verde channels. This is an innovative electronic system enabling motorists to debit tolls to their bank account. Only holders of Via Verde identifiers supplied by Brisa can use it.

COACHES
There are regular coach services between Portugal’s main towns and cities. For details of routes, timetables and fares visit www.rede-expressos.pt the website of Rede Nacional de Expressos (only in Portuguese).

UNDERGROUND
The underground is an important addition to the traditional forms of public transport.
In Lisbon and Oporto it operates between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m.

The Lisbon underground (www.metrolisboa.pt) is the older of the two and reaches a considerable part of the city. Its network has gradually been extended in recent years. Both the oldest and the most recent stations are decorated with panels of tiles by renowned Portuguese artists, making them true underground art galleries.

In Oporto, the underground (www.metro-porto.pt)  is new. There are five lines in operation - blue, red, green, yellow and violet -, and most of their route is above ground.

TAXIS
Taxis are usually cream in colour, although there are still some painted black with a green roof in the traditional Portuguese style.

The fare is shown on the taximeter. The prices are affixed inside the car or you can ask the driver about them.
If you phone for a taxi you have to pay an extra 0.80 euros. There is a charge of 1.60 euros for luggage, regardless of weight or the number of pieces.
Carry cots, pushchairs, wheelchairs and walking aids are carried free of charge.
Outside towns, taxis charge by the kilometre and the driver and passenger agree on the fare in advance. Where they exist, the passenger has to pay the road tolls there and back.
Tipping is at the passenger’s discretion, though it is normal to tip 5-10% or round the amount up to the nearest euro.

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Driving

Vehicles drive on the right in Portugal. Unless otherwise indicated, vehicles coming from the right have priority in squares and at intersections. At junctions with roundabouts, vehicles already on the roundabout have right of way.
Road signs comply with international rules.

Compulsory papers:
- Personal ID
- Driving licence
- Motor insurance certificate
- Vehicle registration or equivalent
- Vehicle logbook (livrete)or equivalent

On the spot fines are issued.

Speed limits for cars without trailers and motorcycles:
  50 kph - in built-up areas
  90 kph - on normal roads
100 kph - on roads restricted to motor vehicles
120 kph - on motorways

It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 grams per litre or more.

All occupants must wear seat belts.

The Portuguese Highway Code forbids the use of mobile phones while driving, unless you’re using hands-free equipment or an earphone.

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Accommodations

Hotel accommodation
The countless hotels and similar establishments all over the country offer accommodation with or without meals and other services. They are classified as follows:
HOTELS - There is a wide choice of hotels and they are classified with 1 to 5 stars depending on their location and the quality of their facilities.
HOTÉIS APARTAMENTOS / APARTHOTELS - These are classified from 2 to 5 stars and are the ideal choice for those looking for a little more independence, though without giving up all the amenities of a hotel.
ESTALAGENS / INNS - There are 4- or 5-star inns and they are cosy places reflecting the characteristics of the area in which they are located.
PENSÕES / BOARDING HOUSES  - This type of accommodation is a more inexpensive option and is rated as 3rd, 2nd and 1st class or, for the highest category, as an Albergaria or guest house.
MOTELS - These have 2 or 3 stars and offer roadside accommodation in independent units with direct access from the outside and private parking.
POUSADAS  - These inns are located in historical buildings or places of great natural beauty. They are divided into four categories: historical, historical/design, nature and charm.
ALDEAMENTOS TURÍSTICOS / TOURIST VILLAGES - These villages have 3, 4 or 5 stars and are located in private grounds with all the necessary services and facilities.
APARTAMENTOS TURÍSTICOS / TOURIST APARTMENTS - These are classified with 2 to 5 stars and are the ideal choice for those who want total independence.

Tourism in the country
Country holidays involve lodging with families and therefore bring visitors into direct contact with the local population and their habits and customs and also with nature itself.
Country holiday units are identified with a metal TER sign and, depending on the type of accommodation offered can be classified as:
TURISMO DE HABITAÇÃO (TH) / TOURISM IN A MANOR HOUSE  - in mansions, stately homes or residences of acknowledged architectural value.
TURISMO RURAL (TR) / RURAL TOURISM  - in country cottages typical of the rural area in which they are located.
AGRO-TURISMO (AG) / AGRICULTURAL TOURISM  - in family homes or annexes on a farm, where guests are welcome to do farm work if they wish.
TURISMO DE ALDEIA (TA) / TOURISM IN A VILLAGE  - in houses in historical villages, traditional towns or rural centres in complexes with a minimum of five units that must emulate the architecture and typical characteristics of the region.
CASAS DE CAMPO (CC) / COUNTRY HOUSES  - in private homes or guest houses that, thanks to their architecture, design and other features, fit perfectly into the rustic atmosphere of the area.
HOTÉIS RURAIS / RURAL HOTELS - These hotels are located in the country and their architecture and interior design are typical of the region.

Camping
There are camping sites offering direct contact with nature all over the country from north to south.
They are considered public, if they are open to all paying campers, or private if access is restricted to members or beneficiaries of the camp-site operator. Private sites are marked with the letter "P" and it is always advisable to confirm whether you will be allowed in.
Depending on the facilities and services they provide, camping sites are classified with 1 to 4 stars, or merely rural, in which case they may be located on a farm.
To spend the night at a camp site, campers will need to show their passport or identity card and sometimes, if required, a camper’s card issued by a national organisation or a carnet camping from the F.I.C.C. (Fédération Internationale de Camping et Caravanning).

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Public Holidays
National holidays
New Year’s Day - 1 January
Freedom Day - 25 April
Worker’s Day - 1 May
Portugal Day - 10 June
Feast of the Assumption - 15 August
Implantation of the Republic - 5 October
All Saints Day - 1 November
Restoration of Independence - 1 December
Immaculate Conception - 8 December
Christmas Day - 25 December

Moveable public holidays:
Good Friday
Corpus Christi

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Business Hours

Car rentals
There are car rental services at airports, international rail terminuses and in the main towns and cities.
Drivers with mobility difficulties, or anyone who prefers to, can rent automatic or adapted vehicles.
To rent a car you must:
- be at least between 21 and 25 years old, depending on the company’s rental policy
- show identification (identity card for EU citizens or a valid passport for other nationalities)
- have had a driving licence for more than one year

Banks
Banks are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. five working days a week.
Portugal has a national network of cash machines (ATMs) identified by the symbol MB (Multibanco), from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day.

Post Offices
In general, post offices are open from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Central and airport offices have extended opening hours and may be open on Saturdays and in some cases also on Sundays.
Stamps are sold in post offices and vending-machines in the streets.
Many post offices have the Netpost service that on payment allows access to personal e-mail and the Internet.
More detailed information about opening hours and services available at each office can be found on www.ctt.pt

Pharmacies
In general, pharmacies are open on weekdays between 9am and 7pm (some close for lunch from 1 to 3 p.m.) and on Saturdays between 9am and 1pm.
They display an illuminated green cross outside when open at night.
All of them have information posted on the door indicating the nearest pharmacies that are open at night.

Shops
Traditionally, shops are open from Monday to Friday, from 9 or 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some close for lunch from 1 to 3 p.m. On Saturdays from January to November, shops generally close at 1 p.m. though in city centres some are open in the afternoon.
Shops tend to stay open on Saturday afternoons and sometimes even on Sundays in December for Christmas shopping.
There are plenty of shopping centres inside and outside the cities that are usually open from 10 a.m. to midnight every day of the week. They generally have stores with the main international brands.
However, traditional shops with Portuguese products can be found particularly in the streets of the older neighbourhoods of towns and cities.

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Money

Currency
Portugal is one of 16 European Union countries whose common official currency is the euro.
1 euro is divided into 100 cents. The coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros.
The notes are differentiated by their size and colour and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros.
One side of the coins has a common design (the European side), and the other side has a national symbol. All euro coins can be used in any euro-zone country, irrespective of which national symbols they display.

ATMs - Automatic Teller Machines (Multibanco)
Portugal has a national network of cash machines (ATMs) identified by the symbol MB (Multibanco), from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day.

Currency Exchange
You can exchange money at banks, which are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. five working days a week; at bureaux de change; and at automatic currency exchange machines (these are for currency sale transactions only).

Credit cards
In Portugal, the most commonly used credit cards are: Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Europay / MasterCard, JCB and Maestro.
If your Visa or MasterCard credit card is lost or stolen, contact the following telephone numbers for assistance:
- Visa: Tel. 800 811 107
- MasterCard: Tel. 800 811 272 

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Emergencies

National Emergency Number: 112

Health
Azores:
Angra do Heroísmo - Santo Espirito Hospital: 295 403 200
Horta Hospital: 292 201 000
Ponta Delgada - Divino Espírito Santo Hospital: 296 203 000

Coimbra:
Coimbra General Hospital (Covões): 239 800 100
Coimbra University Hospital: 239 400 400 / 239 400 600

Évora:
Espirito Santo Hospital: 266 740 100 / 266 700 357
Misericórdia de Évora Hospital: 266 760 630 / 266 760 634

Faro:
Algarve Private Hospital: 282  420 400
Faro District Hospital: 289  89 11 00 /  289 802 555
Lagos Hospital: 282 770 100 / 282 770 116
Santa Maria de Faro Private Hospital: 289 892 040

Leiria:
Santo André Hospital: 244 817 000
São Francisco Hospital Centre: 244 819 300

Lisbon:
Amadora Sintra Hospital: 21 434 82 00 / 21 434 84 44
Cascais Hospital: 21 482 77 00
British Hospital: 21 394 31 00  / 21 721 34 00
Santa Maria Hospital: 21 780 50 00 / 21 780 51 11 /  21 780 52 22
São José Hospital: 21 884 10 00
S. Louis Hospital: 21 321 65 00
CUF Hospital: 21 392 61 00 / 21 002 52 00
SAMS Hospital: 21 842 20 00

Portalegre:
Doutor José Maria Grande Hospital: 245 301 000
Elvas - Santa Luzia Hospital: 268 637 600

Oporto:
Boavista Private Hospital: 22 206 25 00
São João Santa Hospital : 22 551 21 00
Santo António Hospital: 22 207 75 00

Other Cities:
Beja- José Joaquim Fernandes Hospital: 284 310 200 
Braga- São Marcos Hospital: 253 209 000
Bragança District Hospital: 273 310 800
Castelo Branco- Amato Lusitano Hospital: 272 000 180 / 272 000 272
Funchal Hospital Centre (Madeira): 291 705 666 / 291 705 600
Guarda- Sousa Martins Hospital: 21 200 200
Santarém District Hospital: 243 300 200 / 243 300 861
Setúbal- São Bernardo Hospital: 265 549 000 / 265 522 133
Viana do Castelo- Santa Luzia Hospital:258 802 100
Vila Real / Peso da Régua Hospital Centre: 259 300 500
Viseu- São Teotónio Hospital: 232 420 500

Police
PSP- Policia de Segurança Pública: www.psp.pt
GNR- Guarda Nacional Repúblicana: www.gnr.pt

Azores:
PSP / Command: 296 282 022
PSP / Ponta Delgada Airport: 296 205 517
PSP Trânsito / Traffic: 296 284 327
GNR Ponta Delgada: 296 306 580

Coimbra:
PSP / Command: 239 851 300
GNR Coimbra: 239 794 300
GNR / BT - Brigada de Trânsito / Traffic Brigade: 239 794 400

Faro:
PSP Faro: 289 822 022
PSP Lagos: 282 762 930
GNR Albufeira: 289 590 790
GNR Faro: 289 887 603
GNR Vilamoura: 289 381 780
GNR / Traffic: 289 598 730

Funchal:
PSP / Command: 291208 400
PSP / Funchal Airport: 291 520 889
PSP Trânsito / Traffic: 291 208 400
GNR Funchal: 291 214 460

Lisbon:
PSP/ Lisbon Metropolitan Police Command: 21 765 42 42
Esquadra de Turismo / Lisbon Tourism Police Station: 21 342 16 23
Esquadra de Turismo  / Cascais Tourism Police Station: 21 486 39 29
GNR de Sintra: 21 924 49 25
GNR - General Command: 21 321 70 00
PSP Trânsito / Traffic: 21 750 12 00

Oporto:
PSP / Oporto Metropolitan Police Command: Tel: 22 209 20 00
Esquadra de Turismo / Oporto Tourism Police Station: Tel: 22 20818 33
GNR / BT- Brigada de Trânsito / Traffic Brigade: Tel: 22 339 96 00

Other Cities:
PSP / Aveiro Command: 234 302 510
PSP / Beja Command: 284 313 150
PSP / Braga Command: 253 200 420
PSP / Bragança Command: 273 303 400
PSP / Castelo Branco Command: 272 340 622
PSP / Faro Command: 289 899 899
PSP / Guarda Command: 271 222 022
PSP / Leiria Command: 244 859 859
PSP / Santarém Command: 243 322 022
PSP / Setúbal Command: 265 522 022
PSP / Vila Real Command: 259 330 240

Credit Cards
American Express: 707 50 40 50 /  21 427 82 05
Mastercard: 800 811 272
Visa: 800 811 107

Telephones
PT – Portugal Telecom: 118 (National Directory Enquiries)
Optimus: 16103
TMN: 1696
Vodafone: 16912

Airports
ANA- Portuguese airport authority/ provides departures and arrival information:
www.ana.pt
ANAM- Madeira airport authority/ provides departures and arrival information:
www.anam.pt
Faro Airport: 289 800 800
Funchal Airport(Madeira): 291 520 700
Ponta Delgada Airport (Azoren): 296 205 400
Oporto Airport: 22 943 24 00
Lisbon Airport : 21 841 35 00 / 21 841 37 00

Transport
Information on Transports: www.transpor.pt
ACP- Automobile club in Portugal:707 509 510 / Web: www.acp.pt
Brisa-National motorway network company :808 508 508 / Web: www.brisa.pt
CP- Comboios de Portugal (Portuguese Train):808 208 208 / Web: www.cp.pt
Sata (Portuguese airline): 707 227 282 / Web: www.sata.pt
Tap-Portugal (Country’s “flagship” airline):707 205 700 / Web: www.tap.pt
Rede-Expressos (National Coach company): 707 223 344 / Web: www.rede-expressos.pt
Taxis in Faro: 289 895 790 (RádioTáxis)
Taxis in Funchal: 291 764 476
Taxis in Lisbon: 21 793 27 56
                        21 811 90 00 (RádioTáxis) 
                        21 811 11 00 (Teletáxis)
Taxis in Ponta Delgada: 296 302 530
Taxis in Oporto: 22 507 39 00 (RádioTáxis) / 22 507 64 00 (Táxis Invicta)

Tourism Information
In Portugal contact: 808 781 212

Other Services
Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa / Portuguese Red Cross: 21 391 39 33
                                                                                21 940 49 90 (Emergency)
                                                                                21 771 40 00 (Hospital)
CTT- Post Office: 707 26 26 26
Forestry Protection National Number: 117
Pousadas de Portugal: 21 844 20 01 / Web: www.pousadas.pt
Pousadas da Juventude / Youth Hostels: 707 20 30 30 (individual reservations)
                                                               707 233 233 (group reservations)
                                                            www.pousadasjuventude.pt 
SEF-Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteira (Border and Immigration Service):808 202 653
Web: www.sef.pt

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Text: ITP