| Average Max. |
Jan. |
Feb. |
Mar. |
Apr. |
May |
June |
July |
Aug. |
Sep. |
Oct. |
Nov. |
Dec. |
| Costa de Lisboa |
13°C |
14°C |
16°C |
17°C |
21°C |
23°C |
25°C |
26°C |
24°C |
22°C |
17°C |
14°C |
| Alentejo |
11°C |
12°C |
14°C |
16°C |
20°C |
25°C |
29°C |
29°C |
26°C |
20°C |
14°C |
12°C |
| Algarve |
16°C |
17°C |
18°C |
19°C |
22°C |
25°C |
28°C |
28°C |
27°C |
23°C |
19°C |
17°C |
| Oporto |
13°C |
14°C |
16°C |
17°C |
19°C |
22°C |
24°C |
25°C |
24°C |
21°C |
17°C |
14°C |
COST OF LIVING
Generally speaking, the products of the country are excellents and relatively inexpensive whereas imported products are expensive. You will find a magnificient
choice of fish, good meat, delicious fruits and vegetables. Below some
details:
- petrol : the price is comparable to the Northern European prices.
In some service stations, you have to pay cash. Credit cards are accepted
only if a specific sign outside the shop.
- bread : prices fluctuate depending on the kind of bread (wheat,
buckwheat, corn, ...) but generally speaking bread is cheap.
- dairy products : a little less expensive than in Northern Europe.
- meat : similar to Northern Europe
- fish : the price depends on the catch of the day. The fish
is excellent.
- fruit and vegetabless: always buy fruit and vegetables in season, they are very inexpensie.
- pastry : The cakes are delicious and not very expensive.
You will discover numerous typical cafés and restaurants at a
wide variety of price. Do not hesitate to enter a simple looking restaurant,
you may very well be about to enjoy some superb Portuguese home cooking.
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DRIVING
In Portugal all traffic circulates on the right. At main squares, crossings
and junctions, vehicles to the right have right of way, unless otherwise
indicated on signposts. At crossings with roundabouts, the vehicles
already circulating on the roundabout have priority. All traffic signals
are in accordance with international standards. The use of a safety
belt is always compulsory on both the front and rear seats.
Required documents : Legal identification
document, valid national or international driving licence, both with
photographs, car registration document or equivalent, proof of ownership
of the vehicle or equivalent and insurance certificate.
In addition to any speed limits indicated on signs, drivers of cars
and motorcycles are subject to the following speed limits (for cars
without trailers and motorcycles) :
- 50 km / hour in cities and built up areas.
- 90 km / hour on normal roads.
- 100 km / hour on roads reserved for cars.
- 120 km / hour on motorways.
It is against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol and this
is considered as having a blood alcohol level of 0,5 grams/litre or
more.
HEALTH
If medical assistance is required it is advisable to go to the nearest
Health Centre. All municipalities have Health Centre and the major cities
have many. Some Health Centre have permanent emergency services called
SAP / CATUS.
EU citizens have the same benefits as Portuguese citizens in accordance
with community law.
For access to health services, EU citizens who are not resident in Portugal
should have their passport or identity card and the E111 and E112 forms.
There are several doctors in Ericeira, Tavira and Albufeira and also
a well stocked pharmacy.
In case of urgency, you can dial 112 from anywhere and at any time.
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LANGUAGE
Of Latin origin, Portuguese is the third most widely spoken European
language in the world and is mother tongue to about 200 million people.
In Portugal a considerable number of the citizens can communicate easily
in English, French and Spanish.
OPENING HOURS
- Banks : Monday to Friday : 8.30 to 15.00.
- Shops : Monday to Friday 9.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 19.00.
On Saturdays, most close at 13.00. The commercial centres of the big
cities are usually open between 10.00 and 23.00 as well as on Saturdays,
Sundays and public holidays.
- Restaurants : they usually open for lunch from 12.00 to 15.00
and for dinner from 19.00 to 21.30.
- Chemist : Monday to Friday 9.00 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 19.00.
On Saturdays 9.00 to 13.00.
By dialling 118, you can find the nearest chemist on duty.
- Post Offices
: open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 18.00. Stamps are sold here and also on shops
bearing the sign of the red horse. The Portuguese word for post office
is "Correios" and for stamp is "selo".
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PASSPORT AND VISA
A valid passport is the only requirement for European and US citizens.
All other nationalities, please contact the nearest Portuguese Consulate
in order to obtain any requirements information
Babies and young children should have their own identity card or should
be mentionned on one of their parents' passport.
For families who come with an under age friend of their children, a
special document signed by the parents is required.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Almost everything is closed on: January 1, April 25, Good Friday, May
1, Corpus Christi, June 10, August 15, October 5, November 1, December
1 and 8 and 25. Check for local holidays too.
SECURITY
Theft is not very frequent in Portugal. Nevertheless, you
should divide your money between you to avoid being without any in case
of robbery or loss.
Do not leave neither money nor documents in your car, even for a brief
moment.
When you go to the beach or sightseeing, only take with you the money
you intend to spend during the day.
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TELEPHONE
Telephone booths work with coins, Telecom cards and credit cards.
Telecom cards are on sale at Telecom Portugal shops, at Post Offices
and at some kiosks and tobacconists.
All telephone kiosks indicate the nearest place where these cards can
be purchased. The codes for other countries and for the national telephone
network are displayed in the kiosks. To telephone from Portugal to an
overseas country, dial 00, the code for the country and the city, followed
by the number required.
TIME
Portugal time is Greenwich Mean (GMT) time, which means that they have
the same time as England, but they are 1 hour behind Central European
Time. (example: 14.00 in Germany, 13.00 in Portugal)
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TRANSPORT
Getting around
Portugal is a small country in comparison with many other European
countries such as France and Spain. Therefore, travelling distances
are not too laborious and most destinations are reachable in just a
few hours. The distance between the two main cities of Lisbon and Oporto
is 314 km, which takes 3 hours on the A1 motorway. Faro is a very similar
distance away from the capital.
Portugal's mainland rail system
is cheap and extensive, and tourists have a wide range of special tickets
available offering unlimited travel throughout the country. Numerous
privatised coach companies provide fast and efficient road transport
in Portugal, at very reasonable prices.
Bus / trams. In
cities, you pay the driver a flat fare. In Lisbon and Oporto there
are special tourist tickets at Carris
(Lisbon) and the Lisbon
Underground or STCP
(Oporto) information kiosks, open form 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Taxi Plentiful and cheap, they are usually painted beige. They
have an illuminated taxi sign at the top. In the city they charge a
standard meter fare; outside the city's limits they charge per kilometre
and are entitled to charge for the return fare. In cities, luggage travelling
in the booth adds a surcharge. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. there is a surcharge
of about 20%. The usual amount to tip is 10% of the fare.
Train There are Express trains from Lisbon through Coimbra to
Oporto (Alfa trains) and regional trains (Inter-cidades and Inter-regionais)
connecting the different areas of Portugal. First and second class are
available except for local and suburban trains. Special tickets include
tourist tickets (valid for 7, 14 or 21 days). There are special rates
on "Blue Days" offering return tickets with discount for trips over
100 km.
People over 65 are entitled to have special discounts. For international,
long and medium distance express services, it's advisable to make reservations.
Train timetables are available from information desks at stations
and tourism offices. Portuguese
Railroads.
Coach Services
are run in express
or ordinary coaches, linking the country's main cities and towns
all over.
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DAY TO DAY LIVING / POTUGUESE HABITS
Portugal is a country of southern habits, so don't be surprised to find
that Northern strictness is unknown there! The lively streets are usually
in a constant state of disarray. This is both typical and charming. Customers are on holidays but in Portugal, life is going on which is not inevitably that of the holiday makers.
