Portugal Travel Tips, Holiday Information and Tourist Information.

If your planning a holiday to Portugal then spare a couple of minutes to read the following travel information on Portugal as it may help you find a few helpful tips to make your holiday more enjoyable. If you are looking for holiday accommodation in Portugal then search Apartment and Villa Rentals for apartments and villas to rent, plus many more holiday rentals in Portugal.

If you have a holiday home to rent in Portugal then you can advertise it on Apartment and Villa Rentals.

Portugal is a smaller country in comparison to its neighbour, Spain. The main area for holiday makers over the last 20+years has been the Algarve. The Algarve offers its holiday makers everything that they could possible want out of a holiday. Whether people are looking for sun, sea, sand, historical sites, local traditions or a week of party then the Algarve has many different resorts that cater for individual needs.

Recently we have seen many travel enquiries coming through Apartment and Villa Rentals (www.apartmentandvillarentals.com) for the Silver Coast areas of Portugal. Although this area has been regularly visited by many tourists over the years it is only over the last few years that it has grown in popularity to the UK and Irish markets. This was trigger off by the property investments made in this area. Dream Homes Portugal (http://www.dreamhomesportugal.com)

The Algarve keeps growing and evolving with the times, as many people have invested in holiday homes here tourism is surely set to rise. The newly built Formula One approved race track will help with this as recently the majority of the Formula 1 teams have tested cars here prior to the start of the F1 2009 season.

As with most places around Europe you will find tourist information booths dotted around most of the more popular resorts. These are usually manned by bi-lingual staff that can normally help you with most of your needs.

Historically the Portuguese have been know to be very hospitable and are very proud of what they have to offer the tourist.

The Best Time To Travel

Portugal is an all year round resort so you can travel here any time at all. Obviously between November and April the temperatures are slightly cooler and one may need a jacket when going out. This is still far warmer then the UK and Ireland. Golf is a major industry in the Algarve and this time of year is perfect to perfect your swing.

It is great to hire a car at this time of year as the roads do not seem to be that busy you can get to see everything your heart desires at your own pace.

Mainland Portugal has a great climate with long hot summers and mild pleasant winters. The north of Portugal has cold and wet winters and even a little snow. The Algarve very rarely drops below freezing. Inland areas are hotter in the summers and cooler winters. Madeira Island and the Azores enjoy a temperate climate all year round.

Electrical

All of Portugal runs on 220 volts AC and has the 2 pin connection plug. Today modern 2 pin plugs act also as an earth but you will find that in some of the older buildings that they use the older versions of the 2 pin.

Emergency

The number that you call from anywhere in Portugal is 112. This will connect you to the Fire, Police and Ambulance services. You will find that in Portugal the Fire Brigade will have 1 or more ambulances that are used for emergencies.

On motorways and some major national roads you will find SOS call boxes to assist in case of breakdown or an accident.

In cities and towns security levels are very low, the Police de Seguranca Publica PSP run these areas. In more rural areas Portugal have the Guarda national Republicana GNR running things and the traffic police are known as Brigada de Transito. The police are very much present on the roads and do sometimes stop cars for a routine check, with this in mind please remember that when driving here you must always have your Passport and Drivers Licence with you at all times.

Chemist

The chemist is identified with a green cross on a white background.

At the chemists you can get advise on various health problems and they will suggest the appropriate treatment that suits your needs. If they feel that you should seek medical advise they will normally recommend a local surgery to visit.

In Portugal you will notice when visiting the chemist that they can sell you many medicines that you would normally need a prescription for back at home.

In most towns you will find a centre for treatment of medical emergencies (SAP) open 24 hours per day.

Disabled

Most public places now have special parking areas along with toilets in airports and stations.

In Large cities like Lisbon and Porto you have dial a ride disabled bus service which has proved to be a great success. Also in Lisbon, Braga and Coimbra they have taxi services for disabled people.

Commercial Hours

Opening times for shops is usually from 9am until 7pm Monday through to Friday. On a Saturday they normally open from 9am to 1pm and then closed on Sundays.

Some shops do extend the opening times and days that they are open especially throughout the summer months.

You will find many shopping malls throughout Portugal and they normally open between 9am to 11pm. The malls sometimes have multiplex cinemas and most have food courts similar to what you will find back home.

National Holidays

The following is a list of Portugal national holidays.

1st January

25th April

Good Friday

1st May

Corpus Christi (Early June)

10th June

15th August

5th October

1st November

1st December

8th December

25th December

In Portugal, tradition generally rules when it comes to excuses for a holiday. What normally happens is for each municipality to reserve one day per year as a holiday for its commerce. Most shops are closed but restaurants stay open. Basically this day is an excuse to have a celebration.

Language

Many people believe that the language of Portuguese and Spanish is very similar. When it is written you can see the similarities but transformed into spoken language you notice it sounds very different.

Spoken Spanish normally can be understood by the Portuguese but it is best to avoid it if you can. If you know anything about the history of the Portuguese then you will fully understand why.

In Portugal all of the foreign films on TV and in cinemas are shown with Portuguese subtitles with its original language. This has helped a vast majority of the nation to have a great understanding of the English language.

If you want to give Portuguese a try even the smallest attempts will be appreciated by the locals.

Post

The post offices are generally easy to find with many sign posts dotted around the towns for directions. The word Correio generally means Post Office.

Outside many post offices you will see boxes selling stamps, these are for the different types of post offered. First Class post is 'Correio Azul' and normally has a blue box to buy your stamp and post your parcel in. You can also send recorded delivery worldwide from the post offices. They are usually open from 8.30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday. Only in larger towns will you find a post office open on a Saturday morning.

Money

The local currency is Euros.

Any foreign currency can be changed at banks, exchange stalls and even at a currency exchange machine that you will see in some main streets.

Many people these days simply bring credit cards or cash cards from back home and use the machine like you would normally, once you have clicked on English the commands are very similar to what you are used too. You will be given local currency normally at your banks exchange rate. (various fees may apply, check with your bank prior to this)

The above facilities are usually better than using a hotel reception as rates vary quite a lot.

Banks are normally open between Monday and Friday 8.30am to 3pm and closed at weekends.

Travellers cheques are welcome in most exchange booths and banks.

You can also use the majority of well known credit cards in most establishments.

Museums

Museums are mostly state owned but you will find a number of private individually owned exhibition centres.

The state charges a small fee for entrance that sometimes is waived on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Normally open between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Sunday, OAP's can receive up to 40% discount on entrance fees. Occasionally OAP's pay nothing if appropriate ID is shown at entrance.

Portugal Tax (IVA)

Tax in Portugal is called IVA and is similar to VAT and is currently set at 20%.

Portugal Visas

When travelling from the European Union, Australia and New Zealand the only requirement is a passport. This entitles you to stay for a period of up to 90 days.

American and Canadian citizens may stay for up to 60 days with a valid passport.

Any other countries are subject to visa controls so it is recommended that they check with the Portuguese Consulate prior to travelling.

This Portugal tourist information was believed to be accurate at the time of print, always check with appropriate sources prior to travelling.

Apartment and Villa Rentals also have holiday accommodation in Portugal.