Tourist Guide

Portugal Essentials
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro
Time: GMT +1
Voltage: 220V. Take an adapter
In an emergency call: 112
Shop opening hours: Monday to Friday 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 19.00. Saturdays, most shops close at 13.00. Shopping centres in larger towns are normally open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from 10.00 to 23.00.
Banks: From 08:30 to 15.00 Monday to Friday
Dialling code: + 351
Visa: UK nationals don't need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days
Lisbon Airport: (0)21 841 3500
Portuguese Embassy: 0207 235 5555

Portuguese Culture
Portugal is the perfect combination of beach holiday and fascinating culture - find out what makes up the Portuguese culture.

An independent kingdom since 1143, Portugal established its continental frontiers in 1297 and is one of the oldest nations in Europe. Portugal's history has had a lasting impact on the culture of the country - Moorish and Oriental influences in architecture and the arts are prominent to this day. Traditional folk dance and music, particularly the melancholy fado, remain vibrant.

The country's strength as a holiday destination is its diversity - mountains, vast arid plains, sub-tropical volcanic islands and lush meadows, not forgetting hundreds of miles of gleaming white beaches offering the opportunity for a rejuvenating yet restful break at any time of the year.

Above all, it is the Portuguese people themselves that make the biggest impression, particularly away from the cities where certain local customs and traditions have been preserved for centuries. Their national way of life is leisurely, and they pride themselves on their old-fashioned politeness and Latin hospitality.
Portugal Resorts
Fine beaches, a temperate year-round climate, mouth-watering gastronomy and friendly people are just a few of the special ingredients that make visiting Europe's south-westernmost country an exhilarating experience.

Portugal, a small country with a rich history of seafaring, looks out from the Iberian peninsula into the Atlantic Ocean. Fine beaches, a temperate year-round climate, mouth-watering gastronomy and friendly people are just a few of the special ingredients that make visiting Europe's south-westernmost country an exhilarating experience. The traveller is welcome in every corner, from the late-night bars and clubs in Lisbon, to the most provincial village in Trás-os-Montes, where the simple traditions of baking, spinning and farming remain routine in daily life.

Algarve
The Algarve's 200 kilometre stretch of southern shoreline is one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations. This brightly coloured region, with its fig trees, orange groves and almond-trees in blossom, is also the most verdant and fertile. Its capital, Faro, is built around a charming harbour at the edge of a wide lagoon. Along the coast to the east stands one of Europe's most luxurious resorts, Quinta do Lago, where visitors can play golf or explore the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. Equally popular is the resort town of Vilamoura at the heart of the Algarve, while to the west Albufeira is the region's largest holiday resort, alive with tourist activity right all year round. The quieter Algarve begins at Lagos, home to a modern marina, a clutch of ancient churches and a long, sandy beach.

Faro
The bustling, charming capital of the Algarve; the warmest and sunniest region of Portugal.
Faro town centre is best explored on foot, its character changing as you wander through streets of tiny houses, l9th century mansions, modern villas and shops. There is a large pedestrian shopping area running from the main square one mile to the north. The aerial view of Faro, seen by many visitors flying into the airport, is spectacular. Some of the sandbanks are huge, and the southern most point is marked by the Cabo de Santa Maria lighthouse (faro means lighthouse in Portuguese).

Portugal Days Out
There's plenty to see and do in Portugal thanks to it's diverse culture, natural beauty and perfect beaches.

SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing tours of Lisbon, Sintra and other places of interest leave from the bottom of Parque Eduardo VII in the centre of Lisbon. Tickets and information can be obtained at the nearby kiosk, while most of the tour operators offer a pick-up service at the city's main hotels.

Parque Das Nacoes
Renamed as the Parque das Nações after the Expo '98 world exposition, the site features several attractions offering at least a full day's sightseeing. Worth exploring is the Virtual Reality Pavilion (open 14.00-17.30 every day), where you can learn all about Portuguese history and the fascinating life of poet Luís Vaz de Camões.

Tower of Belem
No visitor can leave Lisbon without photographing the city's most endearing landmark. Commissioned by King Manuel I and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this decorative 16th century monument was originally built as a fortress in the middle of the River Tagus in 1515-21 to defend Lisbon against the perils and dangers of opposing fleets. Nearby is the Jerónimos Monastery: a remarkable example of Manueline architecture - a Portuguese variation on Gothic with carved nautical symbol, such as anchors and ropes.

Avenida da Brasília
Belém
Open: 10.00-17.00 Tuesday - Sunday

Palacio De Fronteira
Built in 1640 as a hunting pavilion for João de Mascaren has, the first Marquis de Fronteira, this delightful country manor house enjoys a rural spot on the edge of Monsanto Forest.
Now occupied by the 12th Marquis, the house is most notable for the striking azulejo tiles covering the walls.

Largo S. Domingos de Benfica
Benfica
Open: for pre-arranged guided tours only, Monday - Tuesday

WALKING
Thanks to a well-organised network of footpaths, walking is by far the best way to appreciate Portugal's stunning landscapes. Both the Montesinho Natural Park and Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north are crossed with several clearly signposted routes and several well-organised rest areas. The Serra da Estrela mountain.

Portugal Beaches
With fine beaches, a temperate year-round climate and the Algarve's 200 kilometre stretch of southern shoreline Portugal is one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations.

CHILD-FRIENDLY

Meia Praia, near Lagos
One the Algarve's most well-known, this beautiful sandy beach stretches for over six miles along Lagos Bay. It is ideal for families with children as there is much to keep the younger members. Also good for long walks.
Facilities: Snack bars, restaurants, toilets, paragliding, water sports, volley-ball, tennis

Praia da Luz
A half-mile-long sandy beach in Luz, five miles west of Lagos. The sheltered beach is well suited for children and is enclosed by dark rocks on the one side, and a small villa community on the other.
Facilities: watersports

Praia do Vau, Alvor
Situated east Alvor, half way between Portimão and Lagos. The sheltered bay is good for swimming while the sandy beach and calm waters are popular with families with children.
Facilities: Snack bars, restaurants, toilets, parking can be difficult

Armação, Armação de Pêra
Running the length of the sea front of the town of Armação de Pêra, a small seaside resort between Carvoeiro and Albufeira, is a 5km long sandy beach, ideal for families. Accessible from either Porches or Alcantarilha on the EN 125, the beach lies alongside a range of facilities.
Facilities: Cafes, restaurants, shops, toilets, water sports

OFFICIAL NATURIST BEACHES

Bela Vista
Two miles of wide white sand beach and dunes. Between Caparica and Fonte da Telha, South of Lisbon

Meco
Wide shore fringed with cliffs and water springs. Leave the car in one of the parking lots before the beach (around 1 Euro for the whole day). At the beach, turn left and pick your place anywhere after the first spring. Between Lagoa de Albufeira and Sesimbra, south of Lisbon. Paid parking

Praia do Salto
Near Porto Covo, between Cerro da Águia and Cerca Nova the Sines County

Ilha de Tavira
Large white sand shore. Reachable by boat from Tavira's Docks or by train from Praia do Barril. Between Olhão and Tavira in the Algarve.
Portugal - Restaurants
Portugal has the highest consumption of seafood in Europe. Join in and try caldeirada - a fish stew with as many as nine kinds of fish, cooked with onions and tomatoes.

Typical Portuguese dishes include sopa de marisco (shellfish soup cooked and served with wine), caldo verde (green soup made with finely shredded green kale leaves in broth) and bacalhau (dried cod, cooked in several different ways). Just as typical is carne de porco á Alentejana, in which bits of fried pork are covered with a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions. Popular puddings include arroz doce (rice pudding), Madeira pudding and nuvens (egg custard). Portugal's sweet pastries (available in most cafés) are also worth a try.

Portugal - Sports
Portugal is the place to go if you love your sport - world famous golf courses as well as great surf make for the perfect sporting holiday.

Surfing, windsurfing and sailing are extremely popular along Portugal's 800 kilometres of coastline and around the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. The best beach for surfing is the world-famous Guincho, just outside Cascais on the Estoril coast, where international championships are often held. More moderate conditions can be found in the Algarve resorts, where windsurfing boards and small sailing boats can be rented, and lessons bought.

In Algarve, all the larger tourist beaches and towns have some water sports facilities. Near Lagos, you'll find them at Luz, São Roque (Meia Praia) and Alvor beaches; the latter two also have sailing facilities. Praia da Rocha has sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing facilities.

Windsurfing
A particularly good windsurfing beach is the famous Guincho east of Lisbon. The waves here can range from one to three metres but beware an under-current. Another popular location is Praia Grande on the north coast.

Sailing
The calm waters of the Tagus estuary and the Mar de Palha (Sea of Straw) offer great opportunities to sail on a normally calm sea. Therer are several modern marinas along the north bank of the Tagus, starting at Cascais. Lisbon's well-equipped marinas at Doca do Bom Sucesso, Doca de Belém, Doca do Santo Amaro, Doca de Alcântara and the Parques das Nações, offer a wide range of facilities for visiting vessels. The Algarve's major marinas are at Lagos and Vilamoura.

Golf
The standard of golf courses in Portugal is very high with those in the Estoril/Sintra area and in Algarve being particularly popular. There are four in western Algarve - Parque de Floresta in Vila do Bispo (tel: 282 695 335); Palmares, Meia Praia (tel. 282 762 961); Penina in Portimao (tel: 282 415 415) and Alto in Alvor (tel: 282 416 913), home to The Giant, one of the longest holes in Europe.

Portugal - Shopping
Get stuck into some retail therapy - whether it's souvenirs, gifts to take home or pure self-indulgence you're after you'll find it on the streets of Portugal!

Portugal has more than 1600 shops affiliated to the Tax-Free for Tourists system, and these are identified by the logo with that name and have a simple VAT reimbursement system, effected at airports in cash, by credit card or by international cheque, as long as the goods have been shown to customs in advance.

Souvenirs/gifts
Portugal has a fine tradition of handicrafts, most notably wickerwork, ceramics, embroidery, rugs, copper, brass, wrought iron, woodwork and leather. It is also popular for its leather goods, which mostly come from sheep and lambskins. Hundreds of shops all over the country sell leather jackets, coats, gloves, pocketbooks, wallets etc.

Filigree jewellery is another best buy, particularly from the Minho region in the north, where gold and silver threads are worked into fine, intricately designed brooches, earrings and pendants.

Artesanato Regional Português
One of the oldest handicraft shops in Lisbon, with a rich assortment of genuine hand made regional products displayed in 300 square metres of showrooms.
Praça dos Restauradores, 64

Loja dos Descobrimentos
Located right beside the Casa dos Bicos, this shop stocks a wide variety of regional Portuguese articles, especially hand-painted tiles and ceramics. Also has a workshop where you can watch a craftsman at work.
Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 12- A.
Lisbon

Centro Colombo
Lisbon's largest shopping centre, this is a leisure complex rather than just a shopping centre, with a multiplex cinema, a health club, golf driving range, bowling alley, funfair and a karting track on the roof. Wheelchairs and pushchairs are available free and there are kiddycars for rent. The nursery, chapel and a breakdown service are downstairs by the car park.
Avenida Lusíada
1500-392 Benfica

Centro Vasco da Gama
A popular shopping destination that can be combined with a visit to the Parque das Nações, the former Expo site. Stores are conveniently clustered by type.
Avenida Dom João II
1990-094 Parque das Nações
Lisbon