Portugal - Travel Guide
Description
One of the oldest nations in Europe, Portugal has been an independent kingdom since 1143. It is a sunny country with diverse geography, making it an ideal holiday destination for holidaymakers of all ages.
With a world-renowned reputation for hospitality, excellent tourist facilities, quaint town and beautiful beaches, Portugal is a wonderful location at any time of the year. In the south, the delightful fishing villages bask in year-round sunshine but are sometimes hard to find as they compete with the ever-growing quantity of resorts and high-rise hotels. The north (particularly on the Costa Verde - Green Coast) is very different. Here you will find some of the most beautiful landscape in the world. Craggy mountains, productive, fertile valleys laden with olive groves and endless beaches vie for your attention. Wherever you go in Portugal, you're never too far away from an isolated cove or a tiny, picturesque village.
For an action-packed holiday, many resorts in Portugal offer an endless supply of partying, nightlife and water sports but for a more relaxed time, choose your destination carefully, perhaps opting for one of the smaller towns with narrow cobbled streets and a bustling weekly market. With 1793 km of coastline, you could spend as long deciding which beach to spend your time on, as you do actually sitting on it!
Parts of Portugal are mountainous, such as the area north of the River Tagus which flows into the North Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. Portugal's bustling capital was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755 but has thankfully been rebuilt since. Lisbon almost divides the culture of this fascinating country. The capital is renowned as an international centre for culture, with modern facilities and amenities while many, more rural parts of Portugal entertain themselves with more traditional events and celebrations.
The Portuguese enjoy a whole range of delicious culinary dishes and eat more fish than any other country in Europe. Special meals are often served at festivals, which are a traditional way of celebrating just about anything in Portugal. Very often tourists will be drawn in to help the party along, thanks to the generous hospitality of the Portuguese people.
Driving Guide
When travelling in Portugal it is important that you obey the speed limits; you may very well be pulled over for driving as little as 3km/h over a limit, and receive an on-the-spot fine. While many local citizens regularly speed, this does not form a defence for you, so be careful! As in most European countries, vehicles parked illegally will be immobilised. Front seat-belts are compulsory when travelling outside of built-up areas. Use the horn only at times of extreme danger. The minimum age for driving is 17, although anyone who has held a licence for less than a year must display a special yellow disc which indicates that they are not permitted to exceed 90km/h at any time. Normal speed limits are: 120km/h on expressways; 100km/h out of towns; and 50km/h in built-up areas. There is also a minimum speed limit of 40km/h on the expressways and 50km/h when crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon. Roads are often three lanes wide, where the middle lane is used for passing in both directions. Petrol stations are usually open from 7am to midnight, but some operate over 24 hours. Major credit cards are acceptable. It is illegal to carry extra fuel in cans. You should always give way to passengers who have to negotiate the road when leaving a tram. Do NOT drink and drive.
Portugal - Key Facts
Timezone: As UK.Languages spoken: Portuguese.
Capital City: Lisbon.
Major Cities: Coimbra, Oporto.
Mojor Airports: Faro, Funchal (Madeira), Lisbon, Oporto.
Population: 10 million
Area: 92,390 sq km - 35,671 sq miles.
Climate Guide: Mediterranean-type climate which is tempered by the Atlantic. The coast has mild winters, the N and central areas are much colder. Winter is the wet season throughout the country although autumn rainfall in the N can be heavy. Snow is rare at sea level but more frequent inland and in higher areas in the N. The S is the sunniest, driest and warmest area.
Currency: Euro (EUR 1 = 100 cents).
Notes: EUR: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500.
Coins: EUR: 1, 2. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50.
Telephone Code: 351
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz.
UK Tourist Information: Portuguese National Tourist Office
ICEP _ Investments, Trade & Tourism Office
2nd Floor, 22/25a Sackville Street, London W1S 3LY
Tel: 020 7494 5720 Fax: 020 7494 1868
E-mail: tourism@portugaloffice.org.uk
Website: www.portugalinsite.com
Hotel Class: All accommodation in Portugal is officially classified by the Ministry of Tourism. Hotels are graded from 1 star up to 5 star. Estalagens (quality inns) are either 4 or 5 star. Pensions (boarding houses) are uniquely graded as 1st, 2nd or 3rd class. Self-catering accommodation also uses the star system: Aparthotels are graded from 2 to 5 star; Tourist Apartments are either 3 or 4 star. Tourist Villages (villa and apartment complexes called "Aldeamentos Turisticos") range from 3 to 5 star.