Banks and Money
 The banks are open Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 3.00pm, but closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and petrol stations. Travellers cheques and money can be changed at “cambios” as well as banks. If using Travellers cheques, a passport will be required and a commission charge is usually charged per transaction, regardless of the amount. Portugal also has a national network of cash machines (ATM’s) identified by the MB (Multibanco) symbol from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day.
Post Offices
 Post Offices (“correios”), are normally open Monday – Friday from 9.00am – 6.00pm. However, central post offices in major cities often have extended opening hours and are usually open from 8.00am – 10.00pm Monday – Friday and may be open on Saturdays from 9.00am – 6.00pm. Stamps are sold in post offices and vending machines in the streets. Many post offices have the Netpost service that on payment, allows you to access personal emails and the internet. For more detailed information regarding opening hours and services visit www.ctt.pt
Pharmacies
 Generally, chemists (“farmacias”) are open Monday – Friday from 9.00am – 7.00pm. Some close for lunch from 1.00 – 3.00pm. On Saturdays they are open from 9.00am – 1.00pm. They display an illuminated green cross sign outside when open at night. They all post information on the door to indicate the nearest night service. Usually, pharmacies can advise on many minor matters. Social Security coverage is available for EU Nationals however, you have to pay first and reclaim later. You must obtain a E111 Form before you travel which covers you for emergencies only, so medical insurance is strongly advised. Private doctors (British, German, Dutch and Portuguese) can give more comprehensive treatment, but without insurance, this can be expensive.
Shops
 The shops are open from 9.00 or 10.00am – 7.00pm although some close for lunch between 1.00 – 3.00pm. On Saturdays they generally close at 1.00pm. In the large shopping centres including the supermarkets and hypermarkets, they tend to stay open later. The supermarkets and hypermarkets are also open on Sundays from 9.00am – 1.00pm, although they often stay open later during the peak season. Most supermarkets stock a wide range of international brands.
Restaurants
 The restaurants in Portugal can vary greatly in size and quality. There is however, an enormous selection of good restaurants from very reasonably priced Portuguese (which specialise in excellent grilled fish, salads and a wide range of seafoods) to expensive, á la carte gourmet restaurants.
Local specialities include:
Açorda à Alentejana is an unusual soup of bread, coriander, egg and large amounts of garlic. Alternatively, Caldo Verde (green soup) is one of Portugal’s national dishes and consists of a thick soup of shredded cabbage and potato sometimes spiced up with a little choric sausage. Soap de padre (stone soup) is also a wonderfully thick country soup filled with numerous vegetables and meats.
SEAFOOD AND FISH
 Fish plays a very important part in the Portuguese diet and delicious fresh seafood is always readily available. Some of the more popular ones you will find on a menu are:-
Grilled atum – tuna
Sardinhas – sardines
Caldeirada de peixe – a fabulous stew made up with whatever small fish turns up in the fishermen’s nets.
Ameijoas na cataplana – a stew from the Algarve named after the wok-like pressure cooker (cataplana) in which it is usually cooked. Into this goes a combination of clams (ameijoas), various meat, peppers, wine, garlic and onions.
Acorda de marisco – a bread thickened shellfish soup into which raw eggs are folded in just before it is served.
Truta com Presunto – trout with ham.
Bacalhau – Salted cod, this is also a national dish. Try it in baked dishes such as bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (flaked bacalhau with potatoes, onions, parsley, topped with olives and eggs) or bacalhau com Natas (with cream and potatoes).
MEAT, POULTRY AND GAME
 Some of the classic Portuguese dishes are usually grilled, fried or barbecued:-
Cabrito Estufado, - a delicious kid stew cooked with onions, potatoes, tomatoes and peas.
Porco à Alentejana, - a mixture of marinated cubed pork cooked with small clams, paprika and garlic.
Leitao assado, - suckling pig.
Posta à Mirandesa, - braised steak.
Feijoada à Transmontana, - white beans mixed with various parts of a pig, plus ham, sausage and onions.
Cozido, - boiled meats of all sorts served with potatoes and cabbage.
Figado, - liver.
Vilela, - Veal.
Javali, - boar.
Codorniz, - Quail.
Frango, - Chicken.
Frango Piri-Piri, - chicken grilled in an African piri-piri chilli sauce.
Coelho, - rabbit.
Peru, - turkey.
Perdiz, - partridge.
Veado, - venison.
NON-MEAT DISHES
Fresh vegetables are often served as side dishes, including the popular broad beans (Favas). Salads are also readily available. If you eat eggs, omelettes are served everywhere.
DESSERTS AND CHEESE
 The Portuguese are fond of sweets and the Moorish legacy has meant that sugar cakes made with almonds, egg yolks and fruits come in endless variety. Popular desserts are:-
Pudim Molotov, - light flan with caramel.
Arroz doce, - rice pudding.
Avos Moles, - sugar, rice flour and egg yolk
WINES
 You can rarely go wrong with Portuguese house wine (Vinho da Casa). Just remember to tell the waiter whether you want branco (white) or tinto (red), and you will find the cost very reasonable. The other alternative to red or white is “green wine” (vinho verde). Others are: - Duo – mainly red. Jose Maria de Fonseca, Periquito, Camarate, Lancers and Red. Vinho espumante – a champagne type wine.
PORT WINE
 The principal sweet wine in Portugal is naturally, port wine. The choice can be made between two types:
The vintage and the old wines. The best vintage are from 85, 87, 94 and 95 and the best known are Taylors, Fonseca, Guimaraes, Ferreira, Niepoort, Grahams and Noval.
The prices can vary greatly, but as a guide for a 3 course meal per person including a half bottle of house wine and coffee, you can start at @ €7.00 right up to €55.00 per person.
Tips
 In Portugal, tips are not taken for granted, but are always very much appreciated as they do help to boost their basic salaries (which are still one of the lowest in Europe). An acceptable tip equates to around 5-10% of the bill.
Markets
 All of the following towns have a vegetable, fruit, fish and meat market every morning Monday to Saturday. Some also open on Sundays.
In addition, there are weekly and monthly markets which sell a variety of goods.
Albufeira, - 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Algoz, - 2nd Monday in every month.
Alte, - 3rd Thursday in every month.
Armacão da Pêra, - 1st Thursday in every month.
Estoi, - 2nd Saturday in every month.
Lagoa, - 1st Saturday in every month.
Loulé, - every Saturday morning.
Moncarapacho, - 1st Sunday in every month.
Monchique, - 2nd Saturday in every month.
Quarteira, - every Wednesday morning.
Sa Bras de Alportel, - every Saturday.
Sagres, - 1st Friday in every month.
Silves, - 3rd Monday in every month.
Telephones
 Telephone calls can be made at Post Offices and public call boxes, which accept coins or phone cards. Found in booths in the street and at bars, cafes and shopping centres. Telephone cards (50, 100 or 150 units) can be bought at newsagents, kiosks, Post Offices and at most hotel reception desks. The international dialling code to call a number in Portugal from abroad is 00 351. You also need to use the same international code when using a non-Portuguese mobile phone in Portugal. For calls abroad, dial 00, followed by the country code, the area code (omitting the first 0) then the telephone number. Portugal’s Directory Enquiries Tel No. is 118. You can visit www.telecom.pt for further information.
The international dialling codes from Portugal are:-
| UK: |
00 44 |
| USA and Canada: |
00 1 |
| Germany: |
00 49 |
| Netherlands: |
00 31 |
| Spain: |
00 34 |
| Ireland: |
00 353 |
| Italy: |
00 39 |
| France: |
00 33 |
| Belgium: |
00 32 |
| International Operator: |
171/177 |
Getting Around
Bus
 The buses are clean, practical, cheap and a reasonable and comfortable way to travel around. All buses display their destination at the front. To avoid long, boring journeys within the Algarve, you can book express regional services. There is the Faro based EVA (www.eva-bus.net) which runs good local and regional services. There is also the Rede Nacional de Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) which runs a very comprehensive national service.
Taxi
 Taxis are very plentiful and cheap. Usually beige, although there are some green and black ones. In cities they charge a standard meter fare, outside city limits they charge per km and are entitled to charge for a return fare. In cities, luggage travelling also adds a surcharge. There is also a surcharge of @ 20% for journeys between 10.00pm – 6.00am. A normal tip is @ 10% of the fare price.
Train
 There are express trains from Lisbon through Coimbra to Oporto (Alfa trains) and regional trains (Inter-cidades and Inter-regionais) connecting to other parts of Portugal. 1st and 2nd Class is available except for local and suburban trains. Special tickets are available including tourist tickets (valid for 7, 14 and 21 days). There are also special rates on “Blue Days” offering return tickets with discount for trips over 100km. People over 65 are also entitled to special discounts. For international, long and medium distance express services, it is advisable to make reservations first. Train timetables are available for information desks at stations and tourist offices.
Car Hire
 Car Hire can be found in all major towns and at international airports. Drivers must be at least 21 and have had a licence for at least one year. You must also show proof of identity, either an ID card for EU Citizens and passport for other nationals and you must hold a valid driving licence. Hires prices always includes third party insurance. A Government Tax of 21% is a compulsory extra. Optional extras include collision damage waiver, theft insurance and personal insurance.
Driving
 All motor vehicles drive on the right unless it is otherwise indicated. Vehicles approaching from the right have priority at junctions. The standard of both the roads and the driving is lower than in the other Northern European countries, so it is essential that you are continually alert and very cautious. Be aware of vehicles suddenly emerging from the side roads and of course dangerous overtaking. Seat belts are obligatory for the driver and front passenger. The law is very strict on drinking and driving and the maximum limit is 0.05 per cent. If you have been drinking and driving and are caught, you can expect to be locked up immediately and be in court the next morning. Be also aware, that the Portuguese Highway Code forbids the use of mobile phones whilst driving, unless hands-free equipment is used. The maximum speed in towns is 50km p/h and on main roads and highways (motorways) 90 and 120km p/h respectively. Petrol stations are open usually from 7.00am – 8.00pm. The Highway Service Stations are open 24 hours.
Security
 Theft from cars locked or otherwise can be very unfortunately, rather common. When driving you need to have with you at all times your licence and other documents, so do not under any circumstances, leave these documents in the car when parked. Be also very security conscious when in villas and apartments, just as you would if you were at home. When you go out, ensure that you lock up.
Accidents
 Breakages in apartments and villas must be reported and paid for. In the event of a serious road accident you must wait for the police to arrive. Meanwhile, obtain the driver’s name, address, insurance company’s details and the number of the policy. Insist that the police take statements from both parties and that both are breathalysed.
Medical Facilities
 Medical facilities are available in hospitals and they provide 24 hours a day emergency service. There are also many clinics open from 8.00am – 8.00pm. In case of emergency dial the Tel No. 112. In the case of a road accident, use the nearest SOS phone (orange) for further information.
Electricity
 Current is 220 volts A/C with a continental round 2 pin plug. Earthing can be erratic though in the older buildings.
Useful Phrases
| Thank You |
Obrigado (if you are male)
Obrigada (if you are female) |
| Please |
Por Favour |
| Good Morning |
Bom dia |
| Godd Afternoon |
Boa tarde |
| Good Evening |
Boa noite |
| Yes |
Sim |
| No |
Não |
| Bank |
Banco |
| Change |
Cambio |
| How much is it? |
Quanto é? |
| Do you speak English? |
Fala Inglês? |
| I don't understand |
Não Compreendo |
National Holidays 2009
| 1st January |
New Year's Day |
| 24th February |
Mardi Gras (last day of Carnival) |
| 9th April |
Easter Thursday (Banks Only, afternoon) |
| 10th April |
Good Friday |
| 12th April |
Easter Sunday |
| 25th April |
Liberation Day |
| 1st May |
Labour Day |
| 22nd May |
Corpus Christi |
| 10th June |
National Day |
| 14th June |
St. Anthony (Lisbon Only) |
| 15th August |
Assumption |
| 5th October |
Proclamation of the Republic |
| 1st November |
All Saints' Day |
| 1st December |
Independence Day |
| 8th December |
Immaculate Conception |
| 25th December |
Christmas Day |
Useful Telephone Nos
Consulates in the Algarve
| Austria |
289 510 900 |
| Belgium |
289 899 590 |
| Canada |
289 880 888 |
| Finland |
289 399 873 |
| Germany |
289 803 181 |
| Great Britain |
289 490 750 |
| Netherlands |
289 820 903 |
| Norway |
282 414 878 |
| Spain |
281 544 888 |
| Sweden |
289 355 213 |
Lisbon Embassies
| Austria |
21 395 8220 |
| Belgium |
21 317 0510 |
| Brazil |
21 724 8510 |
| Canada |
21 316 4600 |
| Finland |
21 393 3040 |
| France |
21 393 9100 |
| Germany |
21 881 0210 |
| Great Britain |
21 392 4000 |
| Ireland |
21 392 9440 |
| Netherlands |
21 391 4900 |
| Norway |
21 301 5344 |
| South Africa |
21 319 2200 |
| Switzerland |
21 394 4090 |
| USA |
21 727 3300 |
|
