Portugal

• Destinations
• ➝
• Portugal

A land of traditional villages, lively cities and historical treasures, berth of some World Heritage sites, it offers natural and cultural wonders.

Occupying the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula and sharing borders in the north and the east with Spain, while to the south and west lies the Atlantic ocean, it has a scenic countryside with magical places for the wanderer and a warm sunny weather that invites you to explore stone villages in the mountains or wild dune, covered beaches, as well as the cosmopolitan capital Lisbon and its northern rival Porto, both with a riverside views and charming cathedrals, eclectic restaurants, bohemian cafes and stylish night clubs.

• Public holidays

  • January 1st – New Years Day
  • Moveable – Carnival 47 days before Easter Sunday
  • Moveable – Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
  • April 25th – Freedom Day
  • May 1st – Labour Day
  • Moveable – Corpus Christi (60 days after Easter Sunday)
  • June 10th – Portugal Day
  • August 15th – Assumption Day (maybe suppressed 2013)
  • October 5th – Republic Day (maybe suppressed 2013)
  • November 1st – All Saints Day
  • December 1st – Independence Day
  • December 24th – Bank and Government Holiday
  • December 25th - Christmas Day

• Top things to do

  • Douro Valley – Unesco World  Heritages site – wine tour or a river cruise
  • Coimbra – One of the oldest universities in Europe, historic churches and student life all around
  • Batalha – Gothic masterpiece – one of the icons of Portugal
  • Belem – Historical quarter of Lisbon with beautiful architectural monuments, which honour the Portuguese explorer spirit
  • Fado Music – Portugal’s best-known traditional musical form to be heard at atmospheric bars in Lisbon or Coimbra. Lisbon fado song was recently added to UNESCO’s list of World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
  • Sintra – UNESCO World Heritage site, idyllic town with mystical hills, fairytale palaces and luxurious vegetation
  • Estoril racetrack – World famous racetrack near Lisbon
  • Coa Valley Archaeological Park – collection of rock carvings from Upper-Palaeolithic period. UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Évora – This museum-city has immense historical, religious and archaeological significance. Its centre is another UNESCO World Heritage site in Portugal
  • Cabo de Sao Vicente – Europe’s south westernmost point hosts one of the most powerful lighthouses in Europe.

• Getting there

  In major cities the locals dress in a smart, casual and elegant style. Decide for a smart casual look. On the coast, especially tourist resorts on the Algarve, dress is far more casual. Shorts and T-shirts are perfectly acceptable. Pack a smarter outfit for more market restaurant and sandals. Jeans are very popular everywhere, especially with young people, but they are always smart and clean. Make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime.

  If you are visiting any religious cities, cover your shoulders and bare legs, don’t forget sun cream and sunglasses.  From November to March it can be cool and wet, so pack a lightweight raincoat and umbrella.

  • Communications – telephone – country code +351, call boxes in most villages and towns
  • Mobile telephone - roaming agreement exist with the most international mobiles Companies.
  • Internet – there are internet cafés in all urban areas and same post offices offer internet facilities.
  • WI-FI access is available in various hotels and public buildings.
  • Post – main post offices have longer hours and some are also open on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Language: Portuguese. English though is widely spoken
  • Time Zone – GMT (GMT+1 from last Sunday in march to the last Sunday in October)
  • Electricity – 220 volts. Continental two-pin plugs are in use
  • Capital city – Lisbon
  • Population – 2 million in Great Lisbon
  • Government – Republic since 1910
  • Religion – Roman Catholic
  • Social Conventions – casual wear is widely accepted, although beachwear should not be worn in towns, Smoking is prohibited in public indoor places.
  • Health care – No vaccines required
  • Currency – Euro (Credit card are widely accepted)
  • Banking hours – Monday – Friday 08:30 – 15:00.

• Did you know...?

  Surfing in Portugal - Due to unique geographic location, surf is guaranteed everyday in Peniche (small fishing town north of Lisbon), no matter what wind or swell directions. With so many sur off Praia do Norte spots along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, the rest of Europe (and the world) are waking up to the country’s huge surf potential.

  The biggest wave in the world was surfed in Nazaré (central Portugal) in 2011 by Hawaiian surfer Garett McNamara. The wave, believed to have a height of around 30m, was surfed during the Zon North Canyon show 2011. The coast of Nazaré is home to a special geomorphologic feature, known as the “Nazaré Canyon”. This rare formation is a gap in the continental plate some 170Km in length and 5 Km deep, located off Praia do Norte, which when receives large swells, create abnormally-waves, McNamara’s record breaking ride has already been admitted into Billabong XXI Global Big Waves Award 2012.

  Protected areas of Portugal include one national park, 12 natural parks, nine natural reserves, five natural monuments and seven protected landscapes.

• Trips, Tours & Activities

  In Oporto we can offer the following Tours:

  • Oporto City Tour 4 hours
  • Full day Minho with visits to Guimaraes, Braga and Barcelos, with lunch in Braga at Hotel do Elevador, 8 hours
  • Douro Boat Trip with return to Oporto by Train 12 hours
  • Oporto wine cellars visit, with taste and a Fado show during.1,30 hour

  In Lisbon we can offer the following Tours:

  • Lisbon City Tour 4 Hours (day or night)
  • Half day Sintra, Cascais and Estoril 4 hours
  • Full Day Obidos, Nazaré, Batalha and Fátima, 10 hours
  • Full day Arrabida
  • Full day Évora
  • Full day Coimbra
  • Dinner in a Typical Restaurant with a Fado Show

• Accommodation

  In Portugal we have all types and categories of Hotels. Important national and international chains as Pestana, Vila Galé, Holiday Inn, Altis, Turim and many more can offer 5, 4, and 3* hotels.

  There also are touristic apartments and pousadas which are special accommodations each one with different characteristics.

  For lower budgets, there are minor categories of accommodations that can go from camping, hostels to residences.

  All the accommodations satisfy the needs of the tourist according the reason of travel, Businesses, vacations, relax, special events, etc.

• Transfers

  There are all types of transfers (privates and collective) all around the country. The capacity may vary from a regular taxi for 3 persons to a bus for 45/50 persons. All kind of services can be provided:

  • Transfers from/to the airport
  • Transfers from/to the train station
  • Transfers from/to hotel-hotel
  • Transfers with special requests as transportation of heavy equipments
  • Transfers between cities, from the north to the south of the country or vice versa.

• Meetings and events

  In Portugal there are different events that became regular. Most of them can be for many reasons: sports, music festivals, concerts, arts (theater, galleries, etc), workshops, congresses, fairs and so on. There are installations adapted to the event and can be indoor or outdoor.