The country’s long Atlantic coast is the single most important factor for
Portugal’s climate. Coastal regions can be very rainy in winter, and although
temperatures don’t drop that low, it often feels very cold. The exception is the
Algarve, which although it is also on the Atlantic, faces south and is protected
from northerly winds by inland hills.

The Algarve, then, is the only year-round destination, with hot to very hot
summers and mild winters. Other coastal areas generally have warm to hot
summers, with either balmy or windy evenings. Inland areas throughout the
country are subject to more extreme conditions, with colder winters even in the
Alentejo and hotter summers even in Trás-os-Montes. Spring and autumn are good
times to visit because the weather is mild, but spring in particular may be wet,
which contributes to the glory of the country flowers.

On 30 June 1999, the intra-EU Duty and Tax Free Allowances, better known as
Duty-free and mainly affecting such items as alcohol, perfumes and tobacco, were
abolished. Consulates can generally provide up-to-date information on particular
customs regulations.

Eu nationals only need a valid passport to enter Portugal. If they stay for more
than six months they should apply for a residence permit. There is currently no
visa requirement for Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders or Australians
entering Portugal. Nationals of those countries may stay for up to 90 days and
then apply for an extension (usually another 90 days). However, travellers from
outside the EU are advised to check with the nearest Portuguese embassy or
consulate before going, as visa regulations are subject to change.

The Portuguese Ministry of Tourism divides the country into a number of touristic
regions, which are separate from its administrative districts. All major cities
or large towns within each touristic region have a Municipal
Tourist Office  (Posto de Turismo), as do the larger towns on Madeira
and the Azores. This guide gives details of the relevant tourist information
office for each sight. Here, visitors can obtain information about the region,
town plans, maps and details on regional events. In some cases they will also
sell advance tickets for local shows and concerts. Information about local
hotels will be available from the tourist office, although they will not usually
book the accommodation. Office opening hours vary as each tourist region is
organized independently, but generally they follow the same opening hours as
local shops. In more rural areas, offices are often closed at weekends, and may
not offer the same information and services that can be found in larger towns.
There are tourist offices at all the major airports, as well as in all cities
and large towns. Visitors can also obtain information prior to travelling, from
Portuguese tourist offices abroad. These offices will normally provide visitors
planning a trip with a wide range of useful maps, fact sheets and tourist
brochures.

The majority of Portugal’s museums are run by the state, although there are also
a number of private ones. In addition to the main national museums and
galleries, there are countless regional ones scattered around the country. These
cover a range of topics, from the history of a region to the works of local
artists.

Most museums in Portugal charge a small entrance fee, which varies from one to
three euros. These charges are sometimes reduced or waived altogether (or just
in the morning) on Sundays and public holidays. Young people under 14 or
pensioners (with proof of age) may obtain a 40 per cent discount. Those under 26
with a Cartão Jovem  (youth card) or ISIC card (International
Student Identity Card) are entitled to half-price entrance. Tourists to Lisbon
may also buy a Lisboa card, available from the airport, tourist offices, and
travel agents. It allows free entry to 26 of the city’s museums, and reduced
entry to many others, including the Gulbenkian, as well as free public transport
for a fixed period. Lisboa cards are valid for one, two or three days.

Museums are usually open from 10am–5pm from Tuesday to Sunday, with many closing
for lunch either from noon to 2pm or from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Smaller and private
museums may have different opening times. Museums and some sights close on
Mondays and public holidays. Major churches are open during the day without a
fixed timetable although some may close between noon and 4pm. Smaller churches
and those in rural areas may only be open for religious services and in some
cases you may need to find the keyholder for admittance.

Written Portuguese is fairly similar to Spanish, so if you know Spanish you
should have little difficulty understanding Portuguese text. However, Portuguese
pronunciation is different and spoken Portuguese sounds nothing like spoken
Spanish.

The Portuguese are justifiably proud of their own language, and may take offence
at being addressed in Spanish. Their own language is widely spoken throughout
the world as a result of former colonial ties with Brazil and a number of
countries in Africa.

Although English is more widely spoken in Portugal than in neighbouring Spain,
the Portuguese appreciate visitors’ efforts, however small, to communicate in
their language. A simple bom dia  (good day) or boa tarde  (good afternoon) can work wonders. For any attempts at more
advanced communication, be prepared to repeat yourself several times, allowing
your listener to suspend his disbelief and adjust to the peculiarities of your
pronunciation. Portuguese retains some old-fashioned modes of address which are
seen as polite rather than formal, including o senhor  and a senhora  where English uses “you”. This contrasts with the
informality of cheek-kisses, used between men and women as well as between women
in most situations except formal and business introductions. Men generally shake
hands.

Although dress is generally relaxed these days, arms should be covered up and
shorts should not be worn when visiting churches.

English-language newspapers printed in Europe are available at large newsagents
on the day of publication, including the American International
Herald Tribune . Various other European newspapers and periodicals are
generally on sale the day after home publication.

Portuguese daily newspapers include Diário de Notícias  and Público . The weekly Portugal News , published
on Saturday, is the country’s main English-language publication. Catering to the
expat population, it provides a range of news and information about local
happenings.

Portugal has two state-owned television channels, RTP1 and RTP2, and two
privately-owned channels, SIC and TVI. Most foreign-language programmes are
broadcast in the original language, with Portuguese subtitles. Other European
and international broadcasts are available via satellite and cable, and include
the usual 24-hour news, music, sports and feature channels. RDP radio broadcasts
in English in the summer only.

Facilities in Portugal for the disabled are limited at present, although the
situation is gradually improving. Wheelchairs and adapted toilets are now
available at most airports and the main stations, reserved car parking is
becoming more evident and ramps and lifts are gradually being installed in
public places. In addition, Lisbon and Oporto have a dial-a-ride bus service. To
book, phone and indicate when and where you want to be picked up, and your
destination. The operators speak only Portuguese, so you may need to ask your
hotel for help. There is a special taxi service in Lisbon, but it has to be
booked long in advance.

Travelling alone in Portugal is fairly safe for women although common principles,
such as keeping to well-lit, public areas after dark, still apply. Some areas of
Lisbon, such as the Baixa, Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodrá, are best avoided at
bar closing time. Resorts on the Algarve and Lisbon coasts tend to be the worst
for unwanted attentions. Hitching alone is not safe; use taxis or public
transport.

Young people aged 12–25 may buy a Cartão Jovem , (youth card),
which costs about €8 and is valid for a year. It offers travel insurance and
discounts for shops, museums, travel and youth hostels. This card is supplied by
the Instituto Português da Juventude  (Portuguese Youth
Institute). The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides the same
benefits as the Cartão Jovem  and can be bought in your own
country.

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Portugal. Church services are held
most evenings and every Sunday morning as well as on religious holidays.
Sightseeing may be difficult (and is not encouraged) while services are in
progress. Churches of other denominations, including the Church of England,
Baptist, and Evangelical can be found in larger towns and cities. St Vincent’s Anglican Church , which travels from place to place, holds
a number of religious services in the Algarve.

Portugal and Madeira follow Britain in adopting Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in
winter and moving the clocks forward one hour from March to September (as in
British Summer Time). In the Azores, clocks are one hour behind GMT in winter
and the same as GMT in summer. The 24-hour clock is more commonly used
throughout Portugal.

Voltage in Portugal is 220 volts and plugs have two round pins. Most hotel
bathrooms offer built-in adaptors for electric razors.