Portugal

General

Language European Portuguese is spoken in Portugal with different dialects throughout the country. Açoriano, Alentejano, Algarvio, Baixo-Beirão, Beirão, Estremenho and Madeirense are spoken in the central regions and south, with Alto-Minhoto, Nortenho and Transmontano in the northern parts. Barranquenho, Minderico and Mirandese are either spoken rarely or in a concentrated area like Barrancos and Miranda do Douro.Brazilian Portuguese and languages native to Cape Verde, Ukraine, Angola, Guinea, the UK and Romania are also spoken widely due to the larger immigration of people from these particular places, along with other mostly European countries. Spanish can be understood and spoken in those areas nearer the Portuguese border.National Emergency NumbersEmergency Police, Fire, Ambulance: The European emergency number is 112.Automobile Association (AA) Breakdown ServiceAutomóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) (tel: +351 707 509 510; www.acp.pt) operates a 24-hour service.Public HolidaysJan 01 - New Year’s DayMar 24 - Good FridayMar 27 - EasterApr 25 - Freedom DayMay 01 - Labor DayMay 26 - Corpus ChristiJun 10 - Portugal DayAug 15 - Assumption of MaryOct 05 - Republic DayNov 01 - All Saints’ DayDec 02 - Restoration of Independence DayDec 08 - Feast of Immaculate ConceptionDec 25 - Christmas DaySocial ConventionsPortugal is a fascinating mix of culture and folklore, depending on what part of the country you are visiting. Traditional ranchos folclóricos folklore, which is often illustrated with dance and song, tends to dominate the smaller towns and villages, with art and drama bigger in the larger towns and cities.The Portuguese are warm, hospitable people who revel in exhibitions, films, crafts, concerts, plays, café culture and also shopping malls (to combat the summer heat!). The summer festival season is a particularly pleasant experience, with football and bull fighting also enjoyed, along with the traditional religious activities that cater for the majority Catholic population.Casual wear is widely acceptable, but you shouldn’t wear beach clothing in towns. Smoking has been prohibited in public indoor spaces since 2008 and the ban includes cinemas, theatres, buses and most restaurants.Time ZonePortugal is on Western European Time and is 5 hours ahead of USA Eastern Time Zone.Tipping SuggestionsTipping is not obligatory or done often in Portugal. It is our recommendation that the quality of service should determine the extent of any gratuity. We are pleased to provide you with the following guidelines. Please feel free to offer more if you receive superlative service.Drivers & One Day Guides:About €35 per day. Important the driver guide or driver will normally remove himself at meal times. However this time can be awkward for both guides and clients so if the clients would like to invite the guide or driver to join them they should make it very clear and would be expected to pay for the meal.Transfers: Tips are not normally given for airport transfers.Restaurants:Generally there are three options, outlined on the menu.• A Service Charge of x % will apply" - this means what it says, your final bill will be subject to an additional charge; no further tips are necessary. • "Service included" - this means that the prices are a flat rate, no tips are required and the prices are final. Again if the server has been attentive a €5 or €10 left on the table will always be appreciated.• If none of these apply servers will usually expect a tip of around 10%Hotels:Service is always included and in general no tips are expected but they are welcome nonetheless. For excellent or unusual services a few Euros (the classic "fiver", a €5 note) are appropriate left for the housemaid or the porter who brings your bags up.Taxis:Tips are not really expected but no taxi driver will object if you round the bill up a bit to the nearest euro. Bars:If you try to tip in a bar you'll more than likely earn a happy but incredulous stare!US EmbassyMailing Address: Avenida Príncipe do Mónaco, 6-2 F 9500 Ponta DelgadaTel: +351 296 308 330Website: Portugal.usembassy.gov

Electricity

Plug Type: Type C, Type F 
Voltage (V): 230V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Banking

Currency 

Local currency: Euro 
Symbol: € 
ISO code: EUR 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500 
Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: Yes 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Cuisine

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: Yes 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: 

Portuguese cuisine is rich in flavor and diversity, influenced by its coastal location and history. Highlights include bacalhau (salted cod), caldoverde (kale soup), and pastéis de nata (custard tarts). Portugal is also famous for its port wine and vinho verde. 
Tipping: 5% - 10% 

Climate

Annual rainfall: Varies by region 
Average temperature: 17°C 

Summer: 

Average highs: 28°C 
Average lows: 17°C 

Winter: 

Average highs: 15°C 
Average lows: 7°C 

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit Portugal is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and tourist crowds are fewer. 

Transport

Air: 

Main airlines: TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair 
International Airports: Lisbon Portela Airport, Porto Airport, Faro Airport 
Domestic Airports: Madeira Airport, João Paulo II Airport (Azores) 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: No 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: Yes 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Dress

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Health

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Good medical care is available, but facilities may be limited outside urban areas. Public hospitals offer services at costs lower than private hospitals.
Payment is expected upon admission at private hospitals.
Call the national emergency response for an ambulance at 112 for life-threatening emergencies. However, please note the responsiveness of emergency services is not always comparable to U.S. standards.

Even though pharmacies are well stocked, take a decent supply of medication with you, and be aware pharmacies are usually closed for two hours over lunchtime. If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Portugal to ensure the medication is legal in Portugal. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Safety

Portugal is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas. Don’t flash wealth. If you have items of sentimental value, leave it at home. Visitors should avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations.

Visa

U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.