Algarve > Algarve Useful Information

Useful Information for travellers to the Algarve

International access

Airports - Lisboa, Porto, Faro, Funchal (Island of Madeira); the Islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial (The Azores)
Trains - Lisboa/Paris (The Sud Express); Lisboa/Madrid (Lusitania); Porto/Vigo.

Principal international roads

From Vigo: E1/A55-A3; From Badajoz: E90/NV-A6; From Huelva: N431-IP1

Country access

Principal roads - North-South: A1/IP1, A2/IP1, A3/IP1, IP2, IP3; W-E: A4/IP4, IP5, IP6, A6/IP7, IP8
Trains - There are express trains between Lisboa and Porto, with a stop in Coimbra (Alfa trains) and regional trains (Intercidades and Inter-regional) that connect different parts of the country. There are special tickets available for tourists.
Coaches - A country-wide net, including an express network which is airconditioned.

How to get around

Urban transport - The principal cities have a complete network of transport systems. In Lisboa you can use buses, the subway, trams or travel on its various lifts. In Lisboa and Porto there are tourist passes available from the information kiosks of Carris (Lisboa) or STCP (Porto), open on working days from 8 am to 8 pm.

Taxis - They are beige, with a luminous identification sign on the roof. If this is on, it means the taxi is occupied. Between 10PM and 6AM there is an additional tariff of 20%. It is advisable to ask for a receipt. Baggage transported in the boot has a fixed rate. All taxis have a price table in two languages. At Lisbon Airport order your Taxi at the Kiosk. You will also find out of town designated letter A type taxis normally without a meter.

Car rental - With or without a driver, in all principal cities and international airports. Compulsory conditions: identity card (E.U. citizens) or a valid passport (other nationalities), green card, aged over 21. Insurance is compulsory. If you've lost your Driving Licence the UK DVLE has a service and downloads details by Fax.

Driving - In Portugal drive on the right. Seatbelts are compulsory as is a helmet for mopeds and motorbike riders. The maximum level of alcohol is 0.5 g/1. This is lower than the UK limit. Avoid flashing headlights in Portugal as it is an illegal signal. Maximumspeeds: cities and built-up areas: 50km/h; main roads: 90 km/h; motorways: 120 km/h. Insurance is compulsory. Most petrol stations are open between 8 am and midnight, and some are open 24 hours a day. Service stations open on working days from 8 AM 7 PM. In the bigger cities, motorways and dual-carriageways have service stations open 24 hours a day.

Principal roads in Algarve IP1 and Via do Infante) and E125

Trains - connection Algarve-Lisboa between Barreiro and Vila Real de Santo António, with a spur in Tunes for Lagos. CP Comboios de Portugal-Railways http://www.cp.pt/

Accommodation

In addition to the many hotels and Pensões, often called Residenciais or Residencial scattered throughout the regions of Portugal, there are also old monasteries, castles and palaces converted to hotels some established by the State and designated Pousadas. This type of accommodation should be pre-booked (ENATUR-Pousadas of Portugal). The rural tourism board (TER) has at your disposal an enormous variety of lodgings in marvelous farms and manor houses, where you will get a warm family welcome. In all hotel establishments, restaurants, and tourist agents, a complaints book is obligatory.

Climate

Coast and islands: average winter temperatures, 12ºC; in summer, 21ºC. Interior and mountains: in winter, 5ºC; in summer, 25ºC.

Portuguese National holidays

1st January, 25th April, Holy Friday, 1st May, Corpus Christi (movable), 10th June, 15th August, 5th October, 1st November, 1st, 8th and 25th December.

Local holidays

Albufeira - 20/07; Alcoutim - second Friday in November; Aljezur - 29/08; Castro Marim - 24/06; Faro - 7/09; Lagoa - 8/09; Lagos - 27/10; Louie - Asantion Thursday (Dia da Espiga); Monchique -Asantion Thursday (Dia da Espiga); Olhão - 16/07; Portimão - 11/12; São Bras de Alportel - 1/06; Silves - 3/09; Tavira - 24/07; Vila do Bispo-22/01; Vila Real de Santo António - 13/05

Local time

GMT for continental Portugal and Madeira and Açores an hour ahead.

Opening hours

Banks - From Monday to Friday: 5.30 am to 3 pm. Closed on holidays. Shops - Working days: from 9 am to lpm and from 3 pm to 7 pm. On Saturdays most used to close at lpm but big trend to be open until 5PM.

In the shopping centres of the big cities, you will find the shops normally open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays is well between 10 am and 11 PM. Museums - National: 10 am to 6 PM; Tuesdays: 2 pm to 6 pm. Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays until 2 pm, Holy Friday. Easter Sunday, the 1st May and 25th December. Regional and private museums normally close for lunch and have different closing days. National palaces close on Wednesdays.

Credit cards and ATM cashpoints

Most establishments accept credit cards: Visa, Amex, Eurocard, Euro-cheque, Diners Club and Mastercard. Cashpoints (ATM) available throughout the country, and can be identified by an MB for Multibanco sign.

Telephones

There are telephone boxes accepting coins and others accepting Credifone cards which may be purchased at newsagents. Mobile 'phones are expensive to use abroad and GPRS usage is prohibitively expensive when roaming it maybe more cost effective to acquire local SIM card.

Emergencies

Call 112 at any time and at any place. In case of an accident on a motorway, use the closest SOS phone (orange in colour).

Chemists

From 9 am to 1 pm, then 3 pm to 7 pm from Monday to Friday. Saturdays : from 9 am lo I pm. There are 24 hour chemists (Farmácia de Serviço).

Currency

The monetary unit is the escudo or $ 1 euro is 200$482. People talk more in terms of the Conto which is 1,000$00

Don't let the following ruin your holiday

Excessive exposure to sun. Watchout for cloudy and windy days as still prone to sunburn. Ants and other insects are easily attracted by food and sugary items. Keep your belongings with your person. Avoid exposing costly personal items to crime. Don't swim after a heavy lunch. If you are UK citizen you do not need a passport to get back to the UK should you lose it. Drive slowly and be aware that it is easy to be unaware that one is driving the wrong side of the road in the countryside and at night.

Helpful Visitor telephone numbers

Green Line 800 296 296 Free tourist support line

Tourist Support Offices (Police Lines) Two police forces operate in Portugal PSP and GNR PSP for cities and for smaller plces GNR PSP Lisboa: Palácio Foz Tel.: 21 342 1634 PSP Porto: Rua Clube Fenianos, 25 Tel.: 22 208 18 33 PSP Cascais: Rua Visconde da Luz, 14 Tel.: 21 486 3929 GNR: Albufeira. Rua 25 de Ahril Tel.: 289 51 3203 GNR: Vilamoura - Tel.:289 38 8989 GNR: Vila Nova de Milfontes Tel.: 2936 682 5309 Portugal on the Internet www.portugalinsite.pt