Portugal has a rich and unique culture, the lively cities of Lisbon and Porto, and a beautiful countryside. The variety of landscapes is incredible: green mountains and spectacular gorges in the North characterized by small farms and vineyards; the central coastal region consists of dunes, pine forests and rolling hills; the Alentejo region has plains or desert-like terrains; and the South has highly developed stretches of beach. No wonder Portugal is among the 20 most visited countries in the world.
The most popular tourist destinations in Portugal are Lisbon, the Algarve region and Madeira, but the Portuguese government is currently developing new destinations such as the Douro Valley, Alentejo, Costa do Sol, Costa Azul, Braga, Coimbra, Evora, Minho and many more.

Capital :
Lisbon Currency : Euro Driver's License : International license required. Must be 23 years old and have held your license for 1 year. Electricity : 220 Volts, 50 Hertz Entry Requirements : A passport, valid 3 months beyond intended stay, and an ongoing or return ticket are required. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the country’s Embassy for up-to-date information. GMT Time : 0hr Daylight savings time is applied Government : Republic; parliamentary democracy Land size : 92,090 sq km Language : Portuguese National Airlines : TAP Portugal Population : 10,600,000 approx. Religion : Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% Required Vaccines : none Tourist Season : April to June and September to October are best, July to September very hot.

Cuisine
Portuguese cuisine is characterized by hearty, filling and full-flavored dishes and the use of exotic spices originally brought back by the former colonial possessions are common. These spices include piri piri (small, fiery chili peppers) and black pepper, as well as cinnamon, vanilla and saffron. Olive oil, garlic, coriander and parsley are widely used. The people’s diet consists mainly of fish as well as beef, pork, a bit of poultry, vegetables, cheese and pastries.

Breakfast is traditionally just coffee or milk and a bread roll with butter, jam, cheese or ham. Lunch is served between noon and 3 pm, and dinner is generally served from 8 pm. Soup is often served with lunch and dinner. A common soup is caldo verde with potato, shredded kale, and chunks of chouriço sausage.

Fish is served grilled, poached, fried or deep-fried, stewed or even roasted. Bacalhau (cod) is the fish of choice in Portugal but you will also find sardines, octopus and all sorts of shellfish. Caldeirada is a popular stew consisting of a variety of fish and shellfish with potatoes, tomato and onion. Traditional meat dishes include: alcatra (roasted beef marinated in red wine and garlic from the Azores) carne de porco à alentejana (fried pork with clams), cozido à Portuguesa (a meat and vegetables stew), bife (a slice of fried beef or pork served in a wine-based sauce), lamb ensopado, wild boar, skewered espetada and of course chouriço (sausage) made with pork, fat, wine, paprika and salt. There are many different varieties, differing in color, shape, seasoning and taste. Portuguese grilled chicken, marinated in chili, garlic and olive oil, is famous.

Tomatoes, cabbage, and onions are popular vegetables found in many recipes. Potatoes and rice are also extremely common in Portuguese cuisine. Feijoada, a rich bean stew, and açorda, a thick bread-based casserole, are very starchy dishes. Portuguese cheeses are usually strongly flavoured and fragrant. In the Azores, there is a type of cheese made with cow's milk with a spicy taste (Queijo de São Jorge). Other well known cheeses are such as Queijo de Azeitão, Queijo de Castelo Branco, Queijo da Serra da Estrela and Serra da Estrela.

The Portuguese enjoy rich egg-based desserts like caramel custard, pudim flã and the pastel de nata, a small custard tart sprinkled with cinnamon. Other very popular pastries include the bola de Berlim, barriga de freira, papos de anjo and the pão-de-ló. Arroz doce, rice pudding decorated with cinnamon, is also very popular. In the Algarve region almonds and marzipan are featured in sweets. Many traditional recipes also include doce de chila/gila (candied squash) and fios de ovos (candied egg threads). The Portuguese enjoy a thick, black expresso coffee (bica).

And let’s not forget the wines of Portugal! Try the Vinho do Douro, Vinho do Alentejo, Vinho do Dão, Vinho Verde wines, and the sweet wines: Port, Madeira wine, Muscatel of Setúbal and Moscatel of Favaios. Beer and liqueurs, like Licor Beirão and ginjinha, are popular.

Culture Portugal has developed a specific culture of its own but it was also greatly influenced by its many former colonial possessions. Portugal’s culture is strongly represented in all forms of art: painting, furniture, architecture, folklore, poetry and literary collections, music, theater, cinema and more.

In the larger cities, visits to the theatre, concerts or galleries of modern exhibitions are popular. In smaller towns and villages, cultural activities may include folklore performances with musical groups.

Portugal is internationally known for its fado and folkloric music, but a recent expansion in musical styles has emerged, with modern acts like dance, rock, pop, kuduro, zouk, kizomba, heavy metal, house and hip hop becoming popular. Fado, which means “fate” in Portuguese, first appeared in Lisbon as the music of the urban poor. The lyrics express a resignation to sadness, poverty and loneliness, while remaining dignified and firmly controlled. Fado gained international fame during the 40s with the "Queen of Fado", Amália Rodrigues.

There are several traditional folk dances and many are performed in costumes or specific clothe styles. Some of the dances performed are the Fandango of the Ribatejo region, Two Steps Waltz, Schottische (Chotiça), Corridinho of the Algarve region, Vira of the Minho region, Bailarico, and Chamarita in the Azores. There are many more dances, often varying by region.

Carnival is also widely celebrated in Portugal and several localities host many days of festivities with parades, music and dancing. There are some localities which preserve a more traditional carnival with typical elements of the ancient carnival traditions of Portugal and Europe but some places have adopted many elements of the famous Brazilian Carnival.

Geography Portugal is situated in southwestern Europe and it is the westernmost country of Europe. Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal. Lisbon is the capital. Administratively, Portugal is divided into 7 regions and 18 districts.

Portugal is split in half almost down the middle by the Tagus River. To the north the terrain is mountainous with several plateaus, whereas the south is characterized by rolling plains. Portugal's highest peak is Mount Pico on the island in the Azores. This ancient volcano, measures 2,351m above sea level. On the mainland the Serra da Estrela is the highest point at 1,991m above sea level, making it an ideal attraction for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts.

The archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores are scattered within the Atlantic Ocean. Geologically, these islands were formed by volcanic and seismic events, although the last terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred in 1957–58 (Capelinhos) and minor earthquakes occur sporadically, usually of low intensity.

History The land within the borders of today's Portuguese Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times: occupied by Celts like the Gallaeci and the Lusitanians, integrated into the Roman Republic and later settled by Germanic peoples such as the Suebi, Swabians, Vandals and the Visigoths. In the 8th century most of the Iberian Peninsula was conquered by Moorish invaders professing Islam, which later were killed and expelled out of the Iberia by the Knights Templar under the Order of Christ. During the Christian Reconquista, Portugal established itself as an independent kingdom from León in 1139, claiming to be the oldest European nation-state.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, as the result of pioneering the Age of Discovery, Portugal expanded western influence and established a global empire that included possessions in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America, becoming the world's major economic, political and military global power. The Portuguese Empire was the first global empire in history, and also the longest lived of the European colonial empires, spanning almost 600 years. However, the country's international status was greatly reduced during the 19th century, especially following the independence of Brazil, its largest colony.

Following the 1910 revolution, the monarchy was abolished and replaced with republicanism. But there was political instability and the economy was weak. This led to a military coup d'état in 1926 and the creation of the right-wing dictatorship of the Estado Novo in 1933. Democracy was restored after the Portuguese Colonial War and the Carnation Revolution in 1974. In 1986, Portugal joined the European Economic Community that later became the European Union. Portugal's last overseas territory, Macau, was handed over to China in 1999.

Nature Portugal has taken strong measure to preserve its natural environment. Visitor will find a several protected areas, including one national park, 12 natural parks, nine natural reserves, five natural monuments, and seven protected landscapes. The diverse flora is made up of many tree species like the pine, the chestnut, the cork-oak, the holm oak, the Portuguese oak and eucalyptus. In the Azores and on the island of Madeira there are large endemic Laurasilva forests, a rare and unique type of subtropical rainforest characterized by evergreens and glossy-leaved trees of the Laurel family.

Animal species are just as diverse with the fox, badger, Iberian lynx, Iberian Wolf, wild goat, wild cat, hare, weasel, polecat, chameleon, mongoose, civet and many others. Portugal is also an important stopover for migratory birds. Six hundred bird species make their nests in Portugal. There are many endemic insect species as well as reptiles, bats, snails and slugs that evolved independent from other regions of Portugal.

There are over 100 varieties of freshwater fish species. Some of these rare and specific species are highly endangered because of habitat loss, pollution and drought. Marine fish species are more common, and include thousands of species, such as the sardine, tuna and Atlantic mackerel. Glowing plankton can sometimes be observes at some beaches at night.

Sports Football (soccer) is the most popular and played sport. The Portugal national football team is among the higher-rated national football teams in Europe and the world. Other than football, many other professional and well organized sport competitions take place, including rugby, hockey, martial arts, basketball, swimming, cycling, athletics, tennis, gymnastics, futsal (a variant of football), team handball and volleyball.

In addition, other recreational outdoor activities enjoyed are fishing, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, hiking, golf, hunting and orienteering.

Banks & Money
The Euro (€) is legal tender in Portugal. If you need to exchange foreign currency go to any bank office or at a currency exchange shop found in all major cities, as well as selected hotels and some shops. Traveller’s checks, accompanied by a passport, are also accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

ATMs, called Multibanco, are prevalent in all cities and even the smaller towns. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are also commonly available but make sure to have your 4 PIN code with you and cards with chips may be the only ones accepted.

Climate Portugal is one of the warmest European countries and can be mostly classified as a Mediterranean climate, particularly the southern parts of the Algarve and Alentejo. Spring and summer months are usually sunny with high temperatures July and August, with maximums averaging between 35 C and 40 C in the mainland, 30 C and 35 C in the north. Autumn and winter are typically rainy and windy. Temperatures average 5 C to 10 C nearer to the sea, and around 0 C further inland. In the mountains temperatures may drop below −10 C in winter.

In the mainland, especially in the mountainous areas, the annual rainfall is very high but the yearly average drops down dramatically in the south. Snow is common in winter in the mountainous areas, particularly in the districts of Vila Real, Bragança, Viseu and Guarda.

The Madeiran and Azorean archipelagos have a narrower temperature range, with annual average temperatures exceeding 20 C along the coast. Both have a subtropical climate yet both also experience quite a range of micro-climates from Mediterranean climate to a Desert climate.

For monthly average temperatures please refer to your destination of choice.

Communication The country code is 351. The telephone system has a state-of-the-art network. Both the wire and mobile systems are widespread. Actually mobile lines outnumber land lines. All telephone numbers in Portugal are composed of nine digits.

Payphones are available. Some work with coins only, some with phone cards only and some with both coins and phone cards. Phone cards are sold in Portugal Telecom shops, post offices and some kiosks and news-stands.

Internet Cafes are becoming common place and can be found in most towns. You will be charged according to the amount of time spent using the computer. Some larger hotels and post offices that have the Netpost service may offer also internet services.

Health Tap water is generally potable everywhere but in rural areas the water supply might not be purified. Bottled water is always safer, especially if you have a sensitive stomach and are prone to traveller’s diarrhea.

Medications are obtained at pharmacies where you can have your prescriptions from your doctor filled.

You do not need any vaccinations against illness to travel to Portugal. As in any part of the world, it is advisable to have your anti-tetanus vaccination up to date if you are going to be in contact with nature and the countryside, as well as any other official vaccination program.

Official Holidays January 1 - New Year's Day February/March - Carnaval March/April - Good Friday, Easter April 25 - Dia da Liberdade, celebrates the Carnation Revolution May 1 - Labour Day May/June - Corpus Christi. June 10- Dia de Portugal August 15 - Assumption of Mary October 5 - Republic Day November 1 - All Saints Day December 1 - Restoration of Independence December 8 - Immaculate Conception December 25 – Natal (Christmas)

Safety In general, Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe for visiting tourists. However, some areas of Lisbon and Porto should be avoided.

As in any country, there are basic security measures to bear in mind. Try not to walk around empty streets or poorly-lit areas, and avoid street gambling stalls. Try to carry only the money you need for any one excursion. Take care of your possessions in crowded places such as public transport or department stores. When relaxing in public places, keep valuable objects like mobile phones and cameras out of view.

Shopping Portugal is rich in arts and craft so finding that special souvenir is easy. Some regions are famous for a specific craft as well like the embroideries from Madeira, the lace from Vila do Conde and the dolls from Nazaré.

Other typical products to look for are items made of cork, decorative glazed tiles, fado recordings, brightly colored pottery, filigree jewelry, fine woolen Arraiolos carpets and leather. Portuguese wines and Port are a great choice too.

For the fashion conscious, Portugal has several independent fashion designers, many of which have dedicated shops in Lisbon.

Taxes & Tips There is no departure tax at the airport.

Tipping taxi drivers or in restaurants is optional but most people round up the total bill to the next euro or give 5 to 10% of the bill. Bellhops and doorman usually receive $1-2 per bag and chambermaids should get $1 per day.

The value-added tax on non-essential products and services is of 23% (in Madeira and Azores 16%). Hotel and restaurant bills have a lower tax rate. Refunds are made for the tax on certain goods and merchandise if you spend a minimum of around 50€ in the same store on the same day. You must ask for a tax-free receipt from the store and then present the form with your purchases at the booth marked for IVA tax refunds at the airport. You'll get your money refunded right at the booth.

Transportation Currently, the most important airports are in Lisbon, Faro, Porto, Funchal (Madeira), and Ponta Delgada (Azores). Almost all major airlines and some no-frills airlines fly to Portugal. The national airline is TAP Portugal. The major seaports are located in Leixões, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz, Lisbon, Setúbal, Sines and Faro.

The national railway system is administered by Comboios de Portugal. Lisbon is connected to Madrid, Spain; Porto to VigoSpain; Vilar Formoso to Spain, France and the rest of Europe. In the South it is not possible to enter Portugal from Spain. The only option is to use buses. The Alfa-Pendular train stops only at main cities stations between Braga, Porto, Gaia, Aveiro, Coimbra, Lisbon and Faro. Intercity trains will take you to further destinations, especially in the interior, such as Évora, Beja and Guarda. Lisbon and Porto have a metro system. All major cities and towns have their own local urban transport network, as well as taxi services.

The roads in Portugal are generally good and you can reach almost all major cities by motorway or roads. The biggest cities are well served by modern highways. Keep in min driving is on the right; the left is only for passing. Portuguese driving can seem erratic and it is best to avoid driving in Lisbon and Porto.