ABOUT THE COUNTRY

Portugal has been a Republic since 1910 and its government is a Parliamentary Democracy. A member of the European Union (EU) since 1986, the country occupies one-sixth of the Iberian Peninsula at Europe’s southwestern perimeter. To its north and east is Spain, which makes up the rest of the peninsula; to the south and the west is the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west and southwest lie the Azores (Açores) and the Madeira Islands, which are part of metropolitan Portugal.

Population: The population in mainland Portugal is around 10,000,000 people. Lisbon is the capital with nearly one million inhabitants. Other important cities are Oporto, Braga, Coimbra and Faro.  It is a relatively small country (516Km long and 218Km wide) with a total area: 92 389 sq. km (including Madeira and Azores) Land: 91959 sq. km Water: 430 sq. km

Curiosities

Portugal is one of the oldest countries in the world. The Treaty of Zamora that determined it’s independence from the kingdom of Leon was signed in 1143.

Portugal is 95% water: the surface of the country is 92.212 square Kilometres including the islands of Madeira and the Azores, however its territorial waters are much bigger representing 1.727.408 square Kilometres.

Portugal’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is the third largest in the European Union, which means that 11% of the European Union’s EEZ belongs to Portugal. The Portuguese EEZ is the fifth largest in Europe and the twentieth largest in the world.

Portugal produces 50% of the world’s cork, having acquired the status of the main producer of cork in the world. With more than 60% of exports guaranteed, Portuguese cork is one of the greatest assets of our agriculture. Around 34% of the world’s cork oak area is concentrated in Portugal, corresponding to an area of 736 thousand hectares, totalling 23% of the national forest. In 2011, the cork oak tree was consecrated, unanimously by the Assembly of the Republic, the National Tree of Portugal.

The biggest wave ever surfed was at Praia do Norte, in Nazare. In November 2011, Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara put Nazare on the lips of the world after having broken the record for the biggest wave surfed, with 23.8 meters, at Praia do Norte, inscribing his name in the Guinness Book. In 2017, Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa broke this record by surfing the biggest wave ever at 24.38 meters. But in October 2020, German surfer Sebastian Steudtner managed to break the record for the biggest wave ever surfed (26.21 meters).Responsible for these giant waves is the so-called Nazaré canyon, an underwater canyon of tectonic origin located off the coast of this Portuguese town.

Portugal has its own musical expression : Fado is a type of song with roots going back to the Discoveries in the 15^th Century, and can be enjoyed in bars, cafes and restaurants. It is known for its expressive form and tells us about everyday reality in a balance between nostalgia, joy and hope, talking about love, landscapes and local traditions. Singers are accompanied by one or two 12-string guitars and one or two classical guitars. In 2011 Fado was included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.

The first demarcated wine region in the world is Portuguese. Located in the north of the country the Douro Demarcated Region was created in 1756 producing the famous Port Wine and some amazing table wines. It is since 2001 a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Language

From a Latin root, Portuguese is spoken by about 250 million people and is the 5th most spoken language in the world and the 3rd, if we only consider the European languages More than nine-tenths of the country’s population are ethnic Portuguese, and there are also small numbers of Brazilians, Han Chinese, and people from Portugal’s former colonial possessions in Africa and Asia.

In Portugal many people are able to communicate in English, French and Spanish.

Religion

The majority of Portuguese are Roman Catholics, but the Portuguese Constitution guarantees religious freedom and there are a number of different religions in Portugal. Less than 2 percent of the population is Protestant, with Anglicans and Methodists the oldest and largest denominations. In the late 20th century, fundamentalist and Evangelical churches grew in popularity, though the number of their adherents remained quite small.

Time & Weather

Portugal has two time zones and observes daylight saving time. Continental Portugal and Madeira use UTC+00:00, while the Azores use UTC–01:00.

The climate of Portugal is temperate and influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. In Lisbon, the summers are warm, dry, and mostly clear and the winters are cold, wet, windy, and partly cloudy. The best periods to visit the cities of Portugal are from mid-May to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October. In September temperatures expected between 64-80ºF / 18-27ºC and in October between 59-73ºF / 15-23ºC.

Currency

After meeting the EU’s convergence criteria, Portugal adopted the euro, the EU’s single currency since 1999.

In Portugal, the VAT (Value Added Tax) is applied in accordance with current standards in the EU and focuses on most goods and services. VAT is, as a rule, included in the price payable by the consumer. Non-EU residents are entitled to a VAT refund for their purchases under certain circumstances. VAT is only refundable on purchases that exceed a total of €50 per invoice (net of tax) and which are not being purchased for commercial purposes or for resale. On the day of your EU departure, you need to apply for a VAT refund at the airport. Plan to arrive some time before your flight departure. Please check for details at: https://www.ana.pt/en/lis/services-shopping/essential-services/vat-refund

Electricity

The local current in Portugal is 220 volts AC with a two-round-pin plug. UK travellers and US Travellers will require a plug adapter or a voltage converter.

Most laptop computers are automatically multivoltage but would need an adapter if from countries using a different type of plug

Visa & Passports

U.S. citizens may enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page or US embassy site.  https://pt.usembassy.gov/

What to Pack?

In summer: bring light clothes, a sun hat, a light scarf for the sea breeze, a sweatshirt for the evening; a sweatshirt and a light jacket for the north and the mountains and comfortable shoes to enjoy the most of our city.

Transportation

Portugal offers a wide variety of transportation services such as trains, buses, trams, metros, taxis, and planes. Public transport in Portugal is safe, clean, mostly reliable and affordable. If you decide to rent a car, there are multiple car rental services you can choose from.

Lisbon’s taxis are painted black and green or cream. By law, all taxi fares are calculated using a taximeter, so always insist that the metre is running All drivers have to be registered and their registration card will be displayed in the car. You might find the driving culture different to what you are used to. You can use an app like MyTaxi. The basic Lisbon taxi fare is €0.47 per km, and there is a minimum fare of €3.25 when you get in.

Uber has become a very popular the app is easy to use and the cost of the service is very low unlike in a lot of other European cities.

Phones/Wi-Fi

High-Speed Internet access is available at Hotel Ritz Four Seasons and Hotel Intercontinental Lisbon and is included in your hotel fee. For the best roaming/international rates contact your cell phone provider before traveling.

Tipping & Gratuity

Portugal doesn’t have a tipping culture, there are no fixed rules. One of following approaches is typically followed: Some people don’t tip at all. Others tip a percentage of the bill (usually somewhere between 5-10%) No tip is expected for some coffee/espresso or a beverage, although some people might leave the change, round up to the closest Euro (example 1,85 to 2EUR)

Healthcare

Portugal’s healthcare system is ranked the 17th best in the world. According to the World Index of Healthcare Innovation (WIHI), and 3rd in patient-centred care. Portugal is well-equipped to deal with the most challenging medical matters and provides special after-care services as well.

The country has universal health coverage through its public financed National Health Service There are several fully equipped Hospitals to respond to emergency medical situations with internationally trained doctors, and accept most insurance.

In any kind of emergency in Portugal, you can call the emergency number (112) from any telephone to speak to the emergency services. Depending on the nature of your query, the operator subsequently routes you through to the medical service, fire service, or police.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Lisbon.

Local contacts for some Health Units :

Emergency Number : 112 for Ambulance & Paramedics (they verify the emergency and take the patient to the best unit)

Hotel – Concierge can call a doctor for assistance in the room (cost from 150-250 Euros) 

British Hospital is now integrated in Hospital da Luz
Private Hospital ; open 24/7 ;
Location : Avenida Lusiada 100  – Lisbon ( approx. 20 minutes by taxi from your Hotel )
Phone : + 351 21710 4400

CMIL – Clínica Médica Internacional de Lisboa
Medical centre from 09h00am / 07h00pm ( closed Sat & Sun )
Location : Avenida Sidonio Pais 14 ground floor – Lisbon ( approx. 20 minutes walking from Hotel )
Phone: +351 21 351 3310

Refer to the table below to understand the average costs of a private hospital in Lisbon: 

Please note these are indicative prices, each unit might apply their own costings according to each situation always verify beforehand.

Pharmacy :

Farmacia  Ronil central pharmacy (24/7 Service) R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 155, 1070-283 Lisboa (10 minutes walking distance from Hotel )

Airport Pharmacy is open 06:00am to 10:00pm at terminal 1

In the city there are always pharmacies on call, in several areas of the city that can be informed by the local staff .

The major threat involved in travelling to Lisbon:

Crime rates are low but pickpocketing can happen in major tourist areas. Be alert, keep sight of your belongings at all times and beware of thieves using distraction techniques. Be especially vigilant on public transport (particularly the popular numbers 15 and 28 trams in Lisbon) and at busy railway and underground stations and crowded bus and tram stops.

Do not carry all your valuables together in handbags or pockets. Leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place.

Report the loss or theft of your passport immediately to the local police and obtain a police report. You will need the report for insurance purposes and to obtain a replacement travel document from the Consulate

Beaches and swimming

Deaths by drowning occur every year on Portuguese beaches and in swimming pools. The Maritime Police have the authority to fine bathers who disobey the lifeguard’s warning flags. Take warning flags on beaches seriously. The red flag indicates danger: never enter the water when the red flag is flying. If there is a yellow flag, you may paddle at the water’s edge, but not swim. The green flag indicates that it is safe to swim, and the chequered flag means that the beach is temporarily unmanned. Follow local advice if jellyfish are present. Take care when walking along unmanned beaches close to the water’s edge as some waves can be of an unpredictable size and come in further than expected on to the beach with strong undertows.

Don’t swim at beaches that link to/from rivers, or those without lifeguards. Don’t dive into unknown water as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. Look out for signs warning of cliff erosion. Falling rocks are a hazard, particularly in the Algarve, and the authorities can fine those who ignore warning signs.

The sun may be too strong for guests who are not used to it – we recommend using sunblock.