Useful Information
The Algarve’s
international airport is at Faro. Throughout the country there are a number of small airports with limited facilities. It is possible
to travel from the international airports to many of these smaller ones but it is important to first check, as these services are variable.
At Faro Airport a bus can be boarded outside the Terminal that will take you to the centre of the city. Taxis are also usually recommended.
Children's activities (top)
LagosZoo
- Barão São João - Tropical birds, monkeys, domestic animals
Water Slide Parks
Zoomarine - Aquarium/Seals/Dolphins
Krazy World - mini golf, reptile and animal parks.
There is the national network of Rodoviária Nacional (RN), and competing private operators who run quick non-stop services on
the more popular routes and often to destinations not covered by trains. The RN tends to be slower but its prices are cheaper. Many
private operators offer more facilities on longer runs such as toilet, video, air-conditioning and snacks. Prior to a long trip it is best
to check what the coach facilities are before boarding. You will find that in major
tourist areas or cities
there are excellent local excursions by coach. In almost all cases tickets are purchased in advance.
The normal shopping hours are from 09.00 hrs. until 19.00 hrs
on Mondays to Fridays. Saturdays is from 09.00 hrs. until 13.00 hrs.
There are some shops that extend their hours and their days of opening.
Consulates / Embassies (top)
Most European countries have Consulates in the
Algarve
- usually in
Portimão
or Faro. All major countries have Embassies in Lisbon. Addresses
and telephone numbers can be supplied on request.
Euros. Travellers cheques and credit cards are generally
accepted. Money can be changed at Banks, Bureau De Change (cambio).
These facilities will offer a better rate than in Hotels and Receptions.
Banks are open from Monday through to Friday, from 08.30 hrs. to 15.00 hrs.
Numerous ATMs (Cashpoint).
Disabled facilities (top)
There is a great a lack in past design and facilities to provide their needs.
Happily, awareness is now showing and this is evident with the appearance of special
parking spaces in public areas, special toilets at airports, stations, and centers of entertainment.
Daytime very casual.
Evenings smart casual - only a few very exclusive
restaurants demand jackets/ties.
Ladies should not bring a lot of jewellery.
- You must always carry car documents, driving license and passport.
- Portugal drives on the right side of the road except when otherwise indicated.
- All vehicles approaching from the right have priority.
- The driver already on a roundabout normally has the right of way.
- Safety-belts are compulsory in all circumstances.
- Drinking and driving is severely controlled and limited to a restriction of 0.5 g/l.
- Children under 12 years old are prohibited from sitting in the front seat.
- Child seats are required up to age twelve.
- Unless otherwise indicated urban limit is 50 km/h.
- Rural roads other than those zones indicated are limited to 90 km/h.
- Motorways are limited to 120 km/h.
The current all over Portugal is 220 volts AC and connection is made by a two-pin plug.
The plug today acts also as an earth except in older buildings that use older
models of this two-pin plug.
By calling anywhere in Portugal on 112 you will be connected to Fire,
Police and Ambulance services. Every Fire Brigade also maintains one
or more ambulances for emergencies. Chemists can give advice on simple
health problems and suggest appropriate treatment. They are also permitted
to sell many medicines without a doctor's subscription. A green cross on
white background denotes a chemist. A red cross on a white background denotes
a Red Cross station. In most towns there are Emergency Treatment Centers (SAP)
that will provide medical assistance 24 hours a day.
Security in cities and towns is handled by the Polícia de Segurança
Pública (PSP), rural areas by the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), and
the traffic by Brigada de Trânsito. On motorways and several major roads
there are SOS phone boxes for help in accidents or breakdowns.
You will not go hungry in the
Algarve!
Dining is earlier than in Spain - normally 19.30 - 22.00.
There is an enormous selection of good restaurants throughout the region.
These range from very reasonably priced Portuguese restaurants specialising
in excellent fresh grilled fish, wonderful salads and a wide range of seafood,
to medium priced international restaurants and more expensive gourmet restaurants.
Some local specialities to look for:
-
Sardines - the staple dish of the Algarve
, served in most restaurants. The most atmospheric place to enjoy
them freshly grilled is on the quayside at Portimão.
-
Chicken Piri Piri - Piri Piri is a spicy condiment brought to Portugal
from Africa. It comes in a variety of forms - paste, oil and powder - and is
used to give zest to a number of dishes, the most popular being grilled chicken.
Although available in most restaurants the best place to enjoy it is on the Monchique mountain.
- Presunto - similar to Parma Ham. A Speciality of Monchique, served in most restaurants often with melon.
- Caldeirada - delicious fish stew with tomatoes, onions and potatoes.
- Cataplana - clams, chouriço (sausage), onions, tomatoes and herbs all steamed in a copper pot.
- Arroz Doce - traditional rice pudding.
- Molotoff - a traditional dessert made with egg whites and a caramel sauce.
- Torta de Amendoa - Almond roll.
- Tarte de Amendoa - Almond tart.
Vegetarian meals are available in many restaurants.
Portugal is becoming better known internationally for its wide range of wine.
Try some of the following:
- Aperitifs - white port
- Vinho Verde - "green" wine from northwest Portugal - Casal Garcia, Gatão, Alveleda.
- Vinho Rosé - "Pink" wine - light and refreshing - Lancers, Casal Mendes.
- Vinho Branco (white wine) - BSE, Planalto, Monte Velho, Porta da Ravessa, João Pires, Topazio.
- Vinho Tinto (Red wine) Angelus, Periquita, Porta da Ravessa, Redonda, Reguengos, Colares.
- Sparkling - cheaper than Champagne and very pleasant.
After Dinner Drinks:
- Ruby Port
- Tawny Port
- Vintage Port
- Brandymel - brandy and honey liquor
- Amendoa Amarga - almond liquor (sweet or bitter)
- Licor Beirao - aromatic liquor
- Medronho - local firewater made from the Arbutus "strawberry" tree
- Bagaço and Bagaceira - made from the pips and skins of grapes
- Setubal - Muscatel wine from the Lisbon area
- Madeira - dessert wine from the island of Madeira.
09.00 - 21.00 Monday - Saturday.
09.00 - 13.00 on Sunday.
Most supermarkets stock a wide range of international foods as well as local products.
Unfortunately the major earthquake of 1755 destroyed many of the
historical sites but the following are still worth a visit:
- Lagos - old city walls, slave market, "Golden Church", Fortress.
- Sagres - Light house, Fortress and Navigation School of Prince Henry the Navigator.
- Silves - 13th Century Cathedral & 9th Century Castle
- Old Town of Faro - Numerous beautiful churches.
The peak season is mid-July to end August when everywhere is very busy.
March/April/May are ideal months for sports enthusiasts and the countryside is in full flower.
June is still relatively quiet, warmer and very suitable for small children or the elderly.
September/October - pleasant temperature, warm sea and balmy evenings.
November -February - some heavy rain can be expected but otherwise predominantly
sunny with daytime temperatures averaging 10-15ºC but dropping to 3-5ºC at
night. Frosts are rare.
When written the Portuguese language has a visual relationship to both Spanish and Italian.
When spoken it takes on another character. Although today the language has been influenced
by modern means of communication, the educated form can be likened to "Dickensian
English" in its style. It is courteous in content and suitable flowery in description.
Spoken Spanish can be understood by the Portuguese but is best avoided. Anybody with
knowledge of some Portuguese history will be able to understand the reason. The inhabitants
have a wonderful ability to learn foreign languages and you will find that the English language
is normally readily understood. This has been helped by the fact that all foreign films
on TV and Cinemas are shown in their original language with subtitles.
Ceramics, hand embroidered and crocheted products, knitwear, basketware, leather goods, copper.
Weekly English language newspapers:
Monthly German language publications:
Radio Stations:
- Kiss 101.2 FM - broadcasts English News Bulletins at 8.30 and 9.30 daily
- Nostalgia 107.5 FM - broadcasts just music, mainly from the 50s - 90s.
The word Correio denotes a Post Office or services. First class mail
is denoted by the words "correio azul" and normally associated with the colour
of blue. From Post Offices there is an express service named EMS that also records
delivery. These offices are normally open from 08.30 hrs. until 18.30 hrs. from Monday to Friday.
Even the smallest villages usually have a daily morning market for fresh
fruit and vegetables and, sometimes, fish.
The larger towns have fresh fish markets open mornings Monday - Saturday.
There are many colorful open-air peasant markets on Saturday mornings.
All the major towns have a large gypsy market once a month with clothing,
leather goods, CDs and cassettes, ceramics and locally produced specialties.
Private medical facilities throughout the
Algarve
are excellent. There are many English, German and Dutch doctors and dentists as
well as Private Clinics in
Lagos
, Carvoeiro and Albufeira, and a private hospital in
Alvor
. State-run medical facilities are very overburdened - particularly in the
summer. Private medical insurance is thus considered essential.
There are numerous chemists in all main resorts and a notice on the door
will indicate which chemist has emergency night/weekend service.
Please click HERE to buy your holiday insurance.
Although the majority of the museums and art galleries are State owned there
are a number of private Foundations and individually owned exhibition places. This
fact is particularly evident when wishing to see contemporary art where they tend
to reflect the taste of the owner. State Museums charge a small entrance fee that
is usually waived on Sundays and Public Holidays. They are open from Tuesday through to Sunday and
pensioners receive a 40% discount on the entrance fee. Sometimes there is no charge
at all for pensioners on showing your ID. Opening times are normally from 10.00 hours
to 17.00 hours, but sometimes closed during lunchtime.
- 1st January
- 25th April
- Good Friday
- 1st May
- Corpus Christi (Early June)
- 10th June
- 15th August
- 5th October
- 1st November
- 1st December
- 8th December
- 25th December
It is traditional for each municipality (concelho), to reserve one annual
day as a holiday for its commerce. This day is principally
used as an excuse for celebration. You will find restaurants open but most shops closed.
Other leisure activities (top)
- Health and Fitness Centres
- Flightseeing
- Jeep Safaris
- Karate/Judo
- Folklore
- Bird Watching
- Boat trips
- Cinemas
- Casinos
- Bull Fights
- The coastline and hinterland afford ample opportunities for spectacular walking.
Private art galeries (top)
Throughout the country there are many galleries exhibiting contemporary art for sale for all
tastes and pockets. There is normally no charge to enter these galleries or their exhibitions.
Portugal is a Roman Catholic country and there are numerous churches with regular services.
Many other religions are represented such as:
- St. Vincent's Anglican Church.
- International Christian Fellowship in Portimão.
- The International Evangelical Church of the Algarve.
- Seventh Day Adventist Church.
- Jewish Religious Notices.
- Dutch Protestant Church.
- Jehovah's Witnesses.
The
Algarve
is well known for its superb golf courses - please see click
HERE
to see separate section.
Other sports readily available:
- Bicycle Tours
- Bowling
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Escorted Walks
- Hang Gliding
- Lawn Bowls
- Microlight
- Paragliding
- Riding
- Sailing
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
- Squash
- Surfing
- Tennis
- Water Skiing
- Wind Surfing
Generally open 09.00 - 19.00 Monday - Saturday, 09.00 - 13.00 on Sunday.
Longer hours in the peak season.
This tax that is the same as VAT is known as IVA in Portugal, and is at present
20% on hotel accommodation, 12% on restaurant services and 20% on other services
and goods. Persons from outside the European Union (EU) and visiting for less
than 180 days, can reclaim this tax for goods bought at selected shops (please
look for the “TAX FREE” sign) by requesting a form named Isenção
de IVA. This form is presented to customs when leaving the country.
The
Algarvians
are friendly, honest and courteous people. They are extremely tolerant
and hospitable and very child-friendly.
It is safe to suggest that the whole year is a good period to visit.
Mainland Portugal has an attractive climate with long hot summers,
and mild pleasant winters. In the north winters are obviously cool
and wet, whilst in the
Algarve
temperatures seldom ever fall below freezing. Inland areas have hotter
summers and cooler winters except for mountainous regions that even enjoy
snow. Madeira Island and the Islands of the Azores enjoy a temperate climate the year around.
A tip of 10% for good service is normal in restaurants, for taxis and similar services.
The Portuguese railway system is State owned and has the name of Caminhos
de Ferro Portuguese (CP). The system provides a very reasonably priced transport within
the country. Major lines are fast, efficient and comfortable.
There are daily international connections as shown below.
Lisbon - Porto - Paris (Twice daily)
Lisbon - Madrid
Porto - Vigo (Spain)
Lisbon - Badajoz (Spain)
There are express trains (Alfa) between Lisbon and Porto, and in the tourist
season also from Lisbon and Porto to the
Algarve
. A regional train system operates throughout the country joining up the main towns.
This system (IC) is less comfortable than (Alfa) and is slower. There are two classes,
1st and 2nd with the exception for local trains where there is only one class. Special tourist
tickets may be purchased valid for 7, 14 or 21 days.
In the towns of the
Algarve
there is limited means of transport. Taxis are mainly used and they are
painted in a cream color. In urban areas they charge according to the
taximeter. Outside these areas the charge is per kilometer and this includes
the cost of the drivers return trip. Luggage over 30 kilos is charged at a
fixed rate. All taxis drivers have in their possession their printed rates in two languages.
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