(Last updated: 2 Jul 2011)

Visas

If you hold an ordinary Australian passport you do not need a visa for any stay up to 90 days.

Climate

The north of Portugal has a maritime climate, cool and often wet. The southern and inland regions are more continental with a warm drier climate. Temperatures can be very high here in mid-summer. Lisbon is generally mild and sunny but rain can be expected throughout the year. Portugal is usually warm from April to October. Snow is common in the mountains in winter.

For weather details in Portugal, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Portugal has international airports in Lisbon and Porto, as well as Faro, Madeira and the Açores islands. Portela is Portugal's international airport and it’s on north-eastern fringes of Lisbon. An airport shuttle bus departs every 20 minutes, taking passengers to Praça do Comércio.

The national airline is TAP–Air Portugal. The regional air company, SATA, flies to the Açores Islands. There are also air links between Funchal (Madeira) and Porto Santo.

Ground transport

Portugal has an extensive regional and suburban railway network. International trains run daily between Paris and Lisbon and Lisbon-Madrid and express trains operate between Lisbon and Porto.

Taxis use meters and are cream with a roof-light, or black and green. Be aware that once outside urban boundaries taxi service is charged by the kilometre, and includes the price of the driver’s return trip to his starting point. From 10.00pm to 6.00am the rate increases by 20 per cent. Luggage weighing more than 30kg is charged according to a fixed rate.

In Portugal all road traffic drives on the right. Vehicles approaching from the right have the right of way, unless otherwise indicated on signposts. The use of seatbelts is compulsory. Fines for traffic violations are severe and must be paid on the spot.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Portugal. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Portugal has a relatively low rate of violent crime, but tourists may be targeted by pickpockets and bag-snatchers, especially at popular tourist sites and on public transport and stations. Car break-ins, particularly those involving rental cars and vehicles with non-local license plates, are common.

Health

Health standards in Portugal are reasonably high. The tap water is generally safe to drink, but heavily chlorinated.

All major cities have health centres with doctors on hand and many also have emergency services called SAP/CATUS. It’s advisable to use the ‘Serviços de Urgência dos Hospitais’ (Hospital Emergency Services) only in very serious situations, such as serious trauma, poisoning, burns, heart attacks, strokes, or breathing difficulties. Doctors and hospitals often expect up-front payment for services.

Chemists are identifiable by the green cross on a white background sign outside and in their windows. Pharmacists can diagnose simple health problems and suggest appropriate treatment. They are trained professionals and can fill prescription and over-the-counter drug needs.

Tipping

Taxis expect a 10 per cent tip on top of the fare.

Service charge is included in restaurants and cafes costs but a 10 per cent tip on top is not out of place.

Time zones and time differences

Portugal is nine hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time and 11 hours during daylight saving.

To find out the current time in Lisbon, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Portugal's country code is 351.

For calls to Portugal from Australia dial: 0011 + 351 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Portugal to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Banks are open from 8.30am to 3.00pm from Monday to Friday and are closed on official holidays.

Shops are open from 9.00am to 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 7.00pm weekdays. Most shops close at 1.00pm on Saturday.

Shopping centres in larger towns are normally open on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays from 10.00am to 11.00pm.

Public holidays

April 25 – Freedom Day
May 1 – Labour Day
Jun 3 – Corpus Christi
June 10 – Portugal Day
August 15 – Assumption
October 5 – Founding of the Republic
November 1 – All Saints’ Day
December 1 – Restoration of Independence
December 8 – Immaculate Conception

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The official curency is the Euro (€). One Euro is made up of 100 cents.

Hotels, restaurants and stores increasingly accept international credit cards, however, Mastercard is not as widely accepted. Be aware that:

• taxis do not accept credit cards
• traveller’s cheques can be expensive to cash
• automatic bank machines dispense cash on Visa and Mastercard

Electricity and water

Portugal’s power supply is 240 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 3, 4 wires. The standard European two-pin plugs are the most common.

Dining

Lunch is traditionally between 12 midday and 3.00pm, and dinner from 7.00pm–10.00pm. A good meal in Portugal begins with a soup, perhaps ‘caldo verde’ (a thick soup made from shredded cabbage and potatoes with a sprinkling of olive-oil and a slice of chorizo). ‘Bacalhau’ (dried and salted cod) is the national dish and the Portuguese have invented 1001 different ways of cooking it; the simplest is boiled with potatoes and cabbage.