PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Passports and Visas

Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA), European Union (EU) and Switzerland need only a valid passport or identity card to enter Portugal. If they stay for longer than six months they should apply for a residence permit. Citizens of Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand can visit Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa as long as their passport is valid for six months from the date of entry. Most other non-EU and non-EEA nationals (including the US) need a visa, and should consult the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for details. Most countries have diplomatic representation in Portugal only in Lisbon; the UK also has a consulate in Porto.

Customs and Immigration

For EU citizens, there are no limits on most goods carried in or out of the country as long as they are for personal use. Exceptions include some types of food and plants, firearms, weapons and protected and endangered species. Non-EU citizens can import the following allowances duty free: 1 litre of spirits (more than 22 per cent alcohol); 2 litres of spirits or fortified wine such as port if less than 22 per cent; 4 litres of wine, 16 litres of beer and 200 cigarettes. Non-EU citizens can also claim back the sales tax (IVA) on purchases more than €61.35 – this can be done at the airport. Restricted items include fish, meat and milk for visitors from non-EU countries.

Travel Safety Advice

Visitors can get up-to-date travel safety information from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the US Department of State, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Travel Insurance

All travellers are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover against illness or injury and loss, theft and delays or cancellations. Most watersports are not covered by basic policies unless an extra premium is paid. The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) gives EU citizens access to Portugal’s public health-care system. In the event of minor injuries or illness, you must produce a valid EHIC together with your passport at a health centre or hospital for free or reduced cost medical treatment. Prescriptions have to be paid for upfront.

Report any crimes to the police and keep a copy of the statement in order to make a claim against your insurance.

Health

Farmácias (pharmacies) are easily identifiable by their green cross sign and should be the first port of call for minor illnesses. Pharmacy staff often dispense advice as well as medication. A closed pharmacy will have a sign in its window listing one that is open nearby. For more serious problems or emergencies, the largest central hospital is Hospital Geral de Santo António. Most doctors speak English. If requiring any medical assistance for minor injuries, it is best to go to the local centro da saúde (health centre).

No vaccinations are required in order to enter Portugal. SmartExpat is a website that provides useful information regarding healthcare for visitors in Portugal.

Personal Security

Porto is a safe city by European standards. Violent crime is not common, but visitors should beware of pickpockets, particularly on public transport, and other petty crime. Taking a few common-sense precautions, such as not flaunting expensive items, will lessen the risk of being targeted by thieves. Never leave valuables or cash unattended, and make use of hotel safes, if they are available. Avoid leaving valuables on display in hired cars. The Esquadra de Turismo, a specialist tourism police squad, has a station at Rua Clube dos Fenianos, which is just next to the tourist office.

Emergency Services

To contact the fire brigade (bombeiros), ambulance (ambulância) or police (polícia), dial the Europe wide emergency number, 112. Calls can be answered in three languages: Portuguese, English and French. Clearly state to the call handler which service is required. In the event of an accident on the motorway, and with no access or signal to a mobile phone, look for one of the orange SOS telephone kiosks sited along the hard shoulder. The service is available in Portuguese only. Press the button and then wait for the operator who will connect you.

Travellers with Specific Needs

Many neighbourhoods, especially Baixa, Ribeira and Vila Nova da Gaia, are extremely hilly, with many uneven cobbled streets and steep stairs. Buses and metro and train carriages are wheelchair-accessible but trams do not have disabled access. Banks and other major public buildings are required by law to have disabled access. The Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitição deals with the rights of people with disabilities, and Visit Portugal provides online information for disabled travellers. The city’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (see Arriving by Air) offers an assistance service called MyWay for any passenger requiring assistance at the airport; this must be booked at least 48 hours before departure. Tourism For All offer specialist holiday packages, and Accessible Portugal gives comprehensive advice on travelling with limited mobility.

Currency and Banking

Portugal uses the euro (€), the common currency of the European Union.

One euro is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes are in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2. Larger denomination banknotes, such as the €200 and €500 notes, have a limited circulation in Portugal, and some establishments may refuse them.

Portugal has a national network of cash machines (ATMs) identifiable by the symbol MB, or Multibanco, from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day. While you will not be charged commission, bank surcharges still apply and it is best to enquire about ATM cash withdrawal fees before departure. Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change (agências de câmbios) and at many larger hotels. There are bank branches everywhere and they tend to offer better exchange and commission rates.

Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted at most shops and restaurants, but there may be a mini-mum charge, generally €5–€10. American Express and other cards are less widely accepted. It is always wise to carry some cash.

Telephone and Internet

Free Wi-Fi is not yet widespread in Portugal, although it can be found in some restaurants, cafés and bars, namely those that are aimed at tourists.

Visitors with EU tariffs are able to use their devices abroad without being affected by roaming charges. Users will be charged the same rates for data, calls and texts as at home. Most mobile networks have good connections throughout Porto. The country’s dialling code is 351.

Postal Services

Portugal’s postal service in is called the CTT Correios de Portugal. Correios (post offices) can be found all over Porto. The central post office is located on Praça General Humberto Delgado.

Buying stamps from the coin-operated dispensers will save standing in line; you can also buy them from newsagents, corner stores and other outlets displaying the “Correios de Portugal – Selos” sign.

First-class mail is called correio azul, while second-class mail is called normal. Correio azul is posted in blue postboxes. Everything else goes in red boxes.

Television, Radio and Newspapers

Most hotels offer few – if any – non-Portuguese TV channels. Portugal has no local English-language newspaper. Some British newspapers are available at newsstands, usually the day after publication.

Opening Hours

Banks are open 8:30am–3pm Monday–Friday. Shop hours are 9am–1pm and 2–7pm on weekdays. Shops are generally open until lunchtime on Saturday and closed on Sunday, but some large shopping malls stay open every day until as late as 10pm. Restaurants usually open for lunch noon–3pm and for dinner 7–11:30pm. Museums and monuments are open 9:30am–6pm Tuesday–Sunday.

Time Difference

Portugal operates on Western European Time, which is the same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and is five hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST). Clocks go forward by one hour on the last Sunday in March for daylight saving time, and back on the last Sunday in October.

Electrical Appliances

Portugal uses two-pin plugs (220–240 volts). You will need an adaptor and possibly a voltage converter (for US appliances).

Driving

Always carry a passport, driving licence and insurance details. Licences issued by any EU member state are valid in Portugal. If visiting from outside the EU, you may need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP).

The ACP (Automóvel Club de Portugal), has a reciprocal breakdown service with most other international motoring organizations. If you are involved in an accident, call the emergency number 112. If you have broken down, call the ACP or, if driving a hired car, check the instructions supplied by your chosen company.

The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.5 mg/ml and is very strictly enforced. If you are drinking alcohol, use public transport or a taxi.

Weather

Although winters are temperate it can rain heavily between October and February. Summers are warm, with clear, hot days and temperatures averaging 26°C (73°F) in July and August. Spring, early summer and autumn are probably the best times to visit, with temperatures around 21°C (70°F)and fewer crowds, although showers can be expected.

Visitor Information

The main Porto tourist office is Turismo Central at the north end of Avenida dos Aliados. There is also an information office on Terreira Sé and smaller kiosks on the Praça da Ribeira and Praça da Liberdade and at Campanha train station.

Trips and Tours

Douro Azul run cruises aboard replica sailing barges, offering superb views of the Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia water-fronts and Porto’s iconic bridges. Foodies can discover local treats with Taste Porto. Guided bike tours around the centre and the Douro riversides are offered by Biclas & Triclas (see Getting Around by Bicycle), or hop on a Vintage Tram Tour that still operates along Porto’s first tram line at the Museu do Carro Electrico and ride all the way to Foz do Douro.

Dining

Locals eat out frequently, especially at lunchtime, so you’ll find affordable places to eat all over the city, including small tascas serving petiscos (Portugal’s answer to tapas). Porto’s traditional cuisine draws on the fruits of its Atlantic coast, the Douro valley and the Minho region.

Porto’s foodie scene is no longer mired in tradition, with upcoming restaurants and talented chefs putting a new twist on old-school dishes. In the city’s smart new fine-dining restaurants, you’ll find tasting menus that meld local produce with tastes and cooking techniques from Asia, Latin America and the Mediterranean, matched with the fine wines and ports of the Douro region. Vegetarians and vegans will find a few niche eateries, especially in the city’s lively, rejuvenated produce markets. Few restaurants have facilities or menus specifically for children, though families are welcome everywhere.

Accommodation

Accommodation in the most desirable parts of town often comes at a premium, especially in summer and during major sporting and cultural events. That said, Porto has beds for all budgets, from chains, and luxury spas to boutique hotels in old townhouses and pleasant guest houses which offer a mix of en-suite rooms and dorm bedrooms. At the lower end of the range, expect to pay €50–€75 a night for a twin room in a simple hostel, or around €20 for a dorm bed. At the high end, a double room in an opulent boutique hotel with all the luxury perks and services will cost upward of €250.