Portugal Travel Guide:

       Tourism Information

Portugal: One of the Best Destinations (three of four globes)

Portugal is integrally related to its coastline and proximity to water has influenced Portugal's history.   Portugal's best side is found in historic buildings, a warm, friendly culture, a beautiful shoreline and an interesting countryside.  Portugal has had an important role in European and world history, especially in terms of the "Discoveries" of Africa, the New World and the Far East.  Many of its cities include interesting museums with fascinating historical mementos.

1. Portugal history is of significance due  to the country's role as a naval power; however an earthquake in 1755 destroyed much of the country's grand architecture that was the result of  its conquests. 



2. From a practical point of view, Portugal does not possess as many world class attractions as its neighbors but the country itself is world class, offering great food, pleasant scenery and a slow, enjoyable pace of living.



3. Portugal is a good place for independent travel.



4. ThereArePlaces recommended travel destinations in Portugal are presented at Portugal: Places To Visit.



5. Additional information on travel in Portugal can be found at the country's official tourism website http://www.portugal.org/index.shtml .



6. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

Portugal is a safe travel destination for tourists.

1. No official health advisories, travel advisories, or specific terrorism warnings for Portugal have been posted by the U.S. Government at this time.  Before you depart, always check with the Department of State  and CDC to insure that these conditions have not changed.  In addition, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office  of the British Government provides excellent travel advisories.



2. The State Department's Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444 .



3. When visiting a foreign country, avoid public demonstrations (whatever the cause) and do not broadcast either your public opinions or your nationality.



4. If you have an emergency in Portugal, call 112. 112 is a European Economic Community initiative to provide a one telephone number contact for ambulance services, the police, the fire service, air and sea rescue and other emergency services available within a specific country (such as mountain patrol). The 112-telephone number is designed for use in emergencies only. Calls are answered in Portuguese, Spanish, English, and French.



5. The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon is located on Avenida das Forças Armadas, in the neighborhood Sete Rios, telephone: (351)(21) 727-3300, fax: (351)(21) 726-9109, Internet home page: http://lisbon.usembassy.gov/ .
   • The U.S. Consulate in the Azores is located in Ponta Delgada on the Island of San Miguel in the Azores. The address is Av. Principe do Monaco, 6-2o, Ponta Delgada, phone: 351-296-282-216, fax: 351-296-28-72-16.
   
   
   
   • There is also a part-time U.S. Consular Agency in Funchal located on the Island of Madeira, on Rua Alfendega, no 10-2, Room A-B, Funchal, phone: 351-91-235-636, fax: 351-291-229-630.  The Consular Agency is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
   
   
   
   • See our article on how U.S. Counsels can help Americans abroad. 


6. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

A passport is required for travel in Portugal. A visa is not required for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days (that period begins when entering any of the following countries which are parties to the Schengen agreement: Austria, Belgium,  the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,  Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia Spain, and Sweden).

Portuguese law requires some non-European Union foreign nationals to register with immigration officials within three days of entering Portugal.

• The law affects those who transit another Schengen country (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands) by air en route to Portugal and stay at non-commercial accommodations.

Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country; many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function.

• The U.S. State Department explains that If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry.
  • Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.  (editor's note: few tourists bother to have their passport stamped when border stations are not staffed.)

For further information concerning entry requirements for Portugal, travelers may contact the Embassy of Portugal at 2012 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, tel. (202) 350-5400, or the Portuguese consulates in Boston, MA; New Bedford, MA; Providence, RI; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; San Francisco, CA; or Los Angeles, CA. or their web page at www.portugalemb.org .

If you do not have a passport, see our article on the Ins and Outs of Passports.  Other important travel documents, including visas are covered in our Information Guide on Passport, Visas, Customs.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parents or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure

In addition to being subject to all Portuguese laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Portuguese citizens. U.S. citizens who are considered to have acquired Portuguese citizenship may be subject to certain aspects of Portuguese law such as mandatory voting and military service

In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. For additional information, please see the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at  http://travel.state.gov for an explanation of dual nationality issues. 

U.S. citizens who are also citizens of  any other nation are reminded that U.S. law requires they enter and depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens.

Portugal has a relatively low rate of violent crime. However, petty crime is on the rise in Portugal.

Before you travel, read our articles on Pickpockets, Con Artists, and ATM safety in the ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Personal Safety for travelers. 

Be alert and avoid the situations described below.

• Travelers may become targets of pickpockets and purse-snatchers, particularly at popular tourist sites, restaurants, or on public transportation.
• Rental cars and vehicles with non-local license plates can be targets for break-ins, and travelers should remove all luggage from vehicles upon parking.
• Travelers should also avoid using automatic teller machines in isolated or poorly lit areas.
• Drivers in continental Portugal should keep car doors locked when stopped at intersections.

In general, visitors to Portugal should carry limited cash and credit cards on their person, and leave extra cash, credit cards, and personal documents at home or in a hotel safe. While thieves may operate anywhere,  reports of theft from the following areas are common:

Lisbon Area:

• Pick-pocketing and purse-snatching in the Lisbon area sometimes occur in buses, restaurants, the airport, trains, train stations, and trams, especially tram number twenty-eight to the Castle of Sao Jorge.
• Thefts of purses, briefcases, and wallets have also occurred in hotel lobbies, restaurants, and elevators.
• Gangs of youths have robbed passengers on the Lisbon-Cascais train.
• At restaurants, items hung over the backs of chairs or placed on the floor may be stolen.
• There have been reports of theft of unattended luggage from the Lisbon Airport.
• Special care should be taken in the Santa Apolonia and Rossio train stations, the Alfama and Bairro Alto districts, the Castle of Sao Jorge, and the area of Belem.

Other Areas:

• Thefts have been reported in Sintra, Cascais, Mafra, Fatima and  the Algarve.
•  Automobile break-ins sometimes occur in parking areas at tourist attractions and near restaurants.
• Special care should be taken in parking at the Moorish Castle and the Pena Palace in Sintra and at the beachfront areas of Guincho, Cabo da Roca, and Boca do Inferno.
  
  Azores: In contrast to continental Portugal, pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are not common occurrences in the Azores. There are no reports of organized crime or gangs.
  
  Madeira: Pick-pocketing, while infrequent, may occur in the old town and Santa Catarina park areas of Funchal.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of any crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members of friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution for the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney

2.  In the Azores, taxis do not have meters. The fare consists of a base fee plus a posted rate per kilometer traveled. Public buses are inexpensive. Bus services begin at 7:00 a.m. and generally operate until 8:00 p.m. depending on the destination.

3.  ThereArePlaces makes every attempt to ensure that the travel information we present to you is current. Before you depart, be sure to check with official government sources to determine the status of critical information relating to a particular county.

While driving in Portugal, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Portugal is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of roadside Assistance: Fair

Portugal has one of the highest rates of automobile accidents and related fatalities in Europe.

• Drivers should use extreme caution, as local driving habits, high speeds, and poorly marked roads pose special hazards.
• In continental Portugal, fines for traffic violations are substantial and usually must be paid on the spot.
• Taxis are a reliable means of transportation, though travelers should pay attention to discrepancies between the meter fare and the amount requested by the driver.
• Buses are reliable and inexpensive.
• In the Azores, driving can be treacherous due to narrow cobblestone streets, blind curves, unprotected embankments, herds of cows in the countryside roads, and the high speeds of other drivers.
  • In contrast to the situation on the Portuguese mainland, traffic violations are registered by radar and later forwarded to the offender via the postal service - payments are not made on the spot.

Tourists driving rented vehicles should pay close attention to the provisions of their rental contracts.  Failure to do so could result in fines or confiscation of the car during your travels.  Make sure that you are familiar with the terms, restrictions and costs related to your car rental (see our article on Rental Car Costs).

U.S. visitors to Portugal may drive with a valid U.S. driver's license for up to six months.

Speed Limits in Portugal:

1. Built-up areas - 50 km/h
2. Outside Built up areas (including  dual carriageways) - 90/100 km/h (as posted)
3. Motorways - 120 km/h

Our information on speed limits is as current as possible. Always confirm the speed limits with your rental car agent and observe the posted speeds limits whenever and wherever you drive.

Use of mobile telephones while driving is against the law in most European countries.  The fine for violating laws against the use of mobile phone while driving is significant.  If you need to use your mobile phone while on the road, stop your car in a designated parking area and place your call.

ThereArePlaces recommends that you do not drink and drive.  In most foreign countries, especially in Europe and the UK, the maximum permitted blood alcohol levels are lower than those enforced in the United States. Penalties and punishments are significant. See our article on drinking and driving in foreign countries for more information.

For additional general information about road safety,  including links to foreign government sites, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html

Medical facilities are available in Portugal but in some cases they may not meet U.S. standards. The responsiveness of emergency services is often not up to U.S. standards.  Ambulance services usually require on-the-spot payment.

Travelers sometimes request that relatives or friends in the U.S. mail prescription medicines to them in Portugal, but to do so violates Portuguese law and usually results in the shipment of medications being impounded by Portuguese Customs. When this occurs, the medications will not be released under any circumstances. Travelers who use prescription medicine should bring a sufficient supply with them to cover their anticipated stay in Portugal, along with a copy of their physician's prescription. Should an unforeseen need for prescription refills or new medications arise, Portuguese pharmacies generally carry equivalent compounds to those found in the U.S.

We strongly urge you to consult your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, you should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing medical service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your departure, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.

Your existing medical insurance carrier may cover "customary and reasonable" medical care while you are abroad. Usually, if reimbursement is provided, it is paid at a reduced rate (due to the use of an "out of system" provider). Check with your insurance carrier before you depart to determine the type and amount of coverage that may be provided. If coverage is provided, be sure to ask how claims should be filed and ask them to send some claim forms, in case you require any medical treatment while on vacation.

Read our article on  travel insurance to learn the factors that you should consider before you purchase or decline to purchase a travel related insurance policy.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure                         “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.  ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Health contains valuable health related advice for the traveler considering a trip abroad.