Portugal - Portugal

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Short dates
Capital	Lisbon
Form of government	Parliamentary republic
currency	Euro (EUR)
surface	92,400 km²
population	10.6 million
languages	Portuguese
Religions	Roman Catholic 94%
power grid	230 V / 50 Hz
Phone code	351
Internet TLD	.pt
Time zone	ME (S) Z-1 h (WE [S] Z)

Portugal is at the western end of the Iberian Peninsula, which it is with Spain and Andorra Splits. Geographically and culturally independent of its neighbors, Portugal developed a rich and unique cultural landscape, which is paired with a wonderful natural landscape. The island also belongs to Portugal Madeira as well as the archipelago of Azores.

Regions

Outline of Portugal

Cities

• 41.533333333333-8.41666666666671 Braga - Romanesque cathedral, Museu de Arte Sacra, Porta Nova, Bom Jesus do Monte
• 38.696944444444-9.42055555555562 Cascais - Seaside resort west of Lisbon
• 40.211141-8.4290723 Coimbra - first capital and oldest university in the country
• 38.5725-7.90722222222224 Évora - Medieval center of the Alentejo
• 37.016111111111-7.9355 Faro - Port city in the Algarve
• 32.65-16.9166666666676 Funchal - Madeira's capital
• 38.7452-9.16047 Lisbon - capital
• 41.149472222222-8.61077777777788 postage - second largest city in Portugal
• 38.797361111111-9.39041666666679 Sintra - Palace and garden city 25 km west of Lisbon
• 37.13085-7.650610 Tavira - probably the most original city of the Algarve
• 41.7-8.833333333333311 Viana do Castelo - on the Costa Verde

Other goals

• 41.830713-8.238671  Peneda-Gerês National Park (Peneda-Geres). .The lungs of Portugal.last change: not specified
• see also Portugal / Places and regions in Portugal

background

Although it was and still is the poorest country in Western Europe, the end of the dictatorship and the introduction of democracy in 1974, as well as the admission to the European Community in 1986, brought Portugal a considerable increase in prosperity. Initially, the country remains one of the most attractive travel destinations in Europe, even if it is no longer considered in terms of costs. This may be due to the fact that, due to its north-south expansion on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, it has a great variety of landscapes. You can go from the green mountains with vines and all kinds of trees to the rocky mountains in the middle to the desert-like landscape in the middle in a single day AlentejoRegion and finally to the enchanting stretches of beach in the Algarve drive. In contrast to the big neighbor Spain the climate shaped by the Atlantic is milder and more rainy. High waves are to be expected on the coast.

Belong to Portugal too Madeira and the Azores.

getting there

By car

• The journey is usually via Spain. Information about the Portuguese toll system is important (see below). Most navigation systems recognize toll roads that are better avoided.

By plane

TAP A310 on the runway

The journey can be made from all major airports with a scheduled flight (TAP, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, etc.) postage or Lisbon and for the Algarve with the charter flight (Condor etc.) Faro respectively. Bragança in northern Portugal is over Paris reachable. The national airline is called TAP (Transportes Aereos Portugueses). Also Madeira and the Azores own international airports.

By train

The Portuguese rail network is operated by the Comboios de Portugal (CP) operated. Together with Spain, Portugal has the Iberian broad gauge (1668 mm). Plans to continue the high-speed lines in standard gauge that have already been created in sections in Spain have been on hold since the financial crisis. And with it the possibility of being able to run through trains from Central Europe to Portugal.

There are few connections to and from Spain with just a few trains. From the east there is a stretch of direction Madrid and Salamanca to Coimbra, there it meets the main Portuguese route in north-south direction. The border station is Vilar Formoso. From Galicia in northern Spain there is a train in the morning and one in the evening Vigo to postage, which takes 2h 15 'for the 150 km long route. Vigo is the terminus of several long-distance Spanish connections, including from Barcelona.

The Sud Express is a night train out Irun with a connection from the TGV from Paris and a second part of the train Madrid.

With Linha do Algarve, the railway line from Lagos above Faro designated to Vila Real de Santo António. The line from Lisbon meets this east-west line in Faro. From or to the Spanish Seville there is no longer a railway line. This gap can only be overcome by taxi or the (numerous) buses.

By bus

• AS A. Spain / Portugal.last change: not specified
• Auto Res. Spain / Portugal.last change: not specified

By boat

You can reach Portugal directly with several shipping companies. Be it from Genoa, Tenerife or from the USA.

mobility

Alfa Pendular

Image of an Alfa Pendular train

The Alfa Pendular is currently the highest type of train on the Portuguese railways. They have been fully equipped with tilting technology and operate at speeds of up to 225 km / h between Porto, Lisbon and Faro. Since the entire route was not designed for the maximum speed of 225 km / h, the train usually runs at a maximum speed of 160 km / h. Even so, the travel time between the above cities has been drastically reduced.

By car / motorcycle

The roads are generally in good condition. All major cities can be easily reached via motorways or trunk roads. The largest cities all have (mostly toll) motorway connections, and from north to south you can also use the motorway over its entire length. However, some back roads are in poor condition, which can make them dangerous if not careful.

Signpost to the motorway with symbol for electronic toll

You can go anywhere by car. There is a motorway (A2 / A1) from Faro to Porto. The A2 leads to Lisbon, then you have to take the A1 to Porto if the destination should be Porto or similar. Since 2005 it has been possible to drive the motorway from Porto to Vilar Formoso at the Spanish border. This route is about 300 kilometers long. Both the "Ponte 25 Abril" bridge and the "Vasco da Gama" bridge next to the former Expo site are also worth a trip for tourists. Almost all motorways are toll roads.

Here are a few points to keep in mind on the toll highways:

The system is difficult and complicated and offers several ways to pay the toll, on some routes (e.g. Algarve motorway between Lagos and Castro Marim) - marked with "electronic toll only" - you have to pre-book and pay for the toll control online with registration number plate (www .portugaltolls.pt or visitportugal.com), which is the most convenient way, as you pay around € 20 for three days, for example, and can drive through the "via verde" without stopping (note the 60 km / h limit!) Furthermore, you can rent electronic devices that can be charged with money for a certain period of time at border points or rest stops. However, these devices can only be returned at the rental location. In the case of rental cars, the procedure should be arranged with the landlord. Payment options in cash or with credit cards are also possible, but not on all motorways. Subsequent payment at post offices is allegedly also possible, but no earlier than 2 days after the trip.

• The Brisa service is available 24 hours a day, all year round. If something is wrong with the car, he is quickly on the spot. The number is 808 508 508. This number is available at every motorway entrance.

The following apply in Portugal Speed ​​limits:

Motorway: 120 km / h (caravan 100 km / h) Country road: 90 km / h City: 50 km / h

New drivers (<1 year) are allowed to drive a maximum of 90 km / h on the autobahn

There are a lot of speed traps in Lisbon and also in Porto. The fines can be up to 1000 € depending on the speed.

Fuel prices are among the highest in Europe. 1 liter of premium fuel cost € 1.55 in November 2018, which is roughly the same as the price in Germany.

There is also an ADAC team in Portugal, but only for members.

By train

There are two types of train in Portugal's long-distance domestic transport: Alfa Pendular and Intercidades. Both are subject to reservation. The Alfa Pendular from Porto via Coimbra and Lisbon to Faro runs twice a day.

There is also an Alfa Pendular that runs from Lisbon to Porto and sometimes on to Braga. This runs 9 times a day to Porto and 4 times a day to Braga.

The Intercidades runs from Lisbon to Faro 5 times a day, but takes half an hour longer than the Alfa Pendular. There are also Intercidades that run from Lisbon to Porto, but these take half an hour longer than the Alfa Pendular (8 times a day). One train a day is tied to Guimarães.

Travel times and prices with the Alfa Pendular (as of 2017):

• Faro - Porto: 5 h 45 min / € 51.50
• Faro - Lisbon: 3 h 10 min / € 22.20
• Lisbon - Porto: 2 h 35 min / 30.30 €
• Lisbon - Coimbra: 1 h 35 min / 22.80 €
• Lisbon - Braga: 3 h 15 min / € 32.80
• Porto - Braga: 40 min / 14.20 €
• Porto - Coimbra: 1 hour / € 16.70

The prices apply to 2nd class, single journey.

There are also other train routes, including Intercidades, which can be used at the Portuguese Railway Company can be retrieved.

Rossio train station in Lisbon

Oriente train station in Lisbon

Campanhã train station in Porto

If you book directly on the Deutsche Bahn website, there are massive discounts depending on the season, provided you reserve at least ten calendar days in advance.

By bicycle

There are numerous good bike paths, but they are not connected in a network. The exception is that Ecovia do Litoralthat are part of the EuroVeloNetwork and runs along the coast.

language

Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. This language is one of the Romance languages. Spanish is understood relatively well by the Portuguese, but is hardly ever spoken. French and English are spoken by some Portuguese. Good hotels employ English-speaking staff.

activities

Investment in recent years has made the country a top destination for Golfer. The British trade journal Golfers Today voted Portugal “Best Golf Destination 2006” in 2006. 14 of the Portuguese golf courses are listed in the European Top 100.

shop

The earlier low wages resulted in low prices for services and direct street and market offers. Price increases in Escudo were compensated by its constant devaluation. Since the introduction of the euro, prices have risen sharply as there is no longer any devaluation. In the meantime, prices in Portugal are largely the same as in Germany, although individual products can be much more expensive. The upper MW tax rate is currently 23%. Due to the low purchasing power of the locals, the range of goods is limited. The Lidl chain is known to the Germans.

kitchen

Portuguese cuisine is down to earth. Soups and stews are just as much a part of the standard repertoire as the Bacalhau, stockfish prepared in many variations from cod. He is particularly popular as Bacalhau à Lagareirowhere the fish is fried in (freshly squeezed) olive oil with garlic. That is also highly recommended Cataplana de peixe, the Portuguese variant of bouillabaisse.

Moorish, Spanish and colonial influences can also be found, however. The latter especially in the cities.

The best-known export item is certainly that port wine. Excellent wines come from the Douro and Dao valleys.

Galão is a mixture of espresso and hot milk. It is usually already sweetened, so you should try it once before you do it yourself. The coffee beans used belong to the Robusta variety.

Pastéis de Nata

Portuguese people generally have a sweet tooth. A well-known dessert is the Pastéis de Nata, a puff pastry that is filled with a cream made from sugar, egg yolk and cream.

The hotel breakfast almost always includes cheese and ham, egg and warm dishes, on the other hand, are alien.

Occasionally, additional, unordered meals are served in the restaurant. If you touch them, you have to pay for them. So you should only eat what you have ordered.

nightlife

accommodation

Since the Portuguese seldom spend the night away due to the size of the country, the availability of accommodation is comparatively small. In the regions popular with foreigners, however, there are no problems.

Anyone who knows the Spanish Paradores will find in Portugal in the Pousadas the counterpart. The prices are a little more affordable.

In the Algarve in particular, there are numerous 4 and 5 star hotels that primarily appeal to package travelers.

The Quintas dar, former mansions, which are often quite luxurious. You can often enjoy agricultural products there directly from the producer.

There are numerous, simple (youth) hostels that are much cheaper than in Central Europe.

As an alternative to hotel vacations, holiday apartments can also be found in Portugal.

There is no tourist tax or tourist tax.

Learn

Work

public holidays

In addition to the public holidays, there is also a "communal" holiday, the date of which is set locally, usually after the city patron or a decisive event in the city's history. This optional public holiday as well as Carnaval can be celebrated by anyone who has agreed this in their employment contract.

security

The country is stable. Because of the difficult economic situation, there are sometimes demonstrations, especially in Lisbon. With the occasional strikes, disabilities and delays in tourist traffic must be expected. Theft of pockets and snatches is increasing in the big cities and in the tourist resorts. In many parking lots, especially in the vicinity of tourist attractions, illegal parking attendants are up to mischief. If you don't pay for it, you risk finding scratches or dents in your car when you return. This blackmailing practice should not be supported. So just keep driving to the next parking space if someone tries to assign you a parking space. Observe the usual precautionary measures.

health

Medical care is guaranteed. The European Health Insurance Card must be presented for medical and hospital treatment.

If you are dependent on certain medications, your first-aid kit should contain an adequate supply. Please note, however, that in many countries there are special regulations for taking drugs containing narcotics (e.g. methadone) and substances that are used to treat mental illnesses with you. If necessary, inquire directly with the responsible foreign representation (embassy or consulate) before departure. In Portugal, for example, methadone is allowed.

climate

The climate is temperate, often hot in summer. On the coasts, the sea air softens the heat. Of course, the height of the floor has a great influence. On the heights of the Serra da Estrela (up to 1993 m) there is snow in winter (winter sports possibilities). At the Alto Douro on the other hand, it is warm enough for wonderful wines to flourish. At the Algarve there is often a North African climate. Thunderstorms are generally rare and only occur around the time of the summer solstice and winter.

Rules and respect

The Portuguese are very warm people who are very proud of their country, their culture and their language. They also value a well-groomed appearance. Especially when visiting a church, please be sure to wear long trousers and a chic top, and women should generally not dress too tightly. Show the people the respect they need and you will get it back. The Portuguese are very helpful towards tourists and are considered very warm. Please note the traditions and customs in Portuguese society, because culture and Portuguese identity play a major role in everyday life. If possible, avoid comparing anything with Spain or raving about Spain, as the two countries, similar to siblings, are in a competitive battle and the relationships are not always friendly.

Post and Telecommunications

There are internet cafes in all cities. Portugal to the Internet is a national campaign that has been running since 2008, free internet buses are available in over 400 cities. 4G coverage is 78.4%, 3G coverage is 99.7%, prepaid cards are widely available.

literature

• Road maps: The Michelin regional maps of Portugal show the country with the three maps 591 (north), 592 (center) and 593 (south) on a scale of 1: 300,000. For motorists and motorcyclists, they represent a good compromise between accuracy and manageability. In addition, there are overview maps for many medium-sized and all larger cities.
• Literature on the country and its people: In June 2014, the Berlin-based Ch. Links Verlag published the volume "Portugal - A Country Portrait" by Simon Kamm as part of the "Country Portraits" series, ISBN 978-3-86153-783-0 .

Web links

• Visit Portugal, the official tourism website of the Portuguese Tourism Authority

This is a useful article. There are still some places where information is missing. If you have something to add be brave and complete them.

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