The Region

All year round, the Algarve offers the best climate in Europe. With only a short period of rainfall (it normally rains between November and March) and long hours of sunshine, the Algarve region is blessed with the perfect weather for tourism.

During summer months, temperatures are quite high, which greatly favours the so-called "Sun, Sand and Sea Tourism". The Algarve is a veritable paradise for bathers. It is a region endowed with beaches of fine white sand all along its extensive coastline and a calm sea with water temperatures of around 22°C in the summer period.

Due to its relief and geographical position, the Algarve boasts a fantastic climate influenced by the European continent, North Africa, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean weather.

Air temperature in the summer: from 24°C to 29°C

Air temperature in the winter: from 15°C to 18°C

Sea temperature in the summer: from 21°C to 24°C

Sea temperature in the winter: from 15°C to 19°C

Euro €

No visa is required for European citizens.

Time Zone - Greenwich Mean Time

Lightweight, cotton summer clothing is best for the summer months with casual but smart options for dinner. During winter months there will still be warm days but you would better wear trousers and a light jacket for the cooler evenings.

Portuguese has its roots in the Latin language. It is the mother tongue of about 200 million people. In Portugal there is a considerable number of people who can understand and communicate in foreign languages. English is almost a second official language.

An expression visitors may appreciate to remember is ‘Bom Dia’ meaning ‘Good Day’.

Banks

Monday to Friday: 08:30 – 15:00

Post Offices

Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 17:30

Central post offices and those at airports are open on Saturdays

Chemists

Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 13:00 / 15:00 – 19:00

Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00

Shops

Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 13:00 / 15:00 - 19:00

From January to November, shops close at 13:00 on Saturdays; in December, they are open Monday to Saturday, from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00. There are also many shopping malls with shops that are open every day from 10:00 to 24:00.

Restaurants

For lunch from 12:00 to 15:00 and for dinner from 19:00 to 22:00

National Museums

Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00

Tuesdays: 14:00 - 18:00

Closed on Mondays; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; 1^st of May and 25^th of December

National Palaces

Closed on Wednesdays

No vaccination is required

Generally 5-10% if you are happy with the service

Voltage: 220/380 volts at a frequency of 50 Hertz.

All sockets follow the European standards.

To use American-type plugs, a 220-volt transformer should be used together with an adapter plug.

If you find yourself in an emergency situation, dial 112, the number of the national emergency services. The call is free and can be answered in three languages: Portuguese, English and French. If you require medical attention, you should go to the local Centro de Saúde (Health Centre), whilst the emergency services at the hospitals should only be used in severe situations.

Most Portuguese shops and businesses accept credit cards: Visa, Amex, Diners Club and MasterCard. There are a lot of cash machines all over the country. These cash machines are identified with the "MB" abbreviation, from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day.

Money can be exchanged at banks, which are open from 8.30 am. to 3 pm. (from Monday to Friday), at the bureaux de change and the automatic currency exchange machines (these are for currency sale transactions only).