Portugal is a great tourist attraction country because of presence of many unique monuments forming evidences of history associated with the country and locations having abundance of nature within the country. Tourist flow to Portugal has significant role towards economy of the country and it contributes around 5 % of the GDP every year.

The main places the tourists visit are the Greater Lisbon, the Algarve, Portuguese Islands of Madeira and Azores, Greater Porto and Northern Portugal Porto e Norte and Alentejo. The tourists mostly come from UK, Spain and Germany using cheap airline services available in the region. Their visits are related to enjoy beaches and Sun, to know about the culture or exploring business option available at Portugal.

Hotel Living Arrangements:

Looking at the varying accommodation needs of the visiting tourists, there are numerous Hotels and Apartments providing Rooms for staying to the tourists and local population with all the necessary facilities depending upon the star rating of the place selected for living.

Hotel Apartmentos:

They have variable star rating and offers good services for a stay having an element of liberty to stay as you want besides enjoying the hotel facilities as required without restrictions.

Estalgens or Inns:

These have 4 – 5-star rating very cosy places based on the theme of the location, where they are situated.

Pensões / Boarding Houses:

These places are economical to stay in with rating from below as 3rd, 2nd and 1st class. For in the category highest is Albergaria or guest house.

Motels:

These are road side parking and living areas and have 2 or 3 star rating having direct approach and adequate parking area.

Pousadas:

These are inns, which are situated in historical massive buildings converted into living accommodation and have plenty of natural beauty in and around. These are further categorized into four categories according to the location i.e.  historical, historical/design, nature and charm.

Country Holidays:

They provide traveling and lodging packages to the families and there is a direct contact with local population and they enjoy their habits and customs and provide best place to enjoy real nature as it is in the open.

Country Holiday establishments display a metallic TER insignia and further depending upon nature of accommodation which may be located in huge stately buildings of the past having their unique past architecture setting.

There are also developed cottages with location in the rural regions signifying the rural area settings of the location, where they are situated.

There are developed houses with service facilities to the tourists located in villages having their importance related to history or houses in traditional towns, which are different than modern day urban towns or houses in rural locations, which have been constructed as units having multiple dwelling places, which truly depict architectural design and typical features exclusive to the region.

Rural Hotels:

These hotels have rural locations away from urban touch and their architecture and interior design very unique having sense of belongingness to the local rural area.

Out Door Camping:

There are specific camping locations, which are most perfect in providing a straight exposure to natural scenic settings spread all around the country.
Depending on the permission rights subject to payment by all the campers it is called public place.

Location is private if the camping rights have restriction only to members or beneficiaries having a commercial relation with the camp-site operator. Such area bear the marking “P” and an enquiry of the terms should be enquired from the operator, who has an office at the site for enquiry and help.

Based on the standard facilities and services available, the camping sites are categorized from 1 to 4 star location.  The exclusively rural camping site is found in the open spaces of the farm.

So as to enable to spend the night at any camp site, the campers are required to carry with them their passport or an identity Card.

Other Tourists Accomodation Spots:

Some of villages have tourist attraction. To provide them with accommodation there are specially developed village accommodation locations for the tourists provided with facilities representing 3, 4 or 5 stars either situated in privately held properties or Government owned establishments.

Apartamentos Turísticos / Tourist Apartments:

These have been categorized having 2 to 5 star rating. They become the most suitable choice offering better liberty and service to the guests.

Local Transportation:

Train Services:

The traveling from Lisbon and Oporto can be done by Alfa Pendular train, the fastest and highly comfort packed train. There is a network of InterCity trains also.  For enjoying famous sights located remotely situated places surrounding the capital train service from are available for these locations.

Express coaches:

There is regular service between prominent Portuguese cities and are economically priced.

Taxis:

To travel in the urban  area service of taxi is available operating both during day and night. The fare to be charged is based on the distance covered and time spent in engaging the taxi.

Service of Radio Taxi is also available.

Urban transport

Lisbon

The use of  “Lisboa card” can be made by traveling in all public transport services in the city and trains between Lisbon and Sintra or Cascais. These cards as a tourist attraction offer free entrance or discounts monuments entry fee. Children between the ages of 5 years and 11 years are eligible to 50% concession.

Metro Train Service is also available. There is “Sete Colinas” card which is available at ticket kiosks can be used in the Metro Train.

Oporto Card:

The ”Porto Card” has facility of unlimited use in all the public transports besides free entry to certain monuments or a discounted entry fee to the monument.

Bus rides are also available having facility of combined ticket in Metro Train and Bus so that some distance can be traveled by Metro train and some distance is traveled by the Bus service.

Driving Regulations:

Vehicles in Portugal follow right hand drive, unless it is otherwise displayed on the sign boards. Vehicles coming from the right side have priority while traversing a squares or an intersection. At places of junction with roundabouts, vehicles which are already approached the roundabout has the right to move forward on its way.

Road Signs Complying with International Rules is displayed on the high ways.

Carrying of Compulsory Documents while Driving:

Personal ID
Driving license
Motor insurance certificate
Vehicle registration or equivalent
Vehicle logbook (leveret) or equivalent

In case of any violations on the spot fines are levied and collected.

Various Speed limits based on the type of Vehicle are enforce, which are given below:

50 kph – in built-up areas
90 kph – on normal roads
100 kph – on roads restricted to motor vehicles
120 kph – on motorways

it is a violation to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 grams per liter or more.

All the occupants of the vehicle must fasten the seat belts.

As per the provisions of Portuguese Highway Code there is ban on the use of mobile phones while driving, except there is hands free appliance in use.

Topography of Portugal:

Portugal has a very long sea coast, a reason for many sailing adventures and arrival of various civilizations in the past history of Portugal. Portugal has a mixed population from different origins settled here and influenced the present language of Portugal totally different from the Portugal’s original language. Besides all these upheavals, Portugal is the oldest nation of Europe.

Brief History of Portugal:

During the 12^th Century Portugal gained it’s independence from the erstwhile ruling kingdom. Thus Count Afonso Heneriques was the first king as per the wishes of Portugal people. With the conquest of Algarve Portugal possessed its continental border. During the thirteenth century a University was founded at Coimbra in Portugal.

Territories Archipelagos of Azores and Madeira were discovered and form part of Portugal. The Portuguese attained their First Feat among European Nations by sailing to Africa, bringing back wealth of treasures.

Portugal witnessed Dynasty problem and were ruled under Spanish King in the beginning of sixteenth century, which was taken over by a Portugese King. King Joao V, an art lover built a huge palace and a convent at Mafra. The water supply system to Lisbon was completed in the 19^th century.

The monarchy failed and a Republic was established in 1910.

Portugal Political & Administrative Set Up:

Portugal has the status of Democratic Republic and its rule is governed by the Constitution of 1976 with Lisbon, Portugal’s Mega sized city being its capital. There are four main wings, which in combination form part of the Government run by the President of the Republic.

The Parliament is comprised of Assembly of the Republic. The Government is headed by a Prime Minister. There are courts to look after judicial function in the country. Portugal has no state religion hence making it a secular state.

The president, gets elected to serve a five-year term, has a supervisory non-executive role. The government is run by the Prime Minister. He selects the Council of Ministers and secretaries to help him run the government.

The courts are set up to make several categories forming the judicial, administrative, and fiscal Services to handle respective issues of the country. The supreme courts are courts of last appeal. A thirteen-member constitutional court oversees the constitutionality of the laws.

Climate of Portugal:

Portugal’s climate differs drastically from one region to the other due to factors like latitude, distance from sea and mountains on the land resulting into tolerable winters in Algarve in contrast to colder regions at Porto e Norte near Spain.

The Temperature is mild as compared to rest of Europe. Serra da Estrela mountain, witness snowfall and is a place to do skiing during winters. The summer season is hot and dry witnessed in the inland regions as compared to coastal regions, where the temperatures are lower. Weather is good in the month of November commonly called “St. Martin’s Summer” because saint’s day falls on 11^th November.

Azores and Madeira have a mild climate all the time because of varying geographical positioning in contrast to other territories of Portugal.

Monetary System:

Portugal is member of EU since 1986 and Euro is its official Currency, which is common to other 16 countries of Europe.

Through out Portugal - Automatic Teller Machines ATMs are installed and are effectively dispensing cash to the needs of the population

Exchange of currency can be made at Banks and with the help of automatic currency exchange machines.

Portugal population has access to Popular Credit Cards of Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card, Euroclub etc. which are supported by good customer care service.

Communication Links:

Telephones Services:

There are coin operated public telephone booths. Virtual cards are also available, which can be procured from Telecom shops, post offices and some designated public counters.

The telephone numbers have 9 digits for making a call outside Portugal digits 00 and 351 are to be suffixed.

Similarly for making a call abroad, dial 00, the country code, the area code followed by the number to be accessed. Information of country codes is available at the booths.

Mobile phones:

Portugal has the highest number of mobile phone users and the service is provided by TMN, Vodafone and Optimus all have roaming arrangements with international mobile phone service providers. There is good coverage by these network arrangements.

Under the Portuguese Highway Rules one can not use mobile phones, while driving the vehicle except when there is hands free appliance.

Internet Services:

Internet services can be accessed on payment in some cafés, in post offices having Net post service. A number of hotels and public places like Airports, Conference centers, Restaurants, Service Areas in motor-ways and shopping centers, wireless internet service is available.