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- Portugal Sub Region Menu
- Portugal
- Algarve
- Algarve West
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- North Portugal
- Madeira & Azores
0871 423-5053
Deposits from only £25 per booking
The north and central areas of Portugal are those from Lisbon northwards which share the hot summers with the rest of Portugal, but with refreshing Atlantic breezes coming in from the west. The west of the central and northern regions experience a slightly milder winter season with more rain than the south and Alentejo regions. In the mountains to the north a covering of snow is sufficient enough to make a skiing resort in the Serra da Estrela National Park possible. The coastline of these regions make up the Silver Coast and the Green Coast where there are stunning beaches, sheltered bays good for family beach holidays and less developed, natural beaches. The verdant interior countryside is crossed with rivers where stunning mountain scenery looms out of the wooded valleys making it ideal for walking and all types of outdoor recreational activities. The whole of the north and centre of Portugal is famed for its different wines and of course Port. The city of Porto, the second capital of the country, along with historic centres like Braga, Guimaraes and Braganca have an abundance of historic sights that will keep you occupied for days.
To explore these parts of Portugal fully you're much freer to do so with a car, particularly in the mountainous and rural areas where public transport is scarce. Check the weblinks right for details on Cheap Flights, Cheap Car Hire, and health and travel insurance booking online. Alternatively phone the Iknow-Holidays Ltd Booking line direct for assistance.
There are plenty of facilities in the towns and cities of the north and central areas of Portugal - for example public toilets, telephone booths, ATMs, supermarkets, cafes, bars, and restaurants. Opening times for shops in most towns tend to be 9 am to 7 pm, and some close for an hour over lunch. On Saturday afternoon and Sundays shops are usually closed. In the bigger cities like Porto, shopping hours tend to be Mon-Fri 9 am to 7 pm. Saturday 9 am to 1 pm with some larger shops opening all day on Saturday and sometimes Sundays until 8pm. Supermarkets generally stay open all day these days. Pharmacies tend to be the exception, and open early and late with a long lunch break in between. Museums and monuments tend to open from 10 am to 12 pm, close for lunch then reopen from 2 pm to 5.30 pm. It's always best to check the times for individual attractions as they do vary and sometimes vary between peak season and off-peak season.
To telephone the UK from Portugal dial 00 44 followed by the UK area code but missing off the beginning 0, then the UK number. To call Portugal from the UK prefix 00 351 which is the general international dialling code for Portugal. Follow this by the relevant 9 digit number, the first 3 digits of which will be the area code (eg. Porto's area code ranges from 222 to 229 being such a big city, while Braga's is solely 253).
The North and Central areas of Portugal are not quite as seasonal as the southern seaside resorts. The main holiday period of June to September is when all attractions are likely to be open. Outside of that time attractions may have reduced opening hours or even shut in the winter in the rural areas. The coastal resorts on the west coast have a much more seasonal holiday period when it will be busier in the summer, during school holidays and particularly in July and August during Portuguese holiday season. However, as a lot of the tourism in these regions is linked to the historic interest of the towns and cities and outdoor pursuits, any time can be a good time to book a holiday in central or northern Portugal. Spring and autumn can be good times to visit before it gets too hot, when the flowers and blossoms are in bloom and when it's not quite as busy as in the peak season. If you want to go exploring the beautiful countryside, natural parks and vineyards it's a lot easier with a car which can be picked up easily from the airports or in towns and cities.
Post offices, "Correios" are in all the main towns and cities. You can purchase stamps here or in newsagents or hotel kiosks. Electricity in Portugal is 220 volts AC (the same as Spain). The sockets are two pronged continental plugs so don't forget your adapter! Tap water is fine to drink, but you might not find the taste to your liking - different minerals in Portuguese water central and northern Portugal is renowned for its therapeutic waters of its spa towns which really do taste bad! Buy agua com gas - fizzy water or agua sem gas - still water from supermarkets as an alternative. Petty theft problems may arise, particularly in built up resort areas and cities. As a general rule don't leave valuables in cars and leave valuables in a hotel safe if available. Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas especially on public transport. The crowds watching the kids jumping off the bridges in Porto are often targeted. If you do need to report a theft, get advice from your hotel and report it immediately to the police. To process an insurance claim you'll need to get a copy of a written statement through the police station.
You don't need a visa to enter north and central Portugal via Lisbon or Porto Airport - just your passport (see passport weblinks to the right for renewing UK passports or getting one).
Driving is on the right hand side, and with the relatively new network of motorways going right up from Lisbon to the North and across country to the east and north east, it's easy to get about.
Motorways have tolls on them so you will have to pass through ticket machines, where you pick up a ticket, and pay at manned kiosks as you exit different sections of motorway. In bigger towns and cities petrol stations are often self-service. Around more rural areas pumps are often operated for you by petrol station staff.
Public transport is good in the towns and cities. Porto has a modern Metro network that stops at stations within the city but also goes out to coastal resorts which can be handy for day trips. Once you start heading out to the countryside bus services can start to become scarce or less frequent. Make sure you check timetables before venturing out so you can make sure you can get back again.
Like the rest of Portugal the centre and north follows Greenwich Mean Time in winter, but during the summer as of late March to late October the time shifts to GMT plus one hour (just to confuse you!). They usually do a time check on the flight over to Lisbon or Porto Airport.
Portugal, like Spain, uses the Euro currency now and has done for a few years (In a Euro there are 100 cents and coin denominations come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 Euros. Euro notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200). It's easy to obtain more Euros whilst you're in north and central Portugal from ample ATM cashpoints scattered around the main towns and cities.
Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions needing comprehensive travel insurance for both themselves and their fellow travellers should contact Freedom Insurance Services Ltd Tel: 0870 774 3760 quoting Reference No: IKM01. Freedom is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority reference number 306536, and is a subsidiary of the NW Brown Group Limited, also based in Cambridge, UK. Freedom offers quality pre-existing medical condition travel insurance to suit your specific requirements and needs, including medical travel insurance for both single trips and where possible annual policies.
Freedom's aim is to allow you to enjoy your holiday with the travel medical insurance you need for full peace of mind. Freedom are especially recommended for travellers with specific pre-existing medical conditions and they work in partnership with medically based affinity groups and entities within the NHS. Freedom employs a combination of insurance and medically trained staff, and has an emphasis on care, sensitivity and confidentiality when searching for the most appropriate pre existing medical condition travel insurance for your needs.
Freedom specialises in finding insurance solutions for people living with pre-existing medical conditions. Their aim is to provide security and peace of mind thereby allowing the policyholder to enjoy their holiday in the knowledge that they are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy should an emergency arise. Although their product is especially designed for those who have undergone recent surgery or are unfortunate enough to be living with a medical condition, families, friends and travelling companions can also take advantage of the scheme.
The Freedom project works in partnership with several leading medical charities, entities within the NHS, leading travel agents and High Street financial services companies. Contact Freedom Travel Insurance Services Ltd on Telephone Number 0870 774 3760, Quoting reference number IKM01.
Holiday travel insurance cover for Portugal holidays is a must as there are many accidents, incidents and emergencies that could occur during your holiday, for example lost luggage or stolen passports. In the event that your holiday is cancelled or shortened because of illness or injury, or if your money is stolen, travel insurance is an imperative back-up. You'll need to check the small print on all travel insurance policies to see exactly what you are covered for.
A wide choice of Travel Insurance policies are available, (check the Holiday Travel Insurance weblinks right for details and booking online). Double check you've the right travel insurance policy to suit you and your family. Cheap travel insurance is not always best, although most will opt for it. Watch out particularly if you're thinking of taking part in outdoor activities or extreme sports as not all travel insurance policies cover you for more adventurous travel! Check the weblink right for cheap holiday insurance with "Insure and Go", or phone Iknow-Holidays direct on 0871 4235051 for advice and assistance.
Huge costs have been incurred to individual holidaymakers who have discovered that cheap travel insurance policies did not cover particular accidents and emergencies. If you're planning to undertake watersports such as jet skiing or para-gliding, or rock climbing or other potentially dangerous sports it's advisable to ensure you're covered for such activities in the event of an accident (the company providing the activity is likely not to have inclusive insurance cover. Holidaymakers have been caught out here.
The EHIC health card (which replaced the old E111 health form - obtain one online via the weblink right) will only cover you for basic health care, not for things like repatriation or air ambulances if needed. You could end up with a health care bill of £20,000 or more. The risk isn't worth it! Check the health advice for travel, weblinks to the right, for advice on travel insurance cover, and additional health insurance cover. The NHS "Fit for Travel" website is particularly useful for health travel advice, and taking out travel and health insurance. Phone iknow-holidays booking line on 0871 423-5056 for advice and guidance if needed.
All British Citizens with UK passports travelling to Portugal are advised to obtain European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC), and indeed on top of this additional Medical health insurance cover. EHIC cards have now replaced the old E111 form! EHIC cards are free, and very easy to obtain, either online via the weblink right, or by obtaining an EHIC form from your local post office. EHIC entitles UK travellers to emergency medical treatment whilst in Portugal on the same terms as Portugese nationals. However, the EHIC will not cover things like on-going medical treatment, medical repatriation or non-urgent medical treatment.
The Department of Health (see weblink right) advises additional comprehensive medical and travel insurance alongside obtaining your EHIC. Numerous English Doctors and Dentists operate around the Algarve. Pharmacies have big green crosses outside them - you'll need to visit these for even basics such as headache tablets as these are not available in the supermarkets as in the UK. However, you'll note that many drugs only available by prescription in the UK are available over the counter without prescription in Portugal (and they're much cheaper!). This is due to the fact that pharmacists in Portugal are actually highly skilled paramedics. Sanitary towels and tampons tend to be even more expensive in Portugal than in the UK, so it's a good idea to bring your own and save money!
Travellers with particular medical conditions are advised to take out additional health cover, to insure health cover for all eventualities. Check the NHS "Fitness for Health" website (to the right) which offers excellent advice on things like taking care in the sun and dehydration and the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. For advice on lost or stolen passports whilst in central and north Portugal check the British Embassy Lost or Stolen Passport advice weblink right. British Embassies in Portugal can issue emergency passports if needed which are valid for a single journey to the UK. Only the Lisbon British Embassy can issue 10 year passports. See the weblink right for the necessary procedures involving completion of a C1 form for adults and C2 form for under 16s.
Around 3 million British Tourists, advise the Foreign Office, visit Portugal every year. Most visits to Portugal are trouble free, and where accidents and incidents are experienced they are usually connected to beach safety, road safety, sun burn and sun safety and overconsumption of alcohol. It's important to remember that the sun is intense in north and central Portugal from Spring through to about end of September and you should wear a high factor sun cream at all times!
The British Embassy office in Northern Portugal is in Vila Nova de Gaia over the river from Porto city centre. British Consulate in Oporto, Travessa Barao de Forrester, 86, 4400-034 Vila Nova de Gaia. Tel: 351 22 618 4789. Fax: 351 22 610 0438. Email: britcon.oporto@sapo.pt. Public opening hours are: Mon/Weds/Thurs 9.30 am-12.30pm and 2.30-4 pm. Tues/Fri 9.30 am-12.30 pm.
For central Portugal the main Lisbon British Embassy Office is at Rua de Sao Bernando 33, 1249-082 Lisboa. Tel: 351 21 392 4000. Fax: 351 21 392 4021. Email: ppa.lisbon@fco.gov.uk.
British Embassies in Portugal are situated in Lisbon, Portimao in the Algarve, Funchal on the island of Madeira, San Miguel on the Azores and at Oporto in Northern Portugal. The Porto or Lisbon office however will be your main contact should you need to contact the British Embassy in an emergency whilst in central or northern Portugal.
It's well worth having a read through the travel advice on Portugal from the Foreign Office on the weblink right. There's some particularly useful advice on car hire and road safety, beach safety and following beach flag warnings, local laws and customs and more. Click on the "What we can do to help" link when things go wrong.
Other advice details listed on the Portugal page of the Foreign Office include warning on forest fires in Portugal (this may be an issue if you're spending some time inland especially in the wilder mountainous areas in central and northern Portugal and the Peneda-Geres National Park in the north). Common sense, but DON'T throw cigarettes out of car windows or leave glass or other litter that could start a fire in the blazing sun!
Another holiday essential you may want to consider is pet sitting services for your pets whilst you are abroad. Pet sitting services are becoming extremely sophisticated, to the extent of not just pet sitting, but also offering other services such as taking care of your business whilst you're on holiday, a live in pet sitting service and keeping an eye on burst pipes and other household emergencies.
Absentia Pet Sitting Service is an excellent pet sitting company choice (see their website link to the right). They offer individually tailor-made pet sitting packages to suit your needs and requirements. For advice on pet travel, obtaining pet passports and general advice on taking your pet abroad check the DEFRA pet travel weblink right.
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