PORTUGAL: Prime Travel Data.

NEED TO KNOW

So here you are in Portugal and you need to know some elementary stuff — like how to make a phone call, get local money, or contact the American Embassy to report your stolen passport. Here is a convenient source for that information, plus a bit more.

This web page originally appeared in the first editon of my book How To Europe: The Complete Travelers Handbook in a section titled "Country Data Sheets" over thirty years ago. I've updated and improved it for 2016.

Important information about this data sheet.
Native name	Portugal
Capital	Lisbon (Lisboa)
Postal code	P
Telephone code	+351 See chapter 19, Telephoning to, from, and within Europe.
Language	Portuguese
Currency	Euro See The Euro and Other Currencies.
European Union	Member. See chapter 25, Customs Duty, USA and Europe.
Schengen Agreement	Member. See chapter 3, Passport and Visas.
Time zone	GMT See chapter 28, European Dates and Time Zones.
Electricity	220 volts, 50 Hz. See chapter 11, European Electricity: Travel Voltage Fundamentals..

Date	Holiday	Feriado
Jan 1	New Year's Day	Ano Novo
	Good Friday	Sexta-Feira Santa
Apr 25	Portugal Day	Dia da Liberdade
May 1	Labor Day	Festa do Trabalho
	Corpus Christi	Corpo de Deus
Jun 10	National Day	Dia de Portugal
Aug 15	Assumption	Assunçao
Oct 5	Republic Day	Implantacao da República
Nov 1	All Saints' Day	Todos os Santos
Dec 1	Restoration of Independence	Restauração da Independência
Dec 8	Immaculate Conception	Imaculada Conceição
Dec 25	Christmas	Natal

Portuguese Offices in the USA
Embassy	Embassy of Portugal, Washington, DC 2125 Kalorama Rd. NW Washington, DC 20008 T 202-328-8610 F 202-462-3726
Consulates	Los Angeles, New Bedford, MA, Providence, RI
Tourist Office	Portuguese National Tourist Office 590 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10036 T 212-354-4403 F 212-764-6137
	Chicago, Los Angeles

American Offices in Portugal
Embassy	United States Embassy, Lisbon Avenida das Forças Arnadas 1600-081 Lisboa T 021-727-3300 F 021-726-9109
Consulates	Oporto, Azores

USA is known as:	Estados Unidos da America do Norte

Recommended books for further information:

The books that you see listed here are those that I have personally used and am satisfied with, and/or are from publishers whose other travel books are reliable. I am a consumer when it comes to travel guides, and a critical one. Notice that I do not recommend any Frommers, Dummies, Steves, or other inferior guides. For some of the reasons please go to the hoi polloi.

As one example of a substandard guide, a 1,384 page book titled Rick Steves' Best of Europe 2013 has not a single mention of Portugal. Absolutely absurd!! That's like leaving California out of a USA travel guide. Almost as absurd is the fact that this "2013" book was published in August 2012. But this "Best" book did include enough pages to promote his over-priced whirlwind guided bus tours, videos, backpacks, sink stoppers (he must be kidding), and Steves' other branded products. Steves is strong on self promotion but weak on meaningful content.

Amazon.com pays a small commission to Enjoy-Europe.com when you click a title here and then order the book if you buy it within 24 hours, or put it in your cart and buy it later. You benefit when buying here because Amazon.com has a 20% to 30% discount on many items plus a free shipping deal. You win we win. Thanks for your support!

Note: emphasis in the titles is mine -- to help you in finding the information you need. Don't worry too much about publication dates. Many books are updated every three to six years. The monuments and cathedrals haven't moved in centuries!