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From the cobbled winding streets of Lisbon’s medieval citadel to the cork forests in Alentejo, and from fishermen mending their nets on remote beaches to the shopping malls and sophisticated glitzy resorts, Portugal is a country well worth discovering.

Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Its long, varied coastline, sunny climate, and the relaxed lifestyle of the inhabitants of its charming towns and villages have made it a sought after holiday destination. The delight of Portugal is that, although it is undeniably part of modern Europe, it retains some rural enclaves where time has stood still and traditions flourish. In the southern province of the Algarve, modern high-rise resorts line the coast and buzz with all the trappings of a package tour destination; the capital city, Lisbon, on the west coast, is a bright, busy, crowded metropolis surrounded by bustling tourist resorts. Travel a few miles north or east, however, and discover a largely undeveloped picturesque countryside full of medieval villages and towns where life has changed little over several centuries.

The Portuguese have a close affinity to the sea; for centuries their famed mariners led the way in the exploration of Africa and the Americas, and opened trade routes to the East. The country became a strong colonial power, and remained so until the mid-20th century, resulting in distinctive foreign influences on the local culture and architecture. From Africa, for example, was imported the now traditional, sentimental fado music, which is one of the country’s unique experiences for visitors, particularly in the cafés of Lisbon.

In recent years Portugal, long overlooked on the list of the world’s top vacation stations, has been investing time, money and effort into ensuring it is discovered by the world’s travellers, just as once it was the Portuguese who discovered the world. This new age of discovery is paying off, as increasing numbers of visitors arrive each year and hotel and resort construction has exploded. From the visitor's point of view the compactness of the country makes it easy to take in all the best elements: sandy beaches, scenery, history, wonderful cuisine, lively entertainment, charming handcrafts, thrilling nightlife, country fairs, excellent sporting facilities and warm, friendly people.

Time: Local time is GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Language: Portuguese is the official language, but English is widely spoken and understood.

Health: There are no health risks attached to travel to Portugal. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary for entry for anyone travelling from an infected area and destined for the Azores or Madeira. Health facilities are good and reciprocal health agreements exist with most European countries, including the UK, whose citizens receive free emergency care at state hospitals. Dental care and repatriation costs are not covered under this agreement. Medical insurance is therefore advised.

Safety: Travel to Portugal should be trouble-free, but there is a rising incidence of petty theft and pick-pocketing in tourist areas, so reasonable care should be taken.

Communications: The international access code for Portugal is +351. There are no area or city codes required. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Portugal is well covered by three GSM mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are available in most towns and resorts.

Money: Portugal is a member of the European Union and its official currency is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. There are numerous banks, bureaux de change and ATMs available in main cities and tourist destinations. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and automatic currency exchange machines. Banking hours are generally 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques.

Climate: Summers are hot and dry throughout Portugal, particularly in the Algarve, which experiences very little rain. However refreshing sea breezes make for pleasant conditions. Winters are cold and wet, particularly in the northern and west coast regions. Spring and autumn are good times to visit with cheaper rates at hotels and less crowded beaches, restaurants and golf courses.

Portugal Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Australians: No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals require a valid passport and a Schengen visa.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must hold tickets and/or documents for their return or onward journey, and at least €74.82 plus €39.90 per day of stay, unless holding proof of paid accommodation. (Equivalent in convertible currency accepted.). Portugal is a signatory to the Schengen agreement and is incorporated in the 'borderless' region of Europe that issues a standard Schengen visa.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

LISBON

The capital of Portugal has experienced a renaissance in recent years and has reclaimed its rightful place as the 'golden city' of southern Europe. After slumbering for decades, the city's modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan identity is today much similar to that which it enjoyed in the 15th and 16th centuries during the age of the great discoverers, when Lisbon was the centre of trade with the East and the starting point for maritime exploration of the globe.

The city fathers of Lisbon elected to invest in some rejuvenation in the 1990s, and this ongoing focus on the future has made the most of the city's attributes and attractions, both old and new. Infrastructure has also been improved, with additions like the impressive Vasco da Gama Bridge across the River Tagus, which links the city's airport to a network of national motorways and has facilitated access to other parts of Portugal. There is also a new showcase railway hub, the Gare de Oriente, which is the pride of a new modern suburb on the east bank of the Tagus, creating an even better link between Lisbon and the rest of Europe.

While much is new, there is plenty of the old left to charm visitors, giving the metropolis a slightly provincial air. The delightful, picturesque medieval section of Alfama skirts the city's Sao Jorge castle, and historic wooden trams ply noisily up and down steep hills past art deco cafes and mosaic-decorated pavements. Many of the relics of the city's golden age were destroyed in an earthquake in 1755, but some survived and are popular tourist attractions, complemented now by modern sights, like the futuristic Oceanarium.

Within easy reach of the city are the sandy beaches of several coastal resorts, such as Costa da Caparica, Estoril and Cascais, as well as the forested areas of Sintra and attractions like the extraordinary Mafra monastery. The mood of Lisbon is light and bright, confident, fresh and avante garde, ready to welcome the world to the doorstep as one of the great capitals of Europe.

LISBON ATTRACTIONS

Castelo de Sao Jorge
The walls of Saint George's Castle, sitting atop a hill guarding the Tagus, date from the Moorish occupation in the 10th century, but the site has been a fortress for centuries, possibly since the 5th century. The castle is regarded as the cradle of Lisbon, and today it provides a panoramic view of the River Tagus and the Alfama medieval district, which is spread out below it. Visitors can walk the esplanades and climb the ramparts. A multimedia show is available during the day which brings alive the history of Lisbon. The castle grounds are planted with olive, pine and cork trees and provide a pleasant spot to relax.

Telephone: 21 887 7244; Transport: Bus 37 or tram 12; Opening time: Daily 9am to 9pm (April to September), and 9am to 6pm (October to March); Admission: Free

Alfama
The oldest part of Lisbon, the Alfama quarter sprawls down the hillside from below the Castelo de Sao Jorge, retaining much of the traditional colour and atmosphere from the days when it was the ancient seat of the Saracens. Along the narrow cobblestone alleyways are taverns and street markets, interspersed with close-packed houses still occupied by stevedores, fishmongers and sailors. At the edge of the Alfama, Lisbon's renowned flea market, the Feira da Ladra, is held in the Campo de Santa Clara every Tuesday and Saturday. The Alfama is also full of historic buildings and churches, which are well worth exploring. Some of the buildings display fading coats of arms, which bear testimony to the fact that the Alfama was once home to aristocrats. At night the Alfama takes on a more mysterious aspect with street lanterns throwing shadows on the medieval walls, and it is advisable to avoid the area after dark in favour of the Bairro Alto café and nightclub district.

Sé (Cathedral)
Although this cathedral in Largo da Se in the Alfama district is not outwardly appealing, it was the first church in Lisbon, built on the site of a Saracen mosque after the city was captured by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Inside, this ancient church features some treasures, like the font where St Anthony of Padua was baptised in 1195, and numerous notable relics, images and icons.

Telephone: 21 886 6752; Transport: Tram 28; Opening time: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 7pm, Sunday and Monday 9am to 5pm; Admission: Free

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum
Gulbenkian was an Armenian oil magnate who died in 1955 having put together one of the world’s finest private art collections. The collection is now housed in a modern centre where the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation sponsors a host of cultural and performing arts projects, and hosts a rotating exhibition of works by Portuguese and foreign artists. The Gulbenkian collection itself covers Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Islamic ceramics and textiles, Syrian treasures, Chinese ceramics, Japanese prints and lacquerware and European medieval illuminated manuscripts. The collection is so vast and varied as to be breathtaking. Among the paintings are two Rembrandts, a Rubens and a Renoir.

Address: Avenue de Berna 45A; Telephone: 21 782 3000; Website: www.museu.gulbenkian.pt; Transport: Bus 16, 26, 31, 46 and 56, or metro to S. Sebastião or Praça de Espanha stations; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.45pm; Admission: €3; free on Sundays

OPORTO

Bridges and port wine are what characterises Oporto, Portugal's gracious northern capital and second largest city after Lisbon. Oporto sits astride a great gorge at the point where the River Douro enters the Atlantic, and although it is mainly industrial, the city centre has plenty of charm with some art treasures, medieval cathedrals and museums, along narrow streets sporting wrought-iron balconies and bright splashes of potted geraniums.

The main reason tourists visit Oporto is to sample its legendary port wine, processed, blended and aged in the various lodges of the Vila Nova da Gaia district across the river from the city, via the spectacular two-tiered Dom Luis bridge. Visitors can tour the lodges and finish up with a tasting session. The city also has an historic riverside district called Ribeira, which is undergoing restoration and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Within easy reach of Oporto there are numerous coastal resorts and fishing villages on the Atlantic coastline, well known for their seafood restaurants. It is possible to cruise down the River Douro to take in the scenic splendour of the area.

OPORTO ATTARCTIONS

Braganca
In the remote northeast Portuguese province of Tras-os-Montes lies traditional farming country where rural communities provide a getaway destination for those who enjoy exploring off the beaten track. The small provincial capital, Braganca, lies close to the Spanish border and is slowly being discovered by tourists, mostly because of its fine local museum and the small medieval village and castle on a hillock overlooking the town. The interesting feature of the castle is the pillar beside it that rises from the back of a carved granite pig ('Porca'), which is believed to be a fertility idol from prehistoric times. Between the medieval citadel and the cathedral is the garden of the Museum do Abade de Bacal, containing not only tombstones but also numerous representations of the 'porca' idol. The museum itself houses a collection of sacred art and watercolours painted by Alberto Souza. In the medieval citadel is the Domus Municipalis, a pentagonal 12th century civic building which is unique in Europe.

Coimbra
The central Beiras region of Portugal is dominated by its provincial capital, Coimbra, situated about 73 miles (118km) south of Oporto. Coimbra is one of Europe's oldest university towns, and its students swarm the streets in traditional black capes, with coloured ribbons affixed to indicate which faculty they belong to. The majestic university building, founded in the 12th century, overlooks the city, which is a medieval wonderland of cobbled alleys, archways and stairways. Coimbra was the birthplace of six of Portugal's kings and the country's first king, Afonso Henriques, lies in a carved Gothic sarcophagus in the Monastery of Santa Cruz. Other sights in and around Coimbra include several beautiful medieval churches, the Machado de Castro museum (one of Portugal's finest), and Conimbriga, southwest of the city, which is a fascinating Roman archaeological site.

Guimaraes
This historic town is regarded as the birthplace of Portugal, because it was here in 1128 that Afonso Henriques became the first king of the country, which was still largely under Moorish control. The town has many medieval buildings and fortifications, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the main attractions is the tiny Romanesque church where Afonso was allegedly baptised, and the imposing Palace of the first Duke of Braganza, built in the style of a French chateau. There are numerous other Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque delights to discover in walking around the town. There are also two excellent museums: The Museu Alberto Sampaio, south of the castle, contains religious art and relics and is housed in a monastery, while the Museu Arquelogico Martins Sarmento displays the finds from a nearby Celtic hill settlement.

Igreja de Sao Francisco
On the Oporto waterfront stands the church of St. Frances, dating from 1383, which, while not very imposing from the outside, has a lavishly Baroque decorated interior that was created in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pillars and columns within the vault are festooned with gold-gilded cherubs and flower garlands, entwined animals and fruit cornucopia. This feast for the eyes is set off by wide Gothic arches made of marble, which soar into the roof.

Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique; Telephone: 222 062 100; Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm (March, April, September, October); daily 9am to 7pm (May to August), daily 9am to 5pm (November to February)


Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis
This extensive art museum opened in 1840, and is today dedicated to Soares dos Reis, the famous sculptor born and bred in Porto. The gallery also houses a foreign art collection which includes works by the Dutch, Flemish, Italian and French masters. There is a large collection of Portuguese 19th century works, including those from the Porto school, and exhibits of ceramics, glassware, gold and silverwork and furniture.

Address: Palacio dos Carrancas, Rua de Dom Manuel II; Telephone: 22 339 3770; Transport: Bus 3, 20, 35, 37, 52 or 78; Opening time: Tuesday 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm; Admission: €3; free on Sundays

Solar Vinho do Porto
Visitors come to Oporto for the port wine. The place to head for samples of every port produced in the region (and also the rest of Portugal) is the Solar Vinho do Porto in the Quinta de Macieirinha. Inside the rose-bedecked villa is a relaxed, upmarket tasting room, staffed by knowledgeable hosts who offer glasses or bottles of port, along with some complimentary snacks and information on the port-making process. Also in the villa is a small museum containing a collection of 18th century furniture and some paintings.

Address: Rua de Entre-Quintas 220; Telephone: 22 609 4749; Website: www.ivp.pt; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 2pm to midnight

Portugal Contacts
Institute of Portugal Tourism, Lisbon: +351 211 205 050 or www.visitportugal.com
Portuguese Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 328 8610
Portuguese Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 5331
Portuguese Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 729 0883
Portuguese Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6290 1733
Portuguese Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 2340/1/2
Portuguese Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 289 4416
Portuguese Consulate, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 382 7655
United States Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 727 3300
British Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 392 4000
Canadian Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 316 4600
Australian Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 310 1500
South African Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 319 2200
Irish Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 392 9440
New Zealand Embassy, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Portugal): +39 06 441 7171
Emergencies: 112

AIRPORTS

Lisbon Airport (LIS)
Location: The airport is five miles (7km) north of Lisbon. Time: GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +351 (0)21 841 3500 Transfer to the city: The Carris Aerobus no 91 runs every day between 7.45am and 8.45pm, connecting Lisbon Airport to the city centre. Tickets at €3.10 giving a day's use of the bus and tram network can be purchased on the bus. A shuttle bus service also operates between the airport and the resorts of Estoril and Cascais. Taxi stands are situated outside departures and arrivals. The meter should read €2.35 (daytime pick-up) or €2.50 (at night) at the commencement of the ride. Fares are 20% higher on weekends, holidays and at night. Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. Facilities: There are a range of passenger services at Lisbon Airport including ATMs, bureaux de change, showers, a post office, left luggage, baby care facilities, meeting rooms and a help desk in both Arrivals and Departures. There are a wide variety of restaurants and shops, including a duty-free. Disabled facilities are good; passengers requiring wheelchairs should contact their airline. Parking: Parking is available and can be reserved in advance via the airport website. Departure tax: None.

Faro Airport (FAO)
Location: The airport is two miles (4km) west of Faro. Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +351 (0)289 800 800. Transfer to the city: Buses and taxis are available outside the terminal building to take passengers to all areas of the Algarve. Car rental: Car rental companies that operate from the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. Facilities: The airport has several restaurants, bars and shops (including duty free), Internet access, ATMs, bureaux de change, a massage service, a post office and a bank. Parking: Parking is available and can be booked in advance on the airport website. Departure tax: None.

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