Time Difference
Continental Portugal and Madeira are on GMT, while the Azores are an hour behind GMT.
Money
ATMs are widely available across Portugal. In principle, hotels and restaurants accept credit cards; in practice this is less true (and it is even less in the shops) so make sure you have cash to hand. Banks usually open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00.
Electricity
220 volts; European plug so make sure you take an adapter for any UK appliances.
Local Amenities
In general, shops are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00, and Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00. Shopping centres have longer opening hours. Museums are closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Media
Television is the dominant media platform in Portugal with print publications being plentiful but highly localised and with low reach. The radio, however, is hugely diverse with over 300 stations. The Portugal News is a weekly newspaper that’s also printed in English and is available in newsagents across the country, and is often free in airports.
Post
Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00. There are two types of mailboxes; red for ordinary post and blue for express post.
Phone
To phone Portugal from the UK, add 00 351 to the front of the number you’re dialling (removing the first zero from the number you’re dialling). To call the UK from Portugal, use 00 44 before dialling the number (again, without the first zero).
Internet & Mobile Coverage
Internet access is generally widespread with many hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi. Mobile coverage is also pretty good throughout Portugal.
Currency
EUR
