Tips and tricks on how to travel in Portugal by Alexandra Gnatush

1. Portugal 

2. http://www.secomunidades.pt/vistos/index.php/en/forms/103.html

3. General Information:

4. Getting to Portugal from Ukraine: cheap airlines.

5. Airports in Portugal: http://www.ana.pt

6. Public transport in Portugal.

7. Public transport in Portugal.
Lisbon area (official page: http://www.visitlisboa.com/):
http://www.carris.pt/ (Lisbon city buses and trams)
http://www.metrolisboa.pt/ (Lisbon subway)
http://www.transporlis.sapo.pt/ (Trams, trains and buses in big Lisbon area)
http://www.rodoviariadelisboa.pt/ (Northern and Northeastern suburbs of Lisbon, Loures, Odivelas, Vila Franca de Xira)
http://www.vimeca.pt/ (Lisbon Western suburbs - Alges, Amadora, Oeiras, Sintra)
http://www.boa-viagem.pt/ (Northeastern suburbs of Lisbon, Loures, Alverca, Vila Franca de Xira, and to/from Lisbon)
http://www.rodotejo.pt/ (Leiria, Santarem, Obidos, Nazare, Peniche, Caldas da Rainha and 'rapidas' to/from Lisbon)
http://www.mafrense.pt/ (From/to Lisbon to/from Sintra, Mafra, Torres Vedras, Ericeira)
http://www.scotturb.com/ (Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, Oeiras)
http://www.barraqueirotransportes.pt/ (To/from Lisbon from/to Torres Vedras, Lourinha, Cadaval...)
http://www.ribatejana.pt/ (Alverca, Vila Franca de Xira, Coruche, Benavente to/from Lisbon)
http://www.tsuldotejo.pt/ (Setubal, Sesimbra, Pinhal Novo, Pragal and to Lisbon across the bridges)
http://www.mts.pt/ (trams in Pragal, Cacilhas and other parts of Lisbon area, South of the river Tagus)
http://www.fertagus.pt/ (Feeder buses for the Fertagus trains South of the river Tagus)
Algarve region (official page: http://www.visitalgarve.pt/):
http://www.eva-bus.com/ (Faro, Albufeira, Lagos...)
Azores (official page: http://www.azores.com/):
http://www.transmacor.pt/ - ferries
http://www.lagarta.net/en/index.html - tourist trolley
Alentejo (official page: http://www.visitalentejo.pt/):
http://www.costasur.com/ (Braga, Evora, Faro, Vila Real, Lisbon etc. + international destinations)
http://www.rodalentejo.pt/ (Evora, Beja, Santiago de Cacem, Sines, Elvas, Portalegre and to/from Lisbon)

8. Public transport in Portugal.
Centro region (official page: http://www.turismodocentro.pt/):
http://www.transdev.pt/
http://www.smtuc.pt/ (Coimbra urban transport)
http://www.moveaveiro.pt/ (Aveiro)
http://www.covibus.com/ (Covilhã Municipality)
http://www.cm-tvedras.pt/e/tut/linhas/ (Torres Vedras Municipality)
http://www.avic.pt/index.php?seccao=transportes&conteudo=figueira (Figueira da Foz Municipality)
Norte region (official section here: http://www.visitportugal.com):
http://www.metrodoporto.pt/ (Porto subway)
http://www.stcp.pt/ (Porto city and suburbs)
http://www.itinerarium.net/
http://www.arriva.pt/ (Braga, Barcelos, Guimarães etc.)
http://www.gondomarense.pt/ (Gondomar to/from Porto)
http://www.valpi.pt/ (Penafiel area to/from Porto)
http://www.espiritosanto.com.pt/ (Vila Nova de Gaia suburban area to/from Porto)
http://turismo.maiadigital.pt/ocm5/motor/display_texto.asp?pagina=autocarrosinterurbanos200406036426971&bd=turismo (Maia, city
near Porto)
http://www.arriva.pt/horarios/ (Porto - Braga, Guimarães, Barcelos, Fafe, Vila da Conde, Trofa etc.)
http://www.rodonorte.pt/ (Interurban services, also to/from Porto and Lisbon)
http://www.avic.pt/index.php?seccao=transportes&conteudo=viana (Viana do Castelo and suburbs)
http://www.tub.pt/ (Braga Municipality)
http://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/PageGen.aspx (Guimarães Municipality)
http://www.corgobus.pt/ (Vila Real Municipality)

9. Public transport in Portugal.
Madeira (http://www.madeiratourism.org/):
http://www.madeira-island.com/bus_services/
Other:
http://www.avtamega.pt/ (Express buses: Lisbon - Fátima - Coimbra - Porto - Viseu - Chaves - Bragança)
http://www.transdev.pt/ (North and Central Portugal: Aveiro, Braga, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Leiria, Porto, Vila Real, Viseu, Viana do
Castelo)
http://www.avic.pt/ (Express: Lisbon - Porto - Vila do Conde - Viana do Castelo - Valença - Monção)
http://www.viuvamonteiro.pt/ (Lisbon - Sabugal - Vilar Formoso express buses; local buses around Sabugal)
http://www.avminho.pt/ (Viana do Castelo, Esposende, Povoa de Varzim, also express buses to/from Porto)
http://www.autna.com/ (Between Porto and Tui/Vigo, Spain)
Good to know:
• Subway tickets are issued in the form of rechargeable cards;
• Usually the “on-board” fare is higher than the normal one;
• Return tickets bought at the same time are cheaper than two tickets bought separately;
• To use a ticket machine, you need to have a credit /debit card with chip;
• Prices for municipal taxis are moderate, but during weekends and holidays an additional 20% -charge may apply;
• Penalty for travelling without ticket (or with invalid ticket) can vary with routes and regions (from €40 to €75);
• Family tickets (usually, for 4 persons) and group tickets are available.

10. Driving and car rental services.
General information:
• Portugal drives on the right side of the road;
• except when otherwise indicated, all vehicles, approaching from the right, have priority. The driver already
on a roundabout normally has the right of way;
• safety-belts are compulsory front and back in all circumstances;
• drinking and driving is severely controlled and limited to a restriction of 0.5 g/l;
• unless otherwise indicated urban limit is 50 km/hour;
• rural roads other than those zones indicated are limited to 90 km/hour;
• motorways speed is limited to 120 km/hour;
• radar traps are frequent;
• speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines: most Police vehicles have a portable
credit/debit card machine;
• failure to pay on the spot will result in documents apprehension and, eventually, the vehicle. In case of
documents apprehension, the Police Officer will issue an official document stating that your documents
are apprehended and allowing you to drive for a few days. In this case, make sure you understand the
address where you will pick up your documents and that you are given two documents: the apprehension
document and the traffic citation;
• child restraint is mandatory for all children aged to 12 and that are shorter than 1.5m;
• minimum age for driving is 18 for a car; but driver must be at least 21 to rent a car;
• the replacement bulb set, as well as a visibility vest and warning triangle, is compulsory;
• mobile cellular telephones (telemóveis) may only be used with a handsfree system.

11. Driving and car rental services.

12. Tolls:
http://www.brisa.pt/PresentationLayer/taxasPortagem.aspx?menuid=122

13. Tolls:
http://www.aeatlantico.pt/index.asp

14. Tolls: prices (€).

15. Holiday apartments.

16. Holiday apartments.
http://www.aluguerapartamentosferias.com/
http://www.mediaferias.com/
http://pt.rentalia.com/aluguer-ferias-portugal/
http://www.aluguer-ferias.com.pt/
http://www.homeaway.pt/
http://www.aluga-algarve.com/
http://www.homelidays.pt/
http://www.iha.pt/
http://www.alugacasa.com/
http://www.algarve-casasdeferias.com/
http://pt.niumba.com/
http://www.casasdobarlavento.com/
http://imobiliario.slando.pt/

17. Hotels and hostels.

18. Surfing holidays.
Full information: http://www.surfholidays.com/Destinations/Portugal.aspx
South:
Ilha de Tavira (http://www.campingtavira.com/)
Praia da Rocha (http://www.praiadarochaonline.com/)
Praia Meia (http://www.meiapraia.net/)
Praia da Luz (http://www.praiadaluzuncovered.com/)
Praia do Zavial (http://www.algarve-portal.com/en/OBJ/praia_zavial/)
Praia da Mareta (http://www.visitportugal.com/NR/exeres/402CCF0F-D672-4EA7-81EE-EFF6BEB98F4A,frameless.htm)
Praia do Tonel (http://www.lagos-luz-sagres.com/beach_gallery8.htm)
Praia do Castelejo (http://www.algarve-portal.com/en/OBJ/praia_castelejo/)
Praia do Cordoama (http://www.aportugalattraction.com/portugal-attractions/praia-da-cordoama.htm)
Praia do Amado (http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Praiado-Amado)
Praia da Bordeira (http://www.algarve-portal.com/en/OBJ/praia_bordeira/)
Praia da Arrifana (http://www.guiadacidade.pt/pt/poi-praia-da-arrifana-13853)
Praia de Monte Clérigo (http://www.tixik.com/en/praya-de-monte-clerigo-2434086.htm)
Praia da Amoreira (http://www.guiadacidade.pt/pt/poi-praia-da-amoreira-14076)
Praia do Carriagem (http://www.aljezur-info.de/e-praias.php#carriagem)
Famous Ericeira area (http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/Portugal/Central_Ericeira/):
Praia das Maçãs (http://www.lisboncoastcottages.com/praia_macas.asp)
Praia de São Julião (http://www.guiadacidade.pt/pt/poi-praia-de-sao-juliao-12390)
Praia da Foz do Lizandro (http://www.tixik.com/en/praia-de-foz-do-lizandro-2446939.htm)
Praia do Peixe, Furnas, Pedra Branca, Backdoor, Praia de São Lourenço, Praia da Pontinha
Praia do Norte (http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/Portugal/Central_Ericeira/praia_do_norte/)
Reef (http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/Portugal/Central_Ericeira/reef/)
Praia da Ribeira d'Ilhas (http://www.ribeirasurfcamp.com/)
Crazy Left (http://www.beachwizard.com/beach.asp?country=Portugal&beachid=4295)
Coxos (http://www.surfholidays.com/blog/February-2011/Legendary-Surf-Spot-Coxos-in-Ericeira-Portugal.aspx)

19. Day trips from Lisbon.
Alcochete (http://www.cm-alcochete.pt/): lovely neighbor.
The delightful old town of Alcochete is located on the south bank of the River Tagus, near the
Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve. Salt has long-been one of the main industries here, and saltpans
can still be seen to the north and south of the town. Founded in the mid-16th century, the
Church of the Misericórdia was part of the palace where King Manuel I was born.
Today, it houses the Museum of Sacred Art. The town's Gothic-Manueline parish church was built
in honor of John the Baptist and later classified as a national monument. Inside are two
interesting 18th-century tiled panels, while two rare early 16th-century paintings can be seen in
one of the outbuildings.
Sesimbra (http://www.cm-sesimbra.pt/): a paradise for seafood lovers.
Sesimbra is a small, mountain isolated town situated on the southern shore 40km outside of
Lisbon. Its long, horseshoe shaped beach is cut in half by an old military fort, and surrounded by
beautiful resort hotels and summer condos staggered up the mountain with a breathtaking view.
On both sides, you can find an endless array of bars and restaurants, called
“Marisqueiras“, specializing in fresh shellfish, which are proudly displayed in coolers along the
walkway. These places are not so cheap, so if you don't want to overpay you’ll venture up the
inside corridors of the city and find an array of hidden restaurants; although not as glamorous as
their beachfront companions, they provide you with delicious selections at a better price.
Cascais (http://www.cascais.net/guide/): day at the beach.
An old fishing-town, now considered a high-end district, lies at the end of the Linha de Cascais
train line. You can take the train from the Cais do Sodré station in Lisbon (Metro Blue line from
Marques de Pombal to Baixa Chiado stop then switch to Green line to end at Cais do Sodré) or
from the Belém station, if you happen to already be out there. It’s a 40 minute picturesque train
ride up the coast where you’ll arrive in the center of Cascais right next to the historical district.
If you have a car, try to drive along the main road that goes parallel with the train tracks on the
way up and head past Cascais towards Guincho (this road is free). Take this main road along the
waterfront and drive north towards the actual coastline where you will see more abandoned
military forts and a lighthouse (Farol).

20. Day trips from Lisbon.
Sintra (http://www.cm-sintra.pt/): UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is indeed an extraordinary place with a surreal mixture of history and
fantasy, protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its fairytale palaces and
gardens, incredible vistas, and notable museum collections make it a destination you
should make the effort to see, especially if you visit Lisbon.
It is easy to reach from the capital, just a 30-minute drive on the IC19
highway, although taking the train is really the best option. The train ride takes about
40 minutes from Rossio Station in the center of Lisbon.
There are more popular attractions outside Sintra, such as Cabo da Roca, a cliff rising
about 140m (460ft) above the Atlantic famous for being Europe's westernmost point
(to reach it take bus 403 from behind the train station). Overlooking this dramatic
sight is a lighthouse and a landmark cross bearing an inscription by Portuguese poet
Luis de Camões stating that here, "land ends and the sea begins." A tourism office
on the site provides visitors with a certificate stating that they have visited the most
westerly point of Europe.
Azeitão (http://www.portugaltravelguide.com/en/azeitao.htm): wine and cheese.
Azeitão is the sleepy but prosperous agricultural village, known for its red wine and
some of the finest quintas (villas or country estates) in the country.
Take the #702 TST bus from Praça de Espanha towards Evora and get off at Vila
Nogueira de Azeitão (http://www.tsuldotejo.pt/) where you can take both the
beautiful Manor House tour at José Maria da Fonseca winery (http://www.jmf.pt/)
and visit the estate headquarters of Bacalhõa Vinhos (http://www.bacalhoa.pt/) to
taste some of the best wines in Portugal. You can also visit the cheese museum-
Museu do Queijo de Azeitão (http://quintavelhaazeitao.com.sapo.pt/) as the
artisanal Azeitão cheese is a must-taste as well as their regional pastry, Tortas de
Azeitão.

21. Freeport Outlet (http://www.freeport.pt/)

22. Day trips from Porto.
Guimarães (http://www.guimaraesturismo.com/): European Capital of Culture in 2012.
Historic city center is classified UNESCO World Heritage Site and associated with the emergence of the
Portuguese national identity in the 12th century. An exceptionally well preserved and authentic example of
the evolution of a Medieval settlement into a modern town, its rich building typology exemplifies the specific
development of Portuguese architecture from the 15th to 19th century through the consistent use of
traditional building materials and techniques.
Trains from Guimarães to Porto start at 05:54 on weekdays, 06:54 at weekends with the last train at 22:54
daily. The Arriva 'Rápida' bus service (route 500) also runs between Porto and Guimarães, making the trip in
about 50 minutes. Buses run every 1 - 2 hours on weekdays, less frequently at weekends.
Braga (http://www.cm-braga.pt/wps/portal/public_en): from the beginning.
Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World. Also it is one of the
most beautiful cities in Portugal, with a number of impressive Baroque monuments, including one of the
country's best-known sights, the Bom Jesus Sanctuary. Founded by a Celtic tribe called Bracari and later
occupied by the Romans (who made it the administrative center of Gallaecia, or present-day Minho and
Spanish Galicia), it became the seat of a large archbishopric and the country's religious capital in the 11th
century.
Local trains of the Porto Urbanos network run to Braga about once every hour every day with extra trains in
weekday rush hours. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and will cost €2.80. First train from
Porto S. Bento to Braga is at 06:25 on weekdays, 06:45 weekends and holidays and the last train is at 00:45
daily. Also there is a bus connection.
Aveiro (http://www.aveiro.co.pt/, http://www.cm-aveiro.pt/): boats and salt.
Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated by
the Central Canal running through town. Famous for its moliceiros - typical fishing boats with gaily painted
prows - Aveiro was once a busy and prosperous port town several centuries ago. 8 km south of Aveiro, Ílhavo
has an interesting maritime museum, where the region's long seafaring history is told through displays of
vessels and related equipment.
Local trains from Porto São Bento to Aveiro start at 06:00 and end at around midnight. The journey takes
about 1 hour and will cost €2.80.

23. Monsanto village, Idanha-a-Nova Municipality.

24. Famous stone house, Nas Montanhas De Fafe.

25. Cheese terms in Portugal.

26. Port wine.
Grapes (strictly regulated by the Instituto do Vinho do Porto):
• red - Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Touriga Francesa, and Touriga Nacional;
• white - Donzelinho Branco, Esgana-Cão, Folgasão, Gouveio,Malvasia Fina, Rabigato and Viosinho.
Categories:
Port wines can be divided into two general categories, cask (barrel) or bottle aged.
Wood aged ports are either aged in wooden casks or cement tanks that are ready to be
drunk immediately after fining, filtration and bottling. Whereas, bottle aged ports are
aged for a short time in wood and then bottled without filtration, sometimes taking up
to 20 or 30 years before it is ready to be served.
Different styles of port can be described by (as it usually seen on the label):
• name of the Port Style;
• translation of the name;
• aging requirements;
• general characteristics you might find in the wine;
• traditional serving methods;
• legal requirements for labeling;
• storing requirements.

27. Port wine.
Cask (barrel)- aged ports:
• Tawny - when a port is described as tawny, without an indication of age, it is a basic blend of wood aged port that has
spent at least two years in barrels. Also there are tawny with an indication of age which represent a blend of several
vintages, with the nominal years "in wood" stated on the label. The official categories are 10, 20, 30 and over 40 years
(and this is not the actual age of wine);
• Colheita - tawny port from a single vintage, the actual year is mentioned, may have spent 20 or more years in wooden
barrels before being bottled and sold;
• Garrafeira - rare intermediate vintage dated style of port made from the grapes of a single harvest. It is required by the
IVDP that wines spend some time in wood, usually between three and six years, followed by at least a further eight years
in glass, before bottling. In practice the times spent in glass are much longer.
Bottle-aged ports:
• Ruby port - aged in bulk for 2 to 3 years in wood, cement or stainless steel before being blended, filtered and
finally, bottled. Not generally improve with age;
• Rose port - modern invention, technically a ruby port, but fermented in a similar manner to a rosé wine, with a limited
exposure to the grape skins, thus creating the rose color;
• White port - make an excellent basis for a cocktail while those of greater age are best served chilled on their own. There
are a range of styles of white port, from dry to very sweet;
• Late bottled vintage (LBV) - two styles of wine that had been destined for bottling as vintage port, but left in the barrel for
longer than had been planned. Both are bottled between four and six years after the vintage, but one style is fined and
filtered before bottling, while the other is not;
• Crusted port - a blend of port wine from several vintages, with idea of making best use of the varying characteristics of
different vintages;
• Vintage port - made entirely from the grapes of a declared vintage year , aged in barrels for a maximum of 2,5 years
before bottling, and generally require another ten to forty years of aging in the bottle before reaching what is considered
a proper drinking age. Since they are aged in barrels for only a short time, they retain their dark ruby color and fresh fruit
flavors. Particularly fine vintage ports can continue to gain complexity and drink wonderfully for many decades after they
were bottled. It is not unknown for 19th century bottles to still be in perfect condition for consumption;
• Single quinta vintage port - wines that originate from a single estate, unlike the standard bottling of the port wine houses
which can be sourced from a number of quintas.

28. Port Wine Route.
«Путь портвейна».
«Маршрут Портвейна», был создан 21 сентября 1996 года общими усилиями Института Портвейна, Музея Доуру, министерством
Туризма и несколькими локальными туристическими офисами.
После предварительной оценки, было выбрано 54 составляющих данного маршрута, которые так или иначе связаны с местным
виноделием: это виноградники, частные погреба и винодельни, базы виноторговцев, заводы по производству специальной
стеклянной тары, центры дегустации, винные бары и рестораны и многие другие места, которые будут интересны настоящим
ценителям винной культуры. Выбравшим этот длинный, но очень интересный тур, представится удивительная возможность не
только познакомиться с производством портвейна и других локальных вин, но даже самим в нем поучаствовать (многие
наверняка мечтали попрыгать босиком в бочках с виноградом), приобщившись к традициям, которые португальские виноделы
бережно передают из поколения поколению.
Каждый такой тур подбирается индивидуально, так что если вас интересует процесс, то организаторы постараются уделить больше
внимания живописным виноградникам, винокурням и специальным «фишкам» изготовления вина, если конечный продукт –
доминантной нотой маршрута станут разного рода дегустационные комнаты и рестораны, в которых специалисты научат не
только правильно пить вино и различать его мельчайшие оттенки, но и подбирать различные закуски.
Лучшее время для такого туристического маршрута – с 29 сентября по 5 октября. Именно в эти даты проходит так называемый
Фестиваль Винного Урожая. Впрочем, как индивидуальные, так и групповые туры могут быть без проблем заказаны на
протяжении года. Для этого лишь нужно обратиться по адресу: Rota do Vinho do Porto, Largo da Estação – Apartado 113, 5050 –
237 Pêso da Régua – Portugal. Официальный сайт проекта - http://rvp.pt/ . Также о своем желании узнать подробности о том, как
«приобщиться к прекрасному» можно поведать по телефону +351 254 324 774 или послав электронное сообщение по адресу
reserves@rvp.pt. Правда, использовать придется один из пяти языков: английский, французский, немецкий, испанский или
португальский.
Если же времени на большой тур мало, но попробовать хорошего вина все равно хочется, можно воспользоваться мини-
турами, которые организовывают крупнейшие винные производители в рамках своих фирменных магазинов. Узнать их можно
по огромным вывескам-названиям (например, Sandeman, Kopke, Calem и иже с ними), которыми пестрит набережная Вила-
Нова-де-Гайи. Большая часть производителей предлагает так называемые дегустационные туры – немного истории, чуть-чуть
традиций и огромный ассортимент вина, в некоторых случаях «приправленного» традиционной португальской кухней
собственных рестораций. Стоимость такого «экскурсионного ужина» - от 15 евро. О деталях можно поинтересоваться как в
туристическом офисе (он расположен через дорогу от дворца Больса), так и непосредственно у менеджеров вышеупомянутых
магазинов.

29. Portuguese language school in Kiev:
http://www.portugues.kiev.ua/