It is safe to suggest that the whole year is a good period to visit. Mainland Portugal has an attractive climate with long hot summers and mild pleasant winters. In the north winters are obviously cool and wet, whilst in the Algarve temperatures seldom ever fall below freezing except in the mountain regions. Inland areas have hotter summers and cooler winters except for mountainous regions that even enjoy snow. Madeira Island and the Islands of the Azores enjoy a temperate climate the year around.

Click on this Weather link to view the current conditions in Portugal, then select the city/region you wish to view.

The country code to dial into Portugal from overseas is +351. To dial overseas from Portugal, dial 00 followed by the relevant country code and phone number.

The Emergency Number is 112 from anywhere in Portugal to be connected to Fire, Police and Ambulance services. Every Fire Brigade also maintains one or more ambulances for emergencies.

Public telephones are readily available throughout Portugal and are able to make international calls. Mobile telephones are also available with coverage across the country, and international roaming agreements are in place with many carriers.

Internet cafes are also quite abundant, especially in the larger towns/cities. Some post offices also provide internet services, along with most hotels.

Security in cities and towns is handled by the "Polícia de Segurança Pública" (PSP), rural areas by the "Guarda Nacional Republicana" (GNR), and the traffic by "Brigada de Trânsito". On motorways and several major roads there are SOS phone boxes for help in accidents or breakdowns.

The word "Correio" denotes a Post Office or services. First class mail is denoted by the words "correio azul" and normally associated with the colour of blue. From Post Offices there is an express service named "EMS" that also records delivery. These offices are normally open from 8:30am until 6:30pm, Monday to Friday. In bigger towns they may also be open on Saturday. Postal services from Portugal to mainland Europe takes approximately 3-5 days.

The Currency unit is Euro (€). Access / Mastercard, American Express, Eurocard and Visa are widely accepted. The national ATM network MULTIBANCO enables cash to be withdrawn 24 hours a day through foreign or international network credit cards. Tipping is generally to the tune of 10-15%.

To view the current Euro exchange rate, click on this link to OANDA.com - The Currency Site.

This tax that is the same as VAT in England is known as IVA in Portugal, and is at present 21%. Persons from outside the European Union (EU) and visiting for less than 180 days, can reclaim this tax by requesting a form named "Isenção de IVA". This form is presented to customs when leaving the country.

To view a list of Portuguese embassies around the world, as well as foreign embassies within Portugal, click on this link to EmbassyWorld.com.

Population - 10.6 million people
Total Area - 92,391 square kilometres
Capital - Lisbon (670,000 people)
Time Zone - Standard time zone: No UTC/GMT offset (+1 hour during Daylight saving time)

To view the current time in Lisbon, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.

The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. Like French, Italian, Spanish and Romanian, Portuguese is a romantic language derived from Latin. Portuguese is spoken worldwide by 200 million people and is the fifth most spoken language in the world. English or French is the second language in most schools in Portugal. In the typical tourist areas like Lisbon, Algarve, and Funchal (Madeira) the language barrier is not a big problem, especially among the younger generation.

Some common Portuguese phrases (pronunciation only) handy for travellers include:

hello = OH-LAA
goodbye = A-DEH-OOS
please = VASH FAV-OR
thank you = OH-BRI-GAA-DOH
good morning = BON DIH-AH
can you help me = PHO-DE AH-JU-DAH-RE MEH
it is nice to meet you = PRAH-ZER EM VEE-LOO
where is the bathroom = OEN-DHE EH AH CA-ZZA DHE BAHN-HO
how much does this cost = KWAN-TOO KWOO-STAH
help = AH-JU-DAH
doctor = MEH-DEE-COO
police = POH-LEE-SEE-AH
train = COM-BOY-YOU
subway = MEH-TROH
bus = AUTO-CAH-RHOO

Click here to view a list of current public holidays for Portugal.

Note: Most towns and regions have at least one additional annual celebration.

Nationals of the EC (European Community), Australia and New Zealand, require only their passport or Identity Document. They may remain for a period of up to 90 days. American and Canadian nationals may stay for a period of 60 days with a valid passport. Other countries are subject to Visa controls and as regulations can change overnight it is recommended that a potential visitor should check with the Portuguese Consul in their respective country prior to making a visit to Portugal.

Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, private or business visits. There are three types of Schengen visa: Short-stay, Transit and Airport Transit. Visa costs are dependent on the tariff charges of the issuing country and prices may vary with exchange rates. Check with your local Embassy for the most up-to-date prices. Transit visas are valid for single or two entries of maximum five days, including the day of arrival. Visas cannot be extended; a new application must be made each time.

It is recommended you check all information regarding Portugal visas, as well as passport and entry requirements, with your relevant consulate before travelling.

Portugal is separated from the rest of Western Europe by the Pyrenees Mountains. From this prominent mountain range to its western and southern coast, the country has a diverse mix of terrains.

Although the majority of the museums and art galleries are State owned there are a number of private Foundations and individually owned exhibition places. This fact is particularly evident when wishing to see contemporary art where they tend to reflect the taste of the owner. State Museums charge a small entrance fee that is often waived on Sundays and Public Holidays. They are open from Tuesday through to Sunday and pensioners receive a 40% discount on the entrance fee. Sometimes there is no charge at all for pensioners on showing your ID. Opening times are normally from 10am to 5pm, but sometimes close during lunchtime.

In Lisbon there is an excellent ticket system for tourists provided by "Carris" kiosks. The holder of his ticket can visit 26 of the main museums in the city and enjoy free public transport during the time period. They are available for one, two, or three days.

Young people between the ages of 12 and 25 may purchase a "Cartão Jovem" costing about € 5.00. This card offers the bearer special discounts on public travel, travel insurance, and discounts to certain shops and museums. A useful advantage is this card also provides a discount on Youth Hostels within Portugal. Bearers of the International Student Identity Card (ISDC), receive the same advantages as the "Cartão Jovem".