Car Hire in Portugal

Portugal

Portugal occupies the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula and shares borders with Spain, and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into various provinces, including the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores, which are about 1220km/760 miles due west of Lisbon. North Portugal is mountainous, the highest part being the popular ski resort of Serra da Estrela. South of Lisbon stretch the vast plains of the Alentejo region. A range of mountains divides the Alentejo from the Algarve, which runs along the south coast, and is one of the most popular resort areas with wide sandy beaches and attractive bays.

Language

Portuguese is spoken throughout the country.

Currency

The Portuguese currency is the (â‚):100cents. The most common paper currency in Portugal comes in denominations of â‚500, â‚200, â‚50, â‚20, â‚10 and â‚5. Coins appear in denominations of â‚2 and â‚1. Coins also come in 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 2 cents and 1 cent.

Weather

Portugal's climate varies with latitude and is influenced by the Atlantic. The northwest has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and quite short summers. The northeast has longer winters and hot summers. In the southern coast, summers (March to October) have a near-Mediterranean climate; they are warm with very little rain except in early spring and autumn.

Attractions

As well as Portugal’s many fine beaches and outdoor activities, it has a fascinating culture and heritage. The country’s history stretches back over several millennia leaving modern day Portugal with many sites for the visitor to see: from the impressive legacy of pre-history to the remains of Roman civilisation, from the evidence of the strong Celtic influence in the north to the clearly visible Moorish presence in the south.

Driving

• Blood alcohol limit is 50mg - Penalties are extremely stiff and high amounts may include time in prison.


• Drive on the right hand side of the road.


• Speed limits are: Built-up areas: 50 km/h - 30 mph; Other roads: 90 km/h - 54 mph; Motorways: 120 km/h - 72 mph.


• All seat belts must be worn at all times when seated in a vehicle.


• Drive with caution at nit, roads are not well lit


• Children under 12 years old are prohibited from sitting in the front seat.


• Child baby and booster seats are required by law up to the age of eleven.


• At the junction of two roads of equal size, traffic coming from the right has priority.


• Speed limits are enforced by radar traps and unmarked police cars.

Shopping

If shopping in Portugal make sure you search around for items that are produced and sold locally, such as leather goods, copper, ceramics, handcrafted silver and gold, embroidery and tapestry, woodcarving, cork products, porcelain and china, crystal and glassware. Consumable souvenirs such as wine and port, olive oil and locally produced honey are also good choices.

Shopping hours: generally Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1900; Sat 0900-1300. Shopping centers are usually open Mon-Sun 1000-midnight.

Nightlife

The larger towns offer every kind of entertainment. There are many nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, stage shows, folk dancing and music performances. Converted warehouses at the Doca de Santo Amaro are host to waterfront bars and cafés, while a little closer to the city centre the Doca de Alcântara has emerged as the hangout for Lisbon's chic. For night-time drinking, the densest concentration of designer bars and clubs is found in Bairro Alto. Clubs don't really liven up and get busy until around 2am and tend to stay open till 6am. The theatre season is from October to May.

Food and Drink

Portuguese food is natural, fresh and often delicious. Seafood is well-liked, especially in Lisbon, but can be expensive. Typical Portuguese dishes include: Caldo verde - green soup made with finely shredded green kale leaves in broth; Bacalhau - dried cod, cooked in over 100 different ways; Caldeirada - a fish stew with as many as nine kinds of fish, cooked with onions and tomatoes; Cataplana - a shellfish stew cooked in a sealed wok and Carne de porco á Alentejana - bits of fried pork covered with a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions. Desserts include arroz doce (rice pudding) and nuvens (egg custard).

Table service is normal. Portuguese table wines are good value. Rosé and white wines are popular, especially the sparkling white wine known as vinho verde. Portuguese brandies are also good; the best are produced around Oporto, where Port wines come from. There are no licensing hours.

Tourist Information

www.portugalinsite.com

Destinations

We provide car hire in the following cities within Portugal:

A
Abrantes	Almada	Angra Heroismo
Aguiar Da Beira	Almancil	Arcos De Valdevez
Albufeira	Altura	Arganil
Alcobaã§a	Alverca	Armacao De Pera
Alegre	Amadora	Aveiro
Alfragide	Amarante
B
Barcelos	Beja	Braganca
Barreiro	Braga
C
Cabanas	Carvoeiro	Coimbra
Caldas Da Rainha	Cascais	Corroios
Canico	Castelo Branco	Covilha
Carnaxide	Chaves
E
Elvas	Estoril	Espinho
Evora
F
Faial	Ferragudo	Fundao
Faro	Figueira Da Foz	Furnas
Felgueiras	Funchal
G
Gemunde	Guarda	Giocarvi
Guimaraes
H
Horta
I
Ilha Terceira	Imao
L
Lagoa	Lamego	Linda A Velha
Lagos	Leiria	Lisbon
M
Madeira	Mem Martins	Monte Estoril -cascais
Maia	Mirandela	Monte Gordo
Matosinhos	Moimenta Da Beira	Montijo
N
Nazare
O
Odivelas	Oeiras	Oporto
P
Pacos De Ferreira	Ponta Delgada	Porto
Penafiel	Ponte De Sor	Porto Palacio
Peso Da Regua	Portalegre	Praia Da Rocha
Pico	Portela	Praia Da Vitoria
Pombal	Portimao	Praia De Luz
Q
Quarteira
S
S. Bras De Alel	Santa Maria	Sesimbra
S. Joao Da Madeira	Santarem	Setubal
Salamanca	Sao Joao Da Madeira	Sines
T
Tarouca	Terceira	Torres Novas
Tavira	Tomar	Torres Vedras
V
Viana Do Castelo	Vila Porto	Viseu
Vila Franca De Xira	Vila Real	Vila Nova Famalicao
Vilamoura

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