SHOP
Overview
In Lisbon, the shops on Rua Augusta (Baixa) are ideal for extensive shopping trips. However, the Chiado is still the best shopping area. Tiles, fine china, fabrics and carpets, crystal goods and jewelery are nice souvenirs. Craft shops (Artesanatos) offer nice quality goods. In the Centro de Turismo e ArtesanatoThere is a particularly large selection on Rua Castilho. Shops generally close between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and stay open until 7 p.m. Those who want to take antiques home should go to Rua da Escola Politécnica. You can find occasional purchases on Rua Dom Pedro V. (Bairro Alto), which connects to Rua da Escola Politécnica. You can really rummage and rummage at the Sunday flea market in the Chão da Feira near the Castelo de São Jorge.
Shopping tips : leather goods, copper items, ceramics, handcrafted gold and silver, embroidery and tapestries, wood carvings, cork products, porcelain and tableware, crystal and glassware.
Shop opening times:Normally Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (in December until 6 p.m.), Sat 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (also open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in December). Shopping centers are open from 10 a.m. to midnight.
MONEY
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). There are banknotes in the values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in the nominal amounts 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Credit cards
Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Maestro, Europay / MasterCard, JCB and other major credit cards are accepted. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
EC / Maestro card / Sparcard
With the EC / Maestro card and PIN number, cash in the local currency can be withdrawn from ATMs throughout Europe. There is a national network of ATMs in Portugal, which can be easily identified by the Multibanco symbol (MB).
In many European countries it is also possible to pay with the ec / Maestro card in shops. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The same applies to the German Sparcard, the successor to the postal savings book as a means of procuring currency in other European countries. With the Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from European ATMs with the Plus logo.
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-3 p.m. Some banks in Lisbon are open until 6:00 p.m. Mon-Fri.
Algarve: The bank in the Vilamoura Marina shopping center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
For travelers inside and outside the EU, there are no restrictions on the import or export of national and foreign currencies, but there is an obligation to declare cash from the equivalent of € 10,000 (including travelers checks, other currencies or checks made out to third parties).
Currency Exchange
Money can be exchanged in banks, savings banks, exchange offices (cámbios) or at money changing machines. It is recommended not to carry large sums of money with you.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Almost all hotels have a swimming pool in Portugal, a country located in Europe according to travelationary. In the restaurants, international dishes and Portuguese specialties are served. There are significant discounts in the off-season. An official price list should be posted in each room. For children under 8 years of age there is a 50% discount on meals and overnight stays in an extra bed in their parents’ room or apartment. Hotels and pensions that only offer accommodation with breakfast are called “Residenciais”. Further information from ICEP (see addresses) or from the Associação da Hotelaria de Portugal, Avenida Duque d’Ávila 75, P-1000 Lisboa (Tel: (021) 351 23 60. Internet: http: //www.hoteis-portugal.pt /)
Categories:Hotels are subject to the international star system (1-5 stars). The prices are checked by the government. Apartment hotels are rated with 2-4 stars, motels with 2-3 stars, guesthouses with 1-4 stars; there are also 4-star albergarias.
Camping
Numerous campsites are located near the beach or in densely forested areas. Some have swimming pools, sports fields, supermarkets and restaurants. A directory is available from the Tourist Office or the Portuguese Camping Association at the following address: Federaçao Portuguesa de Campismo, Avenida Colonel Eduardo Galhardo 24D, P-1170 Lisboa (Tel: (021) 812 68 90. Internet: www.fcmportugal.com or www.roteiro -campista.pt or www.orbitur.com).
Other accommodation options
The youth hostels are located near interesting cities, in rural areas, in the mountains or near the beach. People between 14 and 40 years of age receive board and lodging there. More information from the Portuguese Youth Hostel Association: MOVIJOVEM, Rua Lúcio de Azevedo 29, P-1600-146 Lisboa (Tel: (021) 723 21 00. Internet: www.pousadasjuventude.pt)
