Telephones
Telephone calls can be made at post offices and public call boxes which accept coins or credifone cards. Credifone call boxes are the most common and the majority of newagents and supermarkets sell the phone cards.
For calls abroad dial 00, followed by the country code, the area code (omitting the 0) then the telephone number.
Information number : 118
Security Theft from cars, locked or otherwise, is depressingly common. When driving you need your licence and other documents, but don't leave them in the car when parked. Be every bit as security conscious in villas and apartments as you would be at home. When you go out, be sure to lock up.
| PLACE | PSP | GNR | FIRE DEP. | TURISM. OFFICE |
| ALBUFEIRA | | 289 590 790 | 289 586 333 | 289 585 279 |
| ALCOUTIM | | 281 546 208 | 281 540 450 | 281 546 179 |
| ALJEZUR | | 282 998 130 | 282 998 258 | 282 998 229 |
| ALMANCIL | | 289 351 530 | 289 416 702 | |
| ARM. PERA | | 282 312 178 | 282 442 411 | 282 312 145 |
| CASTRO MARIM | | 281 531 004 | | 281 531 232 |
| FARO | 289 899 899 | 289 887 603 | 289 888 000 | 289 803 604 |
| GUIA | | 289 591 115 | 289 586 333 | |
| LAGOA | | 282 352 310 | 282 352 888 | 282 357 728 |
| LAGOS | 282 762 930 | 282 762 809 | 282 770 790 | 282 763 031 |
| LOULÉ | | 289 410 490 | 289 416 702 | 289 463 900 |
| MONCHIQUE | | 282 912 629 | 282 912 115 | 282 911 189 |
| MONTE GORDO | | 281 544 355 | 281 544 211 | 281 544 495 |
| ODECEIXE | | 282 947 682 | 282 947 197 | |
| OLHÃO | 289 702 144 | 289 703 089 | 289 702 108 | 289 713 930 |
| PADERNE | | 289 367 115 | 289 586 333 | |
| PORTIMÃO | 282 450 580 | 282 420 750 | 282 420 130 | 282 416 556 |
| QUARTEIRA | | 289 315 662 | 289 323 132 | 289 389 209 |
| S.B. MESSINES | | 282 339 246 | 282 339 633 | |
| S.BRAS ALPORTEL | | 289 840 800 | 289 842 666 | |
| SALIR | | 289 489 136 | 289 416 702 | |
| SÃO CLEMENTE | | 289 489 136 | 289 416 702 | |
| SILVES | | 282 442 414 | 282 442 411 | 282 442 255 |
| TAVIRA | 289 322 022 | 281 325 704 | 281 322 122 | 281 322 511 |
| V.R.ST ANTONIO | 281 543 066 | 281 544 355 | 281 544 211 | 281 542 100 |
| VILA DO BISPO | | | 282 639 285 | 282 624 783 |
Shops Open 09:00 or 9:30 - 13:00; 15:00 - 19:00 or 19:30 , Monday to Friday. On Saturdays open 09:00 or 9:30 - 13:00 . Closed Sundays, except some supermarkets, mini-mercardos and out of town Markets
In Quarteira a market is held every Wednesday, Loulé every Saturday, Portimão every first Monday of each month, Lagos every Saturday, most Sundays in Almancil and Moncarapacho, and most Thursdays in Boliqueme and on Mondays in Tavira.
Drive Speed Limits
* Built-up Areas 50km
* Out of Town 90km
* Trunk roads 100km
* Motorway 120km
* Insurance is compulsory and normally provided with a hire car.
* EU licences are valid at all times
* Seat belts are obligatory for the driver and passengers.
* Alcohol is readily available and cheap - but the maximum legal blood alcohol level is currently only 20mg per 100ml,
DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! Portugal has the highest road accident rate in Europe. The standard of both road building and driving is much lower than in Northen European countries, and you need to be continually alert and cautious. Be especially aware of vehicles suddenly emerging from side roads, and of maniac overtaking.
ZERO TOLERANCE! High-profile police patrols are becoming ever more vigilant and ever less tolerant of bad driving, speeding and drink driving. Besides risking your life and those of others, you also risk heavy penalties if you break the law.
Duty Free There are no no duty-free allowances for transport of goods within the European Union.
If you are planning to bring home Portuguese delights such as port, table wines or regional aguardentes or liqueurs, look no further for a good deal than the cheapest local supermarket, where you can generally buy at prices lower than the airport "duty free" shop.
Electricity 220 volts AC with Continental two-pin plugs is usual. Earthing can be erratic in older buildings.
Chemists Open 09:00 - 13:00; 15:00 - 19:00. One chemist stays open after hours on a rotating basis and the address of the open pharmacy is listed on all other chemists' doors.
Chemists (farmácias) will advise on minor matters. There are reciprocal arrangements within the EU on free treatment in clinics and hospitals. When requesting treatment, show your passport, or an E111 or E112 form. Health clinics (centro de sáude) deal with less serious problems. For emergencies, there are 24-hour hospitals in Faro, Portimão and Lagos.
Banks Open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 15:00; closed Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays. You'll need your passport to exchange travellers cheques. Look for the sign “câmbios”. Commission is charged per transaction regardless of amount.
Buses Clean, reasonably comfortable and cheap. Local services often infrequent by day and non-existent at night. Avoid long, boring journeys within the Algarve by booking express regional services.
Trains are one of Portugal's little-known gems and are well worth investigating, and covered in more detail below.
Car Hire Cars from reputable companies are clean, recent models. Drivers must be at least 21 and have had a licence for at least one year. Hire price always includes third party insurance. A government tax of 21% (vat) is a compulsory extra. Optional extras: collision damage waiver, theft insurance, personal insurance
