Portugal

The Portuguese Republic occupies the southwest portion of the Iberian Peninsula.  It is bordered by Spain to the north and east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west.  Portugal also includes the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR PORTUGAL
Area for Travel Insurance : Europe

Portugal is a member of NATO, the United Nations and the European Union.  Portuguese is the official language and currency is the euro. 

Portugal is a very popular holiday destination.  From the beaches of the sunny Algarve in the far south of the country to the mountains, rivers and natural parks in the north, Portugal has it all.  Many airlines fly into Portugal, with three major airports:  Porto serves the north, Lisbon the Central area, and Faro the Algarve. 

The Douro River in Northern Portugal feeds the vines that produce the famous Port wine.  Outdoor sports enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them occupied, with a selection of mountain ranges to explore, as well as rivers and national parks offering all manner of activities from mountain biking, hiking and climbing to fishing, rafting and canoeing.  The historic city of Porto is a fascinating place to visit with its fortress, beautiful buildings and attractive architecture of many styles and eras.  A boat trip through the city on the River Douro provides a magnificent way to take in all the charms of this city.  Further south, Central Portugal offers visitors a similar mixture of mountainous scenery and activities, as well as diverse and scenic beaches. 

The capital city, Lisbon, lies on the River Tagus to the southwest of the Lisbon Region.  The Tagus Estuary and wetland area is a popular place for bird watching, especially for pink flamingos.  Lisbon is a very diverse and beautiful city with a fascinating medieval history to explore, including Moorish castles, monasteries, museums and churches.  The medieval Alfama and Mouraria districts are popular tourist spots with cobbled streets and alleyways that are perfect for strolling and browsing and all overlooked by a castle.  Lisbon offers everything you would expect to find in a major city, with an active nightlife, restaurants and theatres.  The rivers and coastal resorts offer all types of water sports and sandy beaches.  Portugal is also a popular destination for golfers. 

The Alentejo Region lies between Lisbon and the Algarve, to the south.  It offers dramatic coastlines with towering cliffs and charming beaches as well as long strips of sand to be explored.  You will find everything from prehistoric monuments to lakes, rivers, farmland, olive groves and cork-oak trees.  Just about anywhere you travel in Portugal you will find opportunities for outdoor activities and adventures, or just relaxing.

To the far south lies the Algarve with its spectacular beaches, beautiful climate, relaxed lifestyle and wide selection of golf courses.  The Algarve also offers plenty of culture and history to explore. The Algarve has a thriving expat community. 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - PORTUGAL
Useful travel advice from the Foreign & Commonweath Office for travel to Portugal. Click Here

Before travelling to Portugal we recommend a visit to the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for updated travel advice as part of their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign.  As a sample, their advice includes information on the following:

• Visas, passports, and travelling with children
• Protecting your valuables, especially passports and cash
• Requirement to show ID if asked by authorities
• Driving in Portugal (your own or hired vehicle)
• Driving, on-the-spot fines, and toll fees
• Theft, street crime and scams
• Warning flags for swimmers – and how to avoid fines
• Download pocket-sized useful information
• Using credit cards in Portugal
• Euro-wide emergency number ‘112’
• Useful expressions in Portuguese
• What your Consulate can and cannot do to help

Portugal is a member of the European Union and those who are eligible should obtain a (free) European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travelling to Portugal.  However, the EHIC should not be used as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.  (For example: the EHIC covers emergency medical treatment but does not cover many other costs associated with travel mishaps such as ongoing or non-urgent medical treatment, repatriation, lost luggage, liability and legal costs, stolen or lost property, cancellation and curtailment).  

http://www.travel-insurance.net/

Note: When obtaining a travel insurance quote don’t forget to check the box for Golf Cover – if applicable.
 

Useful website:

http://www.visitportugal.com/

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure the information in this Travel Guide is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy, or the content of external links.

Inclusion in this Travel Guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in any country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have issued an advisory against travel.

You are strongly advised to visit the FCO website for updated travel information and general travel advice before you travel.