Portugal's long coastline, mild climate, mountainous interior and sun-drenched beaches have long been popular attractions. North American visitors will also enjoy the museums, monuments and architecture that hark back to Portugal's colonial past, when the country was a major world power.
To contact Auto Europe from Portugal, dial 00-800-223-5555-5.

Entry Requirements
U.S. citizens do not require a visa to enter Portugal for visits of less than two months. Pets are allowed to enter the country as long as they have valid vaccination and health certificates. Pets must be vaccinated at least 30 days but less than one year prior to the date of entry.

Local Time
Portugal is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time in the United States and Canada.

Languages
Portuguese is the national language, but English and French are commonly spoken in cities and tourist centers, especially among the younger generations.

Electricity
220V. The Continental two-round-pin plug is standard.

Local Tourist Information
Turismo de Lisboa / Lisbon Visitors and Convention Bureau
Telephone: +351 21 031 27 37
Fax: +351 21 031 28 99
Email: atl@atl-turismolisboa.pt
Web site: http://www.atl-turismolisboa.pt/
Tourist offices in Lisbon:
Palacio Foz (Main Branch)
Praca dos Restauradores
Phone (01) 346-3643
Fax (01) 346-8772
Lisbon Airport
Phone (01) 849-4323
Fax (01) 848-5974
Welcome Center
C/O Ponto Net e Merchandising
Loja 2-1º, 1-r/c
Pç. do Comércio
Lisbon, Portugal
World Wide Web: http://www.portugal.org/tourism
Dial 01 (long-distance access code 0 plus Lisbon city code 1) only if calling from Portuguese locations outside the city.

Customs
Travelers are not required to pay duty on an appropriate amount of items for their personal use during their visit. In addition, the following duty-free allowances apply: no more than 1 liter of liquor and 2 liters of wine; and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

Currency Exchange
Hotels and the larger shops and restaurants will often change foreign currency, but you will get better rates at banks and exchange offices (called cambios). Banks are open 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. The bank at Lisbon's Portela Airport is always open. ATMs are increasingly common in the cities.

Tipping
Modest tips are appropriate. Ten percent is the rule for taxi drivers and hairdressers, and is the upper limit in restaurants, where service is usually figured into your bill. Hotel bills also include service, but €1-2 for bellhops is expected, as is €1 per day for the maid if she brings you breakfast. Give theater and cinema ushers who seat you €3; €1 per bag to luggage handlers; €.50 to gas station attendants for a fill-up, €.50 if they clean the windshield or check the oil.

General Business Hours
Museums: Typical hours are 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Restaurants: Lunchtime runs from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and dinner from 7:30 until 10 p.m. or later. Shopping: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., then 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays. On Saturdays, some shops close for the day at 1 p.m. Most shopping malls are open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight.

Value Added Tax
19%

United States Embassy in Portugal
Avenida das Forcas Armadas
1600-081 Lisbon
Tel: +(35) 1-21-727-3300
Fax: +(35) 1-21-727-9109

American Consular in Madeira
Rua da Alfândega, no.10-2nd Floor, Rooms A+B,
9000-059 Funchal
Madeira, Portugal
Phone: (+35) 1-291-235-636
Fax: (+35) 1-291-229-630

The American Consulate in the Azores
Av. Príncipe do Mónaco, 6-2º Frente
9502 Ponta Delgada, Azores
Phone: (+35) 1-296-282-216
Fax: (+35) 1-296-28-72-16
Dial 01 (long-distance access code 0 plus Lisbon city code 1) only if calling from Portuguese locations outside the city.