Shopping
Overview
In Lisbon, the shops on Rua Augusta (Baixa) are ideal for long shopping sprees. However, the Chiado is still the best shopping area. Tiles, fine china, fabrics and carpets, crystal ware and jewelery are beautiful souvenirs. Craft shops (Artesanatos) offer nice quality goods. In the Centro de Turismo e Artesanato on Rua Castilho, the selection is particularly large. Shops generally close between 1pm and 3pm and remain open until 7pm. If you want to take antiques home with you, you should go to Rua da Escola Politécnica. Bargains can be found on Rua Dom Pedro V. (Bairro Alto), which connects to Rua da Escola Politécnica. You can really rummage around at the Sunday flea market in the Chão da Feira near the Castelo de São Jorge. Shopping Tips: Leather goods, copperware, ceramics, hand-worked gold and silver, embroidery and tapestries, wood carvings, cork products, porcelain and crockery, crystal and glassware. Shop opening hours: Normally Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1900 (until 1800 in December), Sat 0900-1300 (also open 1500-1900 in December). Shopping centers are open 10.00-24.00.
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Nightlife
Introduction
Nightclubs and bars with live music in Lisbon provide evening entertainment. Clavi di Nos on Rua do Norte (Bairro Alto) is popular. Jazz fans will love the Hot Clube de Portugal (Praça da Alegria). A converted factory, the Alcântara Mar, on Rua da Cozinha Econômica has been particularly popular among discos. However, as everywhere, trends change quite frequently. There is also a wide range of entertainment in other major cities, ranging from nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, shows and folk dance performances to musical events. Bullfights are fought by toreiros on horseback. The traditional Fado songs can be heard in numerous restaurants (from around 10 p.m.). The theater season is from October to May. There are casinos in Estoril, Figueira da Foz, Espinho, Alvor, Vilamoura and Monte Gordo.
Culinary
Overview
Seafood plays a big part in the local cuisine; however, the courts can be quite expensive. Soups, which are often more like stews, are served as the main meal. Typical Portuguese dishes include sopa de marisco (shellfish soup with wine), caldo verde (green soup made from finely chopped kale), bacalhau (dried cod used in over 100 different dishes), caldeirada (a fish stew made from nine different fish, onions and tomatoes), Carne de Porco a Alentejana (roasted pork with a sauce of mussels, tomatoes and onions). Popular desserts include arroz doce (rice pudding), flan (caramel pudding), madeira pudding and nuvens (vanilla pudding). Beverages: Portuguese table wines are inexpensive. The most famous wines are: Dão and Serradayres (red), Bucelas and Colares (white), Vinho Verde (young wine, white or red). Bica is a small cup of very strong black coffee; Galão is a glass of latte, and a Carioca de Limão is a cup of tea made from lemon peel, which tastes very aromatic and not at all sour.Lisbon: Whether regional cuisine or international specialities, everything is available. Especially small restaurants always have some delicious cozidos (stews) to choose from. Popular with locals and tourists alike, tascas serve hearty fare at low prices. They are mainly found in the Bairro Alto. In the pastelarias, the Portuguese version of a coffee house, you can also satisfy your cravings for sweets. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays. Since the portions are generally not manageable even by starving tourists, it is best to share a dish and ask for »uma meia dose«. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and dinner between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Ties and collars are only required in the best restaurants. Prices are cheap compared to other European capitals. If you get hungry in between, you can also go to the usual fast food restaurants. If you take the ferry across the Tejo estuary to Almada, you can fortify yourself in the excellent fish restaurants. Since the portions are generally not manageable even by starving tourists, it is best to share a dish and ask for »uma meia dose«. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and dinner between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Ties and collars are only required in the best restaurants. Prices are cheap compared to other European capitals. If you get hungry in between, you can also go to the usual fast food restaurants. If you take the ferry across the Tejo estuary to Almada, you can fortify yourself in the excellent fish restaurants. Since the portions are generally not manageable even by starving tourists, it is best to share a dish and ask for »uma meia dose«. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and dinner between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Ties and collars are only required in the best restaurants. Prices are cheap compared to other European capitals. If you get hungry in between, you can also go to the usual fast food restaurants. If you take the ferry across the Tejo estuary to Almada, you can fortify yourself in the excellent fish restaurants. 00:00, dinner between 20:00 and 22:00. Ties and collars are only required in the best restaurants. Prices are cheap compared to other European capitals. If you get hungry in between, you can also go to the usual fast food restaurants. If you take the ferry across the Tejo estuary to Almada, you can fortify yourself in the excellent fish restaurants. 00:00, dinner between 20:00 and 22:00. Ties and collars are only required in the best restaurants. Prices are cheap compared to other European capitals. If you get hungry in between, you can also go to the usual fast food restaurants. If you take the ferry across the Tejo estuary to Almada, you can fortify yourself in the excellent fish restaurants.
Accommodation
Hotels
Almost all hotels have a swimming pool. In the restaurants, international dishes and Portuguese specialties are served. Significant discounts are available in the off-season. An official price list should be posted in every room. For children under 8 years there is a 50% discount for meals and accommodation in an extra bed in the parents’ room or apartment. Hotels and guesthouses that only offer bed and breakfast are referred to as “Residenciais”. More 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 2-4 stars, motels 2-3 stars, guesthouses 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 Union 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 the ages of 14 and 40 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)
Culture
Religion
Roman Catholic (84.5%). Protestant, Muslim and Jewish minorities.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: Traditional politeness and warm-hearted Southern European hospitality are a matter of course. Clothing: Casual clothing is acceptable, but swimwear should only be worn on the beach. Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs. Only bars that have more than 100 square meters of space can set up smoking zones. Smoking is prohibited in public places such as museums, public transport such as trains, buses and subways, airports and ferries. Cigarette butts are considered garbage by law in Portugal and must be disposed of properly. If you throw cigarette butts on the ground or stick them in the sand on the beach, must face a fine. Tipping: A tip of 10-15% is customary in gastronomy. When the waiter returns change, the guest leaves the tip on the table. However, it is considered extremely impolite to leave small amounts such as two or five cent coins lying around. In the taxi, the fare is rounded up.
Climate
Best travel time
Atlantic and Mediterranean climate.
Northwest: Mild winters, heavy rainfall and fairly short summers.
Northeast: Longer winters, hot summers.
South: Long, warm summers (March to October), little rain except in early spring and autumn. In Estoril, the heat is tempered by a steady breeze (July to August).
Country data
Phone prefix
+351
Area (sq km)
92345
Population
10,196,709 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
117
Population statistics year
2020
Member of the EU
yes
Main emergency number
112