General Information

GENERAL:

  • SHOPS:
    Opening hours are from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm. Shops in Commercial Centres/Shopping Centres are open from 10am to 11pm. The main shopping areas in Cascais centre are at Rua Frederico Arouca, Av. Valbom and Cascaishopping.  In Oeiras the Centro Comercial Palmeiras and Oeiras Park. In Lisboa they are the Amoreiras Shopping Centre, Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre, Centro Colombo and shops in the Chiado and Baixa/Rua Augusta area. If you would like to buy souverniers try the Vista Alegre shops for fine porcelain.  Other items to look for are cork, Atlantis crystal, wines and port being a Port producing country, and local ceramics.
  • BANKS & CURRENCY:
    Portugal is part of the European Union and since January 2002 the currency used is the Euro. Banks are open 8.30am to 3.30pm.  To change currencies use ‘Cambios’ (Exchange Shops).
  • POST OFFICE:
    Cascais – Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm. Estoril – Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm. Lisboa (Restauradores) – Open: Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm.
  • BUSES:
    The bus service in the Cascais Borough is run by MobiCascais and also Carris. For details please visit  mobi.cascais.pt
    The Pena Sightseeing Tour bus takes you through Sintra’s important monuments.
    Lisboa bus company is Carris.  https://www.carris.pt/
  • CHEMISTS:
    Open weekdays: 9am to 1pm and 3 to 7pm. Saturday: 9am to 1pm.  One is open 24 hours – a notice of the nearest one is indicated on the door of each chemist.
  • ELECTRICITY:
    Voltage used in Portugal is 220v (the 2 pin socket).
  • TAXIS (CABS):
    There are taxi ranks near all train stations.  For taxis in the Cascais/Estoril area call: +351-21-4659500.
    In Lisboa call +351-21-8119000.
    In Sintra call +351-21-9138018.
    All fares are metered.
  • TRAINS / METRO:
    Trains (CP) are from Cascais to Lisboa’s Cais do Sodré and Lisboa to Sintra. Main terminals to other towns are the Santa Apolonia, Rossio, Oriente. The Metro (open from 6.30am to 1am) runs in central Lisboa.  Main station is Rossio.  For Metro Information: +351-21-7980600/3558457.  Details and timetables of trains from CP  www.cp.pt
  • CAR HIRE:
    Most international car hire companies have offices here.  Shop around as prices vary. Driving is on the right side.
  •  WEATHER:
    Portugal has four seasons. The Estoril coast has pleasant hot summers of temperatures between 19ºC and 28ºC/30ºC generally, with 35ºC on a really hot day. There is almost always a wind blowing. The winters are cool with temperatures dropping down to between 4ºC – 10ºC. However it rarely goes below 0ºC. In the Summer the temperatures in the evenings and nights can drop so when going out at night do wrap up well as you will feel the cold at those outdoor events. The Spring can be really warm and we have had in the past few years very hot periods in February and March. It tends to rain in April (hence the April showers in Portugal!) and the Autumn can be wet from November and December.
  • FORMS OF DRESS:
    Portugal is a modern European country with no particular strict dress code. Both men and women wear up-to-date fashion including from the top world designers and like to dress up for work and when attending social events. For all other times dress is casual.