General Information

We list below general information which we hope will be useful to plan your travel.

  • SHOPS IN CASCAIS:

    Opening hours are from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm – some shops are open during the lunch hour. Shopping Centres open from 10am to 11pm. The shopping streets in Cascais centre are Rua Frederico Arouca and Av. Valbom.  The main shopping centre is  Cascaishopping and the other is towards Sintra the Alegro Forum.
    In Oeiras the Centro Comercial Palmeiras and Oeiras Park.

  • SHOPS IN LISBOA:

    In Lisboa they are the Amoreiras Shopping Centre, Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre and Centro Colombo.  Main shops are in the Chiado, Baixa/Rua Augusta and Av. da Liberdade area. To buy souveniers try the Vista Alegre shops for fine porcelain. Others include items in cork, local ceramics, Atlantis crystal, wines and port produced in the Porto area.

  • BANKS & CURRENCY:

    Portugal is in the European Union.  In January 2002 we adopted the Euro as our currency. Banks are open 8.30am to 3.30pm.  To change currencies use ‘Cambios’ (Exchange Shops).

  • POST OFFICE:

    Cascais Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. Estoril Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. Lisboa (Restauradores) Open: Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm.

  • BUSES:

    A familiar sight – the buses   that operate in  Cascais

  • MobiCascais and Carris run the bus service in the Cascais Borough. 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 chemist is open 24 hours.

  • 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 +351-21-4089925.
    All taxis have meters for fares.

  • TRAINS / METRO:

    Trains (CP) are from Cascais to   Cais do Sodré  (Lisboa) on this line.

  • There are trains from Lisboa to Sintra. Main terminals to other towns are at Santa Apolonia, Rossio, Oriente.  Times and  information of trains from CP  www.cp.pt
  • The Metro Underground trains are open from 6.30am to 1am and run in central Lisboa.  Main station is Rossio. For Metro Information:    https://www.metrolisboa.pt/   
  • CAR HIRE:

    Most international car hire companies have offices here.  Driving is on the right side.

  • WEATHER:

    The Estoril Coast has hot Summers with day temperatures starting at 19ºC and going to 28ºC/30ºC.  Some days reach 35ºC. There is almost always a breeze.  Winters are cool with temperatures dropping to between 4ºC to 10ºC.  The temperature seldom goes below 0ºC.
    On Summer nights temperatures can drop to 16ºC.  If you go to those outdoor events wrap up well. The Spring can be warm. For some years we have had hot weather in February and March. It tends to rain a lot in April.  The Autumn can start with rains from November and December. You can obtain a general 10 day forecast information from IPMA  – Portuguese Meteorological Institute.

  • FORMS OF DRESS:

    Portugal is a modern European Christian country with no particular strict dress code. People wear up-to-date fashion including from world designers and like to dress up for social occasions. For all other times dress is casual.