Organize your stay Porto
Money Porto
We are in the European Union and therefore in the euro zone. The only thing that differs will be the designs on the coins!
Budget & Tips Porto
Despite the untimely increases after the changeover to the euro and since the boom in tourism, the cost of living in Portugal is still a little cheaper than in France's major cities. You will have to take into account the tourist season which will increase the price of your accommodation. Indeed, prices increase up to 15% in summer (especially for accommodation). This is especially true in seaside resorts. Price level: 1 litre of petrol costs on average €1.50, 1 coffee between €0.60 and €2, 1 beer between €1 and €3.
Small budget: from 20 € (sleeping in a campsite, youth hostel or new generation hostel) to 70 € (staying in a modest pension
).Medium budget: about 60 € (staying in a very suitable residencial or correct bed and breakfast).
Big budget: from 150 € (by staying in a very comfortable or charming hotel).
Passport and visas Porto
For European Union nationals, an identity card is sufficient. For unaccompanied minors, an authorisation to leave the territory is required (forms at town halls or police stations). Canadians are not required to obtain a visa if their stay is less than three months. For Swiss nationals, a valid identity card or passport is required.
Driver's license Porto
You can easily rent a car with your French driver's license and your ID.
Health Porto
To put it bluntly, the medical system is equivalent to that of France; Portugal is part of the European Union, but frankly, you are strongly advised to be in good health! It's not that Portugal lacks competent doctors, but the system is really a two-tier system, one medicine for those who can afford it and then public medicine for the others, usually in hospitals where wards are often full... The consultation is free of charge in public establishments if you have a European Carte Vitale (to be requested beforehand on www.ameli.fr), but in any case, like the Portuguese, you will still have to pay a moderating fee of 5 € for a classic consultation, and 20 € in case of emergency. Count about 45 € for a simple private consultation... As far as French-speaking doctors in Portugal are concerned, the French consulate has a list of them. In case of a serious problem or accident, the consulate is also notified and then notifies the family. The family decides whether or not to repatriate.
Security Porto
The only real and serious danger you can face in Porto, where a few pickpockets are in action, is theft. Also be particularly careful not to leave anything in your cars, as the thieves operate in groups and are rather well organized. But don't get paranoid: you just need to regain the vigilance reflexes that you lose on holiday! Those who travel by car must remain very careful on the roads and try to anticipate as much as possible some incoherent or even suicidal behaviour of native motorists. For women travelling alone, you will not encounter any real difficulties. However, if the Portuguese remains very respectful, the drunken tourist is often a little less so.
Time difference Porto
1 hour's difference with France: when it's noon in Paris, it's 11am in Porto all year round. In Portugal, the switch to summer time is on the last Sunday in March, and the switch to winter time on the last Sunday in October.
Spoken languages Porto
The language spoken in Portugal is Portuguese. It is expressed differently depending on the region or Portuguese-speaking country of origin of your interlocutor. As far as foreign languages are concerned, the Portuguese are rather gifted and quite a few of them speak more than honourable French. Whatever happens, it will always be very good to say bonjour ("bom dia" or "olá!") after a few words of Portuguese to establish a dialogue. As Portuguese words come from Latin roots, for us francophones, the difficulty lies mainly in the pronunciation, which has an unfortunate tendency to suppress vowels. In fact, it is sometimes easier to understand while reading than to pick up what is said orally; Brazilian, more singing and slower, is often more understandable.
Communication Porto
No fear for telemóvel (mobile phone) addicts: it's okay! Whatever your network is, it is adapted to Portugal. The network covers Porto and the surrounding area very well, but it is sometimes random in small, remote towns. You will easily find free wifi in some squares, parks and gardens, but also in hotels and restaurants.
Electricity and measurements Porto
Portugal is connected to 220 volts AC, 50 Hz like the rest of continental Europe. The plugs are the same as in France. The Portuguese have adopted the international metric system. They therefore speak like the French in metres and kilograms.
Luggage Porto
In Porto, good walking shoes are not only suitable for hikers, as the steep streets require a real effort on the feet. The ideal: sturdy, comfortable, rainproof and semi-lightweight shoes. Don't forget that it's never very hot, so bring a little wool. Between November and February, bring an umbrella and a raincoat, as it often rains.
