Money

Currency

The official currency of Portugal is the euro. Tourists who are not familiar with this currency must keep in mind the subunits refer to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and they come in coins. Coins also refer to 1 and 2 euro coins. Banknotes refer to 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro bills.

Currency exchange

Banks understandably offer the best exchange rates. The highest density of banks can be spotted in the Baixa district. As a rule, they open Monday to Friday, roughly speaking between 8.30am and 3pm. 24-hour a day money exchange solutions are offered by the exchange desks located at the airport and the Santa Apolonia station. Most high rated hotels also provide currency exchange services, but their rates are highly disadvantageous for clients. Tourists can also turn to the post offices in Lisbon in order to exchange money. ATMs are also at hand to this purpose.

Communications

Post offices

In Lisbon there are tens of post offices scattered throughout the city. They are easily identifiable, given they are marked by a red sign reading “Correios” in Portuguese. Generally speaking, the post offices open weekdays between 8am and 10pm. The main post office is the one located in Praca dos Restauradores. On top of the specific postal services, these offices are also available for money exchange transactions. In order to learn more about the whereabouts, the services and the opening hours of each of these offices, visit CTT (Correios de Portugal).

Telephones

Lisbon is dotted with public phone booths from where tourists can make calls to virtually all corners of the world. These phones work with prepaid cards which can be bought from newspaper stands, post offices and hotels’ reception desks.

In order to call from abroad to a landline network in Lisbon, one must first dial the country code (00351), and then enter the region code (21) and eventually the phone number proper, which usually consists of 7 digits.

Connection to the Internet

High and medium rated hotels include the access to the Internet in the range of services provided to their guests. But hotels aside, tourists can always turn to the services provided by the Internet cafes scattered throughout Lisbon. The following is the list of the best rated venues which offer Internet services:

Cib@rcafe

Name:
Cib@rcafe
Address:
Pavillhao do Conhecimento, Ciencia Viva Parque das Nacoes, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 218 917138

Ciber Chiado

Name:
Ciber Chiado
Address:
Largo do Picadeiro, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 213 466722

Ciberoceanos

Name:
Ciberoceanos
Address:
Loja G 109 A, Avenida D. Joao II, Gare do Oriente, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 218 95199500351
Website:
www.ciberoceanos.com

Cyber Bica

Name:
Cyber Bica
Address:
7, Rua Duques de Braganca, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 213 225004
Email:
cyberbica@cyberbica.com
Website:
www.cyberbica.com

Netaria Acores Cafe Bar

Name:
Netaria Acores Cafe Bar
Address:
49, Rua da Prata, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 914 559134

Postnet Braamcamp

Name:
Postnet Braamcamp
Address:
9, Rua Braamcamp, Loja A, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 213 511050

Web Cafe

Name:
Web Cafe
Address:
126, Rua Diario de Noticias, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 213 421181

There is also a free access Internet point located within the precincts of the Lisbon Welcome Center, just near the tourist information office proper. Free WiFi zones are to be spotted in the large shopping malls.

Ponto Net at Lisbon Welcome Center

Name:
Ponto Net at Lisbon Welcome Center
Address:
15, Rua do Arsenal, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 210 312810

Useful numbers and addresses

Tourism Police

Name:
Tourism PoliceTourism
Address:
Palacio Foz, Praca dos Restauradores, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 213 421634 / 00351 213 421623
Email:
lsbetur@psp.pt
Website:
www.psp.pt

Police, ambulance and fire department emergencies

Name:
Police, ambulance and fire department emergencies
Telephone:
112

SOS Health Line

Name:
SOS Health Line
Telephone:
808 242424

Intoxication emergencies

Name:
Intoxication emergencies
Telephone:
808 250143

Maritime emergencies

Name:
Maritime emergencies
Telephone:
00351 214 401919 / 00351 214 411646

Others

Spoken language

Portuguese is the official language spoken in Lisbon. It’s true plenty of tourism-related venues have staffs trained to speak English (or other foreign languages, for that matter), but knowing a bit of Portuguese is definitely an advantage, not necessarily in terms of orientation as much as in managing to blend in and actually sample the characteristic charm of the place.

Time zone

GMT (summer time: one hour ahead of GMT)

Tourist information offices

In Lisbon there are several tourist information offices visitors can rely on in order to find out the tourist essentials of the city. The most important of all is the so-called Lisbon Welcome Center, which is located in Rua do Arsenal. Such offices can also be spotted in the surroundings of Lisbon.

Customs regulations

European Union citizens are allowed to bring in or out of Portugal no more than 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 1 kilogram of tobacco, 10 liters of spirits, 90 liters of wine, provided that these amounts are for personal use. Non-European citizens are not allowed to import or exports more than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits and 4 liters of wine. Regardless of nationality, tourists are not allowed to bring in more than about 5,000 euros, nor are they allowed to export more than 10,000 euros.

Entry documents

European Union citizens only need a valid identification card in order to enter Portugal. Passports are necessary for nationals of countries outside the European Union. Visas are required for non-European citizens who plan to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days. Again, depending on nationality, tourists might also be required to hold a visa regardless of the duration of their stay in Portugal.

Electricity

In Portugal, sockets are designed according to the European standards (two-pin sockets) and they are supplied with 220 / 380 volts. Appliances requiring American-type plugs must be used with adapter plugs.

Tap water

Tap water in Lisbon is perfectly safe to drink. Tourists unfamiliar with the taste of the running water Lisbon is supplied with can always drink bottled water, which is not expensive at all and gives visitors an extra feel of safety.

Go to top