Country

The Algarve is the most southern region of Portugal and it's one of Europe's favourite holiday destinations well known for glorious year round sunshine and excellent sandy beaches. These vary from secluded coves with amazing cliffs to vast stretches of golden sand all sea washed by the fresh and clear Atlantic ocean. Inland you will find quaint villages barely touched by tourism. Traces of the Moorish presence are still evident in the local architecture. The orange groves and blossoming almond trees add colour to this fertile region in contrast with the whitewashed traditional houses. Due to the mild nature of the weather the Algarve is ideal for many outdoor sporting activities such as water sports, golf in one of the numerous world-class golf courses, tennis, horse riding, and many more. The Algarve not only known for its cosmopolitan nightlife with many bars and clubs but also for the many waterside restaurants serving fresh fish and "cataplana" (a local shellfish speciality).

Weather
Summer in the Algarve dry and clear, with the warm sunshine extending long into autumn. Winters are moderately cold and are the rainiest time of year. Overall the weather is pleasantly mild.
The temperature range averages between 28ºC in the Summer and 14ºC in the Winter

Electricity

The current all over Portugal is 220 volts AC and connection is made by a two-pin plug. The plug today acts also as an earth except in older buildings that use older models of this two-pin plug.

Time Zone
Winter: GMT+0
Summer: GMT+1

Health (Vaccinations)
No specific vaccines are required

By calling anywhere in Portugal on 112 you will be connected to Fire, Police and Ambulance services. Every Fire Brigade also maintains one or more ambulances for emergencies. Chemists can give advice on simple health problems and suggest appropriate treatment. They are also permitted to sell many medicines without a doctor's subscription. A green cross on white background denotes a chemist

Visa
Not necessary, unless for tourist from countries that not belong to the European Union.

Currency
Euro;
All major credit cards are accepted in most of the commercial Establishments, restaurants and hotels.

Commerce
Leather goods, porcelain, pottery and wine are popular buys. Shops are open from 09h00 until 13h00 and from 15h00 until 19h00, from Monday to Friday. Saturday from 09h00 until 13h00. Some shopping centres open every day, from 10h00 to 20h00.