Algarve Useful Info
Services Opening Hours
Algarve Banks Opening
Monday to Friday: 08:30 – 15:00 Closed on Weekends and official holidays.
Algarve Post Offices
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00 Central post offices.
Those at airports are open on Saturdays to.
Algarve Chemists
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 13:00 / 15:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
Algarve Shops
Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 13:00 / 15:00 - 19:00
From January to November, shops close at 13:00 on Saturdays;
in December, they are open Monday to Saturday, from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00.
There are also many shopping malls with shops that are open from 10:00 to 24:00.
Algarve Restaurants
For lunch from 12:00 to 15:00 and for dinner from 19:00 to 22:00.
Algarve National Museums
Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesdays: 14:00 - 18:00
Closed on Mondays; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; 1 May and 25 December.
Algarve National Palaces
Closed on Wednesdays.
Phones
Civil Protection: 21 4247100
Civil Protection District Office: 289 806 937
Forest Protection Service: 117
Algarve Tourist Board
Avenida 5 de Outubro, n.º 18
8000 Faro
Phone: 289 800 400
Fax: 289 800 489
E-mail: turismodoalgarve@turismodoalgarve.pt
Website: www.turismodoalgarve.pt
Algarve Tourism Bureau (ATA)
Avenida 5 de Outubro, n.º 18
Phone: 289 800 403
Fax: 289 800 466
E-mail: ata@atalgarve.pt
Website: www.algarvepromotion.pt
Association of Hotelier Industrial and Similar of Algarve (AIHSA)
Phone: 289 825 248
Fax: 289 801 823
E-mail: aihsa@aihsa.pt
Website: www.aihsa.pt
Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of Algarve (AHETA)
Phone: 289 807 997
Fax: 289 807 990
E-mail: aheta@mail.telepac.pt
Website: www.aheta.pt
Albufeira Promotion Bureau- Turismo de Albufeira
Rua do Municipio- Apartado 2025
Cerro da Alagoa- 8200 Albufeira
Tel.: 289 541 449
Fax: 289 541 388
E-mail: apal@albufeira.net
Website: www.albufeira.net
Tourist Support Services
Tourist Help Line: 808 78 12 12
Police Support Services for Tourists
Albufeira Police: 289 513 203
Vilamoura Police: 289 388 989
Immigration Services
Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras de Faro
Rua Luís de Camões n.º 5
8000-388 Faro
Tel.: 289 805 822
Fax: 289 801 566
E-mail: dir.algarve@sef.pt
Website: www.sef.pt
Faro Customs
Alfândega de Faro
Av. da República n.º 4
8000-079 Faro
Tel.: 289 898 550
Fax: 289 898 559
E-mail: afaro@dgaiec.min-financas.pt
Southern Coast Port Authority
Comando Zona Marítima do Sul
Rua Comunidade Lusíada – Capitania
8000-308 Faro
Tel.: 289 894 990
Fax: 289 894 996
Driving
In Portugal, cars drive on the right. Safety belts must be worn at all times by all passengers, whilst motorcyclists must always wear helmets. Specific legislation is in force banning the use of mobile phones while driving, except when using hands-free equipment.
Traffic signs comply with international conventions.
When driving, the maximum level of alcohol permitted in the bloodstream is 0.5 grams/litre.
There are 24-hour service stations in main urban centres, as well as on motorways and main roads. Other petrol stations have variable opening hours.
Maximum speed limits for passenger vehicles without trailers and motorcycles:
In built-up areas: 50km/hour
On main roads: 90km/hour
On clearways: 100km/hour
On motorways: 120km/hour
Compulsory documents:
Identity card or passport
Driving licence
Insurance certificate
Vehicle log book and proof of ownership
Health
Hospitals
Faro: 289 891 100
Lagos: 282 770 100
Portimão: 282 450 330
Faro Red Cross: 289 899 900
Emergency / S.O.S
In the event of an emergency, dial 112, the national emergency service, free of charge. The call can be answered in three languages: Portuguese, English and French. If you require medical assistance, you should go to the local Health Care Centre (Centro de Saúde). The Hospital Emergency Services must only be used in serious cases.
Climate
Average temperatures
Air temperature in summer: 24ºC to 29ºC
Air temperature in winter: 15ºC to 18ºC
Seawater temperature in summer: 21ºC to 24ºC
Seawater temperature in winter: 15ºC to 19ºC