Theme Websites

www.guiasinterpretes.com

This website refers to the Official Tour Guide Association of Portugal. You can search for tour guides specialized in one town, area or region. Website available in Portuguese only.

www.icn.pt

This website provides information on National Parks and nature reserves. A comprehensive list of parks and nature reserves is included, as well as details of walking tours, accommodation, flora and fauna and places to rest. The website is in Portuguese only.

www.turihab.pt

This website enables visitors to access information on a wide range of manor houses and country accommodation in Portugal. Information is very basic and reservations must be made through Center website.

www.europetraditions.com

Manor houses and rural accommodation in Portugal. The link to the main map is very effective but only basic information is given. Reservations using TURIHAB website.

www.center.pt

Information on private accommodation in rural areas. Link to Aldeias de Portugal (information about 4 small villages in Portugal, including bed and breakfast) and to Turihab website. This website is still being developed and is currently available in Portuguese only.

www.cartadolazer.inatel.pt

This website provides information on ten historic Portuguese Villages – Almeida, Castelo Mendo, Castelo Novo, Castelo Rodrigo, Idanha-a-Velha, Linhares, Marialva, Monsanto, Piodão and Sortelha – all located around the Serra da Estrela mountains. A map giving the location of each village is displayed and a history of each village, with pictures and lists of buildings, can be accessed by using the search engines. This site is available in Portuguese only.

www.maisturimo.pt

This is by far the most comprehensive website for booking hotel accommodation in Portugal. With good pictures and a user friendly search engine, this website links with hotel websites allowing for on-line booking.

www.pousadas.pt

Visitors to this website can access information on Portuguese pousadas. Pousadas are historic buildings which have been transformed into five star accommodation. They are run by a state-owned company and provide excellent accommodation and service.

Individual pousadas can be selected by clicking on the map of Portugal. The visitor can then access information on the history of the building, its location, accommodation prices, menus, local festivals, places to visit and activities. For those who would like to organize a tour of Portugal using this type of accommodation, information on neighbouring pousadas is also available. Distance in kilometres is also provided.

Each pousada has a photo album and some allow the visitor to experience a virtual tour of the premises.

The site also caters for special vacations throughout Portugal – golf, business, driving.

An online newsletter giving up-to-date information on each pousada also contains a section on promotions and special deals.

This is a comprehensive website and accommodation can be booked on-line.

www.roteiro-campista.pt

This website, which is very user friendly, provides information on camp sites in Portugal. To search for camp sites select a region. Each site gives directons on how to get there and provides information on camp facilities. Details on caravan, tent, mobile home and equipment rental are available. Each item is presented by brand name and a list of representatives and rental agencies can be accessed by clicking on brand names. Bookings can be made on-line.

www.min-cultura.pt

This website provides a comprehensive guide to movies, exhibitions, theatre, dance and music performances and culture-related lectures throughout the whole of Portugal. It is available in Portuguese only.

www.ippar.pt

This website provides information on the Portuguese National Trust – its buildings, monuments and landmarks, including palaces, castles, fortresses, churches, cathedrals, libraries, archeological sites and other building/places of public interest. Detailed information on the history and location of each building/place is given and opening/closing hours are included. The website also provides details of driving routes which are theme-based and take in National Trust buildings and archeological sites. The website lists a number of World Heritage sites in Portugal.

www.ipmuseus.pt

This website provides information on 29 of Portugal’s museums. It includes details of exhibits, permanent and temporary collections and opening hours. There are links to each museum website. This website is in Portuguese only.

www.ccb.pt

This website offers information on Portugal’s most prestigious cultural center which is located in Belém. A detailed programme of cultural events taking place at the center can be accessed by downloading a pdf file in English.

www.ipa.min-cultura.pt/coa

This website provides information on the Coa archeological site, a national park of great archeological importance. The website gives details of park procedures, how to get there, what to see and where to stay. An historic overview of the park, pictures and pre-historic artefacts can also be accessed.

www.termasdeportugal.pt

This website provides information on spas and health centers in Portugal. A list of spas is given with general information on each spa and its location.

www.vinhoverde.pt

This website provides information on the Vinho Verde wine region, its history, local traditions, wine and winemaking. A map showing the location of each winery can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Rota dos Vinhos Verdes’ icon. One can then click on any winery featured on the map for information and details of visiting hours and instructions on how to get there. Information on the surrounding area is also given.

www.ivp.pt

This website provides details about Port Wine and the Douro region. To access information about wineries, Port Wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and port tasting venues ( Porto, Lisbon and Regua), click on the menu item ‘Tourism and Gastronomy’. Initial information is in English but details of wineries are available in Portuguese only.

www.cvrbi.pt

This website deals with the inland region of Central Portugal. To access information on the region, its historic villages, dams, archeological sites, castles, churches, convents, monasteries, monuments, museums, manor houses, rivers, festivals and local spas, click on the menu item ‘RotaTuristica’. This website is available in Portuguese only.

www.toirosecavalos.com

This website gives information about bullfighting. It is available in Portuguese only.

www.overpower.net

This webside provides information on Overpower windsurfing and similar activities and events. Available in Portuguese only.

www.wannasurf.com

Website which as the name states, refers to surfing worldwide, including Portugal.

Select the world map, click on Portugal, and a map of the country with its main windsurfing spots will appear. Click on each windsurfing spot to access useful technical information, which will enable you to access the degree of difficulty for windsurfing.

www.fppq.pt

This website offers information on parachuting and skydiving in Portugal. National and international championship calendars are provided and there are details of parachuting/skydiving schools and organizations.

www.fps.pt

This website offers information on surfing, bodyboard and related activities. A calendar of events is included. This website is available in Portuguese only.

www.portugalgolf.pt

This website will be of particular interest to the golf tourist and provides detailed information on golf courses and events, as well as information on accommodation, places to eat and drink and car rental.

www.algarvegolfe.com

This website provides information on golf courses in the Algarve, their location, green fees and facilities available. It also gives details on how to make reservations.

www.madeira-golf.com

This website features information about golf in Madeira, courses, hotels, flights, and a variety of other information on tourism.

www.estorilsintragolf.net

The website for golf in the Estoril and Sintra region including golf courses, hotels and several specials for the tourist who wants to play golf in the region.

www.metrolisboa.pt

An excellent website for visitors to Lisbon. This website includes a detailed map of the subway lines, fare information and working hours, plus a comprehensive list of art and cultural activities on display in each subway station.

www.cp.pt

This is the Portuguese railway system’s official website. It provides detailed information on types of trains, train schedules and train services. The search engine on each menu enables the visitor to access information on train itineraries, and select points and times of departure/arrival. Information on the duration of journeys is also available. Some menus are in Portuguese but there is a connection to an English version at the bottom of each page. On-line booking is not available.

www.transtejo.pt

This website provides information on ferry crossings on the River Tagus. Information on river cruises is also available but reservations cannot be made on-line. The Portuguese version, which is more detailed than the rather limited English one, gives information on ferry routes, timetables and ticket prices.

www.rede-expressos.pt

This website provides information on express bus services between towns and villages in Portugal. If you select your desired points of departure and arrival the website will provide you with the appropriate bus time-table.

Information on fares and on the locations of ticket booths is also available. Bus services to and from small villages are limited Information is available in Portuguese only.

www.rodonorte.pt

This website offers information on bus travel in Northern and Central Portugal. A map showing bus routes is provided and bus time-tables are also included. This website is available in Portuguese only.

www.eva-bus.com

This website provides information on bus travel in the Algarve and express buses running between Portugal’s main towns and the Algarve. Timetables and ticket prices are displayed and there are details on bus rental.

www.carris.pt

This website provides information on public transport in Lisbon – buses, trams, trains and express services. The English version can be accessed by scrolling down the welcome page and clicking on the ‘English please’ icon at the lower left-hand corner of the page. Timetables and detailed information on each line, including a map and timetables, are provided. Each public transport line must be looked at individually since there is no search engine for the best route. Detailed information about fares and special services, such as the express bus service to and from the airport and tours of Lisbon, is also
provided. The portuguese version of this website has additional menus, including a map of Lisbon and service routes which can be downloaded as a pdf file.

www.stcp.pt

This website provides information about public transport in Porto, including buses and trams. Information about the express link between the airport and the city centre hotels is also available. Details of bus and tram tours can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Route’ menu. A detailed itinerary about what to see and where to get on and off buses/trams is also provided. This website also gives information on bus services (including fares), cultural events and the Tram Museum. Log on to the Portuguese version to access information on all the lines, itineraries and timetables.

www.ana-aeroportos.pt

This website provides information on Portugal’s main airports, including flight time-tables for each of the airports and details on shopping facilities and tourism.

www.tap.pt

The official website for TAP Air portugal. Information about TAP flights and timetables is available. Tickets may be booked on-line.

www.continental.com

The website for Continental Airlines. This is the only American airline which flies direct to Portugal.

www.sata.pt

The official website for SATA, the Azores airline, which flies from Boston, Toronto and Montreal.

www.kingholidaysusa.com

This website gives information on charter flights from the USA to Portugal. Flight schedules can be accessed by selecting the charter flight option.