Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Time Difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Travel Climate
Mainland Portugal experiences two distinct seasons. From late October to mid-May rain is frequent and sometimes heavy. Temperatures may drop into the low 30s at night during the coldest months, with daytime highs in the 50s and 60s. Annual variations in rainfall can be considerable, with years of flooding followed by years of drought. The remainder of the year is normally sunny with minimal rainfall. Days are pleasant, with temperatures seldom exceeding 95° F, except in the southern interior of the country. Afternoons and evenings are breezy, with nighttime temperatures in the 60s and low 70s. Spells of intense heat are infrequent and last only a few days.
The Tagus River, flowing west into the Atlantic at Lisbon divides mainland Portugal into two distinct climatic regions. The northern part is relatively cool and rainy. In the south the climate is drier and warmer, particularly in the interior.
The Azores climate tends to be moist and moderate throughout the year.
Travel Currency
euro (EUR)
Languages
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Ethnic Groups
homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal
National Holiday
Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died
Geographic Coordinates
39 30 N, 8 00 W
Location
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Airports
43