World Country Guide

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Food & Drink
Seafood is popular, especially in Lisbon, but can be expensive. Soup is a main dish. Typical Portuguese dishes include sopa de marisco (shellfish soup cooked and served with wine), caldo verde (green soup made with finely shredded green kale leaves in broth) and bacalhau (dried cod, cooked in over 100 different ways). Caldeirada is a fish stew with as many as nine kinds of fish, cooked with onions and tomatoes. Also typical is carne de porco á Alentejana, in which bits of fried pork are covered with a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions. Puddings include arroz doce (rice pudding), Madeira pudding and nuvens (egg custard). Portugal’s sweet pastries (available in most cafes) are also worth a try. Table service is normal.
Portuguese wines have changed beyond recognition over the past 10 years. Many of these new, modern wines are indigenous varieties with distinctive flavours. Sparkling rosé wines are mostly produced for export. Mateus Rosé is a famous lightweight rosé. Portuguese brandies are also good; the best are produced around Oporto, where Port wines originate. There are no licensing hours.

Nightlife
The large towns offer every kind of entertainment. There are many nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, stage shows, folk dancing and music performances. The traditional Fado can be heard in many restaurants, and performances begin at about 2200. The theatre season is from October to May. Gambling is authorised and Alvor, Espinho, Estoril, Figueira da Foz, Monte Gordo and Vilamoura have casinos. The elegant Estoril Casino is the most renowned.

Shopping
Items include leather goods, copper, ceramics, handcrafted silver and gold, embroidery and tapestry, woodcarving, cork products, porcelain and china, crystal and glassware. Shopping hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1900, Sat 0900-1300 (and 1500-1900 in December). Shopping centres are usually open Mon-Sun 1000-0000.

Special Events
Portugal has many festivals – for a complete list, contact ICEP/Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office. The following is a selection of special events occurring in Portugal in 2005:
Jan 20 Festa das Fogaceiras, Santa Maria da Feira. Feb 5-8 Carnival, Torres Vedras, Sines, Loulé, Sesimbra, Nazaré and Funchal; Madeira Mardi Gras. Feb 21-Mar 7 Fantasporto (International Fantastic Film Festival), Porto. Mar 21-28 Holy Week Festivities, Braga. Apr 1-4 Algarve Portuguese Golf Open, Portimão. Apr 9-10 Madeira Flower Festival. May 3 Feast of the Cross/Feast of our Lady of the Castle, Monsanto. Jun 1-30 Atlantic Festival, Madeira. Jun 9-11 Super Bock Super Rock (music festival), Lisbon. Jun 12-13 Feast of St Anthony, Lisbon. Jul 4-18 Almada International Theatre Festival, Lisbon. Jul 28-30 Vilar de Mouros Music Festival, Porto e Norte. Aug 17-20 Paredes de Coura Festival, Porto e Norte. Aug 19-21 Our Lady of Agony Feast, Viana do Castelo. Sep 2-4 Madeira Wine Festival. Sep 5 Portuguese Moto GP, Estoril. Sep-Nov Porto Jazz Festival. Oct-Nov National Horse Fair, Golegã. Nov 17-20 2005 Algarve World Cup (golf tournament).

Social Conventions
The Portuguese way of life is leisurely, and old-fashioned politeness is essential. Warm, Latin hospitality is the norm. The country has a deeply individual national character, although each province has its own traditions and folklore. Casual wear is widely acceptable, although beachwear should not be worn in towns. In restaurants, it is usual to smoke only at the end of the meal. Smoking is prohibited in cinemas, theatres and on buses. Tipping: Generally 10 to 15 per cent. Taxi drivers are tipped 10 per cent.