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Faro
Beach
Nature
Nightlife
Discover a little bit of paradise
Faro's pride and joy is Ria Formosa — a nature reserve boasting 60 kilometres of rare species, lagoons and deserted beaches, like Barreta Island. But there's more. The old part of town shows historical buildings like the Cathedral, Bishop's Palace and Roman walls running round it.
A night with a sea view
After a fun day windsurfing, choose any pastry shop and savour a Dom Rodrigo, a traditional Algarve sweet. Then it's time to try out the Algarve nightlife in the streets of the city centre. Take a relaxing walk around Faro Marina near the old part of town with the sea as a backdrop.
Culture and Business
Before leaving
Make sure you have your identity card or passport and boarding pass with you. Depending on your country of origin, take care of your visa or other necessary documentation ahead of time.
Climate
The climate type is maritime temperate, with hot summers and rainy winters, with Atlantic, continental and Mediterranean influences. The climate also varies according to the altitude and proximity to the ocean.
Time zone
Continental Portugal and Madeira = GMT
Azores = GMT - 1
Geography & politics
Portugal is part of the Iberian Peninsula and is located in southwestern Europe. It includes two archipelagos: the islands of Madeira and the islands of the Azores. Portugal is a semi-presidential Democratic Republic, where the Prime Minister is the head of government. It is part of the European Union.
Tipping & paying
Portugal is part of the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro (EUR). Many places accept credit card payments, but it is always helpful to have some money with you. There are many ATMs where you can withdraw money. It is common to tip around 10% if you are satisfied with the service.
Languages & useful phrases
Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. Some useful phrases in Portuguese are: “olá” = hello, “por favor” = please; “muito obrigado/a” = thank you very much; “desculpe” = sorry.
What you should do
Don’t be surprised if you are invited to lunch to talk business—it is common for these lunches to run long. Family and the social side of life are very important and it is essential to establish good relationships when doing business.
What you shouldn’t do
Don’t try to rush negotiations. The Portuguese take their time and like to be meticulous, so try to be patient. Don’t be late for meetings—even though people may not be as punctual as in other European countries, you are expected to arrive on time when doing business.
What to wear
Men should wear a suit and tie and women the formal equivalent, with elegance. Appearance is important, so be conservative and professional, adjusting your choices to the industry you work for and the type of occasion.
First impressions
When meeting someone in a business context, greet them with a handshake. After some encounters and in social situations, it is normal to give two kisses on the cheeks—but between men, continue with a handshake or a hug. If you are invited to someone's house, take a box of chocolates or a good bottle of Portuguese wine as a thank you gesture.