Local Info
Banks, post, getting around, driving rules and public holidays.
Banks
Open Mon–Fri, 8.30am–3pm. There’s a service charge on in-branch transactions. Cash machines work as in the UK — just watch for high fees at ‘private’ ATMs, and bring your passport if changing travellers’ cheques.
Post Offices
Almancil — Rua da Republica · 09.30–13.00, 14.00–17.00 +351 289 390 490
Vilamoura — Praceta Cupertino Miranda, Quarteira · 09.00–12.30, 14.00–18.00 (closed weekends) +351 289 323 561
Boliqueime — Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião
Getting Around
Uber is your friend around the golden triangle — quick, good value, and how we get around. Local taxi numbers are here if you’d rather book direct.
- Vale do Lobo — Auto Taxis (Paula Paixão): +351 966 821 911
- Tourism Taxis / T Cars: +351 289 352 525
- Vilamoura: +351 289 315 650 / 289 321 010
- Almancil: +351 289 393 333
- Faro: +351 289 895 790
Tourist Information: Algarve Tourism Board +351 289 800 400 · Bureau +351 289 800 403
Driving in Portugal
Always carry your driving licence, passport and rental agreement.
Parking: park only in the direction of traffic; illegally parked cars will be clamped. Larger towns run paid meter parking.
Seat belts: compulsory front and rear. Under 14s ride in the rear only; booster seats required under 1.50m or 12 years; babies under 3 need an approved baby seat.
| Towns / built-up areas | 50 kph (31 mph) |
| Main roads outside towns | 90 kph (56 mph) |
| Motorways (Auto-Estradas) | 120 kph (74 mph) |
Drink driving: illegal and heavily penalised, with lower limits than the UK — best to avoid entirely if driving.
National Holidays
- 25 April — Revolution Day
- 1 May — Labour Day
- 10 June — Camões & Portugal Day
- 15 August — Ascension Day