Albufeira
Population:
13500
Time zone:
Portugal is in the same time zone as the UK. They also have daylight saving time meaning that Portugal and the UK share the same time zone year-round.
Language:
Portuguese, but with Albufeira holidays so popular with us Brits there are plenty of people in the resorts and bars who speak English. Using local transport or heading further afield might be more tricky and a few words of Portuguese will come in handy.
Dialling codes:
Electricity
220V, so make sure you pick up a couple of European two-pin adapters for any electronic items that you'll be taking with you.
Money:
Euros €. Exchanging money before you leave will give you the chance to scope out the best deals, or if you need to get some when you're there then banks and ATMs tend to offer the best rates.
Costs:
Albufeira has fairly low prices for eating and drinking compared to the UK, so you may find you don't need as much money as you think. If you're heading to Portugal to party, there are plenty of deals on drinks to be had!
Tipping:
For meals out, tips aren't generally included on bills and 10% is a good guide for working out how much extra to give. Most other places, tips aren't required, although you may wish to leave a small token if you get table service in a bar or café.
Local customs:
The local tipple, affectionately known as Fire Water, is a very strong drink with some hallucinogenic qualities!
Safety:
Albufeira is a pretty safe place to go, there are just the usual holiday risks to watch out for. Exercise common sense with street food, particularly raw fruit, and keep an eye on your valuables or leave them at home, especially when you're out partying.
Health:
The EHIC Card (formerly E111) entitles you to the same health care as the locals in the European Economic Area, which includes Portugal. Valid for all state-run doctors and hospitals you'll only pay the same price as the locals, but you do still need to have medical and travel insurance in Albufeira to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Entry:
A valid British passport is all that is required for a stay of up to three months in Albufeira.