CASTELO BRANCO FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

You will be entering Portugal via air at Lisbon`s Humberto Delgado Airport (called Portela Airport by locals, IATA code LIS). Lisbon`s airport is 135 miles southwest of Castelo Branco.

Some of you will be self-driving to Castelo Branco. Consult your reservation information and keep in mind the name of the company from which you have rented. The rental car companies are based in Terminal T1, in and around the P3 parking lot.

Driving directions to Castelo Branco: At the roundabout, take the fourth exit, which will keep you on Avenida Berlim. After about a quarter of a mile, turn left onto Avenida Cidade do Porto. Then take the ramp to A8 Oeste. After a quarter of a mile, merge onto the E1. After 58 miles, take Exit 7 for the A23 with signs to Torres Novas / Abrantes / Castelo Branco. After 73 extra miles, take Exit 22 off the A23 (signs for Castelo Branco (centro) / Sarzedas). The N233 road will lead you directly to Castelo Branco; keep straight at the roundabout which will put you on the road called Rua da Granja.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

Taxis are usually found in the parking lot in front of Castelo Branco train station. If there is no taxi available, ask a train attendant to call a taxi for you. The phrase in Portuguese is `Chame um taxi, por favor`, and write down the destination and address just to be sure the worker understands you, as it is not a given that you will encounter someone who speaks English. The main taxi company serving Castelo Branco is called Taxis em Castelo Branco - TMN Moche (+351 964 570 313, Rua Doutora Maria de Fatima Delgado Domingos Farinha, Lote 230). Fares begin at €3.25 and add approximately €2 per 0.6 miles. Fares go up 20% between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on weekends and holidays.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis can be flagged down from the street, although you may not see many of them, especially when comparing taxis in Castelo Branco to the ubiquity found in other Portuguese cities. The main taxi company serving Castelo Branco is called Taxis em Castelo Branco - TMN Moche (+351 964 570 313, Rua Doutora Maria de Fatima Delgado Domingos Farinha, Lote 230). Flagfalls and fare prices per 0.6 miles are outlined previously on this page.

Here are some estimates for sample taxi trips in the Beira Baixa region. Keep in mind that anything involving a trip outside of Castelo Branco should perhaps be negotiated with the driver beforehand, as drivers typically do not like turning on the meter for long trips. This could lead to savings for you.

-Castelo Branco Castle to Igreja Matriz de Sao Miguel: €7.50-€10
-Castelo Branco Castle to Castelo Branco bus/train stations: €8-€12
-Castelo Branco to Monsanto: €30-€40
-Castelo Branco to Penha Garcia: €35-€45
-Castelo Branco to Idanha-a-Velha: €25-€40
-Castelo Branco to International Tagus Natural Park: €30-€45

Should I rent a car in Castelo Branco?

Driving might be your best bet while visiting the Castelo Branco area and the Beira Baixa region. If you reserve a car through the TripMasters booking process, note that you will be picking up your car at the Lisbon Portela Airport and not in Castelo Branco. For those of you who decide to rent a car after arriving, Europcar has a location situated on Avenida General Humberto Delgado at No. 33.

The closest public parking area to many points of interest is the Parque de Estacionamento Largo de Sao Joao, located underground at Largo de Sao Joao. There is an above-ground parking lot at Rua de Santo Antonio 9 as well. The former parking lot charges by the hour, while the latter lot is free and first-come, first-served. Take the N233 to the N353 if you want to travel to Idanha-a-Nova.

The N233 to N239 will take you to Monsanto and Penha Garcia; turn onto the N332 from the N239 before Monsanto to get to Idanha-a-Velha. Take the N-18-8 south from Castelo Branco to reach the International Tagus Natural Park.

Is Castelo Branco a walking city?

Walking for long lengths of time in Castelo Branco would be a task best left to the more active traveler. Castelo Branco was borne out of a defense on a hillside, so it should be no surprise to learn that the terrain here is particularly hilly. Sharp inclines are common and within a radius of a third of a mile from Castelo Branco Castle, the elevation drops about 300 feet. This is great for people who want to view the city and countryside from the Miradouro de Sao Gens, but not particularly great for all people who want to walk from Point A to Point B. If you are set on walking, it is possible to walk to many places in Castelo Branco, but give yourself time to navigate the streets and stop for rest if you need to. If you aren`t too active at home, try driving or taking taxis to get to various points of interest.

Is Castelo Branco a dangerous city? Are there any areas I should avoid?

Crime in Castelo Branco is very low. The levels of crime in this city and in the rest of the Beira Baixa region are among the lowest in the entire country: theft levels here are just a quarter of what they are in Lisbon, and half the levels of interior cities such as Coimbra and Evora. None of the tourist areas in Castelo Branco should be cause for concern, although you should take the normal precautions you would at home when traveling in a new city.

Which areas are the best for shopping?

Castelo Branco is particularly known for its cheeses. Seven different kinds native to the area can be bought at a specialty food shop, Regional Produtos das Beiras, located at Rua Poeta Joao Ruiz 8 (www.facebook.com/pg/regionalprodutosdasbeiras). They also sell sausages, wines, and other foodstuffs native to the area. If you want some more retail therapy, there is a two-story American-style shopping mall, Forum Castelo Branco, located on Avenida Professor Doutor Egas Moniz (www.forumcastelobranco.pt).

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Portugal is the Euro and US dollars are not accepted for payment. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATMs can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

I do not speak Portuguese. Do many people speak English?

It is more common to find English speakers in Portugal than it is in other southern European countries, such as Spain. A recent European Union language survey found that 32% of Portuguese people over the age of 18 can speak English on a conversational level or better.

It is nonetheless recommended to brush up on basic Portuguese phrases before arriving, like basic pleasantries and numbers from 1 to 10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Fala ingles?`

Note: Do not speak in Spanish to a Portuguese person, thinking they will understand you when you do so. Responses will range from stunned silence to outright hostility; the Portuguese people are proud of their culture and heritage, and such an act will cause nearly everyone to take personal offense. On another note, the vocabulary and pronunciation in Portuguese differs from Spanish more than you may realize.

What are the drinking laws in Portugal?

The legal drinking age in Portugal is 18, whether you find yourself in a pub or a nightclub. Asking for proof of age upon ordering an alcoholic beverage or entering a nightclub is becoming more commonplace, especially if you appear younger. Keep your passport with you as it doubles as proof of age and identification.

If you are renting a car, do not drive after consuming alcohol. A blood alcohol content level of 0.05 is considered the legal limit; penalties can range from fines to a jail sentence of up to one year. Save yourself the potential trouble and heartache.