Passport and visa regulations
Note on the passport
Passport and visa requirements are the same as for Portugal.
Entry with children
Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Health care
Notes vaccinations
A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for entry to the Azores from all travelers who come from the infection areas designated by the WHO and are over one year old. Transit travelers do not need a vaccination certificate for Santa Maria. More information under the heading Health in the main entry Portugal.
Language
Overview
The official language in the Azores is Portuguese. A strong dialect called Açoriano is spoken on some islands, including Sao Miguel. The differences to actual Portuguese are so great that even native speakers from the mainland often find it difficult to understand dialect-speaking Azorians. English is widely spoken in the Azores.
Idioms
Ninety = Noventa Open = Aberto / Aberta Menu = Menú / Ementa Do you speak German/English? = Você fala alemão/inglês? Restaurant = Restaurante Saturday = Sábado Seven = Sete Seventy = Setenta Six = Seis Sixty = Sessenta Sunday = Domingo Toilet = Casa-de-banho / WC / Toilet / Quarto de banho Bye = Adeus / Tchau Four = Quatro Forty = Quarenta Wine = Vinho How are you? = Como esta? How much is it? = Quanto custa? Where is …? = Onde é …? / Onde esta …? Ten = Dec Morning = Amanhã Tuesday = Terça-feira / Terça Twenty = Vinte Two = Dois / Duas
Contact addresses
Turismo Açores
c/o Pura Communications
Arnulfstrasse 199
Munich
Germany
+49 (89) 15 79 13 13.
http://www.puracomm.eu
http://www.puracomm.eu Direcção Regional Turismo Açores
(Regional Tourist Office)
Rua Comendador Ernesto Rebelo 14
Horta, Faial, Azores
Portugal
+351 (292) 20 05 00.
http://www.visitazores.com/en
http://www.visitazores.com/en Associação de Turismo dos Açores, Ponta Delgada
Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 33 1º-D
Ponta Delgada
Portugal
+351 (296) 28 80 82.
http://www.visitazores.com/en
http://www.visitazores.com /en
Communication
Overview
Similar to Portugal, somewhat restricted.
Shopping
Overview
The inhabitants of the Azores lead a very traditional life. They work in agriculture or live from fishing. In addition to linen fabrics, woollens, lace and pottery, typical souvenirs include canned fish, tea and fresh pineapple. In the rural areas, small grocers supply the population with the goods they need for everyday use. Even if the range in these shops is somewhat limited, they still offer a very personal shopping experience. In the larger cities, supermarkets offer a wide range of goods. There is a wide range of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish at the numerous markets, for example the market in Horta is well known. Handicraft is an integral part of daily life in the Azores. The women in particular make a living from working in the textile sector. The traditional handicrafts reflect the culture of the Azores. Each island has its own shapes. Flowers made from fish scales or cloth, carpets woven from corn leaves and basketwork are typical of Sao Miguel Island, for example, while fine ceramic works of art are made on Graciosa, and Sao Jorge is known for its hand embroidery and hand-woven blankets, carpets and bedspreads.
Opening hours
Banks: Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shops: Mon-Fri from 8.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat 8:30am – 12:00pm Malls: Mon – Sat 9:00am – 11:00pm; Sun 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Markets: Mon-Sat 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The statutory opening times are often not observed. Many shops are open as needed, some are closed in the afternoon. Grocery stores in particular are often open on Sunday mornings. In the larger cities, shops are usually open until late in the evening.
Nightlife
Introduction
The Azores are known for their rather quiet nightlife. In the larger towns, both locals and tourists stroll through the streets every evening during the summer months. Street musicians often play in the small squares and at the ports. In Ponta Delgada, the capital of the island of São Miguel, numerous bars on the Avenida Infante Dom Henrique invite you to a glass of wine or beer. There are also a few bars and smaller clubs in the city where people dance until the early hours. The cocktail bar Galeria Arco 8 in the district of Santa Clara, for example, is well-known. In its secondary function as a gallery, it primarily exhibits the works of local artists. The Portas do Mar promenade is located directly at the harbor (Internet: www. portasdomar.pt), which houses a number of restaurants, bars and cafes in addition to the dock for cruise ships and ferries. Live music is played here on the weekends, and numerous other events take place during the summer months. This is also where the Baía dos Anjos bar (website: www.baiadosanjos.com) is located, which is popular with locals and tourists alike. A visit to Peter’s Café Sport is a must when visiting Horta on the island of Faial, which is a focal point for those wishing to sail across the Atlantic.
Culinary
Overview
The cuisine is similar to that of mainland Portugal but has developed its own character. Rabbits and crayfish are special specialties of the Azores. Fish and seafood are plentiful. Equally rich is the selection of fruits, including pineapples from the greenhouse, which are often used to make unusual jams such as Physalis jam. You should definitely try the local cheeses. A very special specialty is served on the volcanic island of São Miguel: In Furnas, various types of meat and cabbage, potatoes and carrots are cooked directly in the hot earth for hours for the typical stew Cozido das Furnas.
Regional specialities
Freshly grilled fish, squid and squid. Grilled racas (barnacles), lobster, and cavaco (a type of crab) are also popular. Stews with beef. Batatada (sweet potato jam) or doce de tomate (tomato jam).
Tip
If the waiter returns the change, the guest leaves the tip. However, it is considered extremely impolite to leave small amounts such as two or five cent coins lying around. A few euros for the maid and the porter are appropriate. In the taxi you should round up the bill by up to 10%.
Regional drinks
The local wines, sweet wines, liqueurs and brandies are highly recommended. The wine-growing regions of the Azores are located on the islands of Graciosa, Terceira, Pico and on the island of São Miguel. The Basalto red wine from Pico is particularly well known. The pleasantly mild Melo Abreu beer is brewed on Sao Miguel. In the northeastern part of São Miguel, black and green tea is grown on the tea plantations Chá Gorreana and Chá Porto Formoso, which together with a plantation in Cornwall, England, are the only three tea plantations in the European Union.
Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages
In the Azores, you can drink beer and wine from the age of 16 and spirits from the age of 18.
Accommodation
Hotels
On the larger islands you will find a good selection of hotels that are rarely fully booked. Nevertheless, it is advisable to book in advance.
Culture
Religion
The inhabitants of the Azores are 95 percent Roman Catholic.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: The life of the Azorians runs smoothly. Traditional courtesy and warm hospitality are a matter of course. The usual forms of politeness apply, e.g. B. in the case of invitations from the hosts about a small gift. They shake hands to greet each other. Traditions should be respected. Clothing: Casual clothing is perfectly acceptable. More elegant attire is only expected at official events and in exclusive restaurants. Proper attire such as long pants and covered shoulders is expected when entering churches. Swimwear should not be worn in cities. Nude bathing is generally prohibited, even in the natural swimming pools. Taking photos: Photography is generally permitted, but photography is prohibited in museums and some churches. People should be asked before being photographed. Smoking: Smokers may only consume tobacco products in restaurants, bars and discotheques in separate smoking rooms. Only bars that have less than 100 square meters can allow or ban smoking throughout the bar. Government offices, museums, trains and buses, airports and ferries are only open to smoking in designated smoking areas. Toilets: There are public toilets in all cities, sometimes also in some communities (women = senhoras, men = homens). The bucket is intended for the toilet paper. Since in most areas there is a septic tank instead of a sewage system, it is separated in the Azores.
Climate
Best travel time
Subtropical, the slightly humid climate is balanced by the Gulf Stream. The rainy season lasts from November to March.
Country data
Phone prefix
+351
Area (sq km)
2333
Population
245746
Population density (per square km)
105
Population statistics year
2012
Member of the EU
No
Main emergency number
112
