About Portugal

Portugal is known to be a stable, safe, and extremely beautiful country. It is even considered one of the safest countries to visit in the European Union.

With a mild climate, good food and an amazing variety of landscapes, Portugal is the perfect place for a new adventure.

Geographic Location

Portugal, officially The Portuguese Republic, is a country in southern Europe, founded in 1143, occupying a total area of 92,212 km². The mainland is located on the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. The Portuguese territory includes two autonomous regions: the archipelagos of Madeira and Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago of Madeira is formed by the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, and the island groups of Desertas and Selvagens; the archipelago of the Azores consists of nine islands, Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores, and Corvo, and several islets.

Oficial Language

Portuguese

Climate

The Portuguese climate is characterized by mild winters and pleasant summers, varying, however, from region to region. In the North precipitation is higher and temperatures are lower, but temperature range is widest in the interior.

To the south of rio Tejo, the largest river in the Iberian Peninsula, one can feel the Mediterranean influence, with hot, long summers and short winters with little rainfall. Madeira has a Mediterranean climate with mild and pleasant temperatures all year round, while the Azores have a temperate maritime climate with abundant rainfall.

Population

Portugal has a population of 10,6 million inhabitants and a population density of 115,4 inhabitants/km², with higher concentrations along the coastal strip.

Currency

Euro – €

Cities of Barcelos, Braga, Guimarães and Vila Nova de Famalicão

How to get to Barcelos

The main international airport that serves this region is the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, located in the city of Porto.

There are several means of transport available to get to Barcelos, whether you come from Porto or Lisbon. Besides the transportation at your disposal, you will find that the locals are very welcoming, and that they will help you anytime you need.

FROM PORTO AIRPORT

By Train

You can take the metro from the interior of the airport. It is a good means of transport, easy to take and affordable. The access to the metro station is extremely simple and practical, being fully signaled.

The metro runs from 6.00 am until 01.00 am, every 20 minutes. (Further information at: http://en.metrodoporto.pt/)

From Porto Airport metro station, take Line E (purple) to Campanhã metro stop. You should exit at Campanhã metro stop, and then have a 3-minute walk to Campanhã train station. The metro ticket costs 2,00€. The trip takes approximately 37 minutes.

At Campanhã train station, you can buy your ticket to Barcelos at the vending machines or at the ticket office, where you can get further information on timetables.

From Monday to Saturday, the operating hours of the railway service are from 6.10 am to 10.10 pm. On Sundays it is available from 8.15 am to 10.10 pm. (Further information at: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/)

Train ticket prices are around 4€ and 5€. The ticket for Alfa Pendular (high-speed train) costs around 14€ and 20€. The trip to Barcelos takes about 1 hour.

You can find a taxi right outside Barcelos train station. The fare from the train station to the city center is approximately 3,5€ during the week and 3,90€ on weekends. From the train station to IPCA campus, the fare would be about 6€ during the week, and on weekends, the price may increase up to 2€.

By Taxi

There are plenty of taxi companies that serve Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, right outside the Arrivals area.

You can also come to Barcelos by taxi. If you take/call a taxi during the regular operating hours, the cost of the trip to Barcelos will be around 70€-80€. During night time hours, it can be more expensive. Ask the driver the estimated cost. The trip takes 30 up to 40 minutes.

In case you arrive late at the airport, you might also consider staying overnight in Porto, and then come to Barcelos in the morning.

The trip from the airport to Porto city center takes an average of 20 to 30 minutes. The cost of the trip ranges from 20€ to 30€. You should note that the rates go up by 20% in the evening hours (from 9.00 pm to 6.00 am), and these changes are automatically reflected by the taxi meter. The surcharges also apply to weekends and public holidays.

By Uber or Bolt

Uber services are also available for this route. The trip from the airport to Barcelos will cost approximately 35-50€. Uber requests must be submitted directly through Uber’s App. The trip takes 30 up to 40 minutes.

By Bus

Another option is getting to Barcelos by bus. It might not be the best means of transport: it is not so convenient and it is not that flexible in terms of timetables. It only works from Monday to Friday.

Take the metro at Porto Airport metro station to Trindade train station. You should exit the train station and walk about 400 meters, up to 6 minutes towards Régulo Magauanha Street, where you will find the nearest bus station, by Transdev (bus company).

There are 4 buses going from Porto bus station to Barcelos, at 8.00 am, 11.00 am, 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm. From Porto, the bus goes to Póvoa de Varzim, and there you will have to change to another bus towards Barcelos. The ticket of the trip from Porto>Póvoa de Varzim>Barcelos costs 4,45€.

You can also ask for further information when buying the ticket at the ticket office or the bus driver.

The trip from Porto to Barcelos takes about 2 hours.

FROM LISBON AIRPORT

By Train

The Humberto Delgado Airport, also known as Lisbon Airport, is the largest Portuguese airport, and it is located seven kilometers away from the city center.

The airport has a metro station inside.

From Lisbon Airport metro station, take the metro and follow the red line, towards Oriente train station (the trip takes about 9 minutes). You can buy the ticket at the vending machines or at the ticket office, where you can ask for further information.

The metro ticket costs 1,45€. The metro runs from 6.30 am to 1.00 am.

At Oriente train station, you can buy the ticket to Barcelos, at the vending machines or at the ticket office.

The operating hours of the railway service from Oriente train station towards Barcelos are between 7:09 am and 7:09 pm, from Monday to Sunday.

Train ticket prices are around 25€ and 37€. The ticket for Alfa Pendular (high-speed train) costs around 32€ and 46€. The trip to Barcelos lasts 3 up to 5 hours, depending on the train departure time.

Be aware that, in certain cases, you might have to change line and train at Nine train station. You can ask for further information, including timetables, at the train stations.

Cost of Living

Barcelos is one of the most affordable Portuguese cities to live and study. The cost of living for a student at IPCA depends on several factors, such as the type of accommodation rented or cooking at home versus having lunch or dinner out. For your reference, the approximate cost should be around 400 € to 500 € per month.