The venue selected to accommodate all the participants and host every lecture is the Axis Vermar Conference & Beach Hotel. This site was chosen due to its conditions, location and availability to ensure an event with comfort, dynamism, security and above all enjoyment for the community.
All images were retrieved from the Axis Hoteis website, where you can check out more pictures of the hotel.
How to get there?
Since Portugal is so close to the ocean, the preferable choice of transportation is by aeroplane. The first destination will probably be Oporto, Lisbon or Faro. We recommend Oporto, since it’s closer to Póvoa de Varzim. Lisbon okay, but don’t go to Faro, it’s too far away and only makes sense in the Summer.
“Alright, I landed in Portugal. And now how do I get to the venue?” This is what you will probably be asking yourself. So, here you’ll find some information that might help you.
If you landed in Oporto... you're almost there!
By metro…
This is the map of Oporto's metro lines. Check the prices of metro tickets here. TIP: Download the app Moovit or check on Google Maps the times of public transportation!
If you’re in Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Oporto:
- catch the metro at the airport (line E, purple);
- leave at the Verdins station and, then, catch the metro's line B (red) with Póvoa de Varzim as destination;
- from there (Verdins) you’ll go directly to Póvoa de Varzim metro station;
- Once there, you can walk for 30min (eesh!) or call a Bolt or Uber car to Axis Vermar Hotel.
By car…
Call an Uber/Bolt from the Airport to the Hotel (around 20€-35€)
Address: R. da Imprensa Regional 90, 4490-518 Póvoa de Varzim
If you landed in Lisbon... good luck!
This is the map of Lisbon's metro and train lines. You can check the prices of metro tickets here.
By train…
Check the train tickets discounts of Comboios de Portugal. Some of them are 25% discount for people younger than 25 years old and 10% discount on roundtrips.
In Lisbon, Most trains leave from Santa Apolónia (blue line), Entrecampos (yellow line) and Oriente (red line).
We suggest your destination be Porto Campanhã and then you can catch the metro until Póvoa de Varzim (line B, red).
By bus…
Rede Expressos buses leave from Sete Rios at the Jardim Zoológico metro station (blue line) and go directly to Póvoa de Varzim. The tickets cost round 18,90€ with the Youth passenger discount. Flixbus prices vary, but you can only go to Porto and then catch the metro that goes directly to Póvoa de Varzim (line B, red).
There will possibly be EFPSA buses that will take participants from the Airports to the Hotel. Stay tuned!
What to Bring?
- TIP: To help with your packing, we suggest downloading PACKPOINT (for Android) and PACKR (for iOS).
Besides the obvious, don’t forget these things!- Passport/ID Card, European health card, Visa (see requirements on the Visa Information section)
- Cash in Euros (for EFPSA buses and the excursion day)
- Bottle to fill with water
- Power plug Type F (European standard, 230V, 50Hz)
- Padlock
- Powerbank
- Fancy clothes (suggestion for the social event on the last night)
- Swimming suit and beach towel (if the weather allows it)
- Sunglasses, hat, umbrella and sunscreen! (suggestion for the excursion day)
- And most importantly - remember your EFPSA Spirit!
If you are a national from any one of the European Union countries or from Malta, Norway, and Switzerland, all you need is a valid national ID card and you’re good to go! However, if you are a U.K citizen, you’ll need to carry your passport with you.
If you come from any of the additional following countries, you don’t need to apply for a visa, but make sure you have your valid ID card and passport with you as well:
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
If you’re a national from these countries, you are ONLY free from applying for a Visa IF you hold a biometric passport (so check what type of ID documentation you have to avoid any late surprises!):
- Albania,
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Serbia
The only member countries of EFPSA that, unfortunately, have no way of escaping a Visa request to enter in Portugal are Azerbaijan and Turkey. If you are a national from any of these two countries, you will have to apply for a Short Stay Schengen Visa (click here for more info).
We suggest you apply for this Visa at least one month in advance, to make sure everything works out smoothly! Even though Visa fees may look scary and disheartening at first, it is highly likely that you, as a student/researcher/teacher attending this Conference, may be exempt from these fees! You can find more info on that here.
For any further information related to the Short Stay Schengen Visa or for confirmation of the above information, feel free to navigate through this website!
Now it’s time for everyone’s favourite: gastronomy. The Portuguese cuisine is very rich and diverse. It contains a strong Mediterranean influence, since its diet is made up of bread, olive oil and wine. If we were to define a traditionally Portuguese menu it would be:
- Soup: Caldo Verde;
- Fish: Portuguese sardine, shell-fish or cod;
- Meat: Sausages, Alentejo style pork or francesinha;
- Vegetarian traditional option: Leek à brás;
- Drink: Wine;
- Dessert: A variety of cheese or Pastel de Nata accompanied by the well-known Porto Wine.
Here’s also a list of restaurants with good recommendations for you to try some authentic and delicious Portuguese food:
Restaurante Bodegão
Traditional Portuguese food, with vegan options.
Address: Rua Paulo Barreto 2, Póvoa de Varzim;
Ritz café
Perfect spot to try the popular dish called “Francesinha”. Vegetarian and gluten free options.
Address: Rua Ponte 8, Póvoa de Varzim;
Theatro
A more expensive alternative but this high quality restaurant shows the best side of our gastronomy. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
Address: Rua Santos Minho 10, Póvoa de Varzim;
