English
Login with Google
10 tips to take the best travel photos!
The best memories will be well registered
Relive the best moments with the best
photos. Discover a few tips to take the best travel photos, using some simple
tricks.
What to do in Portugal / Travel tips
The best times to visit Portugal
Explore the best the country has to offer
Throughout the year, there are many special dates for the Portuguese. Discover some of them and plan your trip to Portugal in the best possible way.
Valentine's Day - 14 February
Love is in the air in Portugal on 14 February. On this day, it's common for lovers to celebrate their love with different romantic plans, and there are always those who prefer to celebrate in a simpler and more modest way. Whatever your plan, this date is perfect for travelling with your better half or taking a few days off to relax with who you love most.
Carnival - between February and March
''It's Carnival, anything goes!''. Floats, music, masks and endless energy these are the ingredients that the Portuguese put into this date. Carnival is celebrated on a Tuesday, 47 days before Easter Sunday, and it usually fills the streets with colour and costumes. If you're staying in our Lisbon hotels during this time, visit Torres Vedras, the city where Carnival is most popular in Portugal. If you're in Porto, take the opportunity to visit Ovar, a city that also celebrates this festivity with joy.
Easter - between March and April
Celebrated by Christians, this festivity takes place in honour of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and always occurs on a Sunday. Among the Easter traditions, the most common is the Compasso, in which a priest visits homes to bless families. If you come to Portugal at this time of the year, one thing is for sure - there will be an abundance of chocolates and almonds!
Saint Anthony (Lisbon) - 13 June
Throughout the month of June, Lisbon is filled with colour, music and joy thanks to the festivities known as ''Santos Populares'' (Popular Saints). From 1 to 30 June, colourful ribbons, green broth, grilled sardines and popular music ring out in Lisbon's streets, and everyone takes to the streets. The most important night of the month is from the 12 to 13 June, in honour of Saint Anthony, which is a public holiday in the capital. If you're thinking of visiting Lisbon, this month is, without a doubt, an excellent choice.
Saint John (Porto) - 24 June
The Popular Saints continue and the characteristic soul of Porto stands out on the night of 23 to 24 June. Thousands of people spill out onto the streets of Porto to celebrate Saint John, their pilgrimage of choice. Those who visit the city on this day are completely enveloped by the spirit and experience unforgettable moments. Seeing people with leek flowers in their hands is commonplace, head-banging with plastic hammers is normal and St. John's balloons are launched all over the city. No one is indifferent to Porto's magic - accept the invitation and discover Porto on this date!
Halloween - 31 October
Many countries celebrate Halloween and Portugal is one of them. On the night of 31 October, vampires, ghosts, witches and many other mystical creatures take to the streets. Trick or treat? The kids go door to door, as is the Halloween tradition. Either they get the sweets they want, or they get up to mischief. In addition to these traditions, it's common to see public spaces decorated with cobwebs, pumpkins and bats - don't be afraid!
Saint Martin's Day - 11 November
This date is linked to ''Indian summer'' - a few days of sunshine and warmth in November that, according to legend, happens because of the good deed of an old soldier named Martin. Family and friends take advantage of the good weather and gather around the bonfire savouring roasted chestnuts and tasting new wine (a result of the most recent harvests), according to the popular Portuguese saying - ''On Saint Martin's Day, roasted chestnuts, bread and wine''.
Christmas - 25 December
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated in many corners of the world, and Portugal is no exception. The streets are lit up with thousands of lights, Christmas markets take shape all over the country, especially in Lisbon and Porto, and Christmas music can be heard everywhere. On 24 December, families gather in their homes in the evening to eat the traditional boiled codfish and create memories that will last forever. The end of the year is truly a magical time in Portugal!
New Year's Eve - 31 December
New year, new life! All over the world, the start of a new year is a reason to celebrate and, for many, the most festive day of the year. In Portugal, dozens of cities celebrate the arrival of a new year with a huge fireworks display and thousands of people in the streets, fulfilling these sacred traditions. The change of year represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, filled with 365 new opportunities.
In addition to the festive dates, Portugal has other interesting dates and several national and religious holidays with historical significance.
April Fool's Day - 1 April
1 April is known in Portugal as the day during which the biggest lies are told! Also known as All Fools' Day, this is the day when your creativity can take flight to fool your friends and family in a fun way. In Portugal, as in many other countries, it's common for brands and news media to join in on this day and publish incredible lies to try and fool their consumers.
Freedom Day - 25 April
This is probably one of the most important dates for Portugal. It was on 25 April 1974 that the course of the country's history changed with the coup that overthrew the dictatorship that had existed until then. Democracy emerged, which is still in force in Portugal today, making this date even more important to celebrate.
Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities - 10 June
The Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities is celebrated on 10 June, the date of the death of the great Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões, author of ''Os Lusíadas'' (The Lusiads). Each year, a city is chosen as the venue for the celebrations, where the President of the Republic is present. A series of activities take place throughout the day, as well as military demonstrations and the awarding of medals of merit.
Republic Day - 5 October
This date commemorates the fall of the monarchy in Portugal and the beginning of the republic. The many Portuguese who disagreed with the monarchy, along with the army and navy, fought in the early hours of 3 to 4 October, and on the morning of 5 October 1910, the Republic was established, a historic milestone in Portugal.
All Saints' Day - 1 November
1 November is a religious holiday in Portugal and is the day when families remember and honour their loved ones who have passed away: it's common to visit the cemetery and decorate the graves of family members with flowers and candles. Masses held in parishes throughout the country are also a way of celebrating the memory of those close to us who have passed away.
Restoration of Independence - 1 December
For six decades, Portugal was dominated by the Spanish people, losing many of its political and cultural rights as a nation and suffering with the presence of foreign authorities. It was on the1 December 1640 that the Portuguese people, led by the nobility, marked the end of the Spanish era in Portugal and restored the country's independence. Today, this is the oldest public holiday still in force.
April Fool's Day - 1 April
1 April is known in Portugal as the day during which the biggest lies are told! Also known as All Fools' Day, this is the day when your creativity can take flight to fool your friends and family in a fun way. In Portugal, as in many other countries, it's common for brands and news media to join in on this day and publish incredible lies to try and fool their consumers.
Freedom Day - 25 April
This is probably one of the most important dates for Portugal. It was on 25 April 1974 that the course of the country's history changed with the coup that overthrew the dictatorship that had existed until then. Democracy emerged, which is still in force in Portugal today, making this date even more important to celebrate.
Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities - 10 June
The Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities is celebrated on 10 June, the date of the death of the great Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões, author of ''Os Lusíadas'' (The Lusiads). Each year, a city is chosen as the venue for the celebrations, where the President of the Republic is present. A series of activities take place throughout the day, as well as military demonstrations and the awarding of medals of merit.
Republic Day - 5 October
This date commemorates the fall of the monarchy in Portugal and the beginning of the republic. The many Portuguese who disagreed with the monarchy, along with the army and navy, fought in the early hours of 3 to 4 October, and on the morning of 5 October 1910, the Republic was established, a historic milestone in Portugal.
All Saints' Day - 1 November
1 November is a religious holiday in Portugal and is the day when families remember and honour their loved ones who have passed away: it's common to visit the cemetery and decorate the graves of family members with flowers and candles. Masses held in parishes throughout the country are also a way of celebrating the memory of those close to us who have passed away.
Restoration of Independence - 1 December
For six decades, Portugal was dominated by the Spanish people, losing many of its political and cultural rights as a nation and suffering with the presence of foreign authorities. It was on the1 December 1640 that the Portuguese people, led by the nobility, marked the end of the Spanish era in Portugal and restored the country's independence. Today, this is the oldest public holiday still in force.
Featured
-
-
Tips for protecting the environment when you travel (but not only!)
Did you know that the average international water consumption per guest per night is about 345 litres? Or that a 1ºC difference in air conditioning, depending o
HF FÉNIX URBAN