The best times to visit Portugal

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.