Entry Requirements for Travelers to Portugal

Portugal Holidays

Travel Information

-

November 24, 2021

Official Holidays in Portugal

January 1	New Year’s Day
Varies	Carnival
Friday before Easter	Good Friday
Varies	Easter
April 25	Freedom Day
May 1	Labor Day
Varies	Corpus Christi
June 10	Portugal Day
August 15	Assumption
October 5	Republic Day
November 1	All Saints Day
December 1	Restoration of Independence
December 8	Immaculate Conception
December 25	Christmas
December 26	1st Octave

Regional Holidays

Varies	Azores Day
July 1	Madeira Community Day

Find a Great Hotel in Portugal

Average Temperatures in Portugal

Travel Information

-

November 24, 2021

Average Temperature in Lisbon by Month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
C	12	13	15	16	18	21	23	24	22	19	15	12
F	53	55	59	61	64	70	74	74	72	66	59	54

Average Temperature in Azores by Month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
C	14	14	14	15	17	19	21	22	21	19	17	16
F	58	57	58	59	63	66	69	72	70	67	62	60

Average Temperature in Madeira by Month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
C	9	9	9	10	11	13	14	16	16	14	12	10
F	48	48	49	50	52	55	58	60	60	57	53	50

Average Temperature in Porto by Month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
C	10	11	12	14	16	19	21	21	19	17	13	11
F	50	51	54	57	61	66	69	69	67	62	55	51

Find a Great Hotel in Portugal

Weather in Portugal

Travel Information

-

November 24, 2021

When it comes to the weather, Portugal can brag about it. One of the warmest countries in Europe with mild temperatures all year round in most of its territory, the country is said to have over 300 days of sunshine a year. No wonder it is often picked as a winter sun destination, on top of attracting visitors from all over the world during all four seasons.

The country is relatively small, yet it experiences some variations in climate. Mainland Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, with average temperatures of 10-12°C in the north, mostly mountainous, and 16-18 °C in the southern lowlands. Insular Portugal, that is Madeira and Azores, on the other hand, tend to be wetter and hotter due to their geographical location. You can read more information about the average temperatures in Portugal.

Portugal has four distinct seasons, each of them reflected in the changing of the scenery and typical produce and experiences available to the visitor.

Inverno (winter) is the coldest season of the year: slightly milder in the northwest, with high levels of rainfall; longer and dry in the northeastern regions, where the snow isn’t shy to appear in the colder months (think about Castelo Branco, Guarda, Bragança and Vila Real districts). Winter in the central region is usually wet and humid, while the south experiences milder climates that make for a nice break from the hot summer months (favourite spots are the Algarve, Alentejo and the isles).

Visiting in Primavera (spring) offers a different experience: the first half of it is usually rainy all over the country (people say “Abril, águas mil” – a thousand waters in April), essential to let the nature wake up and grow lush before the hot summer makes its appearance. Then the sun comes out and warms up the lands, making spring one of the best seasons to visit Portugal. Not too hot, not too cold, and less crowded than summer, when the locals usually book their holidays as well.

Verão (summer) is by far the hottest time of the year in Portugal, with extreme temperatures recorded in the centre and south and sadly increased chances of wildfires, a frequent occurrence in the central and southern areas. The weather varies between arid and muggy, very little rain is expected to fall (except in the north) and sunscreen is a must in order to avoid nasty heatstrokes and sunburns.

Outono (autumn) weather gets less predictable: it will surprise you with its colours, the return of little showers and the appearance of big coats and winter gear (yes, you read it right) among the locals. The Portuguese secretly like it when the chilly weather makes a comeback, as it gives them a chance to show off their hats and scarves after a long summer. The coastal areas, breezy all year round, experience colder winds at this time.

Weather in Madeira

The archipelago of Madeira experiences unpredictable weather. Each region has its own peculiarities, depending on variations in humidity, sun exposure and the gulf currents. Temperatures are mild to warm all year round, nevertheless areas around the Madeira Natural Park experience frequent precipitations – intense rain and even snow in the winter.

Weather in Azores

The nine islands of the Azores feature an oceanic, mild-warm subtropical climate thanks to its mid-Atlantic ocean location. The western part is generally rainier than the east, while the whole archipelago experiences high humidity levels. In late summer and autumn the Azores may also be affected by the passage of tropical cyclones or storms.

Tips for visiting in winter

December and January are the coldest and possibly wettest months of the year. Most houses in Portugal aren’t well heated: you’ll thank us for advising you to pack warm clothes (a woolly jumper, scarf and hat will do) that, if you stay at an Algarvean guesthouse, you may make good use of indoors more than when you’re out and about! Also beware of the snow and icy roads in the north: cities like Porto, Braga and Viseu may experience disruptions in traffic.

Tips for visiting in spring

Take advantage of the low season to explore the most popular resorts in the country, otherwise packed with tourists and locals alike. Not only you will enjoy quiet beaches, hiking trails and places of interest, but you’ll have a chance to witness mesmerising blossoming trees: almond trees are so pretty with their white-to-pink flowers, and their almonds essential to producing several kinds of traditional Portuguese sweets; how not to mention then the ginja trees (a kind of cherry) with their unmistakable red fruits used to make ginginha, a typical Portuguese liqueur.

Tips for visiting in summer

It is best to pack clothing made of linen and cotton ideally, preferably light in colour: it will help you stay cool in the morning and afternoon sunshine, along with a cap or hat. The further up north you go, the chillier in the evenings: a light cardigan is the best option to take with you in case the temperatures drop. Summer also marks the start of the harvest season (it kicks off in September), with fun events like the vindima (wine harvest).

Tips for visiting in autumn

Like spring, autumn is a pleasant season for a trip to Portugal; still sunny in the south, from the centro up to the north the rainy season will start. Waterproof gear is recommended in order to stay dry and enjoy sightseeing. When it gets colder, towards the end of the season, roasted chestnuts (castanhas) are sold by street food vendors. Especially on November 11^thon Dia de São Martinho (St Martin’s day), chestnuts and a glass of wine are a must-try to feel like a real Portuguese.

Find a Great Hotel in Portugal

Portuguese Beer

Food & Drink

-

November 24, 2021

From a mythological point of view, the Lusitanians, which inhabited the Iberian Peninsula hundreds of years before the Kingdom of Portugal was ever born, were originally introduced to beer by Lysias, son of Bacchus. In fact, this Iberian people not only drank it, but also engaged in its production. And, even though Portugal is not a brewing nation as celebrated as Germany, Belgium or the Czech Republic, it must nonetheless be noted that, pretty much like their ancestors, Portuguese men and women do enjoy a nice, cold beer, especially in torrid summer afternoons.

The year of 1834 witnessed the birth of Portugal’s oldest brewery – Fábrica de Cerveja da Trindade – and, two years later, its respective beerhouse – Cervejaria Trindade – also came into existence, built in the canteen of the old Convento da Santíssima Trindade dos Frades Trinos da Redenção dos Cativos (Convent of the Holy Trinity of the Trine Friars of the Redemption of the Captives), which had been originally founded in 1294.

As of now, two brands of beer stand out in the Portuguese market: Sagres and Super Bock. The first one, currently belonging to the Heineken International group, was originally created as a means of representing the Sociedade Central de Cervejas (Central Beer Society) in The Portuguese World Exhibition of 1940, which marked the 800th anniversary of the foundation of Portugal and the 300th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence from Spain. The second one was firstly invented in 1927 by CUFP, restructured and renamed Unicer in 1977, a company whose headquarters are located in Leça do Balio, Matosinhos, District of Porto. Both brands account for 90% of total beer consumption in Portugal, which is around 50 liters – or 13 gallons – per person every year. Besides, Super Bock is the Portuguese beer brand more commonly consumed both nationally and abroad. Other popular beer brands from Portugal include, for instance, Coral and Cristal.

Finally, in the 21st century, and especially during the last decade, craft beer or microbrew has made its way into the hearts of Portuguese people. National microbrewers operate from North to South, producing many types of beer, the most common being stout, ale and lager, and contributing largely to the popularity of craft beer among young adults.

Some of the most renowned craft brewers of Portugal include names such as: Dois Corvos (Two Crows), Oitava Colina (Eighth Hill), Musa (Muse), Lupum, Nortada (North Wind) and Sovina (Miser).

Portugal may not be the leading beer producer in the world – but its beer sure belongs among the best!

What’s the most popular sport in Portugal?

History and Culture

-

November 24, 2021

1

What’s the most popular sport in Portugal?

It’s definitely a hard question to answer. Portugal always had a great relationship with sport, especially considering its population. Portuguese people have a great sense of pride, in all achievements, in all sports, celebrating each victory as their own, even when the sport is just the “poor relative” in Portuguese society and not the consecrated football that moves entire families to stadiums.

Portugal is considered an exporter of talents and technical knowledge in various sports, with internationally recognized protagonists in this global market we live in, from great names of Portuguese sport history such as Joaquim Agostinho (Cycling), Carlos Lopes and Rosa Mota (Athletics) and Ticha Penicheiro (Women’s Basketball), but also athletes who currently continue to represent Portugal in their sports from canoeing, in which Fernando Pimenta won 3 world champion titles and five European gold medals, to futsal, where Ricardinho has been consecrated as the Best Player in the World for five years in a row, through judo where Jorge Fonseca was world champion in 2019 and Telma Monteiro is five-time European champion.

Moving on to sports on wheels, Portugal maintains its high standards and once again we have names in the top of internationally recognized athletes. Miguel Oliveira became the first Portuguese motorcyclist to compete in the main category, MotoGP, in 2019 and in 2020 against all expectations, in a final that went down in MotoGP history as one of the best final races ever, Miguel surpassed two opponents in the Red Bull Ring’s final corner towards the 2020 Styrian GP Victory.

Speaking in historical terms, at a certain point in the history of sport in Portugal, hockey was one of the most followed sport, supplanting cycling, however currently futsal and handball appear at the top of the list, but to answer my initial question, none of these will ever have the prestige of football.

Football goes far beyond the sport itself, is culturally rooted in Portuguese society and brings together several generations, whether in stadiums or in front of televisions almost every day, whatever the game in question.

For this factor, it helps a lot to have, possibly, the best player of all time, a sporting and social icon, that moves millions all over the world, whatever the field you walk on or the shirt you wear.

Before Cristiano Ronaldo, other players had great protagonism in the history of Portuguese football, such as Mario Coluna and Eusébio (Black Panther), that are both featured as 20th century’s greatest footballers, according to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, especially for their talent, but none not so much for their marketing ability.

Every day we see how influential football is, both economically and socially, occupying the most prominent television spaces and keeping the media complete with information that every Portuguese wants to see.

Football is a mass show. It’s not just played within the four lines of a field. Football is a spectacle in the neighborhood, street and school, work colleagues and university tournaments, played and vibrated on television and radio, among friends or neighbors, in restaurants, cafes and at work. There is no separation of race, color or religion. Football goes far beyond 90 minutes. Football goes beyond social levels, education or any other type of difference that may exist between people.

As the lyrics of the song “É uma partida de futebol” (It’s a match of football), by the band Skank, say, which is, without any doubt, a mirror of Portuguese football:

“Bola na trave não altera o placar (Ball on the crossbar doesn’t change the score)

Bola na área sem ninguém para cabecear (Ball in the area with no one to head)

Bola na rede para fazer o golo (Ball in the net to score)

Quem não sonhou em ser um jogador de futebol?” (Who never dreamed of being a football player?)

Portuguese Cuisine

Food & Drink

-

November 24, 2021

Portuguese cuisine, while long-lived and rich in flavor, also presents a degree of complexity, mixing both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences.

As such, its traditional ingredients include a variety of fishes (most notably cod and sardine), meats (especially pork, beef and poultry), vegetables (olives, potatoes, carrots and cabbage, among others), grains (rice, wheat, rye) and seafood (octopus, clams, oysters, limpets).

One the one hand, certain foods are nationally popular, being commonly consumed in Continental Portugal, Madeira and Azores. These include, for instance, the ‘caldo verde’ (literally ‘green soup’). While originally from Northern Portugal, this soup is appreciated throughout the whole country. Its main ingredient is wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and it’s often served with at least one slice of chorizo (chouriço). A meal consisting of caldo verde and roasted sardines is commonly eaten around the Popular Saints festivities, in June, especially in Porto and Lisbon.

Another national dish is known as ‘cozido à portuguesa’, whose boiled ingredients are a perfect combination of heart-warming variety: carrots, potatoes, cabbage, chicken, pork, beef, cured meats and rice. And let’s not forget about codfish (‘bacalhau’), included in a never-ending list of recipes: ‘bacalhau com natas’ (‘codfish with cream’), ‘bacalhau à Brás’ (‘codfish à la Brás’) , ‘bacalhau à Zé do Pipo’ (‘codfish à la Zé do Pipo’) and ‘bacalhau à Gomes de Sá’ (‘codfish à la Gomes de Sá’) being the most famous.

Last but not least, the ‘pastel de nata’ (literally: ‘cream pastry’) and the ‘rabanada’ are among the best national pastries and desserts of Portugal. Both are usually consumed with a bit of cinnamon and the latter is a popular Christmas treat, consisting of a slice of fried bread immersed in a Port Wine, honey and lemon syrup.

On the other hand, the national cuisine of Portugal presents a wide array of regional and local foods. There’s the ‘francesinha’ (‘little Franche girl’), publicly acclaimed by Anthony Bourdain and very popular in Northern Portugal, namely Porto. It’s basically a sandwich created by a Portuguese man who spent many years in France – hence its name – and which consists of beef, sausage, ham, chesse and, often, a fried egg, immersed in a slightly spicy beer, wine, tomato, onion and pepper sauce.

There’s also a dish called ‘Tripas à moda do Porto’ (‘Tripe à la Porto’), quite famous in the Northern region of Portugal. As well as a tasty dessert from Braga: ‘pudim abade de Priscos’ (‘Abade de Priscos pudding’).

In the Estremadura region, where Lisbon is located, ‘amêijoas à Bulhão Pato’ (‘Bulhão Pato clams’) is a widely appreciated dish, consisting of clams, olive oil, garlic, butter, lemon, salt, pepper and cilantro. As well, roasted sardines are a much appreciated delicacy in the capital. By the way, did you know that snails cooked in garlic and oregano are a favorite snack in Lisbon?

In Alentejo, there’s a famous dish called ‘pezinhos de coentrada’ (‘pig trotters with cilantro’); in Trás-os-Montes, the ‘alheira’; in Algarve, the ‘xarém com conquilhas’ (‘cornflour with conquina clams’); in the Beiras, the ‘queijo Serra da Estrela‘ (‘Serra da Estrela cheese’) and the ‘leitão assado à Bairrada’ (‘roasted piglet à la Bairrada’). In the archipelago of Madeira, there’s the ‘bolo de mel’ (‘honey cake’); and, in the archipelago of Azores, the ‘ananás dos Açores’ (‘Azores pineapple’).

And who could forget about Port wine, Madeira wine, Rosé wine or Moscatel wine?…

Please, be warned: if you give Portuguese food a chance, you will cry for more!

Fado Music

History and Culture

-

November 23, 2021

The Origins and History of Fado Music

According to the Priberam Dictionary of the Portuguese Language, “fado” refers to:

1. Superior force believed to control all events.

2. What has to happen, regardless of human will.

The dictionary entry also adds a third definition, related to music:

3. Popular Portuguese song, usually performed by a vocalist (fado singer – fadista), accompanied by Portuguese guitar and classical guitar.

In Latin, fado is “fatum”, that is, destiny and sings of life’s encounters and mismatches, using saudade, love, melancholy, and sadness as inspiration. In contrast to this state of mind is the rhythm of the Portuguese guitar – only introduced later in the history of Fado – which transmits life, cheer and enthusiasm. Perhaps it is this contrast that makes Fado so special.

Initially, this musical style was sung in taverns and houses of prostitution, commonly known as ‘half-door’ houses. However, there is no record of Fado until the 19th century, and it only became known in the old neighborhoods of Lisbon.

Fado is not a tight musical genre, encompassing more than 140 different styles, being the originals: a capella, corrido and castiço.

If fado a capela is a type of fado without any kind of accompaniment, fado corrido – also known as fadinho – is fado sung and danced, which has its origin in a poetic genre in which everyday life stories were narrated. However, to make these stories more cheerful, its interpreters also began to sing about more laughable moments.

Fado castiço, commonly known as humorous fado, is characterized by the telling of caricatured stories.

Maria Severa, or simply Severa, was one of the personalities who most marked the history of Fado. Of gypsy origin, Severa worked in the so-called half-door houses and was often hired to sing Fado at the parties of the Portuguese high society of the time. At that time Fado lyrics tended to pass from mouth to mouth and from generation to generation.

But it was at the beginning of the 20th century that Ercília Costa was born, a fado singer almost forgotten by the vicissitudes of time, who was the first fado singer with an international projection and the first to cross the borders of Portugal.

The most popular themes in the lyrics of fado are Saudade, a word that has no translation of nostalgia, love or jealous relationships and small everyday stories.

However, with the appearance of Amália Rodrigues, new songs began to be written.

Amália Rodrigues is one of the biggest names in Fado and one of the most remarkable singers of the 20th century, having started her career in magazine theater. It is in the 1950s, and essentially through the figure of Amália, that Fado stands out and consolidates internationally. Other well-known names of Lisbon’s fado are Alfredo Marceneiro, Carlos do Carmo, Maria da Fé, João Braga and Lenita Gentil.

In the 90s, the musical panorama of Fado began to take on new contours and, consequently, new and talented protagonists. However, in the beginning of the 21st century, through names like António Zambujo, Raquel Tavares, Kátia Guerreiro, Ana Moura, Carminho, Gisela João or Ricardo Ribeiro that Fado attracted younger generations of listeners.

Internationally, this musical genre continues to gain prominence, collecting fans from all over the world. Mariza is currently the featured voice, earning several awards and distinctions.

The so-called “typical” fado is nowadays sung mainly for tourists, in “fado houses” and with the traditional accompaniment. The most traditional fado houses are found in the typical neighborhoods of Alfama (Clube de Fado, Mesa de Frades and Parreirinha de Alfama), Bairro Alto (A Severa – opened in 1955, Adega Machado – founded in 1937, Café Luso – founded in 1927 and O Faia – founded in 1947 by fado singer Lucília do Carmo, mother of Carlos do Carmo) and Madragoa (Senhor Vinho – founded in 1975). It keeps the characteristics of the early days: singing with sadness and feeling past and present sorrows.

Sports and Outdoor Activities

History and Culture

-

November 23, 2021

The offer of sporting activities is very large and diversified in Portugal. Golf, kayaking, snowboard, diving, rappel, climbing and mountaineering are some of the options you can choose from. However, if you want higher flights, you can also surrender to parasailing and feel completely free.

Portugal has privileged natural conditions for sports practice. Come discover the sportiest side of Portugal.

Winter Sports

Climbing up to 2,000 meters in height, we can touch the sky at the top of Portugal, breathe the fresh air, enjoy the winter sun and contemplate the idyllic scenery of white snow and blue horizon in Serra da Estrela, the only place in Portugal to practice winter sports. Get ready for an exciting descent and enjoy the feeling of sliding down one of the 19 slopes in the ski resort’s snowpark. With several options for all ages, you can also choose to go sledding or use the snow donuts, snowmobiles or a hike with the help of snow sticks and snowshoes.

Water Sports

The extensive west coast of Portugal favors the existence of various sports associated with the sea, so you can find several nautical sports, namely:

World Elite Surfing

Heading south and towards the coast of Portugal, sea lovers will have beaches with perfect waves waiting for them. Peniche the “capital of the wave” and the famous Supertubos Beach, which hosts world surfing competitions, such as the “World Surf League”.

Traveling about 50 kilometers along the coast, we reach the “cannon of Nazaré” at Praia do Norte, where you can admire the splendor of nature with giant waves that rise to more than 30 meters, where surfer Garret Macnamara holds a world record for the biggest wave surfed.

Dive in Berlengas

The best diving area in Portugal is in the Center of Portugal, in Peniche. The marine ecosystem of the Berlengas Islands is one of the richest in Portuguese waters, and a favorite destination for amateur and professional divers.

The Adventure of getting to know Portugal by cycling

If you prefer to stay on flat land rather than at sea, Portugal also has several options for you. Explore the most fantastic places in Portugal by pedal. Before hitting the road and trails, find out about route programs at the Mountain Bike Centers. In these spaces you can get to know the network of trails, and enjoy specific conditions for mountain biking, such as changing rooms and a bicycle service station.

For less extreme activities, Portugal also has several walking routes, from north to south, that you can enjoy at a leisurely pace.

Golf

If it’s on a golf course that you find the pleasure of sport, Portugal is also the ideal destination. Elected by the World Golf Awards as Best Golf Destination in Europe for six consecutive years, between 2014 and 2019, and as Best Golf Destination in the World, between 2014 and 2018, Portugal has a great diversity of courses with characteristics suitable for various levels of difficulty and budget available.

Get your backpack ready and go on an adventure! Portugal is waiting for you!

Portugal Survival Guide

Travel Information

-

November 23, 2021