Throughout the night, the Portuguese Civil Protection registered over 1,000 incidents in Portugal, mostly related to flooding. Over 30% of the registered incidents occurred in the Lisbon district, which was under red alert due to heavy rain and flooding.
The Civil Protection is asking everyone in Portugal to avoid leaving their home, with Lisbon City Hall urging people not to enter Lisbon. Schools are likely to close.
The Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, highlighted that while such rain events are common every 50 years, weekly events are a matter of concern.
Most of the incidents were registered in Algés. Last week, a similar scenario occurred where Algés faced heavy flooding, and a person died. This week, the tunnel of Algés station was completely underwater.
Those in Portugal received on Monday a Civil Protection alert warning about possible flooding in Leiria, Setubal, Lisbon, Evora, Santarem, and Portalegre.
The following roads and locations are closed or compromised in Lisbon this morning:
Túneis Campo Pequeno + 2 Campo Grande + Av Joao XXI + Av. Berlim
Acesso Eixo Norte Sul
Radial de Benfica
Av. Infante D. Henrique junto ao Túnel Batista Russo
Located in the south of Portugal, the Algarve is perhaps the most sought-out area for families in the summer looking for a relaxing vacation in Portugal. This region caters to families with various interests, including those who love to spend days at the beach relaxing, as well as the more adventurous kids. Let’s take a look at 7 best things to do in the Algarve with kids for your next family trip!
The Algarve is home to popular waterparks. These are usually only open between April and October and are a great activity for children. You can spend the whole day at a water park for an unforgettable day out.
Slide & Splash is located close to Alvor and is one of the largest waterparks. This child-friendly waterpark opened in 1986 and has an area of 10 hectares, including giant slides, loungers, spaces for animal shows, restaurants, and a shop. There are slides for all ages!
Another favorite is Aquashow, a waterpark that is part of a leisure complex with a 4-star hotel. The waterpark features plenty of slides, pools, a watercoaster, and more attractions for the brave, as well as activities for smaller children.
If you choose to stay at the Hotel Aquashow, it features 148 rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym, a restaurant, bars, and more.
Photo by William Warby (Flickr)
2. Algarve family beach day
A beach day is the classic Algarve day out with the family that never gets old. The Algarve is a vast region with several wonderful beaches. Most would argue the Algarve has the best beaches in all of Portugal. There are so many options, so which beaches are the best in the Algarve for a family day?
Praia do Alvor is one of the most well-known beaches in the region of the Algarve in the south of Portugal. The beach is composed of fine white sand and stretches over 3.5 kilometers, featuring a long boardwalk that guides to gorgeous dunes and the Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve.
You can find a beautiful lagoon behind the beach, formed by the river of Alvor where you can enjoy some windsurfing, kayaking, and more. You will also find several restaurants close to the beach, as well as bathrooms, showers, and a lifeguard station.
Located in Tavira, Praia do Barril features a wooden path over the golden sand, which provides a gorgeous contrast with the dark blue waters. Due to the large size of the beach, you will rarely feel like it’s too busy, despite its popularity.
Praia do Odeceixe is located in Aljezur and is surrounded by the Ribeira de Seixe, a river that surrounds the 330-meter beach until it reaches the ocean. During low tide, many small lagoons appear in the sand, perfect for kids to play in. You will also find surf schools at the beach where you can rent a board or take some classes to get started.
Photo by Marlis Börger (Flickr)
3. Mini-golf in the Algarve
The Algarve is known for its amazing golf courses, including mini-golf courses for kids and adults to enjoy.
One of the most famous mini-golf courses is the Family Golf Park in Vilamoura. This includes two 18-hole courses, the Via Appia, devoted to the history of the Roman Empire, and the Via Lusitania, devoted to the Roman Empire’s occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.
You can even organize a mini-golf tournament, where they will take care of everything, including a welcome drink and the medal ceremony. The Family Golf Park also has a games room with different options, a restaurant, kids club, and a tourist train to explore Vilamoura.
Another great mini golf course is Golfland in Alvor, set within a tropical garden. Founded 8 years ago, this more recent golf course combines mini golf, street food, cocktails, and great hospitality for a unique experience. Along with the 18-hole mini golf course, there are indoor golf simulators, a playground, restaurants, a games room, and more.
4. Boat experiences
Many would say that the Algarve is best explored by sea. Luckily, there are a ton of boat tours for tourists wanting to explore the region, which are incredibly child-friendly.
For a trip along the Algarve coastline from Albufeira to Benangil, book this catamaran tour. You will be able to marvel at the rock formations and Benangil cave, as well as stop for a swim. This three-hour tour includes a live tour guide that speaks both Portuguese and English.
Alternatively, this 75-minute boat cruise from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade sails over beautiful turquoise waters with a live tour guide. It is a small tour with fewer than 9 participants and stops at secluded grottos and beaches such as D. Ana Beach and Camilo Beach.
If you want to really entertain your kids, what about some dolphin-watching? This 2.5-hour dolphin-watching tour not only allows you to spot the beautiful animals in their natural habitat but also allows you to see the Benagil Sea Cave. The tour includes a live tour guide, available in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and Dutch. You can book the whole boat for a completely private tour!
5. Lagos Zoo
Opened in 2000, Zoo Lagos has over 140 animal species from five continents, including exotic animals, as well as goats, donkeys, and guinea pigs that your kids can pet!
The Zoo has an active role in the conservation of nature and participates in several captive breeding programs for endangered species. It also raises awareness among visitors through environmental campaigns, exhibitions, and more, providing great learning opportunities for kids.
6. Krazyworld
Krazyworld was first founded as a mini-golf 22 years ago, but it is not expanded into a fully licensed zoo. This place is home to a bunch of kid-friendly activities that will make the whole family happy. Krazyworld includes a petting farm, swimming pool, waterslides, inflatables, pedal karts, minigolf, high-ropes, and paintball!
The zoo is interactive, allowing your family to get close and pet a bunch of amazing animals, such as dwarf goats and deer. The zoo also includes one of the largest snakes in Europe!
7. Pirate ship cave cruise
If you’re in the Portimao area, we highly recommend this pirate ship cave cruise! Your kids will feel like tiny pirates sailing the Atlantic on an unforgettable cruise.
The ship sails through various iconic points, including the village of Ferragudo, medieval castles, and the famous rock formation of Algar Seco. You will also arrive at the lighthouse of Alfanzina, and there you will transfer to a small boat to visit the inside of the local caves.
On the return to the boat, you can take a swim in the ocean, as well as look out for dolphins on the ride home!
Dating looks different depending on where you are located on the globe. Cultural differences, views on romance, gender roles, and family are a few of the many factors that impact a country’s dating scene.
Dating in Portugal is not relatively different than in other Southern European countries but is vastly distinctive from dating in the United States, for example.
To better understand dating in Portugal, our guide will help you navigate this new dating scene. From how to find a date, marriage, dating etiquette, and more, this guide has everything you need to know to tackle your love life.
Finding a Date in Portugal
There are two main ways to approach dating and finding a date in Portugal. One is to meet someone through online dating, which is becoming more popular in Portugal. On the other hand, you can also meet people the old-fashioned way and more organically.
It’s important to note that dating does not look the same all over the country. There will be some areas where finding a suitable date is more difficult as the dating pool is smaller, particularly for the LGBT+ community.
However, in cities like Porto and Lisbon, meeting a partner is a lot easier, both in person and online.
Online Dating
If you had asked us five years ago, online dating in Portugal was not very common. Many single people did not have profiles on dating apps. There was a stigma surrounding apps like Tinder, and many looked down upon those who had these dating apps.
However, in recent years, online dating has become more socially acceptable, and most single people will have some sort of app downloaded on their phone.
While the numbers might not be as large as in cities like Berlin and London, it’s common for those in Lisbon and Porto to date online.
This is the case for many Portuguese cities, but again, the online dating pool in rural areas might be tiny.
You will also find many internationals on dating apps, as well as digital nomads and tourists.
Photo by Pratik Gupta (Unsplash)
Here are the most popular dating apps in Portugal:
Tinder: Tinder is probably the most popular dating app in Portugal.
Bumble: Bumble is a great alternative where it’s up to women to start the conversation within 24 hours.
Hinge: Less popular but on the rise, Hinge focuses on getting people to connect in person.
Meeting People in Portugal
If your dream of finding the right person is to do so organically, this is still popular in Portugal. However, while the Portuguese are friendly people, if you wish to meet someone at a coffee shop, this is not that likely.
The Portuguese do not often come up to you like that and ask you out in a flirtatious matter. Unfortunately, harassment in Lisbon and Porto is prevalent, but we do not consider that to be on the topic of flirting and dating here.
You are more likely to meet someone or get a date if you are a part of your Portuguese city’s nightlife, like heading to a bar or club.
If this isn’t the right environment for you to find a partner, don’t despair. Join an activity like yoga, surfing, or another sport. Alternatively, find local meet-ups for expats which might be hosting events.
Photo by Louis Hansel (Unsplash)
Dating Etiquette in Portugal
The most common date scenario in Portugal is going out for a coffee This tends to be a first date scenario, and then you move on to other activities such as going to bars, restaurants, beaches, or parks. This is not always the case but tends to be a pattern.
Here are a few tips for your next date in Portugal:
Be punctual: Forget the assumption that the Portuguese are late, you must be on time for a date
Learn the greetings: Men and women kiss on the cheek, and men and men tend to handshake but also give hugs. Do what feels best, but learn the etiquette so that you know what to expect.
Dress according to the dating scenario: You might be overdressing if you are in heels or underdressing if you are in shorts and sandals.
Splitting the bill: It is common for people to split the bill, regardless of gender. If someone offers to pay, the other will usually take care of the bill next time. However, older men tend to want to pay the bill.
Ask questions about your date, monologues are frowned upon
Photo by René Ranisch (Unsplash)
Dating a Portuguese Person
Dating a Portuguese person does not look a specific way, as everyone is different. The Portuguese are not a monolith. However, you might find that there are different social and cultural norms when it comes to dating a Portuguese person.
It is said that Portuguese men are not very romantic, particularly when it comes to gift-giving and celebrating holidays like Valentine’s Day. Family is very important to them, and you are likely to meet them. Many argue that Portuguese men are “mama’s boys.”
Portuguese women tend to be very independent. This doesn’t mean, however, that they are not romantic. On the contrary, they are passionate and have been taught to show their emotions.
Again, take these with a grain of salt, as everyone is different.
Dating in Portugal: The Importance of Family
As you may have noticed, family is very important in Portugal. If you are in a serious relationship with a Portuguese person, in a way, you are also “dating” their family. It’s commonplace for families to have a meal together every week. You will be included in these events and made to be part of the family.
If a family member needs help, particularly a grandparent, as a partner, you are also expected to be there for them. Your in-laws are very important. You are expected to always show them respect and develop a close relationship with them.
Marriage and Children
In 2021, the average age of marriage in Portugal was 34.3 years of age for males and 32.9 years of age for females. While in the United States, it’s common for people to get married at 28 or even earlier, the Portuguese tend to get married later. Still, there will be cases of younger marriages, particularly in more religious communities.
Unfortunately, Portugal has the second highest divorce rate in Europe, with 58.7 divorces per 100 marriages.
When it comes to having children, Portugal has one of the lowest birth rates in the EU, standing at 7.7% in 2021. The birth rate has been decreasing exponentially since the 1950s. The average age that a mother has her first child in Portugal is 29.9 years old, a number that has been rising.
Photo by Jeremy Wong Weddings (Unsplash)
Proposals in Portugal
Proposals in Portugal are different than in other countries, such as the US and the UK. Proposals tend not to be as grand and romantic, with thousands of euros spent for the occasion.
Portuguese proposals tend to be more intimate and simple. Surprise proposals are also less rare. Let’s say that you might not be so surprised you are getting proposed to. Conversations around marriage will happen for a while before a proposal.
However, if you are planning a romantic proposal in Portugal, the country has a lot to offer. From beautiful cliffs in the Algarve and beaches to the Douro valley, Portuguese landscapes will make a dramatic landscape to this important moment.
Legal Marriage vs. Domestic Partnership
Getting legally married is not your only option. Many couples opt for a domestic partnership instead. A domestic partnership, known as A De Factor Partnership, is not a marital status but a recognition that has similar effects to marriage.
Domestic Partnership in Portugal
A domestic partnership is applicable to couples living in the same house together for at least two years. They must show they are a couple who share a life together in the same house. The main difference is that in a domestic partnership, unmarried couples are not heirs to each other.
A non-martial partnership ends when one of the partners dies, one of the partners gets married, or by the will of either of the partners. Keep in mind that this partnership is not a valid condition for a foreign person to apply for Portuguese nationality.
What are the advantages of a domestic partnership?
Submit a joint personal income tax with the same rights as married people
Protection of the home they live in. If a partner who owns the house dies, the other person is allowed to live in the home where they lived prior with the deceased. They are allowed to live in the house for five years after the death or for as many years as the partnership lasted if the partnership was over five years old.
Widow allowance if the partner dies
Other benefits similar to married people in regard to absences, leaves, and holidays.
Marriage in Portugal
In Portugal, a marriage is a contract between two people who want to share their lives. The contract includes the rights and duties of both partners. It only ends with divorce or the death of one of the persons.
People over the age of 18 who are not first-degree relatives can get married. You can get married from the age of 16 with the permission of a legal guardian.
There are different types of marriage, including a civil, catholic, or civil under a religious form marriage.
In Portugal, married couples are entitled to 15 days of marriage leave, taken consecutively from the date on which the wedding takes place.
Property Schemes: Prenups in Portugal
When a couple gets married, they can choose whether they share common assets or separate these. They must select a property scheme which is a set of rules stating what belongs to the couple and what belongs to each person in the case of divorce.
If you do not want to choose one, the Communion of Acquired Property is automatically applied. In this scenario, all assets that the couple acquired after the marriage are owned by both people. This does not include inheritances, donations, and salaries, as well as assets acquired prior to the marriage. For example, if, after getting married, one of the individuals buys a house, it belongs to the couple.
There is a scheme called the General Communion of Property that says that all assets belong to the couple. This includes assets acquired before and after the marriage. This does not include inheritances, donations, and personal objects.
Another scheme is the Separation of Property. In this scheme, there are no assets that automatically belong to the couple. Each person keeps the assets acquired before or after the marriage. To own assets together, they would need to buy them in co-ownership.
However, this scheme does not apply to inheritances. If one of the persons dies, the widowed is always entitled to the part of the inheritance they are legally owed. This scheme is compulsory for spouses over 60 years of age.
Alternatively, couples can create their own property schemes through a prenuptial agreement, choosing the characteristics of the schemes they prefer. Their own scheme needs to respect the law.
Having a Child in Portugal
The Portuguese are having fewer children and choosing to start a family later in life. Is Portugal still a good place to have a baby?
Yes. Portugal has a strong public health care system which makes it essentially free to have a child (if you are a resident).
The quality education system, public parks, and sunny weather make Portugal one of the best countries in Europe to start a family.
The Portuguese government is also planning to implement measures to fight the decline in the birth rate. Along with free childcare, the government will provide fiscal deductions for families with children, as well as free textbooks and free computers.
Being pregnant in a country where you are granted basic rights and protections fosters a positive experience. Pregnant women have health and employment rights in Portugal, many of which are inexistent in the US and UK, unfortunately. Both parents have a right to parental leave.
Will my baby get Portuguese citizenship?
If, as a foreigner, you have a baby in Portugal, your child might be eligible for Portuguese citizenship. The child will receive citizenship automatically if one of the parents was born in Portugal or if they don’t have any other nationality through their parents.
They can also get automatic citizenship if at least one parent has lived in Portugal for five years at the time of birth. You must prove this when registering the birth of your child.
Alternatively, a child can apply for citizenship if they have lived in the country for six years. However, they must take a Portuguese language test and not have been convicted of a crime with a sentence of over three years.
The day had yet to begin for anyone, neither for the sun still sleeping nor the entire neighborhood. Were it not for the sound of the television interrupting all this early morning silence, this would be a typical quiet fall morning.
From the TV, the news alarmed us about the rainy and windy weather forest for that day. Notwithstanding our possible displeasure about a gray sky, rain is welcome, especially in such a tremendous year of drought in Portugal and all Iberian Peninsula.
It was not yet six in the morning, but an alarm had already sounded, reminding me that I had to get up earlier than usual. There, I struggled with the cold and a certain laziness in the morning.
Usually, the Portuguese don’t get up so early, contrasting with Nordic or Central European countries where the culture of going to bed and waking up early prevails.
Therefore, it would be strange to see the cause for such an early wake-up. However, there is a good reason to do so, even if it costs us to get out of bed early.
You wake up early to go to the local health center to get an appointment with your GP, also known as a family doctor. In Portugal, health centers open at eight in the morning, but still, it’s better to get on the road earlier and arrive there one or two hours before.
And when you arrive at about six thirty AM, one or two people are already queuing up. You ask who arrived first, ask about your turn and the doctor’s name for whom you are waiting. When you hear someone say a doctor’s name other than your own, you sigh in relief because you can catch a vacancy to meet your GP.
And if the reader by now might be pretty confused by all this, I will explain further how everything proceeds typically. This method of waking up early, going to the health center, and staying there to be able to make an appointment with your doctor isn’t new.
In fact, it is obsolete, but it is still in effect, especially in smaller towns where it is difficult for people to get an appointment with their family doctor.
The appointment booking systems have changed over the years but don’t seem to progress, making the bureaucratic machine more complex instead of simplified. Recently, when I wanted an appointment for any day, I was told that I would have to come back the next day to be able to make an appointment for about a month and a half later.
If I wanted to meet with my doctor on the day, I would have to come as soon as possible and make an appointment quickly, right in the morning, since the doctor will always have one or another vacancy available. So, that’s what I did on that particular fall morning.
My reason for going to the doctor was, among other minor things, to present the results of some medical tests that he had prescribed me.
I arrived at the health center, and just as I predicted, an old man was sitting on some old, makeshift wooden benches. He was already there because everyone knows that people arrive early, and we all want a spot with the doctor.
And then everyone stays there, with the cold, the rain that falls, and only three small benches that don’t fit everyone. Still, nobody in charge wants to make it official because that would be admitting the system’s flaws.
We chatted while the sun was slightly rising. People were arriving slowly, sleepy, some sicker than others. People then complained about the same things, mainly the lack of proper facilities.
The gentleman who was already there wondered why they didn’t build a kind of marquee where they could protect themselves from the cold. Meanwhile, the two benches were not enough for everyone, and I gave my seat to older people. And, of course, there is always someone who tries to cut in line, thinking they are more clever than the others.
All this is how a decades-old tradition is maintained. So are the difficulties of getting close contact with the doctor. And I also complain, but I do it, nonetheless, as they say here, “with a full belly,” privileged because I should be grateful simply for the fact that I have a family doctor.
A friend of mine is not so lucky. He had the same family doctor for years until the doctor retired. Meanwhile, in his even smaller health center, young doctors appear as fast as they disappear.
They go, they stay, and when they realize the lack of a career progression and the enormous stagnation of the Portuguese interior, at the slightest opportunity, they flee to a more cosmopolitan environment that can provide them with a more pleasant life. I don’t condemn them. I understand them perfectly, and even I constantly have this urge.
But while one is young and can go from one place to another, the same cannot be said about the elderly population from these areas. And it’s our senior citizens who need medical care more than anyone else.
And in the midst of them, some resilient young people can also be found who may even be thinking about starting a family. And when anyone thinks about something like this, or when one makes this decision, they sure need prenatal medical care.
But how can you ask a young couple to embark on this adventure when it’s so hard to get a simple routine consultation? And if a woman decides to become a mother, the news is not very encouraging.
Many maternity hospitals have closed in Portugal, creating more insecurity for those who choose to be mothers. Along with this, stories of pregnant women from distant areas of big cities who could not get the proper assistance also keep popping up in the news, making us all consider this option.
It is easy to ask the population for an increase in birth rates in a country like Portugal with such an aging population. Still, as long as the conditions for access to primary health care are not created, the country will undoubtedly continue to see its population decline.
Wednesday night’s heavy rain led to 450 incidents all over the country. The most affected areas were Lisbon, Sintra, and Oeiras. In Alges, a 55-year-old woman died in a flooded basement. Her husband, who was also in the basement, was rescued.
In Lisbon alone, there were 379 incidents, making it the most affected area, with Setubal (39) and Faro (10) following.
The heavy rain hit several buildings, including Sao Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon, where floors remain flooded, and a roof even collapsed. The Alcantra and Campolide metro stations were also highly flooded.
Parts of Lisbon airport were flooded, leading to two flights being diverted. Luckily, the airport is now operational.
Those living in low-lying areas were asked to seek shelter, and the Lisbon mayor urged everyone to remain indoors.
Mayor Carlos Moedas visited flooded areas last night and said that works to build a five-kilometer drainage tunnel should start soon. He highlighted the importance of tackling climate change and that this should not be “politicized.”
If you’re moving to Portugal, safety is your concern. Although Portugal is an extremely safe country in Europe, there could be times when you need to contact emergency numbers and access services. Keep the following list close to you in case you need to call up these emergency numbers in Portugal.
Emergency Services in Portugal 112
If you only memorize one number, it’s 112. This is the number you call for a medical emergency. If you need the fire brigade or another emergency service, such as the police, you can always call 112.
112 is available 24 hours a day, every single day, and calls are free of charge.
Police in Portugal 112
If there is an emergency, you should call 112, and it is likely that if necessary, police will also come. This is the best way to get into contact with the police in an emergency situation.
However, if you need to get in contact with the police, there are three main organizations: Policia Judiciaria (Judicial Police), GNR (National Gendarmerie), and the PSP (Public Security Police).
The Policia Judiciaria take care of high-level criminal investigations, so you most likely will never have to get in contact with them. If you need something, you will need to find the nearest GNR and PSP contacts. These will depend on where you live, so check the websites for GNR and PSP.
Fire Brigade in Portugal 112
To contact the fire brigade in the case of a fire, call the emergency number 112 to report it as soon as possible.
Also, make sure that, especially during the summer months, you take measures to avoid starting a fire, such as not burning garden or agricultural waste without permission, not setting off fireworks, and more. Make sure to familiarise yourself with local safety and emergency procedures during wildfire season.
Health Line 24 in Portugal 808 24 24 24
If you are ill but are not in need of emergency services, you can call the Health Line 24 for any health queries at 808 24 24 24. They provide advice and referrals and are available 24/7.
Suicide Helplines in Portugal
Portugal has a bunch of suicide hotlines for those who need to talk to someone:
SOS Voz Amiga: 0800 202 669
SOS Line Student: 808 200 204 969 554 545
Domestic Violence Contacts in Portugal
In Portugal, domestic abuse is defined as any behavior (or absence of it) that inflicts suffering, carried out with or without intent. This includes physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial, and verbal abuse, as well as social isolation.
Domestic abuse is a public crime in Portugal, meaning anyone can report the crime and criminal proceedings will take place even without the victim’s consent.
If you or anyone you know is at risk of domestic violence, you can contact the following:
Portuguese Victim Support Association (APAV) for free legal advice and for support: 707 200 077
24/7 Domestic Abuse Hotline SOS Mulher (anonymous and free of charge): 800 202 148
Child abuse hotline (SOS Crianca): 800 202 651
Call 112 if you need emergency assistance
Drug Abuse Contacts in Portugal
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse, you can contact the following numbers for support:
Drug Abuse Support – Linha VIDA for support and referral: 1414
Narcotics Anonymous: 800 202 013
Familias Anonimas for people whose lives are affected by drug addiction: 916 718 947
Animal Services Contacts in Portugal
Associacao Animal: 962 358 183
Sociedade Protetora dos Animais: 213 423 851
Linha Verde SOS Ambiente (for injured animals): 808 200 520
Protection Service of Nature and the Environment of GNR: 217 503 080
Poison Line in Portugal
For information regarding the diagnosis, toxicity, treatment, and prognosis of exposure to toxic poisoning for both humans and animals, call the poison line at 808 250 143. Available 24/7.
Portugal scored 6 goals against Switzerland, making it Portugal’s biggest-ever victory in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
In this 6-1 victory, Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos opted to replace Cristiano Ronaldo with Gonçalo Ramos, who was the man of the night, scoring three goals on his first international start.
Portugal has reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the third time, after 2006 and 1966.
At 17′, Gonçalo Ramos scored his first goal with an assist by Felix. Pepe then took the match to 2 – 0 at 33′ after an assist by Bruno Fernandes. The first half of the game showed Portugal in the lead, playing a strong game.
A few minutes into the second half, Gonçalo Ramos scores at 51′, taking the match to 3 – 0. At 55′, Raphael Guerreiro scores after an assist by Ramos.
Three minutes later, at 58′, Manuel Akani scores for Switzerland, taking the match to 4 – 1.
At 67, Gonçalo Ramos scores the 5th goal after another Felix assist.
Cristiano Ronaldo enters the game at 73′, substituting Joao Felix. Ricardo Horta replaces Gonçalo Ramos, and Rafael Leao replaces Bruno Fernandes.
At 90 + 2′, Rafael Leao scores the final 6th goal after receiving the ball from Guerreiro.
Portugal – Switzerland Game Stats
Possession
Portugal 47%
Switzerland 53%
Shots
Portugal 15
Switzerland 10
Shots on Target
Portugal 9
Switzerland 3
Passes
Portugal 449
Switzerland 488
Pass Accuracy
Portugal 82%
Switzerland 84%
Fouls
Portugal 12
Switzerland 10
Yellow Cards
Portugal 0
Switzerland 2
Red Cards
Portugal 0
Switzerland 0
Portugal will next play against Morocco on Saturday, December 10, in the quarter-finals.
What were your thoughts on the game? Let us know in the comments below!
While many may not know this, the Portuguese are known for an impeccable style in fashion and value staple pieces, many from sustainable brands. While less “out there” than the fashion seen in London or Berlin, those in Lisbon and Porto predominantly opt for more discrete fashion statements.
In line with this style, Portugal boasts a number of high-quality brands that are being recognized all over Europe. If your winter closet needs a revamp, or you want to add a few staple pieces from a brand made in Portugal, you’re in the right place!
Instead of opting for fast fashion brands at your local shopping mall, why not opt for brands selling fashion pieces that will last you? Let’s take a look at 5 Portuguese fashion brands to shop for this winter!
1. Wheat & Rose
Wheat & Rose is a Portuguese clothing brand founded by Maria Trigo Rosa, a designer born in Hong Kong but that lived half her life in Lisbon. The brand seeks to represent “intemporal beauty with a pinch of Asian refinement and Portuguese craftsmanship.”
Offering practical and professional outfits that are also comfortable, Wheat & Rose allows you to purchase staple pieces that are catered to all occasions. More importantly, their quality products are designed to last a life time in order to “encourage every woman to be selective in their consumption.”
Wheat & Rose has a store in the center of Lisbon, but also ships in the EU. If you are outside the EU, contact them, as they might still ship to you. Wheat & Rose is also specialized in tailoring and will build you a tailor-made outfit for a special occasion.
Moreover, to show their focus to the circular economy movement, the brand has a Sell 1 Buy 1 campaign where you can trade in used items for new ones.
2. BYOU
At 36 years old, Patrícia Gouveia decided to change her life and open the fashion brand BYOU. While her designs were inspired by the globe, her country is where she sources her materials and builds her pieces. BYOU has an interesting concept. Pieces are produced by hand in limited quantities, with around 10 to 30 units per model.
BYOU thus highlights the importance of individuality, seeing clothing as an extension of the interior. The brand even allows you to create exclusive items, as well as makes sure to put at the forefront of its ethos a commitment to the environment.
For winter, they have incredible pieces, including unique wool jackets, chequered shirts, and even a children’s line.
Photo provided by brand.
3. Mustique
Mustique is a unique fashion brand founded in Lisbon by Vera Caldeira and Pedro Ferraz, two childhood friends. The designers believe their brand is “bridging the gap between edgy and sophisticated” with colorful pieces that can be worn anywhere.
Their pieces are the epitome of day-to-night, as well as completely gender neutral. Not the gender neutral where color is lacking and nude-toned pieces dominate. Instead, Mustique is able to do what many strive but fail to do, creating unisex pieces that are dynamic and creative without limitations.
Their collections are all made in Portugal and include high-quality knitwear, trousers, shirts, tops, shorts, and accessories.
Mustique has two stores in Lisbon, one in Santos and one in Sao Bento. The brand also ships worldwide!
4. ISTO
ISTO is a well-known sustainable brand in Portugal with a store perfectly located in Principe Real. The brand’s products are made from organic materials, featuring knitwear, jeans, sweaters, and more.
The fashion brand is committed to transparency by sharing every single process that goes into making their clothes so that consumers know exactly what they are getting. The brand’s website has information on exactly how much was paid for each component from materials to production and even marketing.
The brand only works with factories that are held to the highest standards in their labor policies and all their suppliers have a Global Organic Textile Standard Certification.
In contrast to fast fashion brands, ISTO does not rely on seasonal collections, but rather sells clothes that fit your everyday needs and will last you for a long period of time.
Their motto: quality over quantity. Although this is often not the most profitable strategy for fashion brands, such a commitment puts climate justice over profit to make sure your clothes do not end up in landfills.
Photo provided by brand.
5. IMMA
IMMA is a locally produced fashion brand in Lisbon that believes in utility and versatility over seasonal fashion trends. Their motto is clear: making iconic pieces with a modern twist. Pieces that are practical, comfortable, and have been developed with longevity in mind.
The brand’s outlook on sustainability is producing timeless designs that pass the test of time while not wasting fabric and avoiding disposable materials to generate as little waste as possible.
IMMA delivers to Europe and the United States. On their website, you will find classic pieces, including shirts, dresses, and jackets geared toward women.
If you are planning on moving to Porto with your family, it’s natural that your kids’ education is on your mind. Luckily, Porto boasts a number of options for your children’s education, including private international schools for a multicultural environment.
It’s important to know your way around the education system in Portugal, particularly if you want to navigate the public system. Fortunately, Portugal has a quality education system where all children can access free education.
However, it is oftentimes difficult to place kids under 5 in public preschools due to a lack of slots. Still, international private schools do not have this issue. Let’s take a look at the education system in Portugal and the 3 best international schools in Porto.
Before we get into the 3 best international schools in Lisbon, let’s take a look at a quick overview of the education system in Portugal. Compulsory education only starts at 6 years old with the 1st cycle, going until the 12th grade in the Ensino Secundario.
Before that, education isn’t compulsory. However, schooling can start with nurseries and then preschool.
Photo by Jessica Ruscello (Unsplash)
Creches/Nurseries
Creches are for kids under three years old. Portugal has private and IPSS creches. An IPSS is a Particular Social Solidarity Institution.
As a general rule, these are always paid by the family, although the government subsidizes a part of the value in relation to the tax bracket of each family for most facilities.
The general value for a creche in Portugal is around €200 and €300 per child. Again, this depends on your family’s tax bracket.
However, the Portuguese government announced back in April of 2022 that daycares, with agreements with the social security system, would be free for all children up to one year old for the years 2022/2023.
Here are some popular creches in Porto:
Surpresa do Bebe
Casa do Cuco
Criancas e Companhia
Associação Infantário e Jardim de Infância Carolina Michaëlis
Colegio das Antas
Preschool/Kindergarten
After nurseries, we move on to preschool for children from the ages of three to five years old. At this point, kids are taught the basics of reading, writing, drawing, and counting. They also enjoy social activities, sports, and music.
While there are free state preschools, almost 50% of Portuguese kids attend private preschools. This is because there are limited spots in public preschools, and economically disadvantaged kids are given priority.
Even though a state school is free, if you need meals and transport for your child, this could cost you around €50 a month.
If you are not able to place your child in a state preschool, a private kindergarten costs anywhere between €350 and €1500 a month.
Photo by Jerry Wang (Unsplash)
Compulsory Education
At six years old, basic education begins, also known as Primeiro Ciclo. Take a look at the stages of mandatory education in Portugal:
Primeiro Ciclo (1st Cycle): Ages 6 to 10 (1st to 4th grade)
Segundo Ciclo (2nd Cycle): Ages 10 to 12 (5th and 6th grade)
Terceiro Ciclo (Third Cycle): Ages 12 to 15 (7th to 9th grade)
Ensino Secundario: Ages 15 to 18 (10th to 12th grade)
At this point, it could make sense to invest in a private international school if you want your kids to learn in a language other than Portuguese, particularly English. Take a look at the 3 best international schools in Porto below.
3 Best International Schools in Porto
1. Oporto British School
Founded in 1894, Oporto British School boasts a large international community, making up 48% of the school population of 540 students. This is the only school in Northern Portugal offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).
Oporto British School follows the British curriculum until the completion of the IGCSE, and then senior students follow the IB Diploma. Throughout their school life, students get to learn English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Yearly tuition ranges from €8000 for the youngest kids to €13,000 for forms 11 and 12.
2. CLIP Oporto International School
Founded in 1986, CLIP Oporto International School is a large school with over 1,000 students, with around 35% of these being international. CLIP offers both IGCSE and A Levels education, likewise to the British national curriculum. However, the school has applied modifications to suit the school’s philosophy and the local environment in Porto.
While classes are taught in English, Portuguese is naturally offered as a second language. There are 6 students per teacher and around 20.4 students per class. Yearly tuition at CLIP ranges from €7900 to €11900.
3. Deutsche Schule Porto
Not all international schools need to be English! The Deutsche Schule Porto is a German school in Porto teaching kids from ages 3 all the way to grade 12. A school with over a century of experience, the school has undergone many renovations and is constantly modernized.
Along with learning in German, kids get to learn other languages, including Portuguese and English.
Yearly tuition at the Deutsche Schule Porto ranges from €5290 to €4645 for grade 12. It is, therefore, a lot more affordable than the other top 2 schools.
When I was 17, I became friends with another girl from Famalicão, a city between Porto’s metropolitan area and Braga. It is an economically prosperous part of the country, and much of Portugal’s industrial fabric is found there.
As such, there is a greater flow of young people, businesses, and means of transportation. Medium-sized cities proliferate, all part of the fabric of the Oporto metropolitan area.
And if all these words are used to describe it, all its antonyms could be used about Portugal’s Interior. A place that is economically stagnant, aging in age and mentality, and where only the wheels of a car or someone’s legs are used as a means of transportation.
But, unlike me, who only had the deserted streets of my village to roam after school, my friend had more options. She could leave school and go to McDonald’s, to the mall, or better yet, hop on a train and go for a walk in Oporto.
Although we were the same age and lived in the same country, our lives could not be more different.
From my small village to the city where she lived was only 90 miles away. An irrelevant distance in miles, but essential in Portuguese culture and what it means to grow up on the coast or in the Interior.
And I, who was young in the Interior, one day, attacked by the typical anxiety of a teenager who wants to have fun, I told her how much I wanted to travel, even if it was just for an afternoon.
What she next said to me would remain engraved in my memory forever. “Why don’t you go to a station, get on the train, and go somewhere with no destination? I do that all the time.”
I remember being as jealous as I was angry.
I was jealous that I didn’t have that opportunity, the one of just letting myself go on a train to a random city, and mad at her ignorance for not knowing there wasn’t even a train in the area where I lived.
I was irritated by the petulance in her statement, which represented the entire voice of a coastline and that of a country that ignored itself, like a vain and wealthy son who is ashamed of his parents of humble origins and does everything to avoid mentioning them.
And I was also annoyed by her historical ignorance, amazed by the lack of trains, disregarding that we once had some of the most beautiful trips one could make in Portugal by train.
Once, the old and beautiful Vouga line crossed my town, São Pedro do Sul, considered one of the most attractive trips in Portugal.
In the village of Vouzela, just before the millenary bridge, little remains of the black locomotive that used to tear through the forests of the Lafões region in the direction of Aveiro But the journey only exists in the memories of those who lived during that time.
But, I, born in 1990, never witnessed that old, still steam-powered train that crossed my town. And as such, it is almost as if it never existed.
The time of my birth meant quite the opposite. The railway lines were demolished. Instead, with funds coming from the newly-entered European Union, the investment was made in highways, often unnecessary.
The car seemed to be the future, and the train the past. We could not see then how much we were going backward, especially on a planet heading to a climate disaster. And we could also not see how unjust it was to destroy such a perfect and clean means of transportation.
And I, as a teenager, had been caught up in these bad decisions. I was neither licensed nor old enough to drive. Thus, I was limited to wandering around and staying in my village.
And just like me were all my classmates and everyone who lived in this region, most of them even less privileged than me, with families that didn’t own a car and didn’t even consider taking vacations outside their birthplace.
In contrast, the same generation that had grown up on the coast had greater freedom of choice, of movement, and a more prosperous life that was never offered to us as an option.
Our lives, my friends and I’s, couldn’t be more different than that of my friend in Famalicão. We were both Portuguese, but that didn’t necessarily mean we had similar lives or even the same opportunities.
She went to an excellent public school but could attend a private one if she wanted to. Not only because she had that option but because her parents, who were my parent’s age, had also had different lives than mine.
They all lived better, were better educated, and had better incomes. I, in turn, had no other option but to go to the only public school available; whether it was good or bad, it was all I had.
But at that time, even more than that, I envied her freedom and her range of options. I would have to wait a few years before I left my town and went to live in Porto.
She didn’t know that the biggest and closest city to me, Viseu, was and still is the biggest city in continental Europe that is not served by train. Meanwhile, politicians talk about high-speed projects and TGV lines connecting the two Iberian capitals, while here, there isn’t even a railway line.
All this is a tragedy in several aspects. It is an environmental catastrophe that constantly forces us to drive our cars, which is responsible for many fossil fuel emissions contributing to climate change.
It is a tremendous injustice to the Portuguese, who pay the same taxes but are not served equally, in having access to different means of transportation. And considering all the costs of owning a car, from mechanical repairs, taxes, and insurance to increasing fuel prices, one can only feel how unjust this is.
It’s a social injustice also because those who can’t afford a car don’t commute, don’t travel, and don’t experience different ways of life.
All this raises social and economic justice problems, favoring one social class more privileged than another. Ultimately, it is a tragedy in the cultural development of land.
One of these days, I was commenting on this affliction with my father, the lack of trains. But he has lived here all his life, never got on a train, and has always used the car to get around.
I told him the wonders about Italy, where I lived for a good part of my adult life, how even the smallest villages have railway lines and how easy it is to get in, get out, travel, and get to know other places.
And as such, how wonderful it is for your spirit to experience that freedom and how much you learn and grow. But unfortunately, he didn’t understand. How could he? And like him, almost everyone doesn’t get it because when we don’t know a better reality, we often accept the world as it is offered to us.
Until my friend suggested I get on a train and go for a ride, I had no other option but to walk and take the same routes in my city repeatedly. A light was shed when I realized not only the injustice and inequalities between Portugal and other more developed European countries but even more significantly, the injustices within the same country.
Poor mobility may be the first point of discussion among the many problems that plague the Interior. And in a country full of tourism, both the country and the tourists would benefit from a decentration of the tourism focus, which would bring money and different forms of life here.
In other words, the Portuguese Interior would witness a cultural revolution in a part of the country that has been waiting so long for a change that insists on not arriving.
Subscribe to our newsletter below to get the latest news, reviews, info and more!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
