Lisbon is one of the best European cities to visit during Winter. Temperatures are quite moderate, between a pleasant 8° and 15°C (46-59°F). However, it does rain around 90mm of rain per month, which on certain days can ruin your plans. Fortunately, Lisbon hosts a ton of shows and musicals that will not only shelter you from the train but also makes for a unique experience. Let’s be real, what feels more like Christmas than heading to the theater for a heartwarming show?
Let’s take a look at the 5 best shows and musicals in Lisbon for this Winter 2022.
Starting October 29, you can head to Teatro Armando Cortez in Lisbon for a wonderful adaptation of Wizard of Oz. Catering to all ages, it tells the magical story of Dorothy’s adventures in rural America with music, dance, plastic arts, and audiovisual elements.
This is the story of Dorothy’s adventures when she was a little girl from a rural and inhospitable area in America. You will navigate this journey with her, meeting the new friends she makes along the way.
Teatro Armando Cortez is a large theater with over 300 seats, equipped with a large stage, dressing rooms, a foyer with a bar, a cloakroom, and more.
2. Cirque du Soleil Crystal
Starting December 22 until January 1 in Altice Arena, Cirque du Soleil Crystal is a new and unique experience that is set to sell out. Imagine Cirque du Soleil meets ice skating, the perfect evening for a Christmas feel!
You will be able to watch world-class ice skaters and acrobats challenging the laws of gravity with outstanding acrobatics. A first-time show, Cirque du Soleil Crystal is directed by Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevilla.
We recommend booking tickets as soon as possible as they are likely to sell out!
3. CATS Musical in Lisbon
The musical production of CATS is returning to Lisbon this winter from February 14 to 19 in Campo Pequeno. It has been almost a decade since CATS was performed in Portugal, with the original version of the musical finally returning.
Andrew Llyod Webber’s musical CATS was adapted from T.S. Elliott’s Book “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.” The musical tells the story of the meeting of the Jellicle cats at the Jellicle ball. This is the perfect musical for children and adults alike, bringing the whole family together for a night of fun entertainment.
4. Swan Lake Ballet
The Swan Lake Ballet returns to Lisbon from January 6 to 8, 2023, in Coliseu Lisboa. Considered one of the most beautiful ballets of classic dance, Swan Lake was first performed in public in Moscow in 1877. It highlights the duality of good and evil through the symbols of the white and black swan.
The ballet is presented in four acts, with music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, libretto by Vladimir Begitchev, and choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Every detail of this 2-hour ballet is carefully curated, from the outfits to the figurines.
5. Fado in Chiado
With over a decade of experience, Fado in Chiado was one of the first places to host a daily live traditional fado show, accompanied by a guitar and viola, with two singers, and a feminine and masculine voice for a full Portuguese experience.
The show is a little less than an hour in the Chiado district, and you will get to experience the melancholic vibes of the traditional musical genre of fado. Book this ticket to skip the line to this iconic cultural experience. Drinks are not included in the ticket price, but we recommend ordering a classic Port wine.
To most, sardines are nutritious oily fish that are filled with omega-3 fatty acids. To the Portuguese, they are so much more. A cultural symbol, an art form, inspiration for art, a part of our language, the list goes on. However, while for decades, the sardine was mostly celebrated for its freshness, it is today even more widely consumed in a can for conservation. You can find flavors of all kinds and originality, from spicy sardines to tomato riched aromas.
Despite the Portuguese’s love for sardines, most that visit us are not aware of all its facets. Let’s take a look at 7 interesting facts about sardines in Portugal so that you can better understand this national icon the next time you come to visit.
1. The sardine population is declining
While once every household had access to sardine fishing and the resource was abundant, this is no longer the truth. Today, the Portuguese sardine industry is declining as this fish population is also decreasing. This is predominantly due to climate change and overfishing.
Portugal is, in fact, a long way from reaching sustainable populations of the sardine stock it shares with Spain. This led the country to join the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), a marine science organization that promotes sustainability in oceans and fishing.
Due to the declining sardine population, industries and consumers are looking for Portuguese alternatives such as the carapau (horse mackerel) and cavala (chub mackerel).
When you think of delicious fish, you often think of it as being fresh, fished that same week, and picked up from your local market. That’s the way many in Portugal still consume their fish and seafood. However, that’s not always the case for sardines, and this doesn’t make the product any less delicious.
But how did canned sardines come about in Portugal? Let’s go through a bit of history. Canning fish in Portugal only became a method of preserving fish in Portugal in the 19th century. Ramirez, the first canning company in Portugal founded Vila Real de Santo Antonio and began packing sardines, tuna, and mackerel into tin cans in 1865.
In the decades that followed, two world wars made it so that Portugal expanded its production of canned sardines as it was a long-lasting and nutritious food for soldiers. BY 1950, Portugal had over 400 canneries.
However, today, this process is not only a method of preserving fish but has also turned into Portuguese art and Portuguese delicacy. You will find this delicacy of canned sardines beautifully presented, with artistic tins and with a wide array of flavors, such as garlic, hot sauce, tomatoes, and more.
Canned products at Loja das Conservas in Lisbon. Photo by Francesbean (Flickr)
3. Sardines are the highlight of the yearly Santos Populares celebrations
Sardines are incredibly ingrained in Portuguese culture, particularly in popular festivities. The most important in Portugal is Saint Anthony’s on June 13 where the largest festival in Portugal takes place in the capital of Lisbon. The smell of grilled sardines fills the streets of Bairro Alto and other areas, with people bringing tables outside, sharing other delicacies, playing music, and drinking beer.
But the celebration is not just for that one day! The whole of June is the month of Santos Populares, with parties all over the country. In Lisbon, it is mostly on June 12, while in Porto, it’s on June 23 when Sao Joao is celebrated. Regardless of where you are in the country this month, expect sardines to be the main staple.
4. Sardines are extremely healthy
Are sardines healthy? Yes! While not all Portuguese foods are super healthy – like the francesinha, this isn’t the case for sardines. Sardines are filled with tons of nutrients that can be hard to find elsewhere.
They are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, nearly 15% of your daily recommended vitamin B2, almost 25% of your recommended daily niacin, and are filled with vitamin B12.
These nutrients aren’t just some meaningless part of your diet. They help improve the nervous system, boost metabolism, and improve cognitive function.
5. The ceramic art of sardines is a part of Portuguese culture
Sardines are also quite literally Portuguese art. The 19th-century Portuguese artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro is famous for creating ceramics of this Portuguese symbol, the sardine. His company is still in operation selling these, and other generation artists have created illustrations and ceramics with the sardine. You will find several versions in ceramic shops all over the country, especially in the Silver Coast town of Caldas da Rainha, Bordallo Pinheiro’s place of origin.
6. Portuguese expressions often mention sardines
The Portuguese language is highly impacted by cultural symbols, including the precious sardine. The iconic fado singer Amalia Rodrigues would even mention sardines in her songs, highlighting their cultural significance.
But it goes further than that! A lot of Portuguese expressions mention sardines. Keep in mind that when translated, many Portuguese expressions make absolutely no sense. They are not meant to be translated at all, but we will do so for the sake of knowledge.
“A mulher e a sardinha querem-se pequenina” – translates to “a woman and a sardine are meant to be small”. This alludes to the fact that smaller sardines are thought to be more delicious and that Portuguese women were said to be short. The “small” is not about size or weight at all.
Another famous expression that speaks to the Portuguese “glass half empty” mentality is “cada um puxa a brasa à sua sardinha.” This expression translates to “each one pushes the coal to their own sardine,” meaning people only look out for their own interests.
7. The Fantastic World Of Portuguese Sardines is a unique experience
Known as O Mundo Fantastico das Sardinhas, this place takes the Portuguese love for sardines to another level. With stores all over Portugal, the Fantastic World of Sardines takes you on a journey of the world of canned sardines. This place almost feels circus-themed in the best way possible. Filled with colors, lights, and canned sardines decorating its interior, it is bound to attract everyone, especially children.
On top of that, you can purchase canned sardines of all types. From spicy sardine cans to your regular ones, there’s a can for everyone’s taste. You can also find sardine cans named “1927” that have been canned in the way they used to, decades ago.
O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa at Lisbon Airport. Photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin (Flickr)
There is no better plan for a good weekend than traveling and staying overnight in the land where Beira Alta ends and Beira Baixa begins. Despite their different names, these two regions share many similarities, which is why many people refer to this piece of land as only “Beiras.”
Whoever gets in the car and drives through these mountains brings home a new meaning of the word relaxation. There is an indescribable sense of serenity in those territories. And I, who like words so much, have a hard time finding the right ones to convey the same feelings when I glimpse an infinite meadow or stumble upon a historic village still walled in.
And the same can be said for the flavors and aromas that float there and how pleased I am when my palate contemplates them. Namely the lamb stew, the cheese from Serra da Estrela, or the “requeijão” —cottage cheese — wrapped in pumpkin jam.
If there are still romantics left in our world, you will surely find part of their soul around every corner on any road in this part of Portugal. I speak of the joy one gets from the harmony of that land that the hustle and bustle of the city do not allow us to have.
In this itinerary, the visitors should include many historic villages worth visiting. These include the landscapes of the highest mountain on the Portuguese mainland, Serra da Estrela. A part of Portugal immensely devastated by the last summer’s wildfires and that needs tourists, more than ever, to revitalize its economy.
Still, for now, this article aims to take you to the town of Celorico da Beira.
The history behind the Castles
This historical village is not only important locally, but its history is directly linked to a broader one, namely in several episodes of the Portuguese nation. And it’s in the same municipality that one can find nearby towns such as Trancoso and Linhares da Beira. Two villages with centenary castles and walls that protected the Portuguese from Castilian onslaughts.
But like many other villages, the history of Celorico da Beira goes back to times even before the nation’s foundation. The visitor can find this in the evidence of Roman occupation in its surroundings, with one of the oldest Roman roads in the country. Namely, the ancient roman road built in the 1st century B.C. can be found between the parishes of São Pedro and Santa Maria and Vila Boa do Mondego.
On these roads, using one’s imagination, one can hear the noise from the hard work of those who placed those stones, opening paths that until then had never been opened. And going forward a few centuries, one can also feel their destruction as the rocks were thrown against the barbarians or simply stolen by people locals to build their houses as the Middle Ages began.
Although it lacks historical documentation, Romans, barbarians, and Muslims will have passed there, with the last ones entering the Iberian Peninsula in 711 BC.
Then, with the foundation of Portugal in the 12th century, the Christians reconquered the territories, namely the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques. He was the one who also ordered the construction of fortresses in Celorico as well as in Trancoso.
This defense investment would still carry on in the 13th century, during D Dinis’ reign. And in Celorico, this is visible in the existence of the Castle’s keep. To those who visit it, look at the small balcony, and observe the famous machicolations, where archers would spurt arrows or even boil oil against the enemy. A dangerous time to be on the opponent’s side.
But the significance of these castles goes further than one may expect, as it’s linked to a critical moment in Portugal’s history, the Battle of Aljubarrota. From 1383 to 1385, Portugal had a severe dynastic crisis with no king to govern the country. As such, taking this advantage, John I of Castile entered Portuguese lands to conquer us.
He entered the south while some of his troops penetrated through another border further north. But now imagine a stampede of knights entering Portuguese lands, thinking they could easily conquer us, only to have their hopes crushed upon finding three important defensive castles and the enemy there ready to fight.
I’m mentioning the castles of Celorico da Beira, Linhares da Beira, and Trancoso. The local governors let their rivalries aside and joined forces to defeat the Castilians. The Battle of Trancoso in 1385 would be crucial in not only defeating Castilians but also as a kind of rehearsal for the Battle of Aljubarrota. A moment when Portugal defeated Castile and consecrated king of Portugal D. João I Mestre de Avis. This king would become famous for having been the father of Infante D. Henrique, the most crucial figure at the beginning of the maritime discoveries.
Thus, if we stop to think about the broader influence that Portugal had in the world’s history, namely in the process of globalization, maybe we will look at Celorico da Beira differently. We will perhaps walk through its streets feeling the weight of history that goes beyond a mere medieval castle lost in the Portuguese countryside.
Where to taste the Serra da Estrela cheese
But even those who may be unaware of this more profound history, at least will not miss the call of another tourist attraction.
On the slopes of the Serra da Estrela, one can see the Bordaleira breed of sheep spreading across the land, providing us humans with some of the best cheese you can taste, eat, and cry for more in Portugal. The Serra da Estrela cheese!
It’s here in Celorico da Beira that Estrellacoop — the leading cooperative of the Serra da Estrela’s cheese producers— has its headquarters and where the authenticity of the cheese is attested by the famous PDO (Protected Designation of Origin).
And it’s in this town where one can visit the Museum of the Farmer and the Cheese and the “Solar do Queijo,” where this delicacy appears on the main posters as its icon. One can learn more about this tradition while seeing old pictures telling the famous cheese story.
On this mountain, we still see shepherds taking care of their flock, spending their days from sunrise to sunset going up and down the hill. It is an old vocation that is hard to find elsewhere but still prevalent in this part of Portugal.
But one doesn’t need to visit the museum to feel the cheese perfume. It’s enough to wander around Celorico da Beira streets, where cheese can be bought at a reasonable price.
And for those who are not such big lovers of very flavored cheese, you are always invited to try the “requeijão” — curd cheese— that white cheese typically eaten with any type of jam.
All this while wandering through the streets of Celorico, with the Serra da Estrela in the distance. And if you’re lucky to meet some locals, they will not fail to know how to welcome you. Which in Portugal almost always means being invited to sit at a table.
In this region, this welcome comes with the taste of buttery cheese, which one can easily eat with a spoon while drinking a glass of good red wine and taking bites of corn, rye, or wheat bread. These are some of the ingredients for happiness that can never be missing from a Portuguese table.
And while we are enjoying the cheese, it is important to know that we are eating something that, in 2024, will apply to become a UNESCO World Intangible Heritage Site. A curious name is intangible, perhaps because we can’t resist its presence for long, and the cheese quickly melts in our mouths and disappears.
In addition to the Solar, Casa dos Queijos in Praça da República sells cheese to whoever passes by and wants to take some with them. It’s very easy to find the store as it is right in the middle of the biggest square.
Besides cheese, Celorico proudly presents a diverse cultural agenda, with food festivals such as the lamb festival that usually takes place in the fall. Or with the square that is filled with ancient stories, where the passionate visitor sits in the square to listen to them.
Recent History of Celorico da Beira
But this trip is not only about food or medieval history. In more recent history, Celorico da Beira is proud to call one of the masters of Portuguese aviation a son of its homeland. We are talking about Sacadura Cabral.
This important Portuguese figure is also a global one, for having, together with Gago Coutinho—another historical figure— made the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic in 1922, on the centennial of Brazil’s independence.
And as your visit is about to be over, don’t forget that those other historic villages are very close. It is obligatory to go to Linhares da Beira, where you can also glimpse parts of the history of the Jewish people in Portugal, a region with strong traces of Jewish culture.
But while in this region between two areas, put a visit to the town of Almeida on your agenda. This town will surprise you with its well-preserved fortresses. And continue your trip, stopping in Sabugal, where you’ll find one of the most well-preserved Castles in Portugal. Continue then to Sortelha, where a medieval fair is held every summer within its walls.
These and many more historical villages remain in Beira Baixa, where their stories foreshadow in our imagination, and for which I will reserve another article.
While Halloween is not widely celebrated in Portugal, the country boasts a wide variety of night outs to celebrate this day. The city of Porto, in particular, offers an underground and electronic music scene to make this a night to remember. Those over 18 can experience the city’s nightlife to the fullest on this spooky night, with some events inviting international DJs renowned in the industry.
However, before we get into the best Halloween events and parties in Porto, let’s take a look at the general understanding behind Halloween in Portugal.
Halloween is not as celebrated in Portugal as in the United States or the United Kingdom. You won’t find people dressing up for work in Halloween costumes.
Trick or treating is not a large custom in Portugal on October 31st. Although it can happen in smaller gated communities with international populations, it is not so common in major towns and villages.
However, many Christian Portuguese still celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1st to remember relatives they lost.
On this day, there’s a Portuguese tradition similar to trick or treating called “Bread for God.” This is where kids ask for “Pao-por-Deus” and receive candy and bread in exchange. This is a religious tradition and is thus not done by all Portuguese.
4 Best Halloween Events and Parties in Porto 2022
Despite Portugal not being a country that highly celebrates Halloween, there are plenty of events to celebrate the occasion on a night out in Porto. Let’s take a look at the 4 best Halloween events and parties in Porto for 2022.
1. October 31st at Plano B
Head to the iconic club Plano B to enjoy some electronic music from 10 pm to 6 am. This Halloween night’s lineup includes I. Jordan, Alfonsvs, Smash by Andre Tentugal, and Paulo Santos Rodrigo.
Founded in 2006, Plano B is not just a club, but an interdisciplinary venue in Baixa focused on culture and entertainment. The entrance boasts long red curtains which open up to a Boho-Chic venue filled with different sofas, mirrors, and furniture that provide a retro environment. The club is split into two floors and three rooms with different atmospheres.
The main room is the Cubo club where house and techno DJs from all over the world play. The Palco room is where Plano B hosts concerts of all music genres. On the top floor, a cultural area hosts exhibitions of visual arts, design, architecture, dance, and more. Various iconic DJs have visited Plano B, such as Jamie XX, Peaches, Move D, and more.
2. NEOPOP Presents X Halloween Edition
On October 31, NEOPOP is again hosting an event at Super Bock Arena – Pavilhao Rosa Mato. Expect to see the following playing: Héctor Oaks, KAS:ST, Reinier Zonneveld live, Renato Ratier, VTSS, Biia, and Tiago Fragateiro. The event will be hosted at a large space used for shows, cultural events, congresses, and sports.
You might have heard of NEOPOP before. For the last 10 years, Neopop has been one of Portugal’s most well-known electronic music festivals, located in the town of Viana do Castelo in the region of Braga. This last summer, Neopop welcomed Paula Temple, Nina Kraviz, Dax J, DJ Nobu, and more. It is one of the best techno festivals in Portugal.
3. Halloween with Cuartero at Industria
This year for Halloween, Porto’s Industria invites Cuartero to play on October 31 for some house and electronic groove. An electronic music club, Industria is the oldest club in Porto, open since 1986.
It is now equipped with a Funktion One sound system, one of the highest-quality loudspeaker systems for clubs and festivals. Industria has been a part of Porto’s nightlife for decades, bringing music to big audiences, from reggae fans to techno ravers. DJs such as Klin Klop, Mall Grab, Marrøn, and more have performed in Industria.
4. Halloween x Gate13 x Paula Temple x IMOGEN x Vera Grace
This last event is not technically in Porto, but it is worth the trip. It is hosted at Gate 13 in Barcelos, Braga, a 40-minute drive from Porto. The great Paula Temple, Imogen, Vera Grace, Natalie, and Dann B will be playing to make this a Halloween night out to remember. Paula Temple, in particular, is one of the most renowned DJs in the electronic music scene. Gate 13 features two floors, a bar and is the most popular techno club in Braga.
2022 wasn’t scary enough? Lisbon Halloween has got you covered! If you’re looking to take the edge off this Halloween, Lisbon boasts a variety of parties and night-outs throughout the city. Many of them are hosted in iconic clubs that have been around since the 90s, adding to a vibrant club scene, particularly when it comes to electronic music.
Before we get into the best Halloween events and parties in Lisbon, let’s take a look at the general understanding behind Halloween in Portugal.
Fall Guide to Lisbon: Fall Activities in Lisbon 2022
Halloween in Portugal
Halloween is not as celebrated as in the United States or the United Kingdom. You won’t find people dressing up for work in Halloween costumes.
Trick or treating is not a large custom in Portugal on October 31st. Although it can happen in smaller gated communities with international populations, it is not so common in major towns and villages.
However, many Christian Portuguese still celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1st to remember relatives they lost.
On this day, there’s a Portuguese tradition similar to trick or treating called “Bread for God.” This is where kids ask for “Pao-por-Deus” and receive candy and bread in exchange. This is a religious tradition and is thus not done by all Portuguese.
5 Best Halloween Events and Parties in Lisbon 2022
Despite Portugal not being a country that highly celebrates Halloween, there are plenty of events to celebrate the occasion, particularly in Lisbon for those over 18. Let’s take a look at the 5 best Halloween events and parties in Lisbon for 2022.
1. Brunch Electronik In-The City Lisboa – Halloween Party
Located in Pavilhao Carlos Lopes, Brunch Electronic In-The City Lisboa is a two-day electronic music party on October 29 and 31. This year, you will be dancing to the sounds of Nina Kraviz, Patrick Mason, Elli Acula, Jiggy, and Laura on the 31 of October.
For the first date, on October 29, Maceo Plex will be playing a 4-hour set, and others include Raxon, Nuno Lopes, and Kokeshi for a more deephouse night.
The location is a new one, a spot designed to be the Pavilion of Portuguese Industries in 1922 during the International Exhibition of Rio de Janeiro. Initial tickets started at €20, but after selling out with early releases, leftover tickets cost between €30 and €35 if you can still grab some.
The parties run until 6 am, and you are encouraged to wear your best Halloween costume.
2. LuxFragil
LuxFragil has a bunch of events for this Halloween weekend 2022. Founded in 1991 in Santa Apolonia, Lux Fragil is one of the most exclusive clubs in Lisbon and is renowned in Europe for its selection of electronic music DJs.
On Friday, Lux invites Vil, influenced by the musical aesthetic of late 90s early 200s raves, as well as Stranger. On Saturday, Ines Duarte, Rui Vargas, Funkamental, Pedro Ricardo, and Funkament will be playing. On Monday, October 31, HNRQ, Superpitcher, DJ Caring & Varela take the stage.
Their events are not Halloween-themed, but they will make it a night out to remember. However, we don’t recommend trying to get in with a full Halloween costume, they tend to be selective at the door when it comes to attire. No need to overdress though.
3. REBELS Afterparty & Halloween Night at Kremlin
On Saturday, October 29, head to REBELS Afterparty at the club Kremlin. After dancing to Technasia, Stefano Noferini, Dub Tiger, Dexx e Undernoiz3, this afterparty has loads of allegedly special guests that have yet to be announced.
This event is great if you are looking for a more exclusive experience, with VIP tables starting at €150 for four people with one service bottle.
On the 31st, Kremlin is also hosting a Halloween night with Miguel Rendeiro and Dave Oak, hosted by Dub Tiger.
Founded in 1988 in Santos, Kremlin was once named the third-best club in the world during the 90s. An underground space for decades, Kremlin plays electronic music and hosts world-famous artists of the techno scene.
4. HELL/WEEN 12H RAVE at Nada Temple
Up for a 12 hour have? Nada Temple is hosting a Halloween rave on October 31 for the brave. ØTTA will be playing, a London-based Portuguese producer, DJ, and co-founder of the collective and event series Орфей known for hard and distorted tecno accompanied by high-energy performance acts. Dj Dextro and A. Paul will also be playing, both of Portuguese origin.
Nada Temple is known as a place for the interpretation of are, representing a place where everyone can express themselves freely and without bias.
5. Bashment: Halloween Carnival Edition at Village Underground Lisboa
A Halloween night in Lisbon is not just electronic music and techno. Village Underground Lisboa is hosting a Bashment party on October 31, bringing Don Andre, Fresh P, and No Trouble Sound.
Village Underground is an international platform for culture and creativity that was founded in London in 2014, coming to Lisbon seven years later. Boasting both a large work space and a cultural space for shows, Village Underground is located near Lx Factory.
Advance tickets cost €10 and €15 at the door. Doors close at 6 am.
In 2008, I left my parents’ home and went to study at the University of Porto. Like many at that age, I was excited about my new life. That new chapter would mean my freedom; Learning, growing, and waking up to a bigger world than my village in the interior of Portugal.
And there were several lessons, both inside and outside the classroom. But in that new urban world, the main one would be to witness the great division in Portuguese society marked by different social classes.
And everything became more noticeable as we were going through a period of a severe economic crisis that would drag on throughout my years as a university student.
Still, while some pupils were clearly going through a difficult period, others seemed oblivious to the crisis.
I was finally living what I had learned in class theory, verifying the famous dualistic model of my country. On one side, rural and traditionalist Portugal, where economic and cultural backwardness accompanied the low schooling of its people. On the other, a coastal and modern Portugal, where people with university schooling had been at the origin of an economic and urban class structure.
And this theory was put into practice in my daily life. I remember one episode in particular. At the door of my college department, a group of students gathered to protest the increase in tuition fees, and I proudly joined them. I did so because I could also feel how difficult it was to pay for my course.
A colleague passed by, and I innocently invited her to join us because I thought our cause would be that of all students. But she promptly told us that she didn’t need to protest because her father was a doctor. She then went on with her life, walking into the apartment she was renting, unlike me, who felt lucky to have a place in a social services residence.
She was also the one who reacted surprised when I told her that I was the daughter of a builder and a factory worker. Perhaps she thought I was less gifted with inferior intellectual abilities because I was poor. But my colleague’s perplexity was also connected to the fact that at college, one could find very few people from my social background and more people from the same class as her.
My colleague then showed me something very Portuguese. She demonstrated how in Portugal, the educational system remained a space where the dominant classes, with economic power, reproduced their privileges to distinguish them from the poor.
And this is as old as our language, where specific ways of addressing people reflect precisely this differentiation of social classes.
The forced titles of “Mr. Doctor,” “Mr. Engineer,” and “Mr. Professor” carry on as being the norm. One could say this is a direct inheritance from a fascist past where most of the population was illiterate, and only a class with economic power could continue their studies and exercise control precisely through a language of detachment.
These titles continue to differentiate people, more aligned with obsolete business economic models where these words make it easier to command and intuitive to obey.
However, my colleague had yet to understand that Portugal had, fortunately, evolved. But even so, having been raised in a wealthier family, she might have grown up with certain stereotypes that dictate that poor peasants from the countryside would never make it up the social hierarchy. But if I am the living portrait of that Portugal, I am also the illustration that my colleague’s stereotypes were precisely only that.
I do come from a poor peasant family. Both my grandmothers were illiterate. My maternal one had seven children at a time when this number was welcomed because it was seen as another workforce in rural life. Unlike my grandmother, my mother studied for six years and started working at twelve, at a time even harder on women who had even less the right to continue in school.
I was the first generation of my family to go to university.
But comparing classes. My colleague’s family had reached that level way before us. While my mother had insufficient schooling, my colleague’s parents had already studied in higher education, indicating that they belonged to the upper class. She and her family were thus a generation ahead of me. But she and I were there, together, in the same classroom.
Perhaps our parents would have been born in the same decade, in the sixties. But more than the time they were born, the question would be more accurate if it asked where and in which class. The chances of being born in the interior and in a poor farming family were high. In turn, the ones born on the coast had more chances to be raised in a wealthier industrial bourgeoisie, where access to education was more achievable.
But by 2008, Portuguese society had long moved away from the Portugal of the sixties. The interior became vacant, farmers fled to the industrial centers on the coast, and the old folks of yesteryear stayed behind. But don’t let yourselves be fooled, the coast of Portugal also struggled.
Between 2008 and 2014, Portugal appeared a lot more uniform than many might have thought.
The 2000s had already started economically stagnating after the fever of the 90s of rampant construction and uncontrolled financial credit. And in 2008, Portugal was undergoing deindustrialization, a process happening in a country that had never been prosperous in the secondary sector.
By then, Portugal was facing a severe debt, witnessing unemployment soaring, causing my generation to graduate and seek a better life abroad. As a peripheral and forgotten country, Portugal was more on the opposing side of progress.
In 2011, the social situation reached its peak, and on March 12 of that year, summoned through a Facebook event, thousands of people took to the streets, non-partisan, calling for a better Portugal, desperate for the lack of perspective and a future in Portugal. It was the largest protest on record since the Carnation Revolution with the end of fascism.
But like several trajectories of the modern era, nothing availed them in a year of political right turns, the entry of the IMF, and a policy of austerity that has never ceased to exist in our lives until today.
As time went by, we were suddenly helped by the tourism boom to help us from the crisis we lived in. And for a brief time, the weight of social classes seemed to have diminished. Scholarships returned to students; on the outside, Portugal finally seemed to be making itself known to the world. But while this was happening, low-wage jobs continued, particularly in tourism, of which I was part.
Not having any financial support from my family, I had to submit myself to earning the minimum wage of 640 euros at the time. It didn’t help that I had studied; the precariousness that plagued our lives was widespread, and having a college degree was no longer synonymous with wealth.
I felt I represented most of the Portuguese population, someone living paycheck to paycheck.
Portugal may say it breathed a sigh of relief for a while, but perhaps the poorer and working classes never felt that coming. The Portuguese present reveals how we are closer to the rest of the world and how everyone is experiencing difficult days. Our days have been marked by an inflationary crisis, continued low wages, and a problem of speculation in the real estate market.
This last one has constantly been making the news. It has been one of the many stressful issues for Portuguese families, causing many university students who cannot afford a room in our cities, be it on the coast or in the interior, to drop out.
This crisis is different. If Portugal was forgotten before, now it has become an oasis for millionaires who are crushing the middle class for good. This is evident everywhere, in Porto, Lisbon, or small towns.
Portugal seems to be reversing the march of equal access to education and the disappearance of that fine line of class difference. It feels like we are going back to a time when the poor couldn’t afford education, dropped out, and started working, while the rich were able to continue their privilege of education and social ascension.
The conclusion is that classes and their differences never ceased to exist, and breaking the cycle of poverty is a great challenge in an increasingly unequal country.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said on Tuesday that ending homelessness in Portugal is feasible within a “reasonable time.” Marcelo said that homelessness represents a “failure” of society and a “social wound” at the end of the National Strategy for the Integration of People Facing Homelessness (ENIPSSA) meeting.
“It is not the only one, there are other failures. Poverty, in general, is a failure of society,” said the president, arguing that Portugal has the conditions to eradicate homelessness.
Marcelo also highlighted that Portuguese society is facing a “new situation” of crisis that is “not as critical as the worst part of the pandemic, but that is more complex.”
“We know that the issue now is the consequences of war, added to the consequences of the pandemic, that last longer than we think, such as in mental health. And, therefore, there is a higher risk of poverty and higher risk of homelessness cases”, said the President of the Republic.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa highlighted the priorities that were denied at the ENIPSSA meeting. He said that the most important goal in “concrete terms is housing.”
“Housing was less complex in 2016, 2017, and 2018 than it has been since 2019, where the tourism prices” have increased property values, making the “access to housing more difficult.”
The President of the Republic said that the country must also “go further regarding health, employability, whenever possible, and much further in civic participation, ie further in prevention.
Calling it a “national priority,” Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa believes “we must be more responsible, and for this reason, more passionate about this cause.”
Are there homeless people in Portugal?
Currently, there are 9,000 people facing homelessness in Portugal, 800 more than in 2020. Most of them access temporary shelters, but 4,000 of these have no shelter whatsoever.
According to the European Commission, homelessness levels have risen in most parts of Europe during the last decade.
The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance is the world’s oldest alliance in known history, established by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386. The Portuguese and English alliance was signed on May 19, 1386, between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Portugal. These two countries have always had a strong friendship throughout the centuries, dating back to 1147 when English crusaders helped King Alfonso I capture Lisbon from the Moors.
How was this alliance served both countries? The Anglo-Portuguese Treaty has made it so that these two kingdoms, later the United Kingdom and the Portuguese Republic, have never waged war against each other. This also includes never having participated in wars on opposite sides.
Both countries have helped each other during wars by exiling and providing refuge to individuals. This alliance was seen from the time of John Gaunt in the Middle Ages to the Peninsular War when the UK and Portugal held the lines against Napolean in Torres Vedras through to 20th-century wars.
The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance was invoked during both World Wars. Portuguese military fought with the British in Europe and East Africa during World War I. In World War II, the Portuguese remained relatively neutral while giving the Azores Islands as bases for the Allied forces.
The countries are also members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an intergovernmental military alliance between several North American and European states with huge military spending.
However, today, the UK and Portugal’s alliance goes beyond military cooperation. The alliance has flourished in the modern era to grow bilateral trade, foreign investment, and tourism. One could say the alliance has also impacted the expat relations between the countries, with both UK and Portuguese citizens immigrating to the countries.
What is the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance?
The Anglo-Portuguese alliance officially started with the Treaty of Windsor in 1386. This diplomatic alliance was sealed by the marriage of King John I of Portugal to the daughter of John of Gaunt, Philippa of Lancaster.
The alliance promises a union of friendship between the two nations, where these committed to never waging war against each other. This promise has been kept ever since. The Treaty of Windsor also stated that the two nations would provide aid to each other whenever necessary.
However, even before the Treaty of Windsor, the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373 took place on June 16. This treaty was signed between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor of Portugal. The treaty established a promise of mutual friendship, union, and alliance between the two kingdoms.
The treaty of 1386 is said to be a reinforcement of the first treaty in 1373, and a more official one. The alliance was further reinforced in 1643, 1654, 1660, 1661, 1703, 1815, and through a secret declaration in 1899. It was only officially recognized in the early 20th century in the Treaties of Arbitration.
However, the initial treaty of 1373 was made temporarily suspended from 1580 to 1640 during the Iberian Union. At the time, Portugal was briefly ruled by the Spanish, and the treaty with the British kingdom was void. However, even then the Portuguese exiled government looked for exile in Britain. When Portugal gained its independence, the alliance was back!
Importance of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty
What is so important about the Anglo-Portuguese treaty? Let’s take a look at a summary of the importance and impact of the alliance between Britain and Portugal throughout history.
The Anglo-Spanish war (1585 – 1604) started five years after Portugal became ruled by the Spanish. The war between Spain and England began with England’s expedition to the Spanish Netherlands in support of the Dutch rebellion against Spanish rule. However, many say that England’s involvement in the war was also heavily aimed at getting Portugal its sovereignty due to the alliance.
During the Napoleanic Wars (1803 – 1815), Portugal was the only country in Europe to challenge Napolean’s blockade of British trade. This led Portugal to be invaded by Napoleon’s troops. Later, Britain’s biggest involvement in the wars was the establishment of a base in Portugal, from which they defended each other and even ventured into occupied Spain.
During World War I (1914 – 1918), Portugal joined the British on the side of the allies, sending soldiers to fight against German invaders.
During World War II (1939 – 1945), Portugal remained arguably neutral, keeping trade with both sides (although this neutrality is up for debate). Britain was okay with this neutrality, not wanting Spain to enter the war on the side of the Axis. In 1943, granted access to naval basis in the Azores to the British and later American troops.
The oldest alliance in the world that is still in force is the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance or the Treaty of Windsor of 1386 between the English and Portuguese Kingdom. These two nations, today the United Kingdom and Portuguese republic, stated they would never wage war against each other and would always provide aid to each other. This alliance is still valid today, making it the oldest continuous alliance in the world!
Why are England and Portugal allies?
Many Brits in particular wonder – why is Portugal Britain’s oldest ally? Their friendship dates way before the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty was signed. You could say it began in 1147 when English crusaders helped King Alfonso I capture Lisbon from the Moors. An English colony was then created in Lisbon and the two kingdoms remained connected ever since.
The Treaty of 1386 between Portugal and England then solidified this friendship. Throughout history, both of these nations protected each other from enemies and never once waged war against each other.
Does the Anglo Portuguese alliance still exist? Is the alliance still active?
The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance is the oldest alliance based in known history that is still in force by politics. The Treaty of Windsor was signed on May 9, 1386 between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Kingdom of England, over 630 years ago, and is still active to this day.
Want to learn more about the history of Portugal? Check out our History & Culture category with articles on various topics such as politics, revolutions, and iconic historical figures!
When moving your family to a new country, worries about education might arise. Luckily, childcare and education in Portugal are safeguarded rights that, for the most part, are either relatively affordable or completely free. In fact, the years of mandatory education (between 6 and 18 years old) are completely free in the public school system.
Nevertheless, nurseries, known as creches, and preschools are generally paid for by the parents, although the government does provide support in relation to your tax bracket. However, a recent change in Portugal has made it so that creches with agreements with the social security services are free for children up to 1 year old!
Still, Portugal is having issues with placing all these children in nurseries and preschools, as there are not enough spots and waiting lists that last years.
However, Portugal boasts a variety of both Portuguese and international private schools. Many of these even offer nurseries and kindergartens, with much faster waiting times to get your child a spot.
Let’s take a look at all you need to know about childcare and education in Portugal so that you know what to expect for your kids when you move.
Nurseries and Preschools in Portugal
Creches (3 months – 3 years old)
Nurseries, known as creches in Portugal, are for children under three years old in Portugal. According to OECD and EU23 data, children in Portugal spend 39.1 hours per week in a nursery. Portugal is thus one of the EU countries offering the widest range of childcare facilities.
Cost of Creches in Portugal
In Portugal, there are 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. For example, in Cascais, a family in the first tax bracket might pay around €80 to €100, while a family in the third tax bracket might pay around €200, depending on the child’s age.
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. This is available regardless of tax bracket, with the measuring having started on September 1, 2022.
From 2023/2024 the free childcare measure will include children up to 2 years old, instead of kids that are up to 1 year old. By the year after that, all children entering a creche, a school for kids under the age of 3, and children moving to the second and third year of primary school will also take advantage of free childcare. This is a gradual measure that is thus set to take around 3 years.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, especially regarding childcare for kids under the age of three in Portugal. It is well known that there are not enough spots in creches for all children being born. Many want to place their children in a creche that is subsidized by the government due to its affordability in comparison to a fully private one, but the waiting lists are impossible.
If you are expecting a child, it is recommended that you pre-register your baby as soon as possible during pregnancy. This is already allowed in many creches. You will still not be guaranteed a spot. Those who already have children enrolled in a creche tend to have priority, as a spot is not always guaranteed by the time of registration.
Preschool/Kindergarten in Portugal (3 – 5 years old)
While it is not uncommon for some children to not go to nursery as they stay at home with parents or grandparents, preschool is widely customary. In preschool or kindergarten, children from the ages of three to five years old are taught to read, write, count, and draw. Children also engage in creative activities and sports, as well as learn communication skills to prepare them for school.
Cost of Preschool in Portugal
Unlike creches, state preschools are free of charge. Still, disadvantaged families are given priority due to the limited number of places. Therefore, almost 50% of Portuguese children are attending private preschools at the moment.
However, keep in mind that education is taught in Portuguese. If you want a child to go to a private international or English-speaking preschool, this will cost you, but we will address this later on in the article.
A private kindergarten will cost you anywhere between €350 a month to €1,800, the latter mostly for international schools. Private kindergartens always teach a foreign language and tend to have no long waiting lines.
For a public school, expect to wait for 1 to 2 years. Although these are free, meals and transport could cost you around €50 a month. If you want your child to stay in the afterschool club, as school only runs until 3 pm, this will cost you around €80 a month.
However, both creches and preschool education are not mandatory in Portugal.
Compulsory Education (6 – 18 years old)
School is compulsory in Portugal from the age of 6 years old. This is when basic education begins, also known as Primeiro Ciclo. Mandatory education is expected from this primary education stage up to the age of 18. 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)
Photo by Kimberly Farmer (Unsplash)
Once again, the mandatory education ages of 6 to 18 years old are fully government funded in public schools. You do not need to pay for your children’s education in a public school except for meals, transport, and extracurricular activities.
If you are considering placing your child in a private international school instead, rather than a Portuguese public or private school, our next section is for you.
International Schools in Portugal
If you want your child to learn in an international environment, then your childcare and education search in Portugal should be focused on international schools. From French, German, American, and British schools, finding an international school for your child in Portugal come with endless options.
However, international schools are a lot more expensive than Portuguese private schools. Private international schools tend to cost anywhere between around €7,000 to almost €20,000 a year, depending on the school and your child’s grade.
Many international schools start at 3 years old with kindergarten, and some even have nurseries for younger toddlers! Let’s take a look at our 3 favorite international schools in Portugal.
Photo by Green Chameleon (Unsplash)
1. German School
Deutsche Schule Lissabon, also known as the German School is a private Portuguese and German-speaking school, one of the best schools in the country. Founded in 1848, the school is the second oldest German school in a foreign country.
The school is divided into three parts, a Kindergarten and a Primary School in Lisbon and Estoril, as well as a secondary school in Telheiras, Lisbon. The school has a little over 1,000 students and a staff of 145 teachers and educators.
Made up of 8 buildings, the primary school and social sciences have their own buildings. The school also has a library with around 12,000 books, 2 IT rooms, an auditorium, as well as a pool and terrace.
2. St. Julian’s School
St Julian’s is the largest British International School in Portugal. Located in Carcavelos, St Julian’s provides an international curriculum based on the English National Curriculum for students between 3 and 16 years old. For those 17 and 18 years old, the school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB), a prestigious diploma.
Along with an international curriculum, the school has a Portuguese section where children between the ages of 6 and 15 can access the Portuguese national curriculum while still having some joint classes with international students, such as Art.
The school boasts incredible facilities, such as an 18th-century palace housing the art and music department and the dining hall, as well as an assembly place and a building opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1985 that houses the primary school. Along with other facilities, St Julian has some of the best school sports facilities in the country.
3. CAISL
Known as CAISL, Carlucci American International School of Lisbon has over 700 students of 57 different nationalities, from EC3 (3 years old) to 12th grade. The curriculum includes an American collegial preparatory leading to the American High School Diploma with the option of pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).
CAISL boasts high-quality facilities with a library media center with over 40,000 print items, fully equipped science laboratory classrooms, art, and music classrooms, a state-of-the-art 450-seat theater, cafeteria, and snack bar, 1400m2 covered gymnasium, as well as more than 10,000m2 of outdoor sports fields.
There are computers in all classrooms, with one computer per student in grades 1 to 5 in the classroom and one private laptop for each student in grades 6 through 12.
Parental Leave: Paternal and Maternal Leave in Portugal
We can’t talk about childcare and education in Portugal without addressing parental leave. If you are employed in Portugal, you have the right to parental leave, regardless of gender. Self-employed people are also eligible. However, you must have paid social security contributions for a minimum period of six calendar months, whether consecutive or aggregate.
In Portugal, you have initial and extended parental leave. The parental leave period is up to 120 (100% income) or 150 consecutive days (80% income). Both parents can take the period between 120 and 150 days at the same time.
Photo by Gigin Krishnan (Unsplash)
Mothers MUST take at least six weeks off right after childbirth, and there is a 20 working day compulsory leave for fathers.
After that, the 120 days or 150 days may be extended by 30 days in the case of shared leave. However, to do so, each parent must take leave of 30 consecutive days or two periods of 15 consecutive days after the mandatory maternal leave of 42 days.
If the initial parental leave is not shared, benefits can be granted to the father if the mother works.
If the childbirth takes place before the 34th week of pregnancy, the parental leave is increased by the total duration of the hospital stay plus 30 days after discharge.
In the case of a miscarriage or voluntary abortion, the mother might have paid leave between 14 and 30 days, depending on their doctor’s advice. In the case of stillbirth, a mother is granted 120 days of paid leave.
Located on Portugal’s Silver Coast in Central Portugal, Nazare is one of Portugal’s most quaint fishing towns. You might have only heard of it in the last decade due to the likes of surfer Garrett McNamara. Nazare, Portugal is home to the largest surfable waves on the planet! However, way before the rest of the world found out about Nazare, the Portuguese had been living and traveling to this unique surfing mecca.
But surfing is not all that Nazare has to offer. From the colorful fishing boats and local traditional market to breathtaking viewpoints and Catholic buildings, Nazare welcomes thousands of tourists every year. Let’s take a look at the 7 best things to do in Nazare, Portugal, for our favorite activities in this picturesque fishing village.
Nazare is home to the largest surfable waves on the planet, particularly Praia do Norte. Fun fact, Garrett McNamara actually discovered and surged on the biggest wave in the world in Nazare. Therefore, keep in mind that most of these waves are not for beginner surfers. However, regardless of your ability, you can always opt to just observe these magnificent waves. Better safe than sorry!
The season for big waves in Nazare runs between October and March during winter in Portugal. They say that you should stay at least two weeks in Nazare to catch at least one day of huge waves. You can check out the waves in real-time via live webcams so you do not miss them.
The best place to spot these huge waves is in sitio da Nazare, right next to the lighthouse. This is also a safe place to observe the waves. Make sure not to go down to the beach at these times, as tourists have drowned before doing so.
Waves in Nazare, Portugal. Photo by Gil Ribeiro (Unsplash)
2. Take the funicular for a breathtaking view
Nazare boasts a beautiful funicular trip. This is like a modernized 19th-century train that connects downtown and sitio, the uptown of Nazare. You can walk between these two main areas, but for the best view of Nazare, we recommend the funicular.
The funicular of Nazare runs every 15 minutes and is 318 meters long. You will get views of the town, beach, and the vast Atlantic ocean. When you get o sitio, we recommend walking around the square and streets, offering cute stores with hand-crafted souvenirs. There is also a range of seafood restaurants you should not miss.
Photo by Magda B (Unsplash)
3. Visit the enchanting Matriz da Pederneira church
Located in the center of Nazare, a stunning 16th-century church, also known as the church of the Nossa Senhora das Areias, this beautiful building looks similar to other Portuguese churches on the outside. However, when you walk inside, you get to witness the unique and rich architecture of this Catholic church. An altar stands in the middle of the church in gilded gold, with other gold accents throughout the building. The wood ceiling provides a beautiful contrast with patterned tiles with green, blue, and yellow colors.
4. Explore the Nazare market
There is no better place to experience the authentic atmosphere of a seaside town than at the local market. The Mercado Municipal de Nazare boasts a lively and inviting environment featuring colorful stalls of all kinds. From organic vegetables and fresh fish to Portuguese pastries, this place is bound to call your name. We recommend looking for the iconic Pastel de Nata and perhaps purchasing some codfish to cook at home.
A great thing about the Nazare market and most traditional Portuguese markets, in general, is that they are mostly frequented by locals. You will be buying products sourced and made by the locals of Nazare. If you are looking to avoid a tourist trap, this is the place to be, not some glorified food court.
5. Find the best viewpoints
Nazare’s exclusive location on the coast makes for some mindblowing views. This next activity in Nazare is actually free! Head to one of Nazare’s miradouros, the Portuguese word for viewpoint. A miradouro is a sort of terrace built to let you take in the view, with many featuring seating for resting.
Our favorite viewpoint in Nazare is Miradouro do Suberco, located on top of a hill at the corner of O Sitio, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the beach below. This viewpoint is probably the most famous in Nazare and is 110 meters high.
Another miradouro worth visiting in Nazare is Miradouro da Pederneira, located in Pederneria, near the Matriz da Pederneira church. This viewpoint provides views over the fishing town of downtown Nazare, as well as the Atlantic Ocean.
This last recommendation is not an official viewpoint in the Portuguese sense, but it also provides a gorgeous view. The Sao Miguel Arcanjo Fort was built in the 16th century to protect the locals of Nazare from pirates.
Centuries later, a beacon was built on the fort to guide fishermen and boats. This beam is still working today, and you can visit the fort! However, our favorite part of this historic building is that it has one of the best views over Nazare and the ocean.
6. Discover a 14th-century Sanctuary
Located on the hilltop of O Sitio, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazare was built to pay homage to Nossa Senhora da Nazare as a Marian shrine. Founded in the 14th century, the sanctuary is considered the first of its kind in Portugal. On September 8 of each year, a religious festival is held at the sanctuary, with hundreds of locals and tourists gathering to celebrate.
Throughout the centuries, the sanctuary underwent various renovations, with the last major change being made in the 19th century. The inside of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazare features Portuguese azulejo tiles all over, alluding to the Bible, as well as a beautiful high altar made of a golden-toned altarpiece with marble.
Nazare is the starting point of several day trips close by! We recommend taking a full-day private tour that goes to the following nearby towns and cities: Alcobaca, Batalha, Fatima, and Tomar. This particular tour is organized by a couple of locals for the perfect day. You can even customize the tour if there are other particular places you would rather go to!
You will stop at various iconic spots, including the Monastery of Alcobaca, the Sanctuary of Fatima, Tomar Castle, Batalha Monastery, and more. It’s nearly impossible to see all these spots by public transport in one day. Rather than renting an expensive car and going out on your own, having experienced guides provides a more personalized and interesting experience.
Sanctuary of Fatima. Photo by Tânia Mousinho (Unsplash)
