HomeHistory and Culture

History and Culture

12 Things You Didn’t Know About Working in Portugal

Thinking about working in Portugal or planning a move soon? In the last several years, Portugal became one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for...

You Will Not Believe These 19 Portuguese Superstitions

Portugal is a country with a wealth of superstitions that weave themselves into daily life. Over the centuries, they have shaped habits, conversations, and...

Is F1 Coming Back to Portugal?

For a few unforgettable moments in 2020 and 2021, the sound of Formula 1 cars echoed through the hills of the Algarve. At that...

The Portuguese Scandal That Changed the Country Forever

Few events in financial history are as astonishing as the Portuguese Bank Note Scandal of 1925. It was a real-life story of deception so...

27 Laws in Portugal That You Need to Know!

Portugal happens to have some very peculiar and specific rules. Some keep beaches and roads safe, some protect heritage and natural landmarks, but a...

The Powers of the Portuguese President vs. the Prime Minister

When people first learn that Portugal has both a President and a Prime Minister, it can be confusing to understand how their roles differ....

14 Incredible Facts about Queen Catherine of Braganza, Portugal’s Queen of Tea

In the whirlwind of seventeenth-century European politics, Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess, became the queen consort of England, Scotland, and Ireland through her...

15 Portuguese Words That Don’t Exist in English (But Should!)

Every language has its hidden treasures and words that say so much that translation can never quite capture them. European Portuguese is full of...

15 Facts about Fátima, Portugal’s Holiest City, That Will Shock You

Fátima isn’t just another stop on a Portuguese itinerary. It’s a small city that sits at the fault line between faith and history, where...

Which Came First? Test Your Knowledge of Portuguese Culture

So you think you know Portuguese culture? Well, today, we want to see how well you actually know it by asking you "Which Came...

Which Came First: Christ the Redeemer in Rio or Christ the King in Lisbon?

For decades, visitors to Lisbon have looked across the Tagus River and seen a monumental figure of Christ with arms outstretched standing on the...

Battle of the Bridges: Which Portuguese Bridge Is the Best in the Country?

Portugal is a land of castles, azulejos, fado, and seriously good food, but let’s be honest: it is also a land of some seriously...

The 10 Greatest Trees in Portugal

Many of Portugal's trees are older than the country itself. Cork oaks that clothe the Alentejo with bark become wine stoppers. Ancient olives predate...

16 Astonishing Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know about Portugal during World War I

We recently covered Portugal's role in World War II. During our World War II research, we realized that it was important to go even...

Who Are the Best Portuguese People in History According to the Portuguese?

In 2006 and 2007, Portuguese public broadcaster RTP ran a nationwide poll called Os Grandes Portugueses (The Greatest Portuguese). Inspired by the BBC’s 100...

Asking for and Giving Directions in European Portuguese

The more Portuguese we learn, the more we realize how practical and polite the language can be. Building on our exploration of culture through...

Get One of the Most Exclusive Tickets in Lisbon with a Trip to the Underground Roman Galleries!

Hidden beneath the busy streets of downtown Lisbon lies one of the city’s most mysterious and exclusive archaeological treasures: the Roman Galleries of Rua...

26 Customs That You Need to Know Before Moving to Portugal

Portugal is a country full of small but important social codes that locals take for granted. Some will make you laugh, others will make...

João, Maria, and Tiago: The Rules about Choosing Baby Names in Portugal

If you’ve spent any time in Portugal, you’ve probably met a lot of Joãos: João Pedro, João Tiago, João Paulo, etc. As you stay...

15 Astonishing Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know about Portugal during World War II

Intrigue. Duplicity. Bribery. Portugal had it all during WWII. Not only was it a neutral dictatorship threading the needle between Hitler and Churchill and...

Can You Tell a Story in Portuguese?

If you’ve been learning Portuguese for a while, you’ve probably mastered the basics: how to order a coffee, ask for directions, or introduce yourself...

Realejo: Step Inside the World’s Smallest Theater in Lisbon

I recently discovered Realejo wandering around the second floor of Ler Devagar, one of Lisbon's most famous bookstores in the LX Factory. Standing alone...

16 Amazing Facts About Amália Rodrigues, Portugal’s Queen of Fado

Amália Rodrigues is not just remembered in Portugal. She is revered. More than two decades after her passing, she remains Portugal’s most beloved cultural...

15 False Friends in European Portuguese – Don’t Make These Mistakes!

Portuguese may look familiar to English speakers on the surface, but it hides a few sneaky surprises. False friends, which are those innocent-looking terms...

A Complete Guide to the History, Music, and Traditions of Portuguese Tunas

Have you ever heard a Portuguese tuna sing? Maybe we already have you scratching your head. No, we don't mean that kind of tuna....

The 12 Oldest Buildings in Portugal

Portugal’s long and layered past starts with megalithic stones and moves forward in time to Roman temples, Visigothic chapels, and medieval monasteries. These 12...

Our 12 Favorite Tongue Twisters in Portuguese

If you’ve ever tried wrapping your tongue around a tricky Portuguese phrase and ended up with your tongue in knots, you’re not alone. That...

Tracing Portugal’s Muslim Influence and Cultural Legacy

The story of Portugal's Islamic past is one of profound cultural exchange, scientific advancement, and religious coexistence that spanned nearly eight centuries. While modern...

Let’s Take a Walk Around Rossio: The Beating Heart of Lisbon

Rossio Square, officially known as Praça de Dom Pedro IV, stands as the beating heart of Lisbon, a magnificent stage where centuries of Portuguese...

12 Portuguese Idioms That Will Make You Smile

The more Portuguese we learn, the more it makes us smile. Building on our exploration of Portuguese culture through language, we've gathered twelve more...
123...6Page 1 of 6
Stay Connected
642FansLike
14,426FollowersFollow
159FollowersFollow
Latest Articles
Load more
Stay up to date
Subscribe To Portugal.com's Newsletter

Receive the latest news, travel information, stories, offers and more!

Invalid email address
Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Portugal.com is an independently owned and operated tourism portal about Portugal. All information should be considered informational and for entertainment purposes. Some content may be promotional and/or have affiliate relationships where Portugal.com earns revenue promoting the content.

Want to advertise on Portugal.com? Would you like to write for us? Something else? Please feel free to Contact Us!

© Portugal.com