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History and Culture

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...

6 Interesting Facts about Santo António, the Patron Saint of Lisbon

The Festival of Santo António on June 12 transforms Lisbon into a non-stop party of music, dance, romance, and religious devotion. But there is...

12 Incredible Facts about Manuel II – The Last King of Portugal

Manuel II's story reads like a tragic novel. He was a young prince thrust into power during one of the most turbulent periods in...

The Lisbon Book Fair Is the Perfect Place to Relax This June

If you’re a book, beer, picnic, or park lover, then we’ve got the perfect place for you to visit this June in Lisbon. From...

Portugal’s Political Map Has Changed: The Rise of the Far Right and the Current State of the Parties

As of May 28, 2025 — with the final count of votes from Portuguese emigrants inside and outside of Europe — it’s official: Chega is now the second-largest...

15 Interesting Facts about Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting CP’s Super Striker

Viktor Gyökeres has once again proven his immense value to Sporting CP! On Sunday, May 25, at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Oeiras,...

11 Portuguese Idioms That Will Make Locals Smile

Portuguese, spoken by over 260 million people across the globe, is a language rich in history, emotion, and cultural nuance. One of the most...

Quim Barreiros: The Mariah Carey of Portugal

Wait, what? I thought you would be talking about a woman. Who is this guy? How is he the Mariah Carey of Portugal? Mariah Carey...

From Madeira to Eurovision – Portugal’s NAPA Takes “Deslocado” to the World Stage

Portugal's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 comes all the way from Madeira. NAPA, an indie band whose musical journey started in a...

The Iconic Quiosques of Lisbon – History, Culture, and How Residents Can Get a 60% Discount!

It seems like you can’t go more than a few blocks without running into another one of Lisbon’s hexagonal 'Quiosques' (Kiosks). While they may...

12 Amazing Facts about Aristides de Sousa Mendes – Portugal’s Greatest Diplomat, Savior of Thousands of Lives during World War II

Aristides de Sousa Mendes is truly one of history's unsung heroes, a Portuguese diplomat whose extraordinary moral courage during World War II saved thousands...

Chafarizes – A Guide to Lisbon’s Beautiful Fountains

Lisbon's fountains, known as "chafarizes," have quenched the city's thirst for centuries. In the 12th century, Lisbon began constructing public fountains to supply water...

Tracing the History of the Adufe – Portugal’s Traditional Drum

For my last birthday, I was given an adufe by my Portuguese friends. And what, you may ask, is an adufe? I asked myself...

From Past to Future – The History of Portugal and Mozambique

The history between Portugal and Mozambique is a dense narrative, crossed by conquest, slavery, administration, rebellion, war, and reunion. Contrary to more linear narratives,...

A Countdown of the Top 10 Most Famous Portuguese Inventions

Hold onto your pastel de nata because you're about to discover how one incredible Iberian nation changed the world forever. Portugal, Europe's unsung hero...

10 Famous Portuguese Emigrants Who Found International Success

Currently, Portugal’s most famous emigrant is Cristiano Ronaldo. But many other Portuguese have also found international fame and fortune after leaving the country. These...

Extinct Portugal

There was a time when bears roamed the mountains of Portugal. The hills were covered in oak and chestnut trees, and the rivers flowed...

Top 10 European Portuguese Phrases to Make You Sound Like a Local

Planning a trip to Portugal soon? While many Portuguese people speak English, especially in tourist areas, making an effort to speak the local language...

The History of the Jacarandas in Lisbon

In late spring, Lisbon transforms into a purple paradise as jacaranda trees burst into bloom across the city. These magnificent trees, with their vibrant...
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