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Lisbon

Colors of Lisbon - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Local people are rather hot tempered and thus their behavior may seem rather strange to foreign visitors. Peculiar to city folks deliberateness in everything is often approached by visitors as inattention and negligence. In fact, such behavior does not imply any negative, simply the residents of Lisbon just got used to doing everything in deliberate pace. It may well be that in one of local restaurants you will have to wait for your order longer than usually it takes and your business partners will hold off on some decisions.

Guide to Lisbon sightseeing - things to see and to visit

Lisbon is the main port of Portugal, which is located at the mouth of the Tagus River. This city is located in the picturesque place with numerous hills. That’s why Lisbon is also …

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«Siesta» is a distinctive feature of local course of life, simply all the establishments and public offices close at noon for a long lasting lunchtime. In the late afternoon when the heat tends to cease, many of the establishments turn to work. The city folks tend to certain inactivity and to being pretentious, and they preserve aloofness to active leisure and far trips. Even during vacations the locals give preference to staying at home and only few can set to visit their relatives.

These peculiar features are extremely noticeable for city guests as peace and tranquility is reigning in the streets of Lisbon. Another exuberant character feature is the special pride in history and culture. Local people consider their nation to be unique and this conviction turns them intolerant to any comparisons of their customs and course of life to any other nations’ culture. Instead the foreigners taking interest to the history and traditions are immediately turned into welcome companion. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Family holidays with kids in Lisbon. How to entertain your child, things to show to children.

The choice of entertainment for vacationers with children in Lisbon is very large. Many of them prefer to start the recreation program with a visit to the Lisbon Oceanarium. It is considered …

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it is a great privilege for any of the city residents to tell the history of this or that sight or just explain to the foreigner any complicated case or tradition. Talking to new acquaintances local people show tact and politeness, they are very hospitable and are always eager to help foreign guests. It should be noted that the politeness is characteristic to the people of all social classes and statuses. This is an ethnical character feature being an inborn trait of all local people.

Despite the fact that residents of Lisbon may seem at first sight rather conservative, close-minded and passive, they are still people of good humor and know the ways to rejoicing. The real proof of that fact is bright national holidays and festivals which are always accompanied with folk celebrations and engaging events. The city residents take extreme care of their look and outfit. It is considered to be bad style to make a slatternly public appearance.

Cuisine of Lisbon for gourmet with top restaurants and cafe

Local cuisine will not leave untouched any sophisticated gourmet. Restaurants of Lisbon will treat the visitors with a variety of exotic dishes. The heart of the traditional cuisine is the …

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The capital of Portugal can be called "the city of festivals" since colorful and interesting events take place here almost every day. The largest holiday celebrated in Lisbon is Dia de San Antônio, which is held from June 12th to 13th. At this time, the city's central streets are buried in festive decorations, and multi-colored lights evoke associations with a magical world. At the opening fairs, visitors can try local dishes (usually prepared based on sardines - a traditional product of Portugal), as well as dance to live performances at specially equipped venues. The whole city is celebrating, no one dares to stay at home at that time because that would mean missing all the fun and getting bored.

Tourists will have a good chance to explore the local culture when a traditional Portuguese wedding - an important part of Dia de San Antônio - is held in Sé de Lisboa. The tradition goes back to the days when couples in love could not afford to celebrate a wedding on any other day due to their financial situation. Today, it is believed that if people marry at this time, the newlyweds will forever gain the patronage of St. Anthony. The celebration ends with a colorful costume parade held on June 13th along Av. da Liberdade. If you arrive in Lisbon during this festival together with your soulmate, you can follow the example of locals and present your partner with "manjerico" - basil with a love poem that will forever remain a symbol of your love.

Excursion over cultural sights of Lisbon - 'must visit' points of interest

Lisbon presents a great variety of sights of tourist interest among which one will find as ancient so architectonic constructions of modern art, picturesque squares and parks, established …

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A month before Dia de San Antônio, in mid-May, they hold an equally colorful event called the Festival Internacional da Máscara Ibérica (or simply FIMI). The celebration has pagan roots, and that is why the modern city takes on a hint of antiquity during the event. The atmosphere is created by people dressed in ancient vestments walking along the central streets of the city. The traditions and customs of the Iberians who once inhabited the Iberian Peninsula are demonstrated to the audience. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with local culture and history through tasting local food and listening to traditional folk music. About seven hundred folklorists, reconstructors, and volunteers take part in the festival every year.

Another festival allowing to plunge deeper into the multifaceted local culture is the Caixa Alfama, a fado music festival held in mid-September. The venue is one of the city's main historic attractions - Castelo de S. Jorge. Fado music seems to flow in the veins of Portuguese sine birth, and tourists will be able to realize it during the two days of the festival. Among its participants are popular performers of traditional Portuguese music. It is worth noting that the festival is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Your active city break in Lisbon. Attractions, recreation and entertainment - best places to spend your day and night here

Lisbon presents to its visitors fantastic Aquarium which is annually visited by thousands of admiring tourists. The Aquarium presents a great variety of sea world inhabitant. Captivating …

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Jazz fans prefer to visit Lisbon in early August when the Jazz Em Agosto is held here for ten days. The event has two venues - one is a garden located in the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, the other is the Museu Coleção Berardo. Among other jazz festivals, this one enjoys well-deserved respect due to its extensive program, eminent headliners, and the opportunity to meet new names in jazz and related genres. At the end of June, another interesting music festival kicks off - namely, the Com'Paco, which is held in the city center near Baixa - Chiado metro station. Here you can listen not only to bands and performers popular in Portugal - the festival gives the way to young bands that are just starting out.

Among other music festivals, it is worth mentioning such an event as Nos Alive, which is popular among fans of carefree open-air events. It is held in early July on the picturesque Algés promenade located in Oeiras (a suburb of the Portuguese capital) so that the noise of a large city could not interfere with a relaxing stay. Everyone will be able to find music to their liking since the choice of genres is impressive - rock, indie, techno and pop music. It will just suffice to mention the names of headliners that once took part in the festival - The Prodigy, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Muse. In addition to music concerts, the audience is entertained by stand-up comedians.

Advices to travellers: what you should know while being in Lisbon

1. Setting out to Lisbon you should be surely backed up with a pair of comfortable shoes. The reason is that the city is placed on seven hills that is why hiking through the wind streets is …

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Holidays traditional in Europe have their own customs here. For example, Easter (Páscoa) is celebrated in Lisbon quite cheerfully, and throughout Holy Week (Semana Santa), colorful carnivals and street parties take place in the city. But these are not all the differences: on the first Saturday after Semana Santa, a custom called "Funeral of the Cod" (Enterro do Bacalhau) marking the end of Lent is held. Locals march along the central streets accompanied by music and dancing, carrying a coffin in which they put the fish. After bringing the latter to the final destination of the parade and completing all traditions, the “buried” cod can be eaten thus indicating that Great Lent has come to end.

This guide to traditions and festivals in Lisbon is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.

Lisbon - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

City tours, excursions and tickets in Lisbon and surroundings

Reference information

Map of all churches

Cathedrals and basilicas near Lisbon
♥ Sé Patriarcal de Santa Maria Maior, Lisboa, 0.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei, Almada, 5.4 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Igreja da Memória, Ajuda, 6.2 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisboa, 6.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Sé Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Funchal, 15.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Sé Catedral de Santa Maria da Graça, Setúbal, 30.2 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Sé Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Santarém, 69.6 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Map of all castles

Survived castles around Lisbon
♥ Castle 'Castle of São Jorge' , 0.3 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Castle of Penas' , 23.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Castle of the Moors' , 23.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Castle of Óbidos' , 71.9 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Car rental on OrangeSmile.com

Detailed Lisbon maps

Lisbon metro maps

Tram map of Lisbon

Lisbon photo gallery

Travel News

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01.06.2023

Colors of Lisbon in photos

Traditions and festivals in cities around Lisbon

Cascais

Every year Cascais becomes the location of Festas De Mare (the Sea Festival). The colorful national holiday traditionally attracts a lot of tourists from different countries. Fishing is one of the oldest national crafts, and so local fishermen never get tired of showing their talents and skills to an enthusiastic audience. Modern Festas De Mare is very different from the ... Open »

Leiria

It hosts beautiful historical holidays, and on the festival days, the medieval castle comes to life in the literal sense of the word. At every step, one can see people in beautiful old costumes, listen to traditional music, try the best treats and take part in unusual historical activities. Entertainment programs are also organized outside the castle, on the city's main ... Open »

Portimao

One of the most favorite entertainments of festival’s guests is contest in fast sardine eating. Every year contest’s participants manage to set up new records, today’s champion ate more than 50 fish for 15 minutes. Every year Sardine festival is visited approximately by 80 thousand of foreign guests, festival’s organizers every year try to please lovers of festival by ... Open »

Lagos

Locals remain true to many of their traditions - like many years ago, Lagos is considered the land of fishermen. Fishing has always been the principal livelihood for many citizens so many professional fishermen live here today. Throughout the year, Lagos hosts several major competitions with the participation of fishermen from other regions of Portugal. Familiarity with ... Open »

Albufeira

After having a fun time on a beach, you, most likely, will desire to have lunch at one of the many cafes located on the beach or just a little away from it. The resort of Albufeira is famous for its cuisine and only here you will have a unique chance to acquaint with the traditional local cuisine. The most popular ingredients in local restaurants are fresh fish and lobsters. ... Open »

Vilamoura

The local residents' mentality can be described in one word - friendliness. They are always ready for dialogue and assistance to others. It is also worth noting that, unlike other southerners, people who live in Vilamoura do not share hot temperament, incontinence, and talkativeness. They are distinguished by modesty and politeness, while the goodwill and hospitality of locals ... Open »

Cityguide on traditions, mentality and lifestyle of people in Lisbon. Learn the best periods to visit Lisbon to discover its soul - authentic festivals, events and celebrations. We will also reveal the interesting habits, attitude towards the world and to tourists in Lisbon.

Colors of Lisbon - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

City tours, excursions and tickets in Lisbon and surroundings

Colors of Lisbon in photos

Search for popular touristic sites on Lisbon map

Traditions and festivals in cities around Lisbon