Fun and festivities in Portugal - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

The Portuguese are known to celebrate with joy all kinds of holidays and festivals. The reasons for celebrations could range from pilgrimages, honoring the memory of numerous saints, as well as fair events. Inhabitants of the northern regions of the country celebrate local holidays by indulging in dances, various musical events, as well as traditional amusements and shows with fireworks. An indispensable attribute of the festivities is the spectacle of the bullfight with the prohibition of killing an animal.

For active traveler - national parks, landscapes and nature of Portugal

Portugal is clearly divided into the northern wooded and southern plains parts. The south of the country is characterized in its appearance by the …
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The main holidays of the year are Christmas and Easter which are traditionally celebrated with family, relatives and closest friends. The Portuguese certainly participate in divine service, and then lovingly decorate the table with an abundance of local dishes and alcoholic beverages. On the night before Christmas, the Portuguese participate in religious worship. This is accompanied by a well prepared meal laid in the temple. In all houses, traditional fish dishes, as well as dishes from turkey are eaten for dinner. Celebrations are never complete without all sorts of baked desserts and sweet rolls. There is also the compulsory visitation of relatives which is accompanied by exchanges of gifts.

In the former capital of the country, a reverence of St. John is organized on the street of Praca da Liberdade on the evening of June 24. The end of the month is marked by the celebration of Sao Joao. Most of the locals join in the celebration. The city of Óbidos pleases residents with the sounds of traditional music during the month of October. In Coimbra, festivals are organized for young people who have recently been enrolled into higher educational institutions. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Best visiting periods - the climate of Portugal

The Mediterranean climate is dominant in Portugal. The ocean has a huge influence on its formation. Air masses coming from the ocean make the …
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Every year in May, a flower festival is organized on Madeira Island with an abundance of fun and national festivities. This event is dedicated to the winegrowers to mark the harvesting season. The winter period is marked by carnival processions, the celebration of the rural workers, as well as an abundance of colorful fair festivals. After Easter the “Procession of our Lord of the sick” traditionally takes place along the road which is covered with petals of flowers. In Ponta Delgada, celebrations are held on the occasion of Easter with noisy and merry mass festivities. In the final period of the summer season, the authorities of Lajes do Pico celebrate the achievements of the maritime industry workers including whalers.

With the onset of August, the festival days of music of Mare de Agosto begin in Santa Maria. In Piku, the Holy Spirit is celebrated at the conclusion of the Whit Monday. Maslenitsa is traditionally considered a time of repentance from sins before the beginning of Lent. Different regions celebrate the holiday in different ways: There is the noisy Brazilian version which is conducted in the streets. It is filled with musical extravaganzas and competitions by samba dancers. On the other hand, there is also a more somber, subtle and conservative kind of celebration.

Overview of the optimal transportation means in Portugal

The transport infrastructure of Portugal is at a decent level. Most of the transport companies in the country are private owned. Due to constant …
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Residents of the cities of Torres Vedras or Ovars engage in mass festivities in a rather comical and care free manner by poking at giant humorous figures of politicians which they themselves have constructed. In a way, they are in the process, exercising their rights to freedom of expression. Usually, the eve of Maslenitsa is a period of spending time with family, going out to publicly held celebrations and wearing traditional Portuguese costumes. For locals, this is an opportunity to have a good time since it includes also a long-awaited reunion with friends and loved ones.

The main entrances and streets of cities are decorated with colorful lightings, as well as garlands in honor of the arrival of newborns. The Portuguese decorate the Christmas trees and nativity scenes with the figures of the Holy Family, as well as animals. Santa Claus is also honored by locals. These figures are also used in decorating private homes, storefronts as well as other commercial premises. Like most southern nations, the Portuguese honor the centuries-old tradition of celebrating religious holidays with their families and closest friends.

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Portugal guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Portugal

Uniques spots of Portugal

Elevador de Santa Justa

From the series “Top 16 Most Exotic Elevators and Lifts in the World”

One of Lisbon's landmarks is the old Elevator Elevador-de-Santa-Justa, which locals call Elevador do Carmo. This unbelievably beautiful old elevator, opened in 1901, connects one of the streets in the city district of Baixa with Largo do Carmo. The beautiful lift shaft is built in Neo-Gothic style, its height is 45 meters. The elevator cabin is quite large and can accommodate up to 20 people.

The imposing elevator was designed by the famous architect and engineer from the turn of the 19th - 20th century Raul Mesner. In 2002 Elevador do Carmo was recognized as a historical monument of national importance. The old elevator is a valuable architectural monument. The interior of the elevator cabins is as impressive as its neo-Gothic shafts. During the last repairs, the spacious cabins were … Read all

Palacio Nacional da Pena

From the series “The Most Wonderful Castles and Palaces”

In Portugal, not far from the Sintra city, is the unique architectural monument of the world - the oldest palace in the world, built in the Romanesque style - the National Pena Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena). The history of the beautiful palace is rich in the striking events. It was built in the 15th century and was converted into the monastery a few years later. In 1755 the construction was almost completely destroyed by the strong earthquake. The palace was only restored in 1838.

The modern architecture recognizes not only the classical elements of the Romanesque style, but also the fine lines of Mauritanian and Bavarian styles in the exterior of the castle. After full restoration in the first half of the 19th century, it was decided to build an extensive garden around the palace. … Read all

All unique sightseeing Portugal

Attractions and entertainment in top cities of Portugal

Lisbon

Lisbon meets the visitors with great variety of picturesque parks and gardens. Visitors mostly give preference to Estufa Fria and Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara gardens among them. Edward VII Park is considered to be the best place in Lisbon for family leisure. Kids will love a great variety of playing and sport grounds meanwhile the parents will enjoy perfect recreation area. The park also has a special area for picnics. Lisbon Sports is considered to be one of the best golf clubs in the … Read more

Albufeira

Fans of sports entertainments will surely enjoy numerous tennis courts, golf courses and modern fitness centers. Fans of thrilling experiences have an opportunity to make mountain river rafting or paragliding. The tourists, who have come with their families, are recommended to visit the local water park. In addition to widest choice of slides, playgrounds and swimming pools, the park is famous by its oceanarium. Every day the park is visited by thousands of tourists who want to see an … Read more

Porto

Funchal

The main beach is connected with the more compact and picturesque Doca do Cavacas beach. Fans of peaceful and quiet environment would like remote beaches of Praia de Sao Tiago and Praia do Gorgulho. There is a wide range of attractive leisure facilities for fans of scenic natural places. Fabulously beautiful tropical garden Monte, Quinta do Boa Vista striking with an abundance of exotic flower and the Pregetter's garden with its extensive collection of orchids are favorite holiday destinations … Read more

Lagos

Lagos has a great golf center, Palmares, which would be amazing for both beginners and experienced golfers. On its territory there is a golf school, all those interested can enter it. The trip to the local zoo Parque Zoologico de Lagos would be an exciting adventure. Here you can have a great day out for all the family, watching animals and walking through the beautifully designed park. In the zoo there are special places for recreation with benches and gazebos, and several cozy restaurants. … Read more

Portimao

Lovers of surfing need to pay attention to Future Surfing center. There it is possible to lease the needed equipment and organize departure to the best regions of the seaside. In Future Surfing everybody is glad to beginners: anybody who wants can tutor of skilled coaches. Praia Da Rocha can be called as the most beautiful and charming beach of the resort. Surrounded by massive rocky formations it has kept its primeval beauty. The beach is equipped by deck chairs and umbrellas against the sun, … Read more

Vilamoura

Travellers who are keen on romantics nature will surely fall in love with cruises and yachting. Fans of more exotic forms of rest are recommended to make a ride on an aqua bus. Fans of fishing are offered to go to the most attractive places for this sport. Fishing trips can be done both at day and night. A luxury yacht marina, which is designed for 1,300 seats, is one of the main advantages of the resort. This is the place where the majority of restaurants and cafes, shops and nightlife … Read more

Braga

People who tirelessly keep their figures wouldn't mind visiting such facilities as Solinca Braga, Fitness Hut, Fitness Club Braga or Holmes Place Braga, and football players can try the mini version of this sport by visiting Complexo Desportivo da Universidade do Minho. You can also go to Akua Fit where there is an opportunity to do fitness and swim in the pool, thereby having fun and getting an unforgettable experience. Another great place to enjoy swimming is Piscina de Nogueiró. Those … Read more