Home Blog Page 93

Guide to Destination Weddings in Portugal

Lara Silva
-
2
Guide to Destination Weddings in Portugal

With over 300 days of Mediterranean sun, Portugal is the perfect place for a destination wedding, boasting 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Europe’s westernmost country provides marginal scenarios from stunning ocean views, mountain ranges, beaches, and green countrysides. With food and high-quality wines playing an important role in Portuguese culture, your guests will not be disappointed.

Portugal is also easily accessible to international cities with direct flights being abundant and affordable. While weddings in countries such as the USA tend to be immensely expensive, Portugal offers a lot more affordable options for a destination wedding.

Despite an increase in destination weddings in Portugal, according to a 2019 study by Eurostat, Portugal is among the countries with the lowest marriage rates in the European Union, along with Italy, Slovenia, France, Spain, and Luxembourg.

Additionally, while Catholic weddings were once the top choice for couples, in 2019, more than half of weddings were civil ceremonies. In Portugal, couples can choose to have either a Catholic or civil wedding.

For other religions, a civil ceremony needs to happen before the religious wedding so that the marriage is legal. For internationals, although civil ceremonies must be conducted in Portuguese, a translator can be present.

Does Portugal sound like the location for your dream wedding? Let’s go through everything you need to prepare for your destination wedding in Portugal, such as venues, prices, and legal requirements.

Best Wedding Venues in Portugal

Finding the perfect venue can make or break your wedding. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious Sintra palace or a more informal venue, Portugal has a wide range of venues available, all throughout the country. Let’s go through our 6 favorite wedding venues in Portugal and wedding packages so you can figure out how much your dream wedding will cost you.

1. Palacio de Seteais, Sintra

Located in the Serra de Sintra, 25 minutes from Lisbon, the luxurious 5-star Palacio de Seteas is a romantic palace hotel that will take you back to the XVIII century. The palace boasts views of Mouros Castle and Pena Palace, surrounded by elegant green gardens. The palace is well prepared for weddings, featuring a choice of three ballrooms decorated with amazing frescos for luxurious weddings, holding up to 280 guests.

You can also opt to have your wedding outside in the lush green gardens with typical XVII century palace mazes, lemon trees, and flowers, offering views of the Sintra mountainside.

For a smaller wedding, you can also opt to have your wedding in the restaurant, providing a stunning view of the mountain.

The Experience Team at the palace will organize every detail, such as booking places of worship in Sintra if you would rather have the ceremony in one of these. You can also book the ENTIRE palace for a day for €20,000 per day which includes:

  • The palace exclusivity for one day, total privacy
  • All 30 rooms, including the Diplomatic Suite, for occupancy with breakfast included
  • Exclusive butler service for couples getting married
  • All palace rooms, gardens, and facilities
  • Capacity to hold up to 200 guests
  • Service staff during all event event
  • The wedding can be held until 5:00
  • 20% of all spa treatments for the couple
  • 10% off on all spa treatments to the guests

However, this price does not include the wedding banquet. Menus start at €155 per person.

Guide to Sintra

2. Douro41, Douro

Located on kilometer 41 on the Douro River in northern Portugal, Douro41 is a 5-star hotel built of schist and glass in a system extending nearly all the way to the river. The hotel was built with a desire to blend with its natural surroundings while addressing environmental concerns.

In a contemporary and inviting space, a wedding at Douro41 provides the perfect combination of breathtaking scenery and signature architecture. The hotel features venues with unique atmospheres, such as striking gardens, two outdoor swimming pools with a panoramic view of the Douro, a library, a movie corner, and the Raiva Restaurant.

You can hold your ceremony beside their panoramic pool or at one of the indoor or outdoor venues. Douro41 also provides enriching experiences for guests, such as surprise picnics in secret hideaways, boat tours, and hikes.

To rent out the entire hotel exclusively for the wedding party, costs €550 (up to 70 guests). This does not include an overnight stay… In fact, for weddings with more than 60 guests, the entire rooms in the hotel must be reserved for a minimum of 2 nights.

Wedding parties that book the entire hotel rooms receive a special gift: a voucher to celebrate their first anniversary that includes 1 night’s accommodation, a bottle of champagne, and a couple’s massage.

There are multiple menus available starting at €110 and going up to €160. These only include food, a separate drink menu is required. The Douro41 selection of wines costs €35 per person, and the premium selection costs €60 per person. The open bar fee is €37 per person for 2 hours, and each extra hour costs €16.

This wedding package also includes chairs for up to 100 guests and the bridal table with table cloth and flower arrangement with flowers from their gardens. Prices do not include decorations, entertainment, the price of the ceremony, the wedding cake, or the accommodation.

Guide to Porto & Northern Portugal

3. Casa dos Penedos, Sintra

Situated on the hills of Sintra, Casa dos Penedos is a 20th-century palatial mansion designed by renowned Portuguese architect, Raul Lino. For a mythical palace-like wedding, Casa dos Penedos is a stunning option, boasting multiple luxurious rooms and outdoor spaces for your guests.

The wedding venue has a maximum capacity of 220 seated guests. This venue offers menus starting at €116 per person, including a seated meal, wine selection, wedding cake, 2 hours open bar, parking, and a tasting menu for 2 people. Obviously, this does not include the venue rental and everything else that comes with planning a wedding.

You can also opt to contact an English-speaking wedding planner, such as Lisbon Wedding Planner, offering a €15,000 package for 50 wedding guests (VAT not included). For every extra guest, this costs €200 per person. This package includes:

  • Wedding ceremony coordination
  • Assistance on the wedding day
  • Venue rental fee
  • Cleaning
  • Ceremony furniture
  • Flower centerpieces
  • Wedding cocktails
  • Menu with 3 courses and drinks
  • 3 Layer white wedding cake with sparkling wine
  • 2 hours open bar
  • Microphones and speakers, DJ and sound system
  • Security guard for disco
  • Dance floor
  • And more…
Photo by F Delventhal (Unsplash)

4. Farol Hotel, Cascais

Located on the Portuguese Riviera in Cascais, Farol Hotel is a XIV century mansion renovated into a modern and luxurious 5-star hotel. With a view of the ocean and Cascais, this venue might just be the perfect location for your dream wedding. From a minimalist ceremony to a grand wedding, the hotel’s facilities allow you to have the wedding that fits you best.

The venue holds two major rooms, the Private Mix Room on the first floor which holds 10 to 30 people and has views of the ocean, as well as the Farol Room which holds 34 to 120 people and has direct access to the terrace. The hotel also offers a natural rock deck with views of the ocean that is perfect for a ceremony. The hotel has 33 rooms if you would like to book those for your guests. Menus here start at €150 per person.

Guide to Cascais

5. Forte da Cruz, Estoril

Located on the Portuguese riviera of Estoril, Forte da Cruz was built in the XVII century during the reign of King Filipe III of Portugal overlooking the Tamariz Beach. The beachfront castle can host up to 110 guests indoors and up to 500 guests on the terrace overlooking the beach.

Menus start at €135,15 per person and include a starter, main dish, cocktails, and two hours of an open bar. The rental price starts at €2,000. You can also book a wedding planner. Lisbon Wedding Planner offers a €15,000 wedding package for 50 guests, with a €200 fee for each additional guest. This package includes:

  • Wedding ceremony coordination
  • Assistance on the wedding day
  • Venue rental up to 70 guests
  • Cleaning
  • Furniture and decoration
  • Wedding cocktails
  • Menu with 3 courses and drinks
  • Wedding cake and sparkling wine
  • 2 hours of open bar
  • Centerpieces with flowers and tealights
  • DJ, sound system, microphones, and, speakers
  • And more…

6. Pestana Alvor Praia, Algarve

A 5-star beach hotel in Alvor, Algarve, Pestana Alvor Praia is located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Surrounded by extensive green gardens where guests can enjoy an outdoor ceremony with views of the city, as well as banquet rooms, this is the perfect venue for an outdoor and indoor wedding, hosting up to 300 guests.

The hotel offers an excellent team to take care of your wedding, as well as photography, music, and decoration services. Menus here start at €75 per person, an affordable price. They also offer a full vegan menu! Their menus do not include an open bar, but the price for this starts at €15 per person per hour. The menu price also includes:

  • Ceremony table
  • White towels for tables
  • White chairs
  • Menu and wine tasting for two guests
  • Kids 0 to 3 years old – Free
  • Kids 4 to 12 years old – 50% discount from the adult menu or child menu option

Services such as entertainment, flowers, make-up artists decorator, photographer, etc are not included.

Guide to the Algarve

How much does a wedding cost in Portugal?

Like anywhere in the world, a wedding can cost a fortune and in fact, be as expensive as you wish, impacted by the venue, flowers, food choices, and more. The average price for a wedding in Portugal is anywhere between €15,000 and €25,000 for 85 to 100 guests. Although this is a substantial amount of money, wedding prices in Portugal are a lot more affordable than in Western Europe and the United States.

Affordable Elopement Wedding Packages in Portugal

Looking to save a buck and have an intimate elopement wedding? There are multiple affordable wedding packages if you are looking to elope to Portugal for a wedding with your other half. Here are our favorite affordable elopement wedding packages in Portugal offered by various companies.

Summer Picnic Elopement by The Wedding Planner in Portugal

This company’s summer picnic elopement happens in gorgeous palace gardens and includes:

  • Wedding Planner Assistance
  • Ceremony in the Palace Gardens
  • English Wedding Celebrant (symbolic wedding)
  • Guitar Player for the Ceremony
  • Professional Photographer for the Ceremony
  • Bride’s Bouquet + Boutonier (flowers from the season)
  • Adorable Picnic in the Palace Gardens

Price: €2.350

Beach Elopement Package by The Wedding Planner in Portugal

This wedding package allows you to get married on a beach and includes:

  • Wedding Planner Assistance
  • English Wedding Celebrant (symbolic wedding)
  • Professional Photographer for the Ceremony
  • Sparkling wine for the toast

Price: €1.710

Lady of the Rock Package by Love and Lace

This wedding is set on a romantic clifftop and includes:

  • Venue Rental
  • Ceremony Set up at the clifftop with Arch & Flowers
  • Legal Fee for Civil marriage OR Celebrant for symbolic Blessing
  • Wedding planning services and wedding ceremony coordinator

Price: €3.055

Oceanfront Elopement by The Wedding Planner in Portugal

This wedding package happens in a stunning Villa by the Sea and includes:

  • Wedding Planner Assistance
  • Ceremony at a Villa by The Sea
  • English Wedding Celebrant (symbolic wedding)
  • Professional Photographer for the Ceremony
  • Bride’s Bouquet + Boutonier (flowers from the season)
  • Romantic Dinner with Sea view (Drinks included)
  • 1 Night Stay at the Villa

Price: €2.890

Portugal Elopement Package by Somewhere Crazy

This wedding package for an elopement in Portugal includes the option of choosing various locations and the price could change depending on the time of year, guests, and other factors.

  • A wedding celebrant and a customized ceremony
  • A photographer – 4-hour photoshoot
  • A flower bouquet and buttonhole
  • Wedding planning- including timeline, team & location
  • Coordination on the day

Price: €3.500

Best Time to Get Married in Portugal

Portugal is blessed with over 300 days of sun every year so while in your home country, a wedding must occur in a few short months, Portugal is more flexible. The weather in Portugal is quite moderate meaning it does not get that cold in the winter.

However, to make sure you have a sunny day, the best times to get married in Portugal are between late March and late October, avoiding the winter months. The warmest month is August with an average of 30 degrees celsius, but this month will be the busiest with tourists, along with July.

Wedding legal requirements: What do you need to get married in Portugal?

  • You will need a marriage license from the Civil Registry Office and it usually takes around one month for the Portuguese authorities to process this request. When you have the license granted, you can book a date for the civil wedding. The request for the license must be done at least 6 weeks before the wedding and the wedding must happen within 6 months of the authorization.
  • You will get married according to Portuguese law, in the presence of a Registrar. You cannot be married at an embassy in your own country.
  • You can have a Civil or Catholic wedding, both are legally binding. However, before any religious wedding, a civil ceremony and the marriage certificate must occur for it to be legal.
  • Don’t worry, you won’t just be married in Portugal! After the wedding, an international certificate is issued so you can register the marriage in your country.
  • No legal residency requirement!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Weddings in Portugal

How much does a wedding in Portugal cost?

  • The average price for a wedding in Portugal is anywhere between €15,000 and €25,000 for 85 to 100 guests. However, if you opt for a smaller wedding such as an elopement with just the couple present this should cost less than €5,000.

Can you legally marry in Portugal?

  • Yes. You will get married according to Portuguese law, in the presence of a Registrar. However, after the wedding, an international certificate is issued so you can register the marriage in your country.

Can a foreigner get married in Portugal?

  • Yes, you can marry according to Portuguese law. There’s no legal residency requirement for weddings in Portugal.

Are same-sex marriages legal in Portugal?

  • Yes. In 2010, same-sex marriages became legal in Portugal, while same-sex partnerships have been recognized since 2001. Same-sex married couples have the same rights regarding property, taxes, and inheritance.

What is the best time to get married in Portugal?

The best time to get married in Portugal is between late March and late October, with late May and early June being the best months for sunny days, without too much heat.

Child abuser made official suspect in Maddie McCann case

Lara Silva
-
0
Child abuser made official suspect in Maddie McCann case

German child abuser Christian Brueckner, 44, has been made an official suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann by the Portuguese authorities on Thursday. The suspect is currently in prison in Germany after raping a 72-year-old woman in 2005 in Praia da Luz, the same area Madeleine disappeared in 2007.

Madeleine McCann was a 3-year-old British toddler when she disappeared almost 15 years ago, in Praia da Luz in the region of Algarve in Portugal, while on holiday with her family. Also known as Maddie, she went missing from her family’s holiday rental apartment while her parents had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant.

Christian Brueckner has been made an “arguido”, which translated to “named suspect”, but has not been arrested or charged. The only other suspects were Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann who were named suspects in 2007 but later cleared.

The investigation has been conducted with the help of the British and German authorities. However, Christian Brueckner’s name has been in the media regarding this case previously, as in June 2020, German police stated that Brueckner was likely responsible for the disappearance and that Madeleine was likely dead. However, the case continues to be treated as a missing person case.

The Portuguese authorities’ decision to make him an official suspect could have been caused by the 15-year limit for prosecuting serious crimes in Portugal, which will expire next month.

Brueckner lived in the Algarve between 1995 and 2007 and along with raping a woman in 2005, stole from hotels and holiday rentals, falsified passports, and was also caught stealing fuel from a Portuguese harbor.

He is also being accused of raping a 20-year-old girl in the Algarve in 2004 to which he will face trial this year.

Zelensky compares Putin to Salazar in speech

Lara Silva
-
0
Zelensky compares Putin to Salazar in speech

In his 15-minute speech to the Portuguese parliament on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky compared Putin’s regime to the fascist dictator Antonio Salazar’s, a few days before the 25th of April celebrations marking 48 years of freedom in Portugal. Zelensky compared the fight for freedom of the Portuguese people in 1974 to that of the Ukrainians in 2022, stating “you know what we are feeling”.

In his classic green t-shirt and with a Ukrainian flag in the background, Zelensky described horrific Russian war crimes and asked Portugal for more weapons and sanctions, as well as humanitarian aid. Zelensky said Russian troops continue to bomb houses, supermarkets, schools, universities, and churches. He stated that in Mariupol, “a city as large as Lisbon”, “not one home was left intact”. Zelensky stated that over 500,000 Ukrainians have been captured and deported, “a number twice as large as the population of Porto“.

Zelensky called upon Portuguese companies working in Russia to stop doing so. He also asked the Portuguese parliament for “simple things”, as he stated, asking for “weapons so that we can defend ourselves strongly”.

The Ukrainian president alerted the parliament that after Ukraine, Russia will try to also invade Moldovia, Georgia, and Baltic countries, urging Portugal to help Ukraine become a European Union member state.

While most in parliament applauded the Ukrainian president at the end of the speech for 60 seconds, including President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, most of the government ministers, including Prime Minister Antonio Costa did not. This caused an uproar on social media, however, this is parliamentary tradition.

Tweet translation: Each day of war is another day of unbearable pain. The words we heard today by the president of Ukraine in parliament have shaken us.

There were six seats empty – those of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) who refused to witness the speech. Paula Santos from the PCP justified this previously: “…Volodymyr Zelensky that personifies a xenophobic and belligerent power, surrounded and sustained by forces of a fascist and neonazi nature, including of a paramilitary nature, such as the Azov Batallion”. In March, Zelensky banned all remaining left-wing parties in Ukraine, including socialist and communist parties.

Masks no longer mandatory in Portugal with exceptions

Lara Silva
-
2
Masks no longer mandatory in Portugal with exceptions

The government announced on Thursday that face masks are no longer mandatory, with exceptions. Masks are still mandatory in two types of situations, in places frequented by vulnerable people such as in nursing homes and hospitals, as well as in locations that are difficult to air out and that have a high level of utilization such as public transport. Students are no longer required to wear masks in schools.

However, the measure only comes into place after the President approves it, but should be ready to go by the weekend. The state of alert has also once again been extended until May 5th, although it was set to end on Friday.

The Minister of Health, Marta Temido says that the covid-19 situation is progressing positively and that although the pandemic is not over, the current conditions allow for no longer making mask use mandatory in all situations.

Moreover, the rules surrounding covid-19 testing have been alleviated as testing will only occur in cases determined by the Directorate-General of Health of Portugal. A covid-19 certification is also no longer required in health services.

Marta Temido has stated that “the pandemic is not over” and there is a possibility that measures change once again. She told CNN Portugal, “If a new variant appears, there are unpredictabilities that we cannot master. In a new change of season, we will need to adapt our behaviors”.

Tejo Wine

Goncalo Costa
-
0
Tejo Wine

In the heart of Portugal, just a short drive from Lisbon stands a region that is linked to wine production since time can tell. A land of monasteries, incredible noble farms, the Pure-Blooded Lusitano horse and beautiful cities and towns, the Tejo region is, without a doubt an open-air museum with an incredible winery.

The region, and more specifically its river, was the main waterway between the 2 Iberian capitals of Madrid and Lisbon. This meant that it was where a lot of the trade would happen, making Tejo one of Portugal’s richest regions. It also meant that it would sell a lot of its wines to the rest of the Iberian peninsula and, then, the rest of Europe, really early when compared to most of the other Portuguese wines (starting in the Middle Ages).

When it was first recognized, the wine region was known as ‘Ribatejo’ (meaning something like ‘Above Tejo’), as a way to differentiate from the region of ‘Alentejo’ (something like ‘After Tejo’). In 2009, however, it changed its name to simply the name of the river that crosses it: in English called ‘Tagus’, but in Portuguese ‘Tejo’. This river is definitely a decisive part of the wine production here, since it waters the “Terroirs” and maintains the climate, besides being a defining feature of the region’s culture and economy.

The Tejo region is known to produce a great quantity of wines who are of great quality, but also of great quantity. The quality is ensured by the region’s two labels of Tejo DOC (‘Denominação de Origem Controlada’ or Controlled Origin Denomination), for the higher level wines, and Tejo VR (‘Vinho Regional’ or Regional Wine)

This region is one of the oldest wine producing regions in Portugal. It has unique characteristics that create wonderful wines, for which is known and loved.

Portuguese Wine

History of Tejo Wine

The history of winemaking in the Tejo region can be traced back to 2000 a.C. when the Tartessos started to plant vines next to the river. It is said that Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, referred to the wines in the ‘Foral de Santarém’, in 1170, the document that gave the statute of city to Santarém.

Around this time, after the conquest of the region by Portugal, the King gave land to trustees that would plant olive trees and vineyards in them, which kickstarted the production of this good in the region.

Fast-forwarding to the Age of Discovery, in the 1400s, the region gained a new importance. Portuguese explorers traveled the trade routes from Europe through Africa and Asia. These ships came out of the Tagus (Tejo) River estuary, in Lisbon, packed with Portuguese wine and supplies.

200 years later, Santarém, a city in the region, developed new economic importance, becoming the main supplies of goods to Lisbon, all from ships sailing the Tejo. Some of these suppliers were agricultural estates owned by the Portuguese royalty itself, like the Companhia das Lezirías, which now has wonderful agricultural farmland, bird sanctuaries, cork forests, and vineyards.

Santarem. Photo by Rémy Penet (Unsplash)

In 1765, just like with the wines of Alentejo, the vines disappeared due to the order by the Marquis of Pombal, Portugal’s “sort of” Prime Minister at the time, which was scared that these wines would destroy the traditional wines of Douro.

Thankfully, they came back, and, in 1989, six ‘Indicações de Proveniência Regulamentada’ (Regulated Provenience Indication) were created for wines in the region. Then, in 1997, this grew to encompass the whole region and the Regional Wine Commission of Ribatejo was created, named Regional Wine Commission of Tejo in 2009. All of these organs protect the region’s wines and assures their quality.

Tejo Region

The Tejo region can be further divided into 3 areas, each with its own particularities: Bairro, Charneca, and Campo.

Bairro

The Bairro soils are on the north of the Tagus River. It’s an irregular terrain, characterized by hills and plains, with altitudes not bigger than 200 meters. It’s rich in limestone, clay and, if we go a bit more north, also schist.

Charneca

This zone is placed south of the Tagus. It’s dry and flat, with poor and sandy soils, which makes the vines struggle, producing a more complex grape. It’s also an area of high temperatures, which makes the grapes mature faster.

Campo

The last zone is on the edges of the Tagus, on the riverbank. This means it has a more maritime climate, with moderate temperatures, which helps contribute to the acidity of the wines, as well as making it fresher and fruitier. The soils in the region give good drainage, sustaining the vineyards.

These zones are further divided into 6 subregions. These are Almeirim, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Coruche, Santarém, and Tomar.

Tejo Wine Traditions

In Tejo, there are many local winemaking traditions but also many Portuguese winemaking traditions that have begun to disappear all over the country but that remain intact here. Some of these are:

Harvest by the Community

In the Tejo region, most of the harvest continues to be taken care of by the local community. The local women from the villages hand-harvest the grapes while singing traditional folk songs.

Foot-treading

Like in many parts of Portugal, at least in the old days and in the traditional wineries, the communities use large stone tanks known as ‘lagares’ and crush the grapes by foot. This is considered a more gentle way to process the grapes and prevents the seeds from being crushed with the pulp, which is said to compromise the flavor.

Use of Cork from the Local Forests

The wines are usually sealed in the bottle using native cork from the nearby forests. Cork is native to Portugal, with the country producing nearly half of the world’s demand. The Tejo region itself has over 30.000 acres of cork forest, with the Coruche municipality (also in the region) being the largest cork producing area in the country!

This product is also harvested by hand, just like traditionally it was.

Tejo Terroir

The soils are usually of 4 types:

  • Schist (near Tomar)
  • Alluvial soils: very fertile in an area periodically flooded by the river)
  • Clay and limestone: on an irregular zone, with more vineyards and olive tree production
  • Sandy: a soil with low productivity, since it’s in a very dry area with high temperatures compared to the rest of the region (making the maturing process faster).

Tejo Wine Types

There are many wine types in Tejo, from white to red, passing through the sparkling and liquory. All of these wines are unique due to the region they grow in, but especially because of the soils and grape varieties that they are made with.

White Wine

The white wines produced in Tejo are diverse wines with lots of aromas, depending on the varieties and soils in which they are produced.

Preferencial soil: Campo and Charneca

Red Wine

The Tejo red wines are linked to several Portuguese grape varieties and, more recently, to a mix between these and international varieties. These have started to become very well-known both in Portugal and outside.

Preferencial soil: Charneca and Bairro.

Rosé

Preferencial soil: Campo and Charneca.

Sparkling Wine

This wine is a wine that, traditionally, obtains its effervescence from a second alcoholic fermentation process that happens inside the bottle, getting a pressure due to the CO2 that builds up there (over 3 bar).

Fizzy Wines

A fizzy wine has less gas than sparkling wine (between 1 and 2.5 bar of pressure, while sparkling wines have 3 bar), with this process occurring naturally or with the addition of carbon dioxide. It has an alcohol content of at least 9% and, like sparkling wines, it can be more or fewer sweets. It’s mostly common on Vinho Verde, in the Minho region in the North of Portugal, but also here in Tejo.

Preferencial soil: Campo.

Liquory

Made by adding alcohol (pure, ‘aguardente’ or brandy) during the fermenting process. This suspends the transformation of the sugar into alcohol and makes the wine sweeter and more alcoholic in content.

Preferencial soil: Charneca and Campo.

Late Harvest

A wine made with the over-mature grapes almost turned into raisins in the vine tree. This natural aging makes the grapes have a high volume of sugar.

Preferencial soil: Bairro, Charneca and Campo.

Tejo Grape Types

For red wines, most of the grapes used by the producers are Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Castelão, and Aragonês. Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are international grape types also planted in the region.

As for white wines, the main grapes used are Arinto, Fernão Pires, Alvarinho and Verdelho. We can also find Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay among the international grapes used in Tejo.

Tejo Wine Suggestions: Best Tejo Wine

If you’re looking to try these wines that grow from the waters of the mythical Tagus, here are some brands that have excellent wines according to the 2021 ‘Concurso de Vinhos do Tejo’ (Tejo Wine Contest):

  • Quinta do Casal Monteiro
  • Casa Cadaval
  • Mythos
  • Quinta dos Penegrais
  • Terras do Ribatejo
  • Lagoalva
  • Terra Silvestre
  • Quinta da Alorna
  • Joana da Cana
  • Solar dos Loendros
  • CTX Vinho Licoroso
  • Cabeça de Toiro

Tejo Wine Tours

Tagus Wine Lands Full-Day Tasting Tour

This amazing tour allows you the opportunity to explore the vineyards of a 12th-century winery on a horse-drawn carriage in the wonderful Tejo region. You will also try the estate’s wine, together with some Portuguese bread and sausage. After that, you will see the traditional cities of Almeirim and Vieira do Escaroupim, in the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve, before going to another wine estate to see the Lusitano horses, unique to Portugal, and enjoy yet another wine taste.

Book Graham’s Port Tour

Hidden Portugal with Wine Tasting and Horseback Riding

If you’re around Lisbon and want to get a taste of the Tejo (literally), this is a great trip. You will have the opportunity to horseback ride yourself, under the guidance of a professional, of course, together with a wine taste of the region’s wines and a delicious Portuguese lunch!

Book Wine Tasting and Horseback Riding

PCP refuses to be present for President Zelensky’s speech

Lara Silva
-
0
PCP refuses to be present for President Zelensky’s speech

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) announced on Wednesday that they will not be present in parliament during Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech, according to CNN Portugal. The party voted against having the president make a speech in the Portuguese parliament. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make the speech via video call to the Portuguese parliament on April 21. The speech will happen at around 5 pm and the President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will be present.

Paula Santos from the PCP has provided an explanation for this reaction, arguing Zelensky “personifies a xenophobic and belligerent power”.

She states: “PCP will not participate in a parliamentary session that is giving a platform to the instigation of an escalation of the war, that contradicts a path to peace through the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky that personifies a xenophobic and belligerent power, surrounded and sustained by forces of a fascist and neonazi nature, including of a paramilitary nature, such as the Azov Batallion”.

Santos believes that Zelensky’s video speech to the parliament does not contribute to a path to dialogue that would promote a cease-fire. She goes on to say that he symbolizes a power that has for eight years “attacked and massacred his own Ukrainian population in the region of Donbas and eliminate those who oppose him”, promoting “political persecution” such as by making the Ukrainian Communist Party illegal.

As a representative for PCP, Santos states the party is against the Russian government and Vladimir Putin and that the party’s ideology is in direct contradiction with the political forces governing capitalist Russia.

However, she also believes that the economic sanctions against Russia will not solve the conflict and are not a solution for the European people, as PCP has made clear. After being berated by journalists for an alternative solution, Paula Santos argued a solution must be established that finds a compromise, considering differing interests and allowing for dialogue.

Top 9 Bars in Lisbon

Lara Silva
-
0
Top 9 Bars in Lisbon

Lisbon bars are renowned as some of the best in Europe, offering a unique experience. Many line the cobblestone streets, with people filling these picturesque Lisboeta streets at night with a drink in hand. Lisbon bars play a large role in the nightlife routine of a local. You rarely only plan a night out in a club, but rather head to a bar after dinner and stay there until at least 1 AM, only then heading to your favorite Lisbon club. It’s important to find the right bar for you, one that will probably still be with you and become a part of your nightlife routine, as well. In no time, you’ll be asking the Portuguese bartender for “o costume, por favor” (the usual, please). If you’re overwhelmed by the endless nightlife options, we have selected our favorite bars in Lisbon so that you can avoid the tourist traps and experience Lisbon like a local.

Book Pub Crawl & Bar Experiences in Lisbon  

1. Pensao do Amor

Pensao Amor translates to “Love In” and is located in Cais do Sodre, near the city’s old red-light district. The building was once a brothel house and is decorated with peep show and burlesque memorabilia. While the bar is currently under renovation, it is set to reopen soon. This dim-lit bar is known for its romantic atmosphere with mirrors and paintings of nude people covering the inside of the bar.

2. Bahr at Bairro Alto Hotel

Bahr is a restaurant and bar at the Bairro Alto Hotel. Run by Michelin Star Chef Nuno Mendes, the Bahr is located on the hotel’s rooftop. The interior is designed by The Studio, a simple room with intricate details and an open-space kitchen. Take the elevator to the fourth floor and enjoy one of the best views of the Tejo River and the nearby rooftops. Bahr is open from early morning to midnight.

3. O Palheta

Under three years old, O Palheta is located in Cais do Sodre and is always filled with young people having a drink before going out clubbing. You can expect good music, cool vinyl records, and cheap drinks. The inside of the bar is quite small, as well as cozy and well decorated. Most people stand outside the bar anyway, socializing and having a drink: the “Lisboeta” way.

4. Park Bar

Park bar is one of the trendiest rooftop bars in Bairro Alto and all of Lisbon. Prepare to be confused when you arrive at the address. You’ll only see a huge parking garage filled with cars. Take the elevator in the parking garage and take it to the top floor. You’ll be surprised to see one of the best views of Lisbon and a terrace filled with greenery and wooden tables. This place has panoramic views of the Santa Catarina church, as well as the 25 de Abril bridge. Park Bar serves trendy cocktails, sangria, and burgers that are to die for.

5. Lost in Esplanada Bar

The trendy bar Lost in is located in Principe Real and offers a panoramic view of the city from its terrace. The colorful bar and restaurant have two main areas: an outdoor viewpoint terrace with blankets and an indoor winter terrace. The menu features healthy meals and vegetarian options such as prawn curry and vegan burgers.

6. Sky Bar

Located in the iconic Avenida da Liberdade, Sky Bar has been a Lisbon favorite for 10 years. This bar has been recently renovated as an extension of the Restaurant SEEN and offers a glamorous environment. Located on the 9th floor of the Tivoli Avenida hotel, visitors get a view of the Castle of Saint Jorge and the Tejo river, as well as the Arrabida mountains. You can try one of their signature cocktails while listening to the sound of their resident DJ.

7. Topo

Located near Rossio, Topo is a trendy bar known for its cocktail menu, run by Luis Domingos who is involved with bars such as Pharmacia. The menu is rotative, changing its 10 cocktail options, as well as selling fruit juices and smoothies. The bar is also committed to culture, the space featuring artists’ work and musical artists regularly coming in to perform. The bar also features large windows and an outdoor terrace providing views of Lisbon homes and the Castle of Saint Jorge.

8. LX Hostel Rooftop

Located in the heart of LX Factory, an area with more than 50 shops and restaurants, this rooftop bar is situated at the top of LX Hostel. The hostel is regularly filled with young international people, providing a vibrant and cosmopolitan environment. LX Hostel Rooftop opens in the afternoon where you can enjoy a selection of cocktails, beers, and wines just in time for sunset. Decorated in a boho-chic vibe, the rooftop is filled with tables and relaxing couches to enjoy a drink with a panoramic view of Lisbon.

9. Zé dos Bois Gallery

Founded in 1994, Galaria Ze dos Bois (ZDB) is a large art center in the heart of Bairro Alto. ZDB produces exhibitions, hosts over 150 art events the year, and also offers musical and dance performances. While this place is known as an art center, ZDB is an equally nice place to grab a drink, welcoming a more alternative scene. The place features an outdoor terrace for those warmer nights and a large indoor space with plenty of seating area. The best nights to visit are when a show is on and you can check their program online.

Guide to Lisbon

⬇️Please share your favorite bars in Lisbon in the comments below ⬇️

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina’s baby passes away at birth

Lara Silva
-
0
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina’s baby passes away at birth

Portuguese soccer play Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announced on Monday that one of their children has passed away at birth. Rodriguez was pregnant with twins. In a statement in English, Portuguese, and Spanish the couple sadly stated that their baby boy had passed away.

“It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel. Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness”, the couple announced in a statement on social media. Ronaldo and Rodriguez also thanked the medical professionals for their care and support.

Manchester United has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will not play against Liverpool tonight.

The couple has five children, Cristiano Junior, 11 years old, the twins Eva and Mateo, 4 years old, Alana Martina, 4 years old, and now a baby boy.

Bacalhau: Understanding the Portuguese Obsession with Cod

Lara Silva
-
3
Bacalhau: Understanding the Portuguese Obsession with Cod

Oven-baked, with cream, à Brás, à Gomes de Sá, the options are endless. The Portuguese say that there are 1001 ways to cook cod, also known as bacalhau in Portugal. Cod is a natural treasure, one that is connected to Portuguese history, from the Portuguese discoveries to the end of a fascist dictatorship.

Interestingly enough, salted cod is not even caught on the Portuguese coast, but rather from Norway. The Portuguese consume over 100,000 tonnes of salted dried Norweigian cod, almost 10 kilograms per person every year. You could say the Portuguese are pretty hungry for cod, consuming 20% of the world’s cod.

And we have been doing so for centuries. The Portuguese began consuming cod in the fourteenth century when Portugal and England would trade salt for codfish. In the mid-1500s, the Portuguese stumbled upon another place to get their cod from. In the midst of the discoveries and while trying to find the coast of India, they found themselves in Canada and Greenland.

The conditions for fishing cod there were beyond perfect, from Canada’s shallow banks and an abundance of plankton to attract plenty of fish. Portugal decided to start fishing their cod in Canada, calling the codfish the Bacalhau da Terra Nova. But as they say, all good things come to an end. By the sixteenth century, the French and English took over the fishing industry in the area.

Portugal became heavily dependent on the English as the main exporter of cod to the country. However, cod was a bourgeois delicacy not available for all. Until the nineteenth century, cod was a dish available only to the aristocracy and the rich. The masses only began having access to the unique taste of cod by the nineteenth century, where the amount of salted cod in Portugal increased due to how easy it was to conserve, in contrast to fresh fish.

Codfish became even more popular during the Estado Novo, under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar. Prior, Portuguese fishermen did not fish cod, instead of having it imported from England and France.

Under the regime, starting in 1934, to make sure cod remained a national symbol, Portuguese fishermen were sent off to Canada and Greenland to fish cod. Fishermen would bring back over 900 tons of salted fish in one boat, after facing the hard and dangerous conditions at sea. Men would fish for 10 hours a day on small boats, facing frightening waves and winds. Many never made it back home to their families.

The year that the fascist dictator of Salazar fell, so did the Portuguese fisherman voyages to Canada and the violent labor regime they were subjected to. At that time, laws about overfishing also increased throughout Europe, culminating in a full ban of cod fishing in Canada in the 90s.

The Portuguese were forced to change their ways, but the tradition of cod never went away. Today, most of the cod in Portugal is imported from Norway, known as o Bacalhau da Noruega.

From a young age, millennial Portuguese kids watched the grand adverts on television, boasting bearded Norwegian men facing the treacherous waves to fish our beloved bacalhau. 70% of all cod consumed in Portugal is imported from Norway, while a tiny amount of Portuguese fishermen still go out to sea in Norway to fish.

Most cod imported to the country is salted and dried to maintain its shelf life for a long period since it’s coming from over 3,000 kilometers away. In fact, 95% of the cod consumed in Portugal is dried and salted. Portuguese people have only started eating fresh cod in the last 10 to 20 years when it started appearing in more contemporary restaurants.

Cod fishing in Norway. Photo by Bhavishya Goel

So, why is cod so popular in Portugal? Our love for cod is habitual. Don’t take this the wrong way, codfish dishes are delicious. The taste is like no other, the saltiness and strong flavor. But the reality is that cod dishes have been passed down in Portuguese families from generation to generation and the Portuguese have made it a habit to consume cod.

Every Christmas eve codfish is the main player, even for non-religious families. In a way cod is like any other Catholic tradition, we abide by some of the Church’s traditions because that’s the way it’s always been. Christian Portuguese people were not allowed to eat meat on fasting days of the Catholic calendar, leading to the tradition of eating cod on Christmas eve. The meal is simple. The cod is baked in the oven and served with boiled cabbage, eggs, and potatoes.

On Christmas day, many Portuguese families eat Roupa Velha which translates to Old Rags. This dish was created to not waste any food, a peasant-like lunch that consist of mixing the leftover codfish, potatoes, cabbage, and eggs. It is unlikely that you will find this dish in Portugal unless it’s Christmas day.

Women at a fish market in Portugal. Photo by Madras91 (Flickr)

Although it takes center stage on Christmas, bacalhau is part of our everyday life, like a baguette to the French and fries to the Belgian. Walking through a food market in Portugal, you will sense the smell of cod from a mile away. While the scent might bother tourists, to the Portuguese, it brings a sense of comfort.

Kilos of salted cod will be stacked up on tables, with customers touching the product to find the perfect one for their meal. Whether Bacalhau à Brás, a shredded cod dish with eggs, or Bacalhau à Lagareiro, baked cod with potatoes, the cod you picked out at the local market matters.

Not just for its taste, but due to its cultural significance and heritage, as well as the belief that we must support Portuguese fishmongers, usually older men and women. However, the price of cod has been increasing exponentially, where today most cannot afford a whole cod. It seems that unfortunately, cod could be on the way to becoming, once again, a product available only to the most wealthy.

Top 8 Music Festivals in Portugal 2022

Lara Silva
-
0
Top 8 Music Festivals in Portugal 2022

After two summers in a row with no festivals due to COVID-19, Portugal’s music scene is coming back to life. Portugal hosts some of Europe’s best music festivals, inviting internationally renowned artists from all genres from rap to rock and electronic music. The best part – along with experiencing a much-needed musical experience, you’ll get the chance to travel to Portuguese places that are often sadly forgotten such as Braga and Sesimbra. Whereas the line-up at Glastonbury (UK) might sound appealing, dancing in puddles of rain, not so much. Portuguese music festivals have just as amazing line-ups for more affordable prices and warmer summer nights. Here are our top 8 music festivals in Portugal to make your summer 2022 one to remember.

1. Boom Festival 22 – 29 July 2022

Boom festival is probably the most iconic trance music festival in Europe or even the world. A sustainable, psychedelic and multidisciplinary festival Boom happens every two years, always in sync with the full moon. Located in Herdade do Jambujal, Aguas de Moura, the festival is committed to the following mantras: Oneness, Music, Peace, Arts, Environment, Culture, and Love. A 100% independent festival, each edition of the festival has a theme, such as The Feminine (2014) and Sacred Geometry (2018). The theme for 2022 is Anthropocene. The prefix, Anthropos, means human beings and the noun is a reference to a “geological era marked by human action that has profoundly impacted the environment”. Boom Festival is not merely a musical festival, but a larger spiritual experience, with meditation workshops, naked lava baths, and more activities available. This place is one of openness where you are allowed to express yourself without judgment.

2. Vodafone Paredes de Coura 16 – 20 August 2022

Festival Paredes de Coura is one of the oldest festivals in Portugal, for the last 26 years inviting the best names in the national and worldwide music industry to perform. The festival has made the list of the top 5 music festivals in Europe by Rolling Stone. Located in Praia Fluvial do Taboão in Caminho do Agrelo, Paredes De Coura is known for its alternative music scene. This year’s performers include Arlo Parks, Princess Nokia, Beach House, The Blaze, Slowthai, The Comet Is Coming, Yellow Days, and more. The festival also dedicates a whole day to Portuguese music, highlighting major artists such as Sam The Kid and Linda Martini.

3. Super Bock Super Rock 14 – 16 July 2022

Photo by Shio IG @shishio_k

Founded in 1995, Super Bock Super Rock is named after its main sponsor, Super Bock, the iconic Portuguese beer brand. Located in Meco, Sesimbra, the festival has altered its focus on rock throughout the years, now welcoming a variety of music genres. From The Cure to Metallica, as well as more recently artists such as Mac DeMarco and Tom Misch, Super Bock Super Rock seems to satisfy plenty of music lovers. With four different stages: the main Palco Super Bock, Palco EDP, Palco LG by Radio SBSR, and Palco Somersby, this festival gives a platform to artists of all sizes, including upcoming Portuguese performers. This year’s 26th edition of Super Bock Super Rock welcomes the one and only ASAP Rocky, as well as Nathy Peluso, Leon Bridges, Filipe Karlsson, and more.

4. EDP Vilar de Mouros 25 – 27 August 2022

Photo taken in 1971 at the first rock festival in Portugal, Vilar de Mouros. Photo by EDP Vilar de Mouros IG @edpvilardemouros

Located in Vilar de Mouros in the North of Portugal, EDP Vilar de Mouros is the oldest Rock festival in the Iberian Peninsula. In the mid-’60s, the festival was an event for traditional folk music from the Alto Minho and Galicia regions. A few years later, in 1971, the festival was the first in Portugal to feature rock music artists such as Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. The 1971 edition of the festival has been called the “Portuguese Woodstock” where still under a fascist dictatorship, many found a little piece of freedom. The festival went on until 2006 and has only again been organized annually since 2016. This summer, EDP Vilar de Mouros welcomes Placebo, Iggy Pop, Bauhaus, Limp Bizkit, and more.

5. Nos Alive 6 – 9 July 2022

Located in Alges, a 10-minute train ride from Lisbon, NOS Alive’s first edition happened in 2007 (when it was named Optimus Alive). The festival is known to have the most well-known line-up in Portugal, along with Rock in Rio, adding to its international popularity. In 2009, the British magazine NME named NOS Alive one of the top 12 European festivals. The 16th edition of NOS Alive welcomes The Strokes, The War On Drugs, Florence + The Machine, Alt-J, Metallica, Stormzy, Jorja Smith, Two Door Cinema Club, Phoebe Bridgers, and much more. The festival has invested in inclusive infrastructure for this year’s edition, now boasting platforms for disabled mobility for a more convenient entrance, as well as an area for pregnant women to enter.

6. NOS Primavera Sound 9 – 11 June 2022

Photo by Eduardo Filho IG @edrpf

Primavera Sound is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and the largest in the Mediterranean. The Festival’s success in Barcelona led to its expansion to Porto, Portugal in 2012. This year four new counterparts will also be launched in Los Angeles, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, and Sao Paulo. The 2019 edition of Primavera Sound in Porto welcomed over 220,000 people with similar numbers set for the 2022 edition. This year’s festival line-up in Porto includes Tame Impala, Gorillaz, Nick Cave, Grimes, Jhay Cortes, Little Simz, and more. The festival presents all music genres including indie, rock, and pop, as well as electronic music.

7. Neopop 10 – 13 August 2022

Photo by Made of You IG @madeofyougroup

For the last 10 years, Neopop is one of Portugal’s most well-known electronic music festivals, located in the town of Viana do Castelo in the region of Braga. If you are a techno fan, put Neopop on your festival bucket list. The festival is located within a 16th-century fort wall and an industrial harbor site with shipping containers. This year, Neopop welcomes Paula Temple, Nina Kraviz, Dax J, DJ Nobu, and more. Special tip: if you are camping on-site, bring loads of water as temperatures can get quite hot in August. Neopop is also organizing an event in Lisbon on June 10 featuring Dax J, Kobosil, and more.

8. Rock in Rio 18 – 26 June 2022

Photo by Atir Cuesta IG @atir_poison

Originating in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rock in Rio branched out to Lisbon in 2004, with over 350,000 people in attendance. After four years without Rock in Rio, Lisbon will host its 9th edition at Bela Vista Park. This edition was initially meant to take place in 2022 but was postponed two years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s edition welcomes the Foo Fighters, The National, the Black Eyed Peas, Ellie Goulding, Post Malone, Anitta, and more.

⬇️Please share your favorite music festivals in Portugal in the comments below ⬇️
1...929394...108Page 93 of 108

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