Preparing for a festa (party) in Portugal

Photo by Christine Zenino. When looking for that beautiful mix of culture, local traditions and a party atmosphere, it’s easy for Spain to come to mind with all their fiestas and ferias. But in June, it’s Portugal that should be your focus! And if you’re looking to make the most of what the country has to offer, it’s definitely worth having your own set of wheels. We’ve got great value car hire at locations throughout Portugal and its islands. Get a quote and book your Portugal car hire here.

June is when Portugal celebrates its favourite saints (that’ll be St Anthony, St John and St Peter). And although customs are religious (or even pagan) in origin, it’s become so much more about a festival atmosphere with fireworks lighting up the skies at night and throngs of people partying in the streets. You may well aslo find yourself getting hit with a giant inflatable hammer! Here’s a quick look at just a few of the events you can expect in the month of June…

Lisbon

The capital’s got all sorts of events happening throughout June but it doesn’t really properly kick off until 12 June for the Festas de Lisboa.  The Festas de Lisboa began as a celebration of the city’s patron saint, St Anthony (Santo Antonio), on 12-13 June. But as it has grown to be so much more than that, the celebrations were renamed after the city, which I love.

Lisbon view from the Santa Justa Elevator

Sardines are the festa food to try

Photos above by Luna Dizon and Ricardo

Head to the historic neighbourhoods like Alfama, Mouraria and Bairro Alto for music, dancing and other festivities. But it’s worth keeping an eye out on the Festas de Lisboa Facebook page as well as popping into the local tourist information office for more information.

There is a colourful parade along Avenida de Liberdade on the night of the 12th June to really get the party started. And eat sardines. It’s the fishy treat to enjoy during festival time! You can see more of our Lisbon highlights in our travel blog.

Porto

Just over a week after Lisbon’s big party night, Porto has theirs with the celebration of their patron saint, St John (São João), on 23 June with a massive street party. Porto’s celebrations feature hammers (plastic inflatable ones!) as well as long garlic stems, which are used to hit others on the head with. The tradition goes that you’re meant to target the one you love with it but you’ll likely find it’s a general free for all on the night!

Porto view form Serra do Pilar

Happy São João to all!

Photos by Luna Dizon. You can just about make out some plastic hammers for sale in the picture above.

You’ll also find plenty of small basil plants for sale, which would traditionally be given with a little love poem. That’s just how they roll in Porto! Apparently, this is all in homage to St John (São João) as well as harking back to old pagan rituals. Bad timing of my last visit to Porto meant I left just a couple of days before the big festival. But I did witness the excitement around the city in preparing for it: Celebrating São João in Porto – it’s hammer time! 

 You can find more of my posts on Porto in our travel blog.

Braga

The north of Portugal is also all about São João with other cities including Gaia, Braga and Vila do Conde going all out on 23 June. In Braga at least, there’s less hammering and more jumping over bonfires! Braga’s a city I’ve still got on my list of places to visit… However, here’s a great guide to Braga from Jeanine Barone at the Guardian: Plenty to Braga about in Portugal.

Beautiful Braga at night

Photo by Abhijeet Rane

Stay refreshed with a glass of vinho verde…

Portugal is more famous for the fortified wine named after Porto but what they also do bucket loads of is vinho verde. Although it translates literally to ‘green wine’, it simply means ‘young wine’. Generally drunk within a year of bottling, vinho verde’s a refreshing, lighter and slightly sparkling alternative to a glass of white or Rosé. I love it in the Portuguese sunshine and would definitely be my pick to wash down sardines with. 

Enjoy a glass of vinho verde with your celebrations

Photo by Ricardo Bernardo / ricardobernardo.net. Ponte de Lima is just half an hour’s drive north of Braga or less than an hour’s drive from Porto.

The great thing about Portugal is that you’re also never too far away from the sea! And with the majority of Portugal’s coastline facing west to the Atlantic ocean, there are plenty of opportunities to chill on the beach with a sunset view after all that partying. Although it’s usually the Algarve that people associate with Portugal and beaches, it’s worth a look at some of these tips from Guardian readers for more beaches: Best beaches in Portugal

Maderia (they’re partying away from the mainland too)

Lush and green, along with the Azores, Madeira is one of Portugal’s jewels in the Atlantic Ocean. And June is a fantastic time to visit with musical performances and fireworks spectaculars to entertain visitors as part of the Atlantic Festival.

You can find more info on events in Madeira here. And if you’re looking to enjoy the island with a Madeira car hire, you can get a quote on a Funchal Airport car hire here.

Cabo de Girao – one of the highest sea cliffs in the world!

Funchal’s sky lit up as part of the international fireworks contest

Photos by Juan Antonio Flores Segal and Porto Bay Events.