Best music festivals in Portugal: Complete 2025 guide

Last updated Jan 19, 2025 Each year, especially in summer, Portugal’s music festival calendar is packed with big-name artists, major festival line-ups and smaller boutique events. Expect to find music festivals in Portugal’s big cities of Lisbon and Porto, plus down south on the beaches of the Algarve and in secret countryside locations in 2025. […]
Ultimate Portugal events guide: Best festivals & cultural events for 2025

Last updated Jan 19, 2025 Portugal knows how to throw a brilliant party, and in 2025 these will be the biggest and best festivals and events to attend. Each year cities, towns and villages across Portugal play host to traditional celebrations, food-focused events and huge music festivals. From celebrations with sardines and world-class street theatre, […]
12 mistakes people making when visiting Portugal

From cultural tips to wearing the wrong shoes to avoiding scams, here are 12 of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen people make while visiting Portugal. Mistake #1: Thinking the bread is free (the bread is never free) The beauty of travel is connecting with other cultures but sometimes those cultures aren’t what we’re expecting. Restaurants […]
My 10 favourite Portugal trips in 2023

I have a confession to make: I have more fun than I have the energy (or time) to write about on this blog. It’s why last year I had a blast wrapping up my favourite trips across Portugal with a short summary – so I thought I’d do the same this year. From the far […]
22 most beautiful castles in Portugal

When diplomacy was more swords than handshakes, castles were critical for Portugal’s defence, especially against attacks from neighbouring Spain and the Moors. When the Zamora Treaty was signed in 1143, D. Afonso Henriques became the first King of Portugal, and Alphonse the VII of León and Castile, recognised this small nation as an independent kingdom. […]
Cork masks, a burning effigy and plenty of wine: the traditional Schist Villages carnival

The sound of a gaita (bagpipe), drums, accordions and chatter emanates from the centre of Aigra Nova, a tiny one-resident schist village near Coimbra, in central Portugal. It’s 8.30am on a sunny winter Sunday and the usually quiet streets are a hive of activity. A stream of villagers starts rolling down a steep cobbled street […]
16 most beautiful villages and small towns in Portugal

With their tile-covered facades, art deco details and historic landmarks, Portugal’s cities and big towns are absolutely gorgeous. But there’s nothing like the magic of visiting tiny charming villages. Having travelled far and wide across Portugal over the past couple of years, I’ve been swept up in the spell of so many beautiful white-washed coastal […]
My 6 favourite Portugal adventures from 2022

Naturally, after a couple of pandemic years exploring the width and breadth of Portugal, I jumped at the chance to explore beyond the country’s borders this year. But while it was brilliant to go abroad for new and nostalgic adventures, I started to miss exploring the cute white-washed or stone villages, wild nature and friendly […]