Lifestyle in Portugal

The Algarve once again confirmed its position as Portugal’s top tourist destination, welcoming 597,700 guests and 2.38 million overnight stays in September.

For things to do in Olhao, early starts and unhurried evenings work best.

The 1st of December is a national public holiday in Portugal, officially called Restoration of Independence Day.

Olhão is a low-key fishing town in the Algarve with flat-roofed “cubist” houses, working boats in the marina and ferries sliding out to Ilha da Armona. Living in Olhão means you get proper year-round town living here rather than a manicured resort.

If you’re weighing up the best place to spend New Year’s Eve in Portugal, picture Passagem de Ano as sociable and outdoorsy: twelve raisins at midnight (doze passas), a toast with espumante, and a slice of bolo‑rei the next day.

This town in Alentejo, less than two hours from Lisbon, feels like sun on whitewashed walls, cool church interiors, and cork‑oak country rolling to the horizon.

Portugal does festive evenings properly: grand trees, clever illuminations and markets threaded through historic centres.

Are there any lakes in Portugal? While Portugal is famous for its stunning coastline and sun-soaked beaches, the country also offers a selection of beautiful lakes and lagoons perfect for autumn getaways.

Portugal’s winter can be quietly dramatic: frost on granite villages, empty mountain roads, taverns warmed by bowls of caldo verde.

Winter slips into Portugal with misty valleys, fire‑warm taverns and the scent of street‑roasted chestnuts. Snow does arrive on higher ground while the coast stays mild and moody.

Winter in Portugal suits a quieter city break with mild days, good-value stays and proper comfort food, especially if you’re plotting the best Portuguese cities to visit in winter.

Lisbon’s festive season returns with scale and pageantry across the city centre.

As Portugal gears up for Christmas 2025, the travel picture is tilting towards compact breaks, city lights and island escapes, with cars setting the pace.

December in Portugal has a lovely winter rhythm: crisp mornings in the mountains, cosy evenings by the fire, and cities that glow once the lights go on.

The term neurodivergence is increasingly entering everyday conversation, yet it is still often misunderstood or reduced to stereotypes.

Portugal is famous for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture—but did you know it’s also home to some of Europe’s best hot springs and thermal spas?

Netflix’s crime drama Turn of the Tide is back with Season 2, revisiting the Azorean fishing town of Rabo de Peixe on São Miguel.

Beyond pastéis de nata, Portugal hides a world of convent sweets and regional bakes shaped by egg yolks, cinnamon, almonds, and even carob.

If you’re hunting for things to do this Halloween in Portugal, think candlelit traditions and cheeky night-outs side by side.

Portugal increasingly embraces Halloween with costumes, parties and themed attractions—especially in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve—while traditional observances like All Saints’ Day and Pão‑por‑Deus remain central to the season.

Getting some winter sun in Portugal comes down to picking the right pocket of coast and timing your day around the light. The Atlantic can whip through, yet you still get calm afternoons for coffee on a terrace, sheltered coves out of the wind, and heated pools for a dip when the sea’s a bit nippy.