Nicolau’s New Palace: New video mapping in Lisbon, Terreiro do Paço square

Terreiro do Paço will again be the stage for a free video mapping show spreading the magic of Christmas across Lisboa.

“Nicolau’s New Palace” is the new theme for this Christmas, from 14th to 23rd December, which will link up with events throughout the city celebrating the festive season. 

The topic, which is set in Nicolau’s Palace, is Santa Claus addressing concerns with the environment – seeking to raise public awareness of the effects of climate change in the world and how it will affect us.

The show is free and it will take place every day from December 14th to 23rd at 7:00 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.


Find more information at: http://visitlisboa.com/Video mapping

Viseu Christmas, Traditional Dream

From November 25th to January 8th, Viseu is an irresistible destination for Christmas and New Year! In winter, Viseu breathes the Christmas spirit.

The city streets are filled with light and color, to the sound of gentle melodies that feed the imagination of young and old. In this court, the garden city becomes city light. Be amazed by the musical performances, Christmas markets, nativity scenes, workshops and animations. Long live the garden city dressed in City of Light and rediscover Christmas traditions.

Find more information at:
- https://www.facebook.com/municipioviseu/
- https://www.visitportugal.com/Christmas in Viseu

2017: Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Fátima

In 2017, the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima will be celebrated with a wide-ranging programme, the high point of which will be the presence of His Holiness Pope Francis on 13th May.

The first apparitions of Our Lady were to the shepherd children on 13th May 1917 and they were repeated the following months, the last occurring on 13th October the same year, when a remarkable crowd witnessed the "Miracle of the Sun". These are the dates that attract the greatest number of the faithful to the Sanctuary every year to take part in the Candlelight Procession on the night of 12th May and the Farewell Procession on the morning of 13th May, but every day, especially on the 13th of each month, many pilgrims arrive in Fátima, who visit this holy place to express their faith.

Apart from the regular pilgrimages and the religious celebrations, the 100th anniversary will be celebrated until 13th October 2017 with a wide-ranging cultural programme including a number of exhibitions, concerts of sacred music, performances relating to the apparitions, conferences, summer courses and the International Congress “Thinking Fátima”, which will be held in June.

Detailed information about the celebrations of the 100th anniversary can be found at:
- www.fatima.pt
- https://www.facebook.com/SantuarioFatima
- https://mobile.twitter.com/SFatimaPortugal
- https://www.visitportugal.com/Pilgrimages to Fátima
- https://www.visitportugal.com/Fátima
- https://www.visitportugal.com/Fátima a Journey to the Altar of the World

Until 30th of December don´t miss "Perlim – A Farm of Dreams" in Santa Maria da Feira

A doorway to a magical world, this is "Perlim - Uma Quinta de Sonhos" (Perlim - A Farm of Dreams) in Santa Maria da Feira, a space which has been thought out to provide unique and memorable experiences for the entire family.

Adults can recover the magic which has been saved in their memory, children can arouse the best of their fantasies by stimulating their imagination and creativity, while closely sharing these times with their parents.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, "Perlim - Uma Quinta de Sonhos" recovers the characters and stories from your childhood imagination, fables, legends, fairy tales and the enchantment of Christmas, which continue to grab everyone's attention.

Find more information at:
- http://www.perlim.pt/
- Perlim APP Mobile
- https://www.facebook.com/perlimportugal/
- https://www.visitportugal.com/Perlim

Until January the first, don´t miss Óbidos Vila Natal 2016

Visit Óbidos – Christmas Town – and enter a truly magical world!

From, the beginning of December, Óbidos fills up with light, colour and fantasy - transforming into a dreamlike setting where everyone – children and adults – can enjoy magical experiences, amongst a wide array of attractions and amusements.

Father Christmas’ House, the crib, performances, games, ice rink, inflatables – are just some of the many attractions that Óbidos has in store for you, offering special moments ideal for the whole family.

Find more information at:
- http://obidosvilanatal.pt/
- https://www.visitportugal.com/Óbidos Vila Natal

What about some Christmas Shopping In Portugal?

Do you already have your Christmas list for family and friends? The Christmas season is great for a mini holiday in Lisbon or Porto as it is not very cold and there are still some sunny days. This is great for going for a walk in the city and starting to do your Christmas shopping.

The streets are filled with lights and the decoration changes over the weeks with stars, balls of different colours, Christmas trees, and other decorations and traditional nativity scenes. The fact that it gets dark earlier, as we are already in winter time, is a good reason to get to know a livelier city. And the historic centres are places of excellence to find the last trends in fashion and great ideas for Christmas presents.

Make the most of the promotions from airlines and hotel Christmas programmes which always have special offers during this season.

Unique Chistmas presents for all
We suggest Portuguese souvenirs which can be found in the usual shopping areas: quality clothing, shoe brands that can be found around the world, bags and accessories made of cork (the latest trend) or articles made from pure wool from the centre of Portugal, in sackcloth. And you can of course choose the small Christmas markets, fairs and sales where you can always find a unique gift for everybody.

Portuguese cuisine also has products of excellence which are a great source of inspiration for Christmas presents: wines, olive oils, preserves (traditional industries that currently have gourmet specialties), sweets, jam or dried fruit. And during this season, traditional sweets are a temptation! You must try the Bolo-rei (King's Cake), "sonhos" (traditional deep fried sweet soft pastry normally eaten at Christmas), "rabanadas" (type of French toast) and "filhós" (traditional deep fried sweet pastry sprinkled with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon).

While shopping, roast chestnut venders on the streets are always a good excuse to take a break and try this seasonal delicacy.

And why not give a trip for the New Year in Portugal?

Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas! 

Find more information at https://www.visitportugal.com/en

Christmas Holidays in Portugal

No plans yet for your Christmas holidays? We have some suggestions for you!

With so many trips on offer and at such reasonable prices you're sure to find something appealing. What are you waiting for? Book your flight and in about two hours you could be landing in Portugal for a well-deserved break – Lisbon, Porto, Faro, the Azores or Madeira could be the start of your explorations...

At this time of year, the entire country comes to life with Christmas entertainment, starting with the lights that bring sparkle and colour to the city centres. Here you can enjoy shopping in the many shops and markets, watch choirs singing Christmas carols and sample some of the foods traditionally eaten at this time of year, such as Bolo-rei ("King cake"), "filhoses" (traditional deep fried sweet pastry sprinkled with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon) or "rabanadas" (type of French toast). And once you've taken your first step in Portuguese gastronomy, you'll want to keep going! From sweet treats such as our famous “pastel de nata” (custard tart) to some of the best fish in the world, our cuisine features many hallmarks of the World Heritage Mediterranean Diet.

And what about some family fun? With an average of over 300 sunny days a year, winter here can sometime seem more like spring, with sunshine up and down the country and temperatures rarely dropping below 10ºC. Days like this make you want to explore the streets of Lisbon on foot, or walk up to the castle or some other viewpoint to admire the view over the rooftops and the River Tagus. But a tram ride is fun and so too is a visit to the monuments and museums, many of which have cosy tea rooms where you can recharge your batteries. From Belém to the Parque das Nações there's loads to see. And outside Lisbon, places like Cascais, Estoril, Sintra and Mafra should definitely not be missed.

If you hire a car, a short drive will take you from Lisbon to Ericeira, Peniche or Nazaré, well-known for their waves that attract surfers of all levels. Other options include UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Tomar, Alcobaça, Batalha and Coimbra.  If you point your GPS southwards, the Alentejo region has many not-to-be-missed sites, including Évora, Elvas, Marvão and the huge Alqueva lake.  

In the opposite direction, the northern city of Porto, famed for the wine that takes its name, has its own special charm. This granite city, where old monuments contrast with the contemporary architecture of Serralves or the Casa da Música, has a great deal worth seeing from Ribeira to Foz. Perhaps you could take a boat trip along the river and discover the marvellous scenery of the Douro Valley. Even farther north there are other cities which should also not be missed, such as Guimarães, Viana do Casteloand Braga. Or the well-preserved natural surroundings in the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the Trás-os-Montes region, synonymous with authenticity and tradition.   

If you are heading to Faro in the Algarve, you can admire the beauty of the uncrowded beaches or play a round of golf on one of the region's many courses. Other options might include boat trips, bicycle rides, a relaxing spa or some lively nightlife. If your preference is culture, there is plenty to be explored in Faro, Lagos, Sagres, Silves and Tavira, for example.

With direct flights to the Azores, there are no more excuses for not getting to know this mid-Atlantic archipelago. There are nine completely unspoiled islands to visit at a leisurely pace. Start with São Miguel and discover all the tones of green in its landscapes and lakes, or with Ilha Terceira where Angra do Heroísmo is a landmark in terms of architectural heritage.  

And then there is Madeira, a favourite destination for New Year festivities. The entire island is decorated with myriad multi-coloured lights and a huge fireworks display heralds the New Year, attracting cruise ships and visitors from all over the world. Another big surprise is the climate. The temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 25ºC are ideal for appreciating all the charm of the local landscapes.  

Can you think of a better way to start the New Year?

Find more information at https://www.visitportugal.com/