What to do in Portugal in April

April 8, 2017

In this article, I’ve decided to talk about the best-known festivals in Portugal in April. Whether religious, historical, cultural or sporting, the Portuguese never miss an opportunity to get together and celebrate.

If you’d like to find out more about Portugal’s most popular festivals throughout the year, check out this article: Popular festivals in Portugal.

1. Religious holidays

At this time of year in April, I must tell you about Easter, which is still celebrated by many according to tradition. Indeed, the vast majority of Portuguese people are Catholics, practicing or not, young or old, and they get together to celebrate Easter. The celebration begins a week before Easter Sunday, with numerous masses held throughout Portugal.

Good Friday (a public holiday in Portugal) is the day of processions with the coffin of Jesus, statues of the weeping Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, and a brass band playing funeral tunes.

Portugal en avril

Easter Sunday is a more festive day, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Church bells ring out, and the towns are alive with song and lively music.

Many towns cultivate these traditions, the best-known and most impressive being Braga, Obidos and São Brás de Alportel in the south. If you’d like to find out what’s going on near you, contact the Portuguese tourist office, which will be able to provide you with all the information you need

Portugal en avril

In 2014, the town of Vila Praia de Âncora set up a 500m-long table

Of course, behind this religious festival there’s also a gastronomic tradition. The famous “folar”, a sweet brioche or savory bread depending on the region, symbolizes reconciliation and friendship. And of course, on Good Friday the menu is all about fish, especially Bacalhau (cod). If you don’t have a recipe, here’s one😉

Portugal en avril

Folar

So if you’re in Portugal next week, don’t miss this festival, we’ll be there 😉

2. Historical festival

An important date for the Portuguese this April is April 25. As you know, this date heralds the end of the Salazar dictatorship in Portugal

Portugal en avril

“April 25 1974 is a date that has left an indelible mark on my life and that of the vast majority of Portuguese people. It was a peaceful revolution of unquestionable success, which had huge repercussions in Europe and the rest of the world. The “Carnation Revolution” put an end to a fascist dictatorship lasting forty-eight long, cruel years, which had been sustained by censorship and a political police force, and which had held our country back politically, culturally, economically and socially for almost five decades.”

Mário Soarès, former Portuguese president and historic figure in the fight against dictatorship

But why is this revolution called that? For those who don’t know, here’s the story. A florist demonstrating her support for the soldiers offered a carnation to one of them. Symbolically, the soldier put it at the end of his rifle, and all the other soldiers followed his example. Carnations then appeared in windows all over Portugal, as a sign of joy, victory, peace and deliverance

Portugal en avril

Since that day, Portugal has been a free and democratic country. April 25 is now a public holiday in Portugal

3. Cultural holiday

At the end of April-beginning of May, you can spend 5 days at the Beja Spring Fair (Festa da Maias). This agricultural and craft fair takes place at the Parque de Feiras e Exposições, in the south-east of the town

It’s a not-to-be-missed event, with a wide range of agricultural, craft and sheep exhibits. Of course, you’ll also find plenty of places to dine on homemade rural produce… a gastronomic rendez-vous to boot

To round off the day, there are evening concerts by Miguel Angelo, AGIR, Anselmo Ralph and Sangre Ibérico. The program is not yet fully announced, but you can find out more on their website

4. Sports event

For the month of April, I’d like to propose a short running event: the 20km Cascais Oeiras Lisboa. For the record, this was originally a relay race between Estoril and Lisbon, and some of the greatest runners have taken part: Carlos Lopes, Fernando Mamede..

It’s not yet too hot, so it’s ideal to plan a 20km run to discover the Lisbon side of the city. It starts in Estoril and finishes in Lisbon. It’s a pretty cool route, since it’s straight and allows you to discover or revisit towns such as Estoril and its beautiful beaches, before arriving in Lisbon. All the way along the seafront

Portugal en avril

This is a legendary race, as it is Portugal’s oldest, now in its ^80th year. After so much effort, you’ll have the right to treat yourself to a pasteis de Belém (you’ll be passing close by)

In conclusion

Portugal in April is very lively, and there are many more events than that all over the country. Don’t hesitate to share them on our facebook page or in the “Amoureux du Portugal” group. Thanks 🙂