You’d like to rent a car in Portugal, but you’re lost in the steps, the sites, the choices… This article will help you!

I’m going to be very clear with you: if your stay is just a few days and you’re staying in a big city like Porto or Lisbon, I’d advise you not to rent a car. It will be more of a hassle than anything else: traffic, parking, narrow streets, the stress of not knowing where you’re going, not understanding all the signs in Portuguese… So, if you’re staying in a big city, opt for public transport: tramway, funicular, metro … but also scooters, bicycles, tuk tuk… In fact, if you can, I’d advise you to use your little legs to explore the Portuguese city of your choice.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to visit the outskirts of a large city, or even better, to discover several towns / villages in Portugal, renting a car in Portugal will be an essential option to optimize your stay and make sure you don’t miss out on any of the beauty of this lovely country.

But renting a car in Portugal … like anywhere else for that matter, isn’t always easy. There are many different rental companies, different prices, multiple options… It’s easy to get lost! Here are the essential points you need to know before renting a car in Portugal.

When, where and how to rent a car in Portugal?

1 – WHEN TO BOOK

The first thing you need to bear in mind, and I’m not going to teach you anything, is that, just as with house rentals or plane tickets, car rental prices in Portugal vary according to the time of year. During the school vacations, and especially in summer, prices skyrocket. This is the famous law of supply and demand. Rates in July and August are up to 5 times higher than in the off-peak period. So the earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have, and the more affordable the rates.

2 – WHERE TO BOOK?

It’s best to book in advance via the Internet. Booking through a travel agency is often more expensive, as they charge a commission.

3 – HOW TO DO YOUR RESEARCH?

First of all, do your research via a car rental comparison site. Even if you don’t end up renting your vehicle via this platform, it’s still a good idea to get an overview of all the rental companies’ services and rates. Comparators include(but are not limited to) :

• autoeurope.fr
• rentalcars.com
• autoportugal.fr
• bcp-auto.com
• kayak.fr
• liligo.fr

Once you’ve chosen your comparator, how do I proceed?

1. enter your pick-up and drop-off location, date and time (check the box if you are under 26),
2. the comparator will activate and suggest various car rentals in Portugal from a wide range of rental companies : Hertz, Sixt, Goldcar, Budget, Alamo, Europcar, Guerin …. So many to choose from, it’s easy to get lost.
3. in that case, use the filters provided by the comparators, so that only the searches that match your needs come up. These filters vary considerably from one comparator to another, but roughly speaking, you’ll find: the category of vehicle you want, the mileage you want, the options you want (automatic or manual), the price range you want…
4. once you’ve entered these filters, you’ll be presented with a new selection that includes only those cars that match your filters. It’s at this point that you’ll need to take a close look at a number of points that we’ll cover in this article.

Example of a car rental comparison site, here rentalcars.com

What you need to know to rent a car in Portugal

1 – CHOOSING THE TYPE OF VEHICLE

The type of vehicle you choose depends on a number of factors:

• the number of people in your party,
• the amount of luggage you have,
• your budget,
• the city or cities you’ll be visiting.

I’d like to draw your attention to the last point. As mentioned in the introduction, if you’re going to the centers of big cities like Lisbon or Porto, traffic and parking can quickly become complicated in historic centers, so I advise you to choose a small car if you can so as not to have too many constraints. I’d also recommend choosing accommodation with a parking lot, as finding parking can be complicated in some areas, and the cost of parking can quickly mount up, especially as EMEL, the company that controls parking payments, is everywhere and very often.

Also, bear in mind that when you reserve a car, you’re choosing a category of vehicle, not a specific model. For example, your reservation photo might be of a FIAT 500, but you end up with a TWINGO. It’s on the day of your rental that you’ll find out which vehicle you’ve been offered.

Car rental parking

2 – FILLING UP

The three most common fuel policies are

• tank full – return tank empty,
• tank full – tank full (the most common and recommended),
• return with same fuel level, you pick up the car with XX fuel level and you have to return the car with the same level.

I strongly advise you to choose the Tank full / Tank full option, the most common. This means that you pick up the car with a full tank of fuel and return the car with a full tank (you fill up just before returning the vehicle at a gas station – many gas stations are located near Portuguese airports)

Why choose this option? It’s the simplest option, and choosing full tank/empty tank means that when the rental company collects the vehicle, it will charge you for a full tank, often at an exorbitant price.

3 – MILEAGE

When you rent a car, you’ll be offered 2 mileage options:

• unlimited mileage (most common),
• mileage limited to xxx km

Make sure you have opted for unlimited mileage. Choosing limited mileage can be restrictive. If you exceed it, you’ll be overcharged for every kilometer, and that can quickly add up.

4 – DRIVER

If you have several drivers, be sure to add them to the rental contract when you collect the vehicle. The first additional driver is often free. All drivers must have their driving licenses with them.

Please note that if you are under 21 (and sometimes even under 26), you are often considered a “young driver”. Some rental companies refuse to rent vehicles to drivers under 21, or charge higher rates if the driver does not have a certain number of years’ driving experience.

5 – PAGES

Don’t forget to take out the “Via Verde” option with the rental company. This costs around €2 per day, up to a maximum of €18 for long-term rentals. The Via Verde is a box that allows you to pay both normal and electronic tolls in Portugal (more on this subject in my article 5 ways to pay your tolls in Portugal). It allows you to pay all tolls in Portugal, as well as passing through VIA VERDE lanes at toll booths, without stopping. You pay all tolls when you return the vehicle to the rental company.

Tolls

6 – VEHICLE CONDITION

You’re going to tell me that “this is the basics”, but both rental company and customer don’t always do it very well. Checking the condition of your vehicle before you start your rental is essential. Pay attention! Hirers tend to be very quick, and you, on the other hand, are so anxious to explore the city that you don’t spend much time on it either. And yet this “check-in” is important to avoid any unpleasant surprises on return. So take the time to examine your vehicle from every angle, and ask the rental company to indicate this on the vehicle condition report.

7 – WHERE IS MY RENTAL COMPANY LOCATED?

If you’re renting your car at an airport, I’d advise you to check where the rental agency is located. Very often, rental companies are not located in the airport. They’re often located in a nearby area, so you’ll have to wait for the shuttle, then the shuttle, then the queue to pick up your vehicle. The two options you’ll often see on comparators are :

• “shuttle service”, which means that the rental company is not located at the airport but a few kilometers away.
• “in the terminal” or “at the airport”, which means that the rental company is located at the airport.

Above, one of the rentals is directly in the airport but the second driver is not free, while the other rental is not directly in the airport but offers a free 2nd driver.

8 – INSURANCE

When renting a car in Portugal… or anywhere else for that matter… you need to think carefully about insurance. Don’t forget to include the cost of insurance in your budget: you should expect to pay around €10 a day for a no-deductible policy that you take out locally. So your rental budget can quickly climb.

If you pay with a Visa Premier, Gold Mastercard or black Visa Infinitecard , your card’s insurance usually covers the deductible. But be sure to check your bank’s terms and conditions beforehand.

If you don’t have this type of card, it’s advisable to take out no-deductible insurance, which means you won’t have to pay the deductible in the event of a problem. You can choose to take out this insurance:

• directly via the broker (= the comparison site on which you rent, for example). The advantage is that the price of this insurance is 2 to 3 times less expensive than if you take out the rental company’s insurance directly on the spot, but the disadvantage is that in the event of a problem, you’ll have to ask the broker’s insurance company for reimbursement, and this can take a long time.
• on the spot with the rental company on the day of rental: the cost is higher, but reimbursement is quicker in the event of a problem.

In both cases, bear in mind that the excess is blocked on your credit card when you pick up the vehicle, and this deposit can vary from €1,000 to €3,000. So be sure to check your credit card limit before you leave.

Last but not least, it’s very important to check your bank card, as I often see people with this problem on the Amoureux du Portugal Facebook group. Make sure you have a bank card with embossed numbers (= credit card). This is how rental agencies can take your credit card imprint. Debit cards (those without embossed numbers) will not be accepted, and you won’t be able to collect your vehicle on arrival if you don’t have a credit card (the one with the embossed numbers).

Insurance option

In conclusion

We’ve given you an overview of the things you need to know before renting a car in Portugal. Of course, this article is not exhaustive, and it may be relevant to pay attention to some other small items such as :

• the cleanliness of your rental car on return,
• respecting the drop-off time to avoid the rental company charging you for an extra day,
• customer reviews to give you an idea of the rental company’s quality,
• any options you might want to consider: child seat, GPS, wifi, etc.

Once you’ve found a rental that appeals to you via the comparator, I advise you to go directly to the brand’s website to see if the price is better if you book via the comparator or on the brand’s website directly.  Example: A quick trip to sites like Europcar, Sixt or Budget to make sure you pay the best price, may be worth it.

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Customs and traditions are very important in Portugal. They represent the cultural heritage and history of the Portuguese people. They are vectors of social cohesion for the entire Portuguese people. Discovering Portuguese customs and traditions during your stay in Portugal will give you an insight into the “real” Portugal, and you won’t regret it.

1 – Customs and traditions in Portugal: traditional Portuguese dances

From the north to the south of the country, traditional dances are popular and omnipresent. They are part of Portugal’s customs and traditions. They express the soul of each region. Among the most famous regional dances are :

• Chula du Douro,
• Vira from Minho,
• Corridinho from the Algarve,
• Fandango from Ribatejo,
• Bailinho from Madeira,

Corridinho d’Algarve @villasalgarve (top photo) – Chula du Douro @danceask.net (bottom photo)

But also :

• Pauliteiros de Miranda: This is a group of 8 men from the Miranda region, who dance to the sound of bagpipes, drums and castanets. They wear embroidered skirts, linen shirts, fur collars, leather boots, woollen socks and hats, and use two sticks (called “palos”) to dance.

Pauliteiros de Miranda @ncultura.pt

• Caretos de Podence: These are characters from the northeast Transmontano and Alto Douro regions, dating back to Celtic times. During Carnival, the men wear red, yellow, green or black masks made of leather, wood or brass, and brightly colored costumes with wool bangs. Their outfits are complemented by bells worn on their belts.

Caretos de Podence @lefigaro

2 -Customsand traditions in Portugal: azulejos

On the blog, on Facebook, on Instagram, I often talk about azulejos. I completely fell in love with them when I arrived here in Portugal. Azulejos are an indisputable part of Portuguese heritage.

The term azulejo comes from the Arabic word “az- zuleij “, meaning “polished stone”. Azulejos were introduced to Portugal by Spain in the 15th century, which itself was discovered by the Moors.

You’ll see them on building facades, since azulejos were originally used to protect houses from the heat: a kind of insulator. Its waterproof, hard-wearing and thermal qualities make it an ideal material for interior and exterior wall cladding in Portuguese homes.

If you get the chance, I recommend a visit to an azulejo factory to see how it’s made. It’s also in these factories that I recommend you buy some, because of the quality of the work. I really like the azulejo factory in Azeitão and the Orey store in Lisbon.

Azulejos

3 -Customsand traditions in Portugal: handicrafts

Each region has its own art, handed down from generation to generation, which forms part of the customs and traditions of Portugal. These include :

• Arraiolos rugs: Arraiolos is a village just north of Évora, where women traditionally produced rugs. These Arraiolos carpets are handmade, without looms, and are patterned after Persian and Turkish rugs. In 1511, Portugal expelled the Moors, but the inhabitants had already assimilated the knowledge of embroidery and carpet-making. They continued to produce these magnificent rugs, with many workshops based in convents. Even today, Arraiolos rugs retain the original Persian structure: large motifs symbolizing the living, four pieces representing the four elements, and various theological references. In great demand by the aristocracy in the 18th century, carpets were used to protect and decorate floors, but also to display wealth. These magnificent carpets are not inexpensive, as they are handmade, the motifs being embroidered stitch by stitch on canvas or linen.

• Portuguese filigree: a jewelry tradition from Viana do Castelo. Filigree is an ornamental work made of very fine wires and tiny metal balls, welded together to form a pattern. These pieces are easily found in northern Portugal, where they are featured on the costumes of folk dance groups and on traditional wedding dresses. If you’re passing through Viana do Castelo, I recommend a visit to the Gold Museum and the Costume Museum.

• Cork: in Portugal, you’ll find cork objects in every souvenir store. Most of Portugal’s cork oak forests ( montados in Portuguese ) are found in the Alentejo region. Cork oak is used extensively in Portugal, where half the world’s cork comes from. Cork is used to make a wide range of products, from wine bottle stoppers to bags, wallets, hats, shoes and umbrellas. Today, you can even find cork sofas!

• ” Lenços dos namorados “, which can be translated as “lovers’ scarves”: the origin of this piece is the subject of various interpretations, with the first two-coloured handkerchiefs (black and red) appearing in the mid-19th century, when, in rural areas, some men of marriageable age began wearing them as accessories (probably as gifts from their sweethearts). Legend has it that a young girl, who had feelings for a boy, saw no other way to express her love than by embroidering on scarves, confessing, in words transcribed by thread and needle, everything she felt. This is where the name “lovers’ handkerchief” comes from.

Arraiolos @lisbonneaffinitées rugs (top left) – “Lenços dos namorados @portugalenfrançais (top right) – Portuguese watermark @imagesofportugal (bottom left) – Cork @monviti (bottom right)

4 – Customs and traditions in Portugal: Fado

Fado is the symbol of customs and traditions in Portugal. It’s a musical genre that dates back to the 1820s. It is characterized by sad themes that speak of fate, disappointment in love, sadness, unhappiness, the lives of sailors and fishermen, and above all, saudade. Saudade, that untranslatable word. Saudade is a kind of longing, conveying a complex mixture of nostalgia, sadness, pain, happiness and love.

There are two main varieties of Fado, named after the two cities where it was traditionally sung: Lisbon and Coimbra. The Lisbon style is the more popular, while the Coimbra style is considered more refined. Modern Fado is popular in Portugal. The best-known fadistas are Amália Rodrigues, Carminho, Mariza and Ana Moura.

Fado is a unique genre of music, traditionally sung with a single voice and accompanied by a guitar. Fado came to public attention in the 1930s and 1940s, mainly thanks to Amália Rodrigues. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.

Fado @istock

5 –Customs and traditions in Portugal: canteAlentejano

Totally different from fado, captivating and unique, cante alentejano was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2014. Cante Alentejano uses no musical instruments, the voice being the only component of this tradition. The lyrics speak of feelings and moments of daily life, and the singing became particularly popular from the end of the 19th century onwards.

Cante alentejano (polyphonic song from Portugal’s Alentejo region) is similar to American gospel music. It focuses on the harsh life in the fields of Alentejo, an agricultural region that is arid in summer and very cold in winter.

Cante alentejano @nit.pt

6 –Customs and traditions in Portugal: the roosterof Barcelos

Located on the route to Santiago de Compostela, Barcelos is a small town in northern Portugal. The town is best known for its famous rooster legend. The rooster has become one of the symbols of Portugal.

Legend has it that several crimes took place in Barcelos at the time, but no culprit was ever caught. One man, on his way to Santiago de Compostela, was found guilty by the court without evidence. He claimed his innocence, and went to see the judge. Seeing a rooster near him, the accused told the judge: “It’s just as true that I’m innocent as that your cooked rooster will rise and crow when I’m hanged! On the day of the man’s execution, the rooster crowed and the judge realized that the accused was indeed innocent. The judge ran to the place where the man had been hanged. As a result of the knot being tied incorrectly, the man escaped execution, was found innocent and set free.

Rooster of Barcelos @livingtours

In conclusion

The customs and traditions in Portugal mentioned in this article are just a sample of all those that exist in Portugal. These are truly part of Portugal’s heritage, and it’s well worth getting to know them. There are also the festivities and romarias, which are widely celebrated and deeply rooted in Portuguese customs and traditions. To find out more about these popular festivals, I invite you to read or reread my article: Popular festivals in Portugal

Join us on social networks!

• Facebook group “Amoureux du Portugal”,
• Vivre au Portugal” Facebook page
• Instagram ” Living in Portugal

The post The next 5 must-see popular festivals in Portugal appeared first on Villa Feria.

“Quer contribuinte na fatura?” You’ll soon be familiar with this question, which is systematically asked when you pay in Portugal: in restaurants, when shopping, in stores… In short, everywhere!

This question is asked to find out if you want your “numero de contribuinte ” (the famous Portuguese tax number also known as “NIF ” which I often talk about, particularly in this article) to be mentioned on your invoice/checkout slip.

This measure was introduced in 2013 by the Portuguese government to combat tax evasion and the black market. Tax benefits were introduced to encourage Portuguese consumers to request an invoice with their NIF.

1 – Why give your NIF when you spend in Portugal?

1. To benefit from a tax credit :

The main reason to give your NIF when shopping in Portugal is to benefit from tax reductions based on your spending. You can reclaim up to €250 per category of expenditure. There are different categories of expenditure in Portugal, for example “catering”, “health”, “transport”, “leisure”, “education”, “hairdresser”..

Existing expense categories

there are maximum tax refund amounts per category. Once the ceiling has been reached, you cannot claim a higher refund in the category in question. The category called “Despesas Gerais Familiares” (general family expenses) is where all “general” expenses go, so the ceiling is often reached fairly quickly, but you can easily move your purchases to other categories later on. For example, if you spend money in supermarkets, you can move them to the “Restauração” (catering) category. This will give you up to €250 in additional tax refunds.

After a whole year, the amount recovered can be substantial, and will be deducted from your tax bill. If you accumulate expenses in different categories, you can expect to earn up to €1,000. Given that taxes in Portugal are deducted at source, you may well find that the government gives you money back as a result of the spending you’ve done throughout the year. So spend! 🙂

2. Win the tax lottery:

Also, to encourage people to ask for a bill and combat the black market, the Portuguese government is holding prize draws via bill numbers . Yes, you read that right… tax lotteries! They call it “fatura da sorte” (the lucky bill). Invoices are drawn at random and the winners receive cash or cars.

The tax authorities award 1 “fatura da Sorte” ticket for every €10 spent. Example: if you spend 80€, you’ll receive 8 “fatura da Sorte” tickets.

The “fatura da Sorte” provides for 1 draw per week, called the “regular draw”, and 2 draws per half-year (between June and December) called the “extraordinary draw”. The results of the draws are published on the Portuguese tax website in the “Fatura da sorte” section.

Tax site with announcement of December 29 winner

2 – How do I know if my expenses in Portugal are properly recorded and qualify for a tax credit?

Normally this is done automatically. You give your contribinte number every time you make a purchase, and your expenses in Portugal are then recorded. But in practice, when you give your tax number (NIF) to the merchant or service provider, this does not mean that your invoice is automatically validated. It’s important to check that your invoices are registered on the tax website (Portal das finanças).

1. Check that your expenses in Portugal are registered on the Portuguese tax site:

To check that your invoices are registered, go to the Portuguese tax site www.portaldasfinanças.pt, log in and access the electronic invoicing area. To do this, you need to :

• Click on “Iniciar sessao” then enter your NIF and password on Portal das Finanças,
• In “Serviços Frequentes“, click on “E-faturas”,
• Then “Verificar Faturas” at the bottom,

If not all your invoices are registered, you can register them yourself.

Connect to the Portuguese Finance website

2. Register your invoices on the Portuguese tax site:

• Click on “Iniciar sessao”, then enter your NIF and password on Portal das Finanças,
• In “Serviços Frequentes”, click on “E-faturas”,
• Then“Registar Faturas” at the bottom,
• A page will open with your NIF and full name,
• Fill in your invoice details,
• Click on“registrar” once you’ve filled in all the fields.

Register an invoice

In conclusion

The use of the NIF is ubiquitous in Portugal, both for your expenses in Portugal, as you will have seen in this article, and for any formalities you may wish to carry out in Portugal. In fact, obtaining your NIF is the number 1 administrative formality you need to complete if you want to settle in Portugal. Contact us and we’ll help you with the formalities. I’ll tell you more about it in this blog post.

Join us on social networks!

• Facebook group “Amoureux du Portugal”,
• Vivre au Portugal” Facebook page
• Instagram ” Living in Portugal

The post How to earn money and cars with your expenses in Portugal? appeared first on Villa Feria.

• Cascais, a coastal town with beautiful beaches,
• Sintra, a historic town with castles, palaces and enchanting gardens,
• Nazaré, home to surfers from all over the world,
• Setúbal, a fishing town with heavenly coves,
• Óbidos, a fortified town with medieval ramparts and charming cobbled streets,
• Évora, a medieval city with a rich cultural heritage.

1 – Cascais, the pretty seaside resort

Cascais is a coastal town about 30 km north of Lisbon, and is one of Portugal’s must-visit cities if you’re staying or living in Lisbon. It’s a popular spot for Portuguese and tourists alike, with small beaches, golf courses, bars and restaurants. There’s also a marina for boaters. Back in the day, Cascais and neighboring Estoril were popular vacation destinations for Portuguese royalty and European aristocracy. If you go to Cascais, take the opportunity to visit :

• Cabo da Roca (Cape of Rock): the westernmost point of the European continent. A place that Luís Vaz de Camões, the famous Portuguese poet, defined as a place “where the land ends and the sea begins”. It’s a small place, so getting there doesn’t take very long, but it’s worth the detour for its symbolism. Until the discovery of America, it was thought that there was nothing beyond “Cabo da Roca” in Portugal.
• Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth): located a little outside the town of Cascais, on the way to Sintra, right next to Cabo da Roca. Here you’ll see the waves slamming into the rock, forming an arch or rather a stone “mouth” in which the waves bubble up in a hellish fashion, hence the name “Boca do Inferno”.

How do I get to Cascais from Lisbon?

• By train: 30 minutes from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station
• By car: approx. 35 minutes (the avenue along the seafront is much nicer than the A5 freeway)

Cascais. Photo credit: @voyageprive @theportablewife

2 – Sintra, an enchanting town

Sintra is a historic town about 30 km north of Lisbon, renowned for its palaces and listed as aUNESCO World Heritage Site in the cultural landscape category in 1995.

The most famous monument is the Palacio daPena, an incredible castle built in the 19th century on a hill overlooking the region. The Palacio da Pena is one of Sintra’s main attractions. This romantic castle was built in the 19th century and is an example of the picturesque architecture that was very popular at the time. Thanks to its bright colors, predominantly yellow and red, and its distinctive structure, the building has become a symbol of the town and an icon of Portuguese architecture.

Other important monuments include the Palacio National de Sintra, the Castelo dos Mouros (the ruins of a medieval castle) and the Quinta da Regaleira (a garden complex with grottoes, waterfalls and statues)

How do I get to Sintra from Lisbon?

• By train : 40 minutes from Lisbon’s Rossio station
• By car: approx. 40 minutes

Palacio da Pena in Sintra

3 – Nazaré, the town of giant waves

Nazaré is a small Portuguese seaside town, situated around 130 km north of Lisbon between green hills and the Atlantic Ocean. Nazaré is divided into three parts: Praia, Sitio, and Pederneira. Nazaré is renowned for its beaches, its cultural life and its traditional architecture, but above all for its waves, among the biggest in the world, which attract numerous professional and amateur surfers every winter from October to February.

Where is the best place to watch the giant waves in Nazaré? These giant waves take place on Nazaré’s Praia do Norte. The best place to watch them is on the Sítio da Nazaré, next to the lighthouse on Nazaré’s north side. To reach the Sítio, located on the hill above, take the Nazaré funicular. It departs from Largo do Elevador in the Praia.

How do I get to Nazaré from Lisbon?

• By bus: from Lisbon’s Sete Rios station with Rede Expressos
• By car: approx. 1h30

Nazaré. Photo credit: @ArturCarvalho

4 – Setúbal, a small fishing town with turquoise coves

Setúbal is a port town located some 50 km south of Lisbon. Setúbal is famous for its variety of fish restaurants, which bring fish fresh out of the ocean onto your plate. There’s also the protected Serra da Arrabida nature park between Setúbal and Sesimbra, home to some of Portugal’s most beautiful coves, as well as numerous dolphins. If you’re ever in Setúbal, don’t miss :

• Visit the Mercado do Livramento : a must-see covered market,
• Explore the Serra da Arrábida natural park, with its turquoise coves and magnificent cliffs overlooking the ocean..
• Visit the Castelo de São Filipe overlooking the town,
• Enjoy the beautiful beaches close to the city, such as Praia de Galapinhos (one of the 40 most beautiful in Europe, according to The Guardian),
• Taste the famous choco frito (fried cuttlefish), cheese from Setúbal’s neighboring town of Azeitão and caldeirada, a delicious fish stew.

How do I get to Setúbal from Lisbon?

• By train: approx. 40 min, from Lisbon’s Roma-Areeiro station – private company Fertagus
• By car: approx. 40 minutes

Setúbal. Photo credit: @vagamundos

5 – Obidos and its fortress

Óbidos is a fortified town about 80 km north of Lisbon. The town of Óbidos is surrounded by a medieval rampart that offers a breathtaking view of the town and its surroundings. Here you’ll find its medieval castle, now used as a hotel, and its main square, surrounded by colorful houses with red-tiled roofs. There are also many historic monuments to visit, such as the Church of Santa Maria, the Santiago Gate and the Menagem Tower.

The town is also famous for its Christmas market, which I describe in the article Christmas Market in Portugal, and for its local chocolates. Indeed, if you visit Óbidos, be sure to try the “ginja de Óbidos”, which is cherry alcohol (also known as “ginjinha”) served in a chocolate shell.

How do I get to Obidos from Lisbon?

• By car: approx. 1h10

Obidos. Photo credit: @annieanywhere

6 – Evora and its bone-filled chapel

Evora is a medieval town about 130 km south of Lisbon. It is famous for its rich cultural heritage and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural and historical ensemble. Places not to be missed include :

• Évora Cathedral, dating from the 12th century,
• The Temple of Diana, a Roman temple built in the 1st century
• The Capela dos Ossos, a chapel decorated with human bones and surely Evora’s most famous monument. The macabre charm of this chapel, decorated with over 5,000 human bones, creates a special atmosphere that attracts many curious visitors.

How do I get to Evora from Lisbon?

• By car : approx. 1h30

Evora. Photo credit: @almadacomporta

In conclusion

As you can see, there are many Portuguese cities to visit not far from Lisbon. If you’re staying or living in Lisbon, escapes to discover the surrounding area are a must, as there are many pretty Portuguese towns within easy reach of the capital. Be curious, and don’t miss out, because believe me, you’re missing out!

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Are you ready for this “Battle” of Portuguese specialties? Go for it!

1 – Bifana VS Prego

Bifana

Bifana is one of Portugal’s must-try specialties. It’s a bread-based sandwich topped with thin slices of marinated pork and served hot. It’s considered a popular “street food”. It is often served in bars and small traditional Portuguese restaurants called “tasca”. This “on-the-go” dish is very popular with locals and tourists alike.

The story goes that bifana was invented in the 1920s by workers in Lisbon’s factories. The workers were looking for a quick, easy and inexpensive snack, and that’s how the bifana was born. The sandwich became very popular in the 1950s.

It is so popular in Portugal that for many years, fast-food giant Mc Donald’s offered the Mc Bifana in Portuguese Mc Donald’s.

Prego

Bifana’s main competitor is prego. It’s the same concept, but instead of pork, the bread contains beef. Prego can also be served on a plate, “prego no prato” (translation: prego on the plate), or in bread like bifana, in which case it’s called “prego no pão” (translation: prego in the bread). Depending on where you eat it, cheese is sometimes added to the beef.

Here’s my address for the best “prego no pão” in the world: “Casa dos pregos: venham mais 5”. As its name suggests, this tasca (small, typical restaurant) specializes in “prego”, and makes this clear with the slate on its sidewalk, which reads: “aqui come o melhor prego em pao do lombo boi com queijo da serra” (here we eat the best beef and cheese prego in bread).

Prego VS Bifana

2 – Francesinha VS Tosta Mista

Francesinha

Literally translated as “the little French girl”,Francesinha is the gourmet version of the French “Croque-Monsieur”. Made with bread, ham, linguiça(Portuguese sausage), cheese and sauce… As you’ll have gathered, it’s a dish that “keeps you going”.

The father of the francesinha, Mr Daniel Da Silva, was a chef who emigrated to France, and when he returned from Portugal, he created a Portuguese version of the croque-monsieur. He added typically Portuguese ingredients such as “linguiça” and, of course, the famous sauce whose recipe is kept “secret”.

This dish can be found all over the country, but Porto locals like to say that the best francesinhas are those from Porto. The “Verso em Pedra” restaurant in Porto even offers a challenge based around this dish. If you manage to eat a giant francesinha on your own in one hour, you win a guitar!

Tosta Mista

Although the francesinha is considered the alter ego of the French croque monsieur, for me the closest thing to the French croque monsieur is the francesinha’s competitor in Portugal, the tosta mista (pronounced “Touchta Michta”).

You’ll find tosta mista everywhere in Portugal! Everywhere! It’s bread: either sandwich bread (pão de forma) or farmhouse bread (pão saloio), topped with ham and cheese. It is then crushed in a heated press. For presentation, it is often cut into halves or thirds, and sometimes a little thyme is placed on top. The sandwich version of Tosta Mista is very similar to the famous French Croque-Monsieur, but without the béchamel sauce.

Tosta Mista VS Francesinha

3 – Arroz de pato VS Arroz de marisco

Arroz de pato

Arroz de pato ” is rice with duck. It’s one of Portugal’s northern specialties. The top is crispy and covered with “chouriço”. The Portuguese “chouriço” has a smoky taste, not the spicy Spanish “chorizo”. The great thing about this type of dish is that it’s very easy to make, and both young and old love it.

Arroz de pato is thought to have originated in Braga. It is often considered a festive dish or a family gathering. It is particularly popular in northern Portugal, where duck is abundant.

Arroz de marisco

Arroz de marisco is the “seafood” version of arroz de pato, and is a cousin of paella. The main difference with “paella” is that arroz de marisco is much moister than paella, and doesn’t include any meats: no chicken or chorizo.

It is a rice with shellfish, often a mixture of rice, shrimp, lobster, mussels, cockles, crab cakes…

This traditional dish, widely eaten in Portugal, originates from “praia da vieira”, in the Marinha Grande region, near Leiria(central Portugal).

I advise you to try this dish in its region of origin, but for those passing through Lisbon, I recommend the UMA restaurant in the Baixa Chiado district, whose specialty is this dish. However, you’ll have to be patient, as it’s a very small restaurant and it’s sometimes difficult to get a seat.

Arroz de marisco VS Arroz de pato

4 – Pasteis de bacalhau VS Rissois

Pasteis de bacalhau

Pasteis de bacalhau are a mixture of potatoes, eggs, parsley and onion fried in oil. They are shaped like a dumpling.

The birth of pastel de bacalhau is linked to the introduction of the potato in Portugal. In the southern half of Portugal, they are called “pastéis”, in the northern half “bolinhos”. It wasn’t until 1841 that the first recipe for cod in the form of “bolinho” or “pastel” was published, but not according to the current recipe for “pastéis de bacalhau”. It wasn’t until 1876 that two recipes similar to the current one appeared in João da Mata’s book “Arte de Cozinha” .

For those with a sweet tooth, I recommend you try the “casa Portuguesa do pastel de Bacalhau” recipe. These are pasteis de Bacalhau with cheese from the Serra da Estrela. Delicious! Yes, purists will take offense at the fact that cheese is added to pastel de Bacalhau, but it’s worth taking offense… because it’s a little nugget to be savored!

Rissois

The main competitors of pasteis de bacalhau are Rissois. Like pasteis de bacalhau, rissois are small fried snacks to be nibbled as an aperitif.

Rissois are small fried doughnuts, easily recognized by their half-moon shape. They come in a variety of flavors, the best known being rissóis de Camarão: shrimp fritters, and rissóis de Leitão: suckling pig fritters.

Pasteis de bacalhau VS Rissois

5 – Arroz doce VS Aletria

Arroz doce

When it comes to desserts, two ingredients are omnipresent in Portuguese cuisine: eggs and cinnamon! Arroz Doce is a perfect example. It’s a traditional Portuguese dessert consisting of rice cooked with milk, sugar and eggs, and often generously sprinkled with cinnamon.

The history ofarroz doce dates back to medieval times, when it was considered a festive and luxurious dish, reserved for the wealthy classes. It was often prepared for special occasions such as weddings and christenings. Over the centuries, it became more accessible to all social classes. Today, it’s a dessert you’ll find everywhere, all year round, but it’s particularly popular during festive occasions such as Christmas and Easter, as well as family gatherings.

There are many variations on this recipe, depending on the region of Portugal. Some regions add ingredients such as vanilla, raisins and almonds..

Aletria

Its competitor is thealetria, although this dessert is a little less well-known because it’s more rare. It is mainly found at Christmas time in Portugal.

In layman’s terms, aletria is an arroz doce without rice, but with vermicelli pasta instead.

This dessert has strong influences from the Moors of North Africa, who have long been present in Portugal. Its name comes from “iṭriyah”, an Arabic word meaning “angel hair pasta”. Depending on the region, it can be creamier or more liquid.

Like arroz doce, it is generously sprinkled with cinnamon, and for Christmas dinner the powder is used to decorate it with Christmas motifs.

Arroz doce VS Aletria

6 – Pastel de Nata VS Queijada de Sintra

Pastel de nata

Pastel de nata (pronounced “Pachtel de nata”) means “pastry with cream”. You’re probably familiar with it, as it’s one of Portugal’s must-try specialties, and I often mention it in my articles. It’s a special puff pastry with cream. It can be eaten cold or warm, with or without cinnamon.

They were created in the 19th century in the Jeronimos monastery in Belém, a district of Lisbon. When the monastery closed, the brothers who lived there decided to sell the Pastéis de Nata recipe to a local bakery: the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém. This bakery still exists today and is considered to be the place where the original Pastéis de Nata are still produced according to the original recipe (a recipe kept secret). An institution not to be missed.

Today, Pastéis de Nata are very popular not only in Portugal but worldwide, and are a symbol of Portuguese cuisine. They can be found in many bakeries and cafés in Portugal, as well as in Portuguese restaurants and delicatessens abroad. My favorite addresses: Manteigaria (Lisbon, Porto), Leitaria (Lisbon) and of course the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém (Lisbon).

Queijada de Sintra

Queijada de Sintra has a false air of “pastel de nata”. It’s a specialty of the town of Sintra (30 km from Lisbon). Queijadas de Sintra are small, round, sweet pastries made with sweet curd cheese and eggs. Sometimes they are flavored with lemon or cinnamon. On top of this filling is a very thin crust.

The origins of this little pastry date back to the 13th century, when queijadas were used by farmers to pay the owners of rented agricultural estates in the Sintra region. If you’d like to try them, those at the “Casa Piriquita” pastry shop (founded in 1862) in Sintra’s historic center are very famous.

Pasteis de Sinta VS Pasteis de nata

In conclusion

As you can see, some Portuguese specialities have strong similarities.

Please let me know in the comments, what are your favorite Portuguese specialties?

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• Facebook group “Amoureux du Portugal”,
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The post Fighting over Portuguese specialities: what are your favourites? appeared first on Villa Feria.

In Portugal, we talk much more about savory dishes than sweet treats. In the land of Camões, after a good meal, there’s not always room for a sweet ending… And yet, there are many Portuguese pastries.

Today, I’ve decided to introduce you to 5 of them, which are specialities of towns around Lisbon. To discover or rediscover when you’re in Lisbon (this list is obviously not exhaustive).

1 – Queijadas de Sintra

Queijadas de Sintra are a traditional Portuguese pastry from the town of Sintra, 40 minutes north of Lisbon.

They are quite small, round, sweet pastries made with sweet cottage cheese and eggs. Sometimes they are flavored with lemon or cinnamon. On top of this filling is a very thin crust. They are served either warm or at room temperature, with a cup of coffee.

Sintra’s queijadas have a long history and have been mentioned in historical documents dating back to the 15th century. They are believed to have been created by the monks of the São Martinho de Tibães monastery, who used cheese and eggs to make these pastries.

There are many bakeries and patisseries in Sintra offering freshly baked Queijadas de Sintra, but Piriquita is a real institution when it comes to tasting them.

My favorite address: Piriquita

Queijadas de Sintra. Photo credit: @foodlustpeoplelove

2 – Travesseiros de Sintra

Travesseiros deSintra are another type of traditional Portuguese pastry from the town of Sintra.

If translated into French, it means “Sintra bolster” because of its bolster-like shape.

They are made from thin, crisp puff pastry, filled with a sweet cream made from marzipan, eggs and sugar. Sintra travesseiros are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Sintra travesseiros are considered a typical product of the town of Sintra, and were awarded a Denomination of Protected Origin (DOP) by the European Community in 2011. There are variations of these cakes in other regions of Portugal, but “the real ones” are those originating in Sintra. By the way, “the real ones” must have an elongated shape, like a bolster, and a minimum dimension of 14 cm in length and 7 cm in width.

My favorite address: Piriquita as in Sintra’s queijadas

Travesseiros de Sintra. Photo credit: @vortexmag

3 – Tortas de Azeitão

Tortas de Azeitão are Portuguese pastries from the Azeitão region, located 30 km south of Lisbon, across the 25 Abril bridge. These cakes are made from eggs, sugar and flour, and topped with egg cream like many other Portuguese pastries.

The original recipe has remained almost unchanged over the centuries and has become a symbol of the Azeitão region. There are many variations on the original recipe, such as tortas de Azeitão with almonds or walnuts, or savory versions.

There is also a DOP (Denomination of Protected Origin) for tortas de Azeitão, which guarantees that the cakes are made using traditional methods, with top-quality ingredients, and in a defined geographical area. This ensures that consumers benefit from an authentic, high-quality product.

My favorite address: Fábrica de Tortas Azeitonense, Coina

Tortas de Azeitão. Photo credit: Mauricio Abreu / AWL Images

4 – Pastel Feijão de Torres Vedras

Feijão de Torres Vedras pasteis are cakes from the town of Torres Vedras, 50km north of Lisbon. They are made from red beans (feijão), flour and sugar.

Feijão de Torres Vedras pasteis have a light texture and a mild flavor, with a hint of cinnamon. They are diamond-shaped and at least 8 cm long.

Legend has it that Feijão de Torres Vedras pasteis were created by local women during the War of Independence (1803-1811) to feed the soldiers. These women used simple, abundant ingredients such as kidney beans and flour to create cakes that were nourishing and easy to transport. Since then, these cakes have become a symbol of Torres Vedras.

My favorite address: Fábrica Coroa – Pastéis de Feijão

Pastel Feijão de Torres Vedras. Photo credit: @teleculinaria

5 – Bocagiano de Setubal

Bocagiano is another Portuguese pastry, originating in the Setúbal region. This one is recent, having been created in July 2018, by the parish council of S. Sebastião and the company “Doces Afectos”.

It’s an orange and chocolate pastry that pays tribute to the history of the parish of S. Sebastião. Flour, water, lard, sugar and salt make up the crisp dough. Setúbal orange jam and chocolate are then added.

The orange recalls the days when orange groves occupied a large part of the Setubal peninsula. Indeed, Setúbal was the home of the famous Portuguese orange, with beautiful farms and large orange orchards. Orange jam was born here in the 1900s. The jam was sold in oranges, emptied of their pulp and filled with the jam. Sadly, many of Setubal’s orange groves no longer exist, and the orange groves’ land has been replaced by concrete and buildings. Production of these fruits has now migrated to the Algarve.

Bocagiano is packaged with Bocage‘s famous sonnet “Autorretrato” as a gift.

Where to find them? In Setubal at the Moinho de Maré da Mourisca, at the Forte de São Filipe and also at Casa da Baía.

Bocagiano. Photo credit: @setubalmais

In conclusion

As you can see, there are many Portuguese pastries to try around Lisbon. I urge you to try them in the towns in question, as they are often much better there. And if you’re a foodie, be sure to read my other blog post on must-try Portuguese desserts.

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• Facebook group “Amoureux du Portugal”,
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The post Top 5 Portuguese pastry shops to try around Lisbon appeared first on Villa Feria.

If there’s one Portuguese artist I recommend you discover, it’s Bordalo II. A young artist who transforms garbage into works of art and exhibits them on the walls of buildings in the streets.

Today, I’d like to tell you a little more about this artist, and present you with a tour of 10 of his works that you can discover in Lisbon.

Who is the artist Bordaloo II?

Arthur Bordalo is a young Portuguese artist born in Lisbon in 1987. Arthur Bordalo is known as Bordalo Segundo or Bordalo II.

“Bordalo” is his surname, to which he has added “segundo” meaning “second” (often displayed as “II” in Roman numerals), in honor of his grandfather, Real Bordalo, also a painter.

He started out as a street artist, doing graffiti in Lisbon’s subterranean streets. He then entered the Portuguese capital’s Beaux Arts, and since 2013 has been working as a full-time artist, having succeeded in establishing himself in the very closed art world thanks to his singular, recognizable works.

Work by Portuguese artist Bordaloo II: the bear.

A Portuguese artist with different, committed works

Bordaloo II is proving himself to be a street art genius, with his original, different and highly committed works:

• “Original and different” because of their appearance : his works are huge sculptures. Always animals, and very colorful. The works are made from garbage, and are mostly exhibited on the walls of buildings around the world. His works are known as “trash animals”.
• “Committed” because of the strong message conveyed by his works : Bordalo II wishes to spread a strong message through his sculptures, and thus raise awareness among the younger generation of the damaging effects of plastic. The Portuguese artist has a deep-seated desire to encourage young people to change things little by little. He denounces over-consumption, pollution, globalization… and communicates his fears and awareness of global warming, deforestation, water shortages… all of which contribute to the destruction of flora and fauna.

Creating these immense works of art depicting animals enables Bordalo II to highlight the fact that the first victims of our over-consumption of plastic are animals. It’s a way for him to breathe new life into these endangered and endangered animals. In a way, he aims to give life back to animals by recycling what kills them: plastic.

Work by Portuguese artist Bordalo II: the frog.

How does this Portuguese artist create his work?

Bordalo II’s magnificent works are created in a number of stages:

• step 1: Bordalo II chooses an animal that relates to the place where it will be hung, often an endangered animal due to pollution or globalization.
• step 2 : Bordalo II collects the waste for his work from local dumps, streets and beaches. The garbage used is made up of various types of plastic: bumpers, broken garbage cans, toys, packaging, bottles, etc
• stage 3 : Bordalo II created. He’ll play with the collected garbage. He’ll bend, cut and shape them to create the 3D animal he’s imagined.
• step 4 : Once the sculpture is complete, he paints it with the bright colors that are the signature of this incredible Portuguese artist.

Pollution on the beaches

Where can you see the works of this Portuguese artist in Lisbon?

Today, there are over 200 works by Portuguese artist Bordalo II scattered across 23 countries worldwide, representing 60 tonnes of used plastic waste. The works can be found all over the world: from Bora Bora to Miami, Las Vegas in the USA and Pattaya in Thailand, as well as São Paulo in Brazil and Santiago in Chile..

10 works by Portuguese artist Bordalo II located in Lisbon.

But let’s not forget: Bordalo II is a Portuguese artist, so many of his works are located in Portugal, and in particular in Lisbon, his native city. The Portuguese capital is adorned with numerous creations by the Portuguese artist Bordalo II. Here are just a few of them and their locations:

1. The lynx, located in Parque das Nações, behind the Vasco de Gama shopping mall (to be installed in 2019)
2. The bee, at the entrance to the famous “Lx Factory” in the Alcantara district (installed in 2016)
3. The raccoon, located on Rua Bartolomeu Dias in the unmissable Belém district,
4. The two pelicans, one of his last works in Lisbon, located at the foot of the famous Santa Justa elevator (corner of rua do carmo and rua Santa justa) in the lively Bairro Alto district (installed in 2021)
5. Le chimpanzé, located at 49 rua de Xabregas, which is also Bordalo II’s studio. It’s in the heart of the Beato district, Lisbon’s fast-developing industrial district (installed in 2017).
6. Le renard, located on the avenida 24 de Julho, between the Cais do Sodré and Santos districts, not far from the famous Time Out Market mentioned in my article “4 markets in Portugal” (installed in 2017)
7. La grenouille, rua da manutenção, also in the Beato district, not far from the chimpanzee (installed in 2018)
8. The bear, in the garden of the “Fundacão Calouste Gulbenkian” museum (installed in 2018)
9. The dragonfly, behind the 1908 Lisboa Hotel, not far from the legendary Cerveijaria Ramiro restaurant and Martim Moniz square
10. Le chien, between avenida infante Dom Henrique and Passeio do Baltico

Map showing the location of 10 works by Portuguese artist Bordalo II in Lisbon.

In conclusion

You now know almost everything about this Portuguese artist and his works in Lisbon. The beauty of Bordalo II’s work and the message he delivers through it make this Portuguese artist different and endearing.

Please let me know in the comments if you’ve already seen any of Bordalo II’s work, and which ones you’d like to see in the future?

Join us on social networks!

• Facebook group “Amoureux du Portugal”,
• Vivre au Portugal” Facebook page
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The post Bordaloo II: a talented Portuguese artist you’ll love appeared first on Villa Feria.

• to live there for part of the year,
• for vacations,
• to do business with long or short-term rentals.

Buying in Portugal is the wish of more and more foreigners, both within and outside the EU. In recent years, instability has unfortunately taken hold in many countries around the world. For this reason, one of the main reasons given is the desire to live in a peaceful environment, free from political, social and economic instability.

Portugal seems an excellent option. A sort of “El Dorado”, since the country offers a climate of peace, security and freedom. A kind of escape from the growing political and economic instability of certain countries, whether in relation to elections, lack of respect for freedom, wars, violence..

Ina recent “Compare the Market Australia” study of 34OECD countries, Portugal was voted the best destination to buy a second home in 2022, with a score of 7.27/10. Part of this study is shown below, with the 10 best countries in which to buy a second home in 2022.

Compare the Market Australia” study

What are the main nationalities buying in Portugal?

There are several nationalities making the decision to buy in Portugal. Both EU and non-EU nationalities. These include :

USA : there is strong demand from North Americans. This began in 2021 and was confirmed in 2022. North Americans, especially Californians, are looking for a lifestyle similar to their own, with the sea, the beach and surf, but in a “safer” environment. Buying in Portugal appears to be an ideal option for North Americans.

Brazil : a big wave of Brazilian investment in Portugal was also felt in 2022. It began shortly before the Brazilian elections and intensified after the second round. Due to the devaluation of the real, these buyers were looking to invest in a second home in another country. Portugal, with its many direct airlines to Brazil and its common language, Portuguese, was the country of choice.

Eastern Europe : against a backdrop of war between Russia and Ukraine, Portugal is a country that, thanks to its geographical position far removed from the conflict and its stable political and social structure, is very popular. Nationalities such as Danes, Swedes, Russians and Ukrainians see Portugal as a “safe haven”.

United Kingdom: the British have always invested heavily in Portugal, but this craze has become even more active since the Brexit.

This “strong dynamic” in the purchase of a second home in Portugal is also felt by the French, Germans, Chinese, Turks..

Lisbon – Portugal

What factors encourage foreigners to buy in Portugal?

The recent “Compare the Market Australia” study highlights various factors that make Portugal the ideal country to invest in real estate, such as the cost of living, rising property values, the number of restaurants… Let’s take a closer look at some of these criteria:

Average cost of living: €550/month per person(2022 data)

Safety: Portugal is considered the 6th safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index. As we have already seen, this is a decisive factor for those looking to invest in a second home. Portugal is a stable, non-violent country: no racial tensions, no religious or political conflicts or extremism… Below, a table with the 20 “safest” countries in 2022.

Global Peace Index

Quality of life : good value for money compared with other European and world countries. Bear in mind, however, that Portuguese salaries are very low compared with the rest of Europe. In 2022, the minimum wage in Portugal was €822 gross for a 40-hour week paid over 14 months (source: Eurostat). This makes the quality of life very attractive, especially if you work for a foreign company and earn a foreign salary while living in Portugal.

SMIC EU 2022 (source: Eurostat)

Value-for-money homes to buy: despite the enormous price rises of recent years – a 60% increase in 10 years for house purchases and a 20% increase for rents – Portugal, compared to other major international capitals, continues to offer lower prices per square meter than neighboring cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.

Ideal climate : Portugal’s year-round mild temperatures are priceless!

Beach quality: Portugal is a long country with a long Atlantic coastline. Lisbon is the only European capital with beaches just 15 minutes from the city center.

A diverse heritage: there are numerous natural, historical, architectural and cultural sites from north to south in Portugal. So there’s never a dull moment.

Quality gastronomy: I won’t go into too much detail on the subject, as you’ll find plenty of my articles on gastronomy in Portugal on the blog , including this one, but gastronomy in Portugal is delicious and inexpensive.

Costa da caparica beach – Portugal

Buying in Portugal: what are the 5 most popular cities in 2022?

In 2022, according to a study by idealista, the cities of Lisbon, Loulé and Albufeira (Algarve), Cascais (a seaside resort close to Lisbon) and Porto are the 5 most sought-after cities for foreigners to buy in Portugal.

• Lisbon: this is the city that most attracts foreigners looking to buy in Portugal. Considered one of Europe’s least expensive capitals, it attracts many investors and expatriates. As a result, the property market in Lisbon has risen dramatically. But there are still some attractive options around the capital. Villa Feria, which works in partnership with all the local agencies, regularly offers you these in the Lisbon area.
• Porto: the “little Lisbon” as I like to call it. Many North Americans and Brazilians prefer Porto to Lisbon, mainly for its authenticity and the fact that the real estate market is showing promising growth.
• Cascais: the upmarket seaside resort 30 minutes from Lisbon. This coastal town also attracts people wishing to buy in Portugal, but prices remain very high and flirt with those in central Lisbon.
• Loulé and Albufeira in the Algarve: these are also popular destinations for buying in Portugal. The majority of buyers are French, British, German… The Algarve has always been a very popular tourist destination, and it’s a seaside resort that’s also popular for buying second homes, which account for almost 40% of the homes in the region.

Finally, “lesser-known” regions such as theAlentejo, between Lisbon and the Algarve, and the Silver Coast, just above Lisbon and including the towns of Tomar, Peniche, Obidos and Nazaré, have also seen a sharp rise in the number of second-home purchases by foreigners in recent years.

Algarve – Portugal

In conclusion

Portugal’s many assets make it a prime destination for buying a home, and the number of people investing in and moving to Portugal in recent years is a clear reflection of this popularity. What about you? Ready to buy in Portugal? Contact us, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Join us on social networks!

• Facebook group “Amoureux du Portugal”,
• Vivre au Portugal” Facebook page
• Instagram ” Living in Portugal

The post Portugal: best investment destination in 2022. Why buy in Portugal? appeared first on Villa Feria.

It’s worth noting that we often talk about Portuguese gastronomy in terms of its dishes, but not so much about its desserts. Yes, unlike France, for example, which is very famous for its desserts, it’s a little less customary in Portugal to have a dessert at the end of a meal, and desserts in Portugal are less well known and consumed than the famous “French pastries”.

However, there are many desserts in Portugal, and today I’d like to unveil my favorites, the Portuguese desserts that I’m particularly fond of and that I urge you to try.

1 – Top 5 desserts in Portugal: tripa

The “tripa” … I love it! Don’t worry, it’s not tripe, but a kind of very thick pancake that’s not overcooked…. Yes, when you put it like that, it does sound rather filling, and indeed it is.

Tripa is not available everywhere in Portugal. So you’ll have to earn it 🙂 It’s a specialty ofAveiro, Portugal’s Venice, in central Portugal. So you’ll find it mainly in this region.

It can be garnished in many different ways, just like a crêpe. Personally, I like to eat them plain with a little cinnamon (a spice that’s ubiquitous in Portugal), but for those with a sweet tooth, there are other, higher-calorie options. In the “tripas”, you can melt any chocolate bar you like: Milka, Twix, Bounty, Kinder, Mars..

You can also fill them in a more traditional way with sugar, Nutella, jam, etc

But the “real” filling, the typical filling for tripas, is a mixture of eggs and sugar, a sort of yellowish paste found in many Portuguese delicacies such as ovos moles, bolas de Berlim, cornucopias..

For a good tripa, I recommend the tiny ” Tripas Tezero ” store, an institution located in the heart of Aveiro, near the canals. Alternatively, if you’re in the area around the beaches, I like to pick them up in the little street kiosks near the house-pyjamas in Costa Nova, and then enjoy the tripa while it’s still warm, with my feet in the sand.

I urge you to try this typically Portuguese snack.

The tripa

2 – My top 5 desserts in Portugal: tarte de amêndoas

This is MY Achilles’ heel when it comes to sweets in Portugal, but I’m a total fan of this pastry.

Tarte de amêndoas. Photo credit: eculinaria

Please note that there are several versions. The one I love is the version with the crunchier pastry, not the version with the chewy pastry. I’ve included photos of both versions so you can see the difference at a glance. Try this tart, you’ll love it!

Tarte de amêndoas.

3 – Top 5 desserts in Portugal: torta de laranja

There aren’t many Portuguese desserts with fruit or fruit flavoring, but “torta de laranja” is an exception. This subtle orange-flavored dessert is a kind of moist rolled cake made with orange juice, butter, eggs and sugar.

Dating back to the 16th century, its origin is not 100% certain, but many people agree that this Portuguese dessert originated in the convent of Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Lagos in the Algarve. Others say it originated in the Jesus convent in Setubal, south of Lisbon.

Whether it’s one region or the other wouldn’t be surprising, since both are renowned for their quality oranges. Either way, it doesn’t detract from the delicious taste of this dessert, which I’m particularly fond of!

Torta de laranja. Photo credit: sreceitasladecasa

4 – Top 5 desserts in Portugal: pastel de nata

It’s impossible not to know what pastel de nata is. I was reluctant to put it here, because I talk about it so often, but it’s still one of my favorite desserts in Portugal, so I had to mention it.

It’s a small flaky tart filled with an egg and sugar cream, to which you can add cinnamon or not, depending on your taste. It has a false air of flan pâtissier, and when you ask a Frenchman what it is, he’ll probably tell you: “a sort of small flan” But beware! Never say that to a Portuguese person, or you’ll incur their wrath 🙂 (reminds me of this extract from the film “Operation Portugal”)

This Portuguese dessert was created by the monks of Belém (a district of Lisbon), in a workshop located right next to the dos Jerónimos monastery. The workshop still exists, and the adjoining store, called ” Pasteis de Bélem “, is very popular, with endless queues. The “real recipe”, that of “pastel de Belém”, has always remained a secret and explains why the quality of pasteis de Belém is so renowned.

As I said, I love it, but as it’s THE most famous pastry in Portugal, I have to admit that there are a lot of places where these pasteis de nata aren’t so good after all. In one of my last articles on“breakfasts in Portugal “, I shared with you a tip on how to recognize a good pastel de nata in the blink of an eye (I’ll give you the tip in the photo below).

Pastel de nata

5 -Top 5 of my desserts in Portugal: Salame

I wanted to tell you about this dessert, because it’s one of the “rare” ones with chocolate. And since I love chocolate, I have to include this Portuguese sweet in my top 10. Salame is a traditional Portuguese dessert, as well as an Italian one.

This sweet is made with chocolate of course… and also the inevitable “bolacha Maria” cookies, butter, sugar and eggs. It’s called “salame” because it resembles “salami”, the Italian salami.

Salame. Photo credit: panelinhadesabores

In conclusion

Dare to try! That’s my advice. Whether you’re coming to Portugal to stay or to live, gastronomy is an integral part of Portuguese culture, so don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and try out all the dishes on offer, from Portuguese dishes to Portuguese wines and desserts

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The post Top 5 desserts in Portugal to enjoy without moderation appeared first on Villa Feria.

1: Agueda and its world’s largest Santa Claus

Agueda is a small town located between Aveiro and Coimbra. I’ve already mentioned this town in my article“My top 25 places in Portugal“, because it’s famous for the colorful umbrellas that decorate its streets every summer. It was the first city in the world to set up such a scheme! In fact, the pretty town of Agueda has set up the “Umbrella Sky“ project. The idea is simple: for an ephemeral period(in summer), the city is decorated with umbrellas suspended from cables above the streets. Agueda was the first city in the world to offer this concept in 2011. Since then, the concept has been launched in numerous cities around the world, including a few in France: Lens, Toulouse, Béziers, Aurillac..

What’s this got to do with Christmas? Well, for Christmas, Agueda is also going all out with a host of events: concerts, shows, merry-go-rounds, skating rinks, craft markets… but above all, the city is setting itself apart with a sky of white and gold umbrellas that sparkle above your heads at this festive time of year. Public benches and staircases are also decked out in white and gold especially for this period.

Finally, another highlight of Christmas in Agueda is the presence, since 2016, of the world’s largest Santa Claus. That’s right! The tallest Santa in the world, he stands 21 meters tall and is made up of 250,000 LED lights. He’s even entered the famous“Guinness Bookof Records“.

For those lucky enough to be in the area, be sure to visit this Christmas town.

Find out more here.

Agueda

2: Penamacor and its ancestral bonfire tradition

Penamacor, located in central Portugal near Castelo Branco, is another Portuguese town not to be missed during the Christmas season. At this time of year, the town is nicknamed “Vila Madeiro” (wood village). The magic of Christmas is very much in evidence during the month of December, thanks in particular to the famous bonfire lit in the heart of the village.

Every year, at the beginning of December, young men from all over Penamacor gather to cut logs for the fire to warm Jesus. This ancestral custom continues into the night, when the locals gather with music and food.

The next day, the wood, known as “Madeiro”, is transported by tractor to the village center, while locals and visitors alike take to the streets to greet the tractor procession, singing along to the sound of a Portuguese “concertina”.

The “Madeiro” is then set up in the Matriz churchyard and lit at 11.50pm on December 23rd, as the villagers gather around the bonfire that will burn for several days. It’s one of Portugal’s oldest and most enduring Christmas traditions. The town of Penamacor makes it a point of honor to help preserve the municipality’s cultural heritage, and is keen to attract more visitors to the town to help boost the local economy. The municipality’s investment in this event is approximately €150,000.

More info here

Penamacor

3: Obidos, the country’s most emblematic Christmas market

If we had to name just one Christmas market in Portugal, this would undoubtedly be it. This Christmas village is the most emblematic in the country.

The walled city of Óbidos, 85km north of Lisbon, transports visitors to the enchanted world of Christmas. The “Vila Natal” (Christmas Village) in Obidos attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, recreating the spirit of Christmas with glittering decorations, lights, ornaments… transforming it into a veritable Christmas Village. Along the narrow streets you’ll come across elves, reindeer, snowmen, fir trees, stars… not forgetting the legendary Santa Claus. Don’t miss this return to childhood and the enchantment that emanates from this Christmas venue at the foot of Obidos Castle.

Find out more here

Obidos

4 – Lisbon, its illuminations and numerous Christmasmarkets

Finally, it was inevitable for me to tell you about Portugal’s largest city: Lisboa. Lisbon’s Christmas illuminations are incredible. The capital’s most beautiful squares, streets and avenues are decorated and illuminated, including the pedestrian zone of Rua Augusta, Praça Luís de Camões, Praça do Comercio… You can see these Christmas illuminations in Lisbon until January 6, Portugal’s “Dia de Reis” (Day of Kings).

There are also many Christmas markets in the capital, including :

• Wonderland Lisboa in the Parque Eduardo VII: this is one of the city’s main Christmas markets, with a Ferris wheel, skating rinks, Christmas stalls… You can enjoy it until January 1, 2023.
• Rossio Christmas Market on the Praça Dom Pedro V (Rossio): it has been open since November 18 and will remain open until December 21, 2022. It’s packed with activities for the whole family, and a host of traditional craft and food stalls. You can also take a free ride on the Christmas train, which circulates through the various streets of the Baixa Chiado district.

Lisbon

In conclusion

As you can see, the magic of Christmas is present in every Portuguese city… and I’ve only presented 4 Portuguese cities. Which one will tempt you?

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