Things to do for Arts & Culture

Cities & Villages

MAC - Museum of Contemporary Art Charters de Almeida

The stunning MAC - Contemporary Art Museum Charters de Almeida was once a school and now houses in 17 rooms the vast art collection of João Charters de Almeida, a prestigious Portuguese sculptor with acclaimed works worldwide.  (...)

Cities & Villages

The 7 skirts of Nazaré

It is not easy to determine with certainty the origin of the custom of the seven skirts worn by the women of Nazaré.  (...)

Food & Drink

The Table

Nothing appeals more to the Portuguese than the true national obsession about food ! It's always about having (hopefully) long pleasant meals with family and friends, paired with exquisite wines and cheerful conversations. The meaning of life can be found (...)

Arts & Culture

Fado

Fado is Portugal's national song, capturing the melancholic soul of the country, but also its lively cunning side. According to prestigious musicologist Rui Vieira Nery, fado emerged in the 18th century in Lisbon by Brazilian influence.  (...)

Cities & Villages

Granite

Granite is not only a specific rock. It is part of the identity of a whole region, defining the character of its people. But also wine terroirs.  (...)

Arts & Culture

Saudade

Is it true that the word "saudade" only exists in the Portuguese language? The answer is not so straight-forward. Back in 1610, the grammarian Duarte Nunes de Leão argued that "no other language can explain the meaning of saudade". Does (...)

Arts & Culture

Chieira

Chieira means pride. This term was born in Minho, the Northwest region of Portugal. Referring to the special pride felt by all the women who wear countless gold necklaces in the iconic procession of Our Lady of Agony in stunning (...)

Arts & Culture

Filigree

Filigree is the art of precision, bonding gold threads like the verses of a epic poem. This timeless art does not only define a specific region. It is a key to understand the intricate Portuguese soul, full of sea and (...)

Arts & Culture

Eneida Lombe Tavares

Eneida Lombe Tavares is a young product designer from Caldas da Rainha, who fell in love with the intricate art of basketry. Her inspiring work that mixes ceramics and basketry is all about a deep connection to nature. And to (...)

Arts & Culture

Eduardo Lourenço

Eduardo Lourenço was a prestigious Portuguese thinker, essayist, philosopher and literary critic. And also the biggest ambassador of his beloved home-city, Guarda.  (...)

Arts & Culture

José Luís Peixoto

Born in 1974, in the tiny village of Galveias, in Alentejo region, José Luís Peixoto is one of the most prestigious Portuguese writers of all times. In 2001 the former English teacher won the Saramago Prize, skyrocketing him since then (...)

Arts & Culture

Vergílio Ferreira

Born in the tiny village of Melo, within Guarda district, Vergílio Ferreira had since early childhood a very hard burden to carry, when his parents emigrated to the United States of America. This sense of austerity can be clearly felt (...)