Things to Do in Portugal

Ways for new arrivals to meet people and the culture

Relocating to a new city can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to discovering local attractions and making new connections. This quick guide will help you settle in and start enjoying your new surroundings.

Culinary and Wine Experiences Across Portugal

  1. Culinary Backstreets – Lisbon & Porto

Culinary Backstreets offers immersive food tours that delve into the heart of Portugal’s culinary traditions. In Lisbon, their “Post-Colonial Feast” tour explores the city’s diverse food heritage, highlighting influences from former colonies like Brazil, Cape Verde, and Goa. In Porto, their tours focus on traditional dishes and local eateries that have stood the test of time. (Condé Nast Traveler, Culinary Backstreets, Culinary Backstreets)

2. Taste Porto – Porto

As Porto’s longest-running food tour company, Taste Porto offers guided walks through the city’s culinary hotspots. Their tours provide insights into local dishes, wines, and the stories behind them.(Taste Porto)

Website: Taste Porto

 3. Eating Europe – Lisbon

Eating Europe provides food tours that combine Lisbon’s rich history with its culinary delights. Participants can explore neighborhoods like Alfama while tasting traditional Portuguese dishes.

4. Devour Tours – Lisbon

Devour Tours offers experiences that blend food tastings with cultural insights. Their “Lisbon Food & Fado Tour” combines traditional dishes with live Fado music performances.(Rick Steves Community)

5. Secret Food Tours – Porto

Secret Food Tours in Porto take guests off the beaten path to discover hidden culinary gems, offering a taste of authentic Portuguese cuisine away from tourist traps.

Website: Secret Food Tours Porto

Vinho da Casa – Lisbon

  • Dates: May 16–18, 2025
  • Location: Torel Palace Lisbon
  • Description: An exclusive event featuring 20 leading Portuguese wine producers and 100 exceptional wines, complemented by gourmet pairings and artistic performances.

Contact: For more information, visit the official event page or contact Torel Palace Lisbon at [email protected].(Covet Edition, torelpalacelisbon.com, vinhodacasa.pt)

Douro & Porto Wine Festival – Peso da Régua

  • Dates: July 4–5, 2025
  • Location: Peso da Régua, Douro Valley
  • Description: A celebration of music, gastronomy, and wine in the scenic Douro Valley, featuring live performances and tastings of Douro wines.

     

Contact: For details, visit the official festival website or contact the organizers at [email protected]. (Tugatrips EN, Visit Portugal)

Wine Connection Tasting Experience – Vale do Lobo, Algarve

  • Dates: October 11–12, 2025
  • Location: Vale do Lobo Auditorium
  • Description: A curated selection of exceptional wines from Portugal and beyond, with opportunities to meet producers and enjoy gourmet snacks.

     

Contact: For more information, visit the event page or contact the resort at [email protected].(Vale do Lobo, Portugal Resident)

Essência do Vinho – Porto

  • Dates: February 20–23, 2025
  • Location: Palácio da Bolsa, Porto
  • Description: One of Portugal’s premier wine events, showcasing over 400 producers and more than 4,000 wines, including the “Top 10 Portuguese Wines” competition.

Contact: For details, visit the official website or contact the organizers at [email protected].(Instagram, cooltouroporto.com, Essenciadovinho)

Douro Superior Wine Festival – Vila Nova de Foz Côa

  • Dates: May 23–25, 2025
  • Location: ExpoCôa, Vila Nova de Foz Côa
  • Description: An event promoting the Douro Superior sub-region, featuring local wine producers, tastings, and cultural activities.

     

Contact: For more information, visit the event page or contact the organizers at +351 279 760 400.(Visit Portugal)

General Event Listings

1. Eventbrite Portugal

A comprehensive platform listing events across Portugal, including workshops, concerts, and festivals.

2. Visit Portugal – Events

The official tourism portal offering a calendar of major events throughout the country.

3. Portugal Online – Events Calendar

Provides a month-by-month guide to festivals and events across Portugal.

4. 10Times – Portugal Events

Focuses on business and professional events, including conferences and trade shows. (10times)

Music & Nightlife

5. Resident Advisor – Lisbon Events

Specializes in electronic music events and club nights in Lisbon. (Resident Advisor)

City-Specific Guides

6. Visit Lisboa – Events

Official guide to events happening in Lisbon, including exhibitions, festivals, and cultural activities. (portugalpathways.io)

Cultural & Festival Guides

7. Olá Daniela – Portugal Events Guide

A blog offering detailed guides to Portugal’s cultural events, music festivals, food fairs, and medieval festivals. (Olá Daniela)

Feel free to explore these platforms to find events that match your interests. If you need assistance with specific types of events or activities, let me know!

📲 Stay Informed with Insider Tips

To keep abreast of the latest culinary events, openings, and hidden gems in Portugal, consider following these resources:

📸 Instagram Accounts

📬 Newsletters and Websites

  • Lisboa Secreta: Comprehensive guide to events, restaurants, and cultural happenings in Lisbon.
  • Time Out Lisbon: Curated selection of events, dining spots, and cultural activities.

Culinary Backstreets: Stories, guides, and updates on culinary traditions and tours.

📘 Facebook Communities

Lisboa Secreta: Updates on the best things to do in Lisbon and its surroundings.