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Overview
Indian nationals who intend to travel to Portugal either on a short term basis (with a maximum stay of 90 days per 6 months, for business, family visit, tourism or for transit) or who intend to work or settle permanently in Portugal, require a valid visa before entering Portugal.
Overview
The culture of Portugal is the result of a complex flow of different civilizations during the past millennia. From prehistoric cultures, to its Pre-Roman civilizations (such as the Lusitanians, the Gallaeci, the Celtici, and the Cynetes, amongst others), passing through its contacts with the Phoenician-Carthaginian world Roman period (see Hispania, Lusitania and Gallaecia), the Germanic invasions and consequent settlement of the Suebi and Buri (see Kingdom of the Suebi) the Visigoth (see Visigothic Kingdom), Sephardic Jewish, and finally, the Moorish Umayyad invasion of Hispania and the subsequent expulsion, during the Reconquista, all have made an imprint on the country's culture and history.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention,
COZIDO A PORTUGUESA
Please meet the king of all stews! Portuguese stew is the perfect example of the importance of using all the meat an animal can provide. This meaty bomb includes beef, pork, chicken and a variety of pork derivatives such as blood sausages and smoked pork parts. There are also some vegetables thrown in the mix, but one must admit this is a dish for meat lovers.
CALDO VERDE
The most traditional of Portuguese soups is as simple as it gets: onions, potatoes and kale, cooked with garlic and olive oil. Nothing says winter comfort food like a good serving of caldo verde in a traditional clay pot. This soup would normally be served with a slice of âlinguicaâ (typical smoked pork sausage) and cornbread. Dip it and enjoy!
FEIJOADA TRASMONTANA
Do not eat this on the same day as a Cozido a Portuguesa, unless you have a true desire of exploding! Feijoada stands for bean stew, but you know it wouldnât be a Portuguese stew if you didnât throw a variety of heavy meats into the mix! All the funny parts of the pig end up here, as the dish was created when people couldnât afford to waste anything the human body could eventually digest. Meats included may vary, but if you are too picky, ask before you put something in your mouth. Itâs not at all uncommon for Feijoada to include delicacies such as pig hocks, knuckles or ears!
BACALHAU A BRAS
Out of the numerous ways to prepare salted cod fish in Portugal, âBras styleâ is one of the most popular and I honestly salivate just to think about it. The shredded cod is sauteed in a pan along with plenty of onions and straw fried potatoes. This dish is finished up with beaten eggs that cook as they join the pan, and topped with parsley and black olives. This is the essence of a country inside a plate!
ROJOES A MODA DO MINHO
Because Portugal has a never ending affair with pork, rojoes are abundant to keep the spark alive! Chunks of pork loin cooked in the very same pigâs lard, and seasoned with garlic and white wine. Served with stewed potatoes, variations of this dish may include roasted chestnuts. It can sometimes be served with a side of âarroz de sarrabulhoâ, which is a loose rice dish that includes little bits of meat and porkâs blood. I wouldnât judge you if you find it too hardcore.
Festa das Fogaceiras
The town of Santa Maria da Feira features one of the prettiest castles in Portugal and also plays host to the Festa das Fogaceiras. On this day young people dressed in white carry breads and cakes on their heads in decorated baskets.
Carnaval
Held during the last few days before Lent, Carnaval livens up the country with outlandish costumes, parades and fun fairs. The biggest celebrations are in Lisbon, Loule, Nazare, Ovar and Viana do Castelo. The highpoint of the carnival, though, is entrudo, the final day. If you only have a day to spare, reserve it for entrudo and head to Lisbonâs Parque Nações (Metro Station Oriente) where there is street theatre, parades and other entertainment. The events are all free, start around 3pm and continue well into the evening. There are other parties along the coast in Estoril and Cascais.Visit this website for further information about Carnaval in Portugal.
Lisbon Half-Marathon
Lisbon now organises half-marathons twice a year, in March and September, at opposite ends of the city. The March race starts in Almada on the south side of the 25 de Abril bridge. The route follows the river Tagus River and ends in Belém at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - the beautiful cathedral built by King Manuel I in the 16th century. See September heading for further details.
Hot Air Balloon Race
From the end of March to the beginning of April, Portugal hosts a hot air balloon race, with numerous teams from various continents taking part. The balloons fly from Vila Pouca de Aguiar (25km northeast of Vila Real in Tras Os Montes) to Loulé in the Algarve, stopping at Braga and Guimarães in the Minho, Porto in the Douro, Santarém in the Ribatejo and Estremoz in the Alentejo. They generally take off at 7am each day and travel to the next town by 5pm. On the last day in Loulé, there is usually a big party to celebrate the end of a fabulous flight. If you're in Portugal at this time, look up for the balloons - it's a spectacular sight.
Feast of Santa Cruz
This festival in Alvaraes takes place on Ascension Sunday. There are beautiful displays of flowers and locals throw petals onto the pavement as statues of the saints are carried high through the streets.
Pilgrimage to Fátima
Fátima is Roman Catholic Portugal's most powerful symbol of religious devotion. On 13 May 1917 the Virgin Mary reportedly made her first visit to three shepherd children in the fields near to near to the town. Today more than four million people make the pilgrimage here. A candlelight procession takes place through the town to the Sanctuary on 12 May, culminating in the Adeus ("farewell") procession the following day. As the Virgin Mary is carried from the high altar to the Chapel of the Apparitions, the crowd becomes emotional, waving farewell with white handkerchiefs. It is an extraordinary sight.
Feast of Senhor Santo Cristo
On the Island of Sao Miguel, the celebrations of the famous feast of Senhor Santo Christo reach their peak on the fifth Sunday after Easter. Many thousands of people follow a 16th-century image of Jesus through the streets of the city of Ponta Delgada. The streets are strewn with flowers and colourful bedspreads are hung from the buildings as decoration. The solemn rhythm of the procession is accompanied by bands. The pilgrims who follow the parade then fulfil their vows at the Church of the Convent of Hope.
Christmas and New Year Festivities
Madeira: The weather on Madeira Island remains mild even in winter, and its capital city of Funchal comes alive with lights, fireworks and celebrations. From the beginning of December, the city is beautifully decorated and organises a programme of cultural and artistic events. Parties take place in hotels, restaurants, bars and the streets, so you're sure to be swept up in the festivities somewhere. The celebrations are finally brought to a close on Epiphany (6 January) as the lights are extinguished and taken down for another year. Madeira is fast becoming a popular tourist destination, so book your hotel early to avoid disappointment.Lisbon: During the Christmas season, there is free street theatre around many of Lisbonâs metro stations and the Torre de Belém celebrations. If you're looking for something special, many hotels offer with packages including room and gala dinner. Alternatively, the Casino Estoril presents several different shows, which vary in price.