Portugal is trendy and lots of couples choose Portugal as the destination for their wedding. Most of the couples are not Portuguese and some are not even European! So, if you are one of these adventurous couples that want something different for their special day, but don’t know what little spot in the world to choose, let me tell you why you should choose this amazing country which is Portugal.
Portugal is one of the most ancient countries in the world. In the bigger cities and in every charming little village, impressive monuments or important historical traces can be found that leads us on a journey through times. From the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, the dazzling Douro Valley up north, to the cobblestone streets inland and to the southern Algarve region where the Moorish influences are evident, Portugal tells the stories of centuries.
It is incredibly fun before, during and after the Wedding!
A destination wedding is a unique opportunity to spend quality time with your friends and family. One day is definitely not enough! Take advantage of having all of them together and of being in this beautiful country and do some activities the previous days or after the wedding. Portugal gives you lots of possibilities…
Destination Wedding in Portugal? 10 Unique Reasons to Choose Portugal
1 – Wedding Venues
Portugal offers you a varied choice of venues for your wedding. Which include all 9 reasons mentioned below. From magical palaces to beautiful forts, vintage estates, and breathtaking ocean view wedding venues, we ensure you that we will find the perfect venue match that suits all your preferences and dreams for your Destination Wedding!
Photo By Rodolfo Fernandes
2 – The wine, of course
We couldn’t put anything else first if not the wine. Among unmissable reds, fruity and fresh whites, and what is the national drink of Portugal (Port wine), this is one of the great icons of the country. All restaurants in Portugal have a large offer of wine with the possibility of pairing, and its purchase and tasting are possible in specific places. The pier of Gaia, in Porto, has become the place of demand for many tourists looking to taste our national nectar.
We recommend you to read our article about wine spots for weddings in Portugal.
3 – The Beaches
The beaches in Portugal are beautiful, unique, and arguably one of the best destinations in Europe for breaks. The exquisite coastline embraced by a unique climate makes Portuguese beaches the choice of many tourists looking for beautiful Portuguese seaside resorts for their summer holidays.
Photo By Rodolfo Fernandes
4 – Porto
Porto the medieval city that fills our hearts. Full of history, architecture, colour, and warm people, Porto is more than a holiday destination. It is the second-largest city in Portugal and boasts immeasurable sophistication. Its river, Douro, traces the history of the wine that inherited its name, the traditional boats that mark the landscape of the Ribeira do Porto, descended along the river to the city, where they can still be found, tasted, and are stored today.
Home to one of the most influential Contemporary Art Museums (Serralves) with exhibitions by famous names such as Joan Miró and Claes Oldenburg, and unforgettable cuisine, Porto promises to be an unforgettable choice.
Porto is a good idea for a destination wedding in Portugal
5 – Lisbon
With a unique and characteristic charm, this is a city full of life. In Lisbon, Fado is heard in the houses and streets, and the buildings tell the story of what was left behind. Trams mark the city, and their traditional noise is striking, however, a unique and unmissable experience. With a rich cuisine, empowering architecture, and presence, it is an unmissable city!
Lisbon is a good idea for a destination wedding in Portugal
6 – The Douro Valley
Few words express the magnificence of this Valley’s landscapes. Unesco’s material heritage and its slopes can be admired in the first place in countless “Quintas” with wine production that guarantees a VIP place for what is one of nature’s greatest shows. Discover here some Wineries and Vineyards, and book now, your 2022 tour of one of the greatest Nature shows!
7 – Alentejo
Long sandy beaches, idyllic seas, and peaceful villages covered in golden mantles. Its outstanding tranquillity, together with its quality wines and gratuity, have made the Alentejo an investment location for Hollywood stars, singers, and great interior designers and architects, who have seen this paradise as a place of peace.
Photo By Rodolfo Fernandes
8 – Algarve
An enviable climate, mild throughout the year, and its dream beaches, make the Algarve one of the best places for summer holidays. With numerous golf holiday resorts, award-winning courses, and Michelin-starred cuisine, the Algarve is one of the places to be in 2022!
Photo By Rodolfo Fernandes
9 – The Traditions
Portugal is a traditional and cultural country, linked to its traditions and roots. Discover some of them:
Fado
Fado is the heart and soul of Portugal, it is the transport of feelings. It’s a unique experience, which can usually accompany dinner or a wine tasting, book with us! A fado concert needs little to happen: a Portuguese guitar, a voice, and a lot of feeling…
Portuguese tiles
The tile is one of the country’s trademark images and covers the walls of many of the Portuguese public buildings and monuments, portraying different moments in history. It was introduced in the country at the beginning of the 16th century, influenced by the Flemish and Spanish workshops, but Portugal quickly learned its method of manufacture and made its creations. It is a ceramic piece, usually square, with one side glazed. Over time, it began to be regularly applied as a decorative piece, with different dimensions and patterns.
Craftsmanship
With a strong connection to popular culture, Portuguese handicraft is very characteristic, especially in rural areas. Each region has its art, transmitted essentially orally, from generation to generation. Very popular, for example, are Arraiolos rugs, which appeared before the 17th century and follow a sewing technique called the Arraiolos stitch, as well as Portuguese filigree, a living tradition of jewellery in the northern region, which results from threads. very thin and small metal balls. But Portugal distinguishes itself in several other arts in addition to tapestry and jewellery, such as ceramics, lace, and embroidery.
Conventual Sweets
Convent sweets are one of the oldest Portuguese traditions and are most appreciated by all. It is believed that most of the sweets are creations of friars and nuns, from sugar and egg yolks that arrived at convents (the nuns used the whites to take care of their clothes), adding almonds or other nuts.
Traditional dances
From the north to the south of the country, traditional dances are very popular, as they express a little of the soul of different regions. One of the best known is the Pauliteiros de Miranda, a group of eight men from Terras de Miranda, who dance to the sound of bagpipes, snare drums, bass drums, and castanets, portraying historical moments in the region.
The Food
Portugal has a very rich, diversified, and full of good ingredients cuisine. The nation of Camões, Saramago and Fernando Pessoa stands out for the production of wines, olive oil, and olives. Many are the restaurants awarded a Michelin star, and by the Guide, for their above-average quality and their tireless pursuit of sustainability.
The Architecture and the History
Portuguese architecture and its history are much sought after by tourists who visit Portugal, mostly, to discover more about Manueline style architecture, the exuberant Portuguese version of the Gothic; and the Pombalino style, which mixes baroque with neoclassicism, which developed in the capital after the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755.
10 – Climate
Portugal’s climate is one of the best in Europe. Guaranteeing you sunshine for most of the year, this country is the perfect place to get married. It never gets much colder than 10º during the day in the highest points of winter, and in summer the average temperature is 25º! It rarely rains, and therefore provides you with an ample number of sunny days.
Portugal was presented with many romantic places.
Would you like to get married on the beach?
Portugal has many kilometres of sand: the warm beaches of the Algarve, the untouched beaches of Alentejo, the trendy beaches of Cascais and Estoril, the favourite beaches of surfers in the West and the beautiful traditional
Are you more urban?
Lisbon and Porto have the best spots for late-afternoon parties, the best terraces, the best chefs and the most animated nights.
Would you rather have a wedding in a palace or a sumptuous “Quinta”?
One of the greatest riches of Portugal is its historical heritage, spread a little throughout the national territory.
Ever dreamed of getting married in the country?
Alentejo plains, the terraces covered with Douro vineyards, the orchards and cherry trees of the Center or Serra da Estrela covered with snow are just a few of the many examples that you have at your disposal.
If you want to have a destination wedding, but are not sure where to go, give Portugal (or a wedding on Madeira Island) a try!
