Portuguese culture is rich in history, traditions, and diverse influences. Portugal is known for its geographical position on the Atlantic coast, which has helped shape its maritime culture and the importance of the sea in the daily lives of the Portuguese.
Literature
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese, one of the most widely spoken Romance languages in the world. Portuguese literature has produced great authors such as Fernando Pessoa and José Saramago, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1998.
Portuguese Music
As always before traveling, we love to browse through the culture of our next destination, starting with music. Fado.
Traditional Portuguese music is characterized by fado, a melancholic and nostalgic musical genre that expresses the deep emotions of the Portuguese people. Fado has been an Intangible Heritage of Humanity since 2011. It was for many years linked to the name of Amália Rodrigues, but today there is a large new generation of fadists, including Mariza, Gisela João, Camané, Carminho, and Ana Moura, the best known internationally. To fully appreciate it, there is nothing better than listening to them in a candlelit house of fados, accompanied by the emotion of their voices and the Portuguese guitar.
Portuguese Cuisine
Portuguese cuisine is a true culinary treasure that reflects Portugal’s rich history and cultural influences. Due to its coastal location, Portuguese cuisine is heavily influenced by fresh seafood and seafood. However, it also offers a variety of meat dishes, vegetables, and legumes that suit all tastes.
One of the most iconic dishes of Portuguese cuisine is bacalhau, or dried cod. Bacalhau is a versatile ingredient that is prepared in many ways, such as bacalhau à Brás, a delicious combination of crumbled cod, potatoes, onions, and eggs. Another popular dish is bacalhau com natas, in which cod is baked with a creamy sauce.
Grilled sardines, called sardinhas assadas, are a popular summer specialty. These succulent fish are grilled on the grill and served with bread and salad, creating a simple but tasty meal.
Portuguese cuisine also offers a variety of traditional soups, such as warm green. This soup is prepared with cabbage cut into thin strips, potatoes, and smoked chorizo. The result is a warm and comforting dish, perfect for cold winter days.
A dish that you cannot miss is the francesinha, originally from the city of Porto. This toasted sandwich is filled with meat, cheese, and sausage, all covered with a spicy sauce made of tomato and beer. It is a hearty and tasty dish that will satisfy even the most demanding palates.
Portuguese sweets are a real treat. Pastéis de nata are small puff pastry cakes filled with custard, sprinkled with icing sugar and cinnamon. These cakes are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, perfect to enjoy with a coffee.
Portuguese cuisine also offers a wide range of rice dishes, such as arroz de marisco. This dish is prepared with rice and a variety of seafood, such as shrimp, mussels, and clams. The result is a dish rich in sea flavors that will delight seafood lovers.
Finally, the octopus lagareiro is a succulent and aromatic dish. The octopus is boiled and then baked in the oven with garlic, olive oil, and potatoes, creating a dish rich in Mediterranean flavors.
Portugal is also famous for its wines, especially port and green wine. Port is a sweet fortified wine, while green wine is a young and fresh wine, often consumed as an aperitif.
Portuguese Architecture
From an architectural point of view, the Azulejo will amaze you at every corner. It is a constant presence in Portuguese architecture and is not found in any other country, adorning the exteriors and interiors of houses, churches, palaces, and more. The azulejo, of Muslim origin, began to be produced in Portugal.
