New Year is the time that gives you a chance to look back upon the things that you have missed taking chances and gives you an opportunity to be better than before. So, in a simple word, the main exciting thing about New Year is New year resolution. Also, it’s all about celebration and visiting. So, visiting Portugal to enjoy New Year can be the ace kick-start to the brand new day of the year. You will see Portugal better than ever on this day. So, you can mark your calendar to visit Portugal and celebrate the most amusing New Year in Portugal.
Why Celebrate New Year In Portugal
The cities of Portugal is fully ready and excited to welcome the new day for New Year with different events and parties. If you’re in one of the cities of Portugal and you want to greet everyone with their language and wondering how to say happy new year in Portugal, say the words ‘feliz Ano Novo’ which is happy New Year in Portuguese and you’ll get back the same with a warm smile which means happy new year to you too in English. The fun and celebration are at its peak and is worth watching during Portugal New Years Eve in the cities.
Suggested Read: 14 Terrific Things To Do In Portugal To Soak In The Rich Portuguese Flavor
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Best Time To Visit Portugal
New Year of Portugal is as refreshing as the cool breeze on the coast. However, the temperature of inline is better than on the coast. The overall temperature of Portugal can be predicted from Lisbon which is in an average of 15°c in December. However, the temperature drops down in the evening so make sure to stay warm. You will see the streets of Portugal all lighted up in decorative lights, hustle, and bustle of people to buy presents for their near and dear ones. There is no need for you to set a reminder for New Year’s Eve because the atmospheric air of Portugal filled with good vibes of it is itself a reminder.
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Things To Do To Celebrate New Year In Portugal
People here celebrate their New Year either at home with their families or by attending various night events in pubs and clubs. People who choose to celebrate with family have the opportunity to discover the traditional cuisine.
1. Street Festival and Nightclubs
You can experience Portuguese traditions and culture by joining the local joy and fun and watching the grandiose fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Porto. Thousands of tourists and locals gather in front of Porto City Hall on Avenida dos Aliados where many street parties are hosted featuring fireworks and musical environment. Porto has become one of the popular destinations for New Year’s Eve celebration. People who celebrate New Year’s Eve in Porto Portugal also get to know the tradition and history of the place by interacting with the locals and taste various traditional cuisines. For those who want to celebrate New Year away from the street, they can celebrate in special events hosted for this particular celebration on cruises of the River Douro with this unique memory. You can enjoy the parties on your budget and own style. The other some places you can enjoy New Year’s Eve in Porto are: the Sa da Bandeira Theater, the Porto Customs Building. Palacio da Bolsa, the Transparent Building, the Hard Club and Clube 3C.
Suggested Read: 9 Best Churches In Lisbon That’ll Make Your Portugal Holiday More Memorable
2. Eating raisins at midnight
There is also a tradition of eating 12 raisins and making 12 wishes, wearing something blue in the midnight. Each raisin indicates each month and believed to bring luck in the coming months. Everyone divides the raisins from the bowl which is placed at every table and be ready with 12 raisins when the clock starts to strike. If you are celebrating New Year in a home, you better hit the market to buy some raisins. You can enjoy this unique tradition while toasting champagne with your loved ones.
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3. Hitting the pan or pot
Portugal has unique superstitions and traditions. One of the belief is that if you start New Year with empty pocket then the rest of the year follows the same. So, you wouldn’t want to risk to spend the entire money from your pocket. It is believed that the noises avert the evil spirits. So, it is tradition to stick head out of the window and make the noise by hitting the pan with a wooden stick or any stuff that will make the noise after eating raisins. The noise indicates the start of the New Year.
Suggested Read: 5 Best Villas In Portugal That Will Add Stars To Your Holiday Experience
4. Enjoy the Fireworks
The skies of Portugal are lit by the display of best fireworks with vibrant colors. Different cities of Portugal has a brilliant firework show to welcome the New Year. If you want to witness the best fireworks, then you can go to the Island of Madeira. In fact, Guinness World Records recognized the fireworks in Madeira as the biggest fireworks show in the world. The fireworks are launched from different corn of the island which makes the island and ocean magical and sparkle bright in the night escalated over the Funchal amphitheater and present special and exceptional experience to its guest. You can also see the fireworks displayed on the bank of River Tejo from high point of Castelo de Sao Jorge (Sao Jorge Castle) in the city of Lisbon.
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5. New Year toast in cruise
If you want to spend your New Year Eve on water then you can join the cruise party. Special events with music in the middle of the ocean with prominent display of firework on a cruise would make your New Year most memorable. Standing on the balcony of the cruise, relishing the shadow of fireworks sparking with vibrant color in the ocean and toasting champagne with friends and family is quite a celebration goal. You can take cruises of River Douro from Porto city.
You can take advantage of these offers. Celebrations with different street entertainment start already by the end week of December. At Praia dos Pescadores (Pescadores Beach) in Albufeira, New Year is celebrated with lots of fireworks shows and the parties. You can find quality services in Tavira, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Faro, Lagos, and Quarteira hotels and are the best place to celebrate the New Year. You can also enjoy Casino at night in Monte Gordo and Vilamoura.
Suggested Read: A Guide To Help You Plan Your Portugal Honeymoon
6. Fishing in Villages
If you want to escape the parties then you can visit small fishing villages in Centro de Portugal and in Alentejo on the coast where the celebration of New Year is not so huge. You can hit the streets and pledge the New Year with new hopes and happiness. Places like Praias de Vieira de Leiria (Vieira de Leiria Beaches), Peniche, Porto Covo, Nazaré, Aveiro, Sines, Vila Nova de Milfontes e Zambujeira do Mar are suggested to enjoy the festivities. The residents welcome all the people in almost every season and take them for a tour or for a stroll along the sea. Special events with special price are hosted by many resorts and hotels on the occasion of New Year.
Suggested Read: 11 Best Places To Visit In Portugal, The Hidden Gem Of Europe
Planning a trip to Portugal around last of December and very first of January is not a good time in case you want to discover and gain knowledge on the historic places of Portugal as almost all museums, business places get closed. But if you are solely looking at celebrating New Year in Portugal, then it has a lot to offer!
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Frequently Asked Questions About New Year In Portugal
How do they celebrate New Year in Portugal?
New year is one of the most interesting Portugal Festivals to attend. Portuguese celebrate the arrival of New Year by toasting champagne glasses with each other. They also bake King Cake or Bolo Rei, a traditional Portuguese Cake and staple holiday dessert. Portuguese also eat 12 raisins for good luck on the first day of the New Year representing each month.
How is the Portugal weather in December?
Portugal has a Mediterranean climate. Therefore, winters are mild with temperatures hovering around 15 degrees Celsius.
Which are the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in Portugal?
Here are some of the best places to spend your New Year’s Eve in Portugal:
1. Nazare
2. Lisbon
3. Funchal
4. Albufeira
5. Porto
What is there to do in Lisbon on New Years Eve?
If you happen to be in Lisbon on New Year’s, here is what you can do to have a splendid time:
1. Watch fireworks
2. Club hopping
3. Party at Terreiro do Paço.
4. Enjoy a Portuguese meal
5. Visit one of the Fado houses
How do you say Happy New Year in Portuguese?
Feliz ana Novo is how you say Happy New Year in Portuguese language.
What are the traditions of New year in Portugal?
Here are some interesting New Year traditions in Portugal:
1. 12 Raisins: Portuguese eat 12 raisins, one for each month, at midnight when the New Year begins.
2. Money: You should not have empty pockets on New years or you will spend the rest of the year in poverty.
3. Loud noise: Head of your window with pots or pans and bang them loudly to chase away the evil spirits around you.
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