Discover Portugal: Top 18 Amazing Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Charming Country!

1. World's Oldest Bookstore

Calling all bookworms to their natural habitat and time capsule: Behold the ancient shrine of page-turning tales, Bertrand bookstore in Chiado, Portugal! In all seriousness: Established in 1732, this literary haven holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest bookstore still in activity and has been a hub for legendary Portuguese authors, such as Eça de Queirós and Ramalho Ortigão, to gather and engage in stimulating conversations on their craft.
Source => cityguidelisbon.com

2. Rooster of Justice

Who knew a chicken could save a life and strut its way into national symbolism? In a fowl tale of justice relying on a rooster's crowing, Portugal has embraced this plucky poultry as its unofficial mascot: The Barcelos Rooster, often found in ceramic form or embroidered on souvenirs, represents the Portuguese love of life and is rooted in a 15th-century legend where a wrongly accused pilgrim was saved from execution by a cooked rooster crowing, proving his innocence. The Cross of the Lord of the Rooster in Barcelos now stands as a testament to this miraculous cluck, drawing tourists to its feathery fame.
Source => portugalonline.com

Did you know that a simple yet delicious Spanish dish, pan con tomate, is made by massaging bread with garlic, ripe tomatoes, Spanish olive oil, and a pinch of salt? Discover the mouthwatering magic behind this Catalan treat!

=> Fun Facts about Spain

3. Red Bull's Shooting Stars

If you thought shooting stars were reserved for galaxies far, far away, think again! The Force is strong in Madeira Island for the most dazzling New Year's Eve spectacle this side of the Star Wars galaxy: At 11:40 p.m., Red Bull hosts a sensational display of shooting stars, part of Funchal's festive holiday extravaganza which includes light and sound shows, Christmas markets, traditional nativity scenes, and local music groups' performances.
Source => wibkestravels.net

4. Centuries-Old BFFs

When the UK and Portugal said, "brothers from another mother," they meant it for centuries: The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, ratified in 1386 by the Treaty of Windsor, is the oldest active alliance on the planet, ensuring mutual aid between the two nations without ever going to war or siding against each other, and even contributing to both World Wars.
Source => portugal.com

5. Multi-Use "Pois é"

Oh, the pois-sibilities! If you're ever in Portugal and find yourself nodding along to the conversation but unsure of what exactly to say, just remember the handy phrase "pois é" and how it can mean pretty much anything you need it to: "Eureka! The Portuguese language has a versatile interjection phrase 'pois é' which can convey agreement, resignation, or both at once. Often translated as 'yes', 'agreed', 'exactly', 'you're right', or 'that's it', it's a linguistic Swiss Army knife that shouldn't be mixed up with the similar-sounding 'pois' and 'ora pois', which have their own unique uses and meanings depending on the context."
Source => portuguese.stackexchange.com

6. Aquatic Empire

Hold onto your tridents, Poseidon wannabes: Portugal's aquatic empire is set to make a splash as its claim on the extended continental shelf could potentially increase its maritime territory to 40 times the size of its land area! This whopping 3,877,408 square kilometers of underwater dominion, anchored by the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, would not only rank Portugal's exclusive economic zone as the 4th-largest in the EU and the 21st-largest worldwide, but also unlock vast mineral riches that could have Lisbon sail smoothly into the Atlantic and beyond.
Source => eikleaf.com

7. Surfing Mammoth Waves

Where Rip Van Winkle hangs ten and Poseidon himself applauds: Nazaré, Portugal boasts the mammoth waves surfed by the fearless, with Sebastian Steudtner conquering an 86-foot behemoth in October 2020, securing a Guinness World Record and the eternal envy of aqua-adventurers worldwide.
Source => nazarewaves.com

8. Ancient Bookstore Titan

In a world where bookstores fear the Kindle Kraken, one ancient Portuguese titan still stands tall, unbowed: Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon has been stuffing bookshelves since 1732, securing its position as the world's oldest operating bookstore with a Guinness World Record to prove it.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Booklover's Hotel

Feeling "shelfish" and in need of a "novel" getaway? Look no further than the magical realm of a Portuguese literary wonderland: The Literary Man Hotel in Óbidos is not only home to over 45,000 books but aims to reach the whopping number of 100,000 by the end of this year. Nestled in a medieval village that dates back 700 years, this booklover's paradise even has walls adorned with titles, giving guests a true taste of literary immersion.
Source => travelandleisure.com

10. Hogwarts Dress Code

Ever wondered why Hogwarts students didn't have to bother with the school dress code? It's all thanks to some Portuguese fashionistas: The iconic Hogwarts uniform was inspired by the attire of University of Porto students, who still strut around town in their black suits, white shirts, and swanky black capes even today.
Source => inlifehousing.com

11. Lemon Mountain

When life gives you lemons, climb a mountain: Mount Pico, on the island of Pico in the Azores, isn't just an impressive peak - it's the highest point in Portugal *and* the entire Mid-Atlantic Ridge, towering at 2351 meters.
Source => seasidewithemily.com

12. Dark Sky Reserve

Feeling starstruck? Portugal's got a "no lights, no problem" policy for star enthusiasts: The Alqueva sky in the country's Alentejo region is a certified Dark Sky Reserve, spanning 10,000 square kilometers, with minimal public lighting to offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. You'll be hobnobbing with the likes of Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, and Virgo – no red carpet needed – and can indulge in activities like astrophotography and heritage tours under the alluring celestial canopy.
Source => visitportugal.com

13. Volcanic Stew

Ever thought of a volcanic hot pocket? Trust Portugal to take culinary adventure literally: In the village of Furnas on São Miguel island, Cozido das Furnas, a unique stew, is slow-cooked underground for up to seven hours using the geothermal heat of volcanic springs, with an array of local produce and meats that will tantalize your taste buds at restaurants like Vale das Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.
Source => coffeeandcaminos.com

14. European Tea Plot Twist

If you've been sipping tea at European tea parties awaiting for a Mad Hatter revelation, Portugal has brewed a plot twist: The oldest tea plantation in Europe, Gorreana, sits on the island of S. Miguel in the Azores, growing tea since 1883 with traditional methods passed down through generations. Here, you'll find a delightful assortment of green, black, and Canto teas, making it the perfect spot for tea aficionados and Wonderland wanderers alike.
Source => gorreana.pt

15. Flower of Salt

As salty as a pirate's vocabulary on a bad day: Portugal is renowned for its artisanal Flor de Sal, or "Flower of Salt," which is carefully harvested from evaporation ponds along the coastline using traditional methods and tools. These delicate, translucent salt crystals are not only a gourmet favorite but a valuable export for the nation's economy, even though Portugal isn't a top sea salt producer in Europe.
Source => theportugalnews.com

16. Epic Vasco da Gama Bridge

In an extraordinary feat of bridge building, Portugal channeled their inner Vasco da Gama and boldly sailed where no engineer had gone before: The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe, spanning an impressive 17,185 meters long, completed in 1998 with the ability to withstand wind speeds of up to 250 km/h, and has an expected life expectancy of 120 years.
Source => bridgeinfo.net

17. Ancient Roman Bridges

Before the dawn of Mario and Luigi's time, ancient Romans built bridges so epic, they would put Bowser's Castle to shame: In Portugal, you can find well-preserved Roman bridges such as Ponte da Vila Formosa, Ponte Romana de Segura, and Ponte Romana de Vila Ruiva, dating back to the first and second centuries AD, and impressively, they are still in use today.
Source => followinghadrian.com

18. Golden Woodcarving

If King Midas decided to become an interior decorator in Portugal, he'd be a huge fan of talha dourada: This extravagant gilded woodcarving technique reached its golden peak in the 17th century during King D. João V's reign, adorning churches, cathedrals, and palaces with a unique touch of Portuguese art history. However, it lost its shine in the 19th century during the revival era and became less popular.
Source => en.wikipedia.org