Discover Portugal: 9 Exciting and Educational Fun Facts for Kids

1. The Heartfelt, Lucky Rooster

Why did the chicken cross the road? To find its Portuguese cousin, the Barcelos rooster, of course: This vibrant ceramic symbol of Portugal, known as the Galo de Barcelos, is adorned with hearts and flowers, represents wisdom, honesty, and simplicity, and is based on an ancient folktale emphasizing faith and justice—a tale in which a wrongly accused pilgrim manages to escape a hanging, thanks to a faulty knot. Seen as a bearer of good luck, the Barcelos rooster is a beloved figure in Portuguese culture and a delightful souvenir for tourists.
Source => portugal-the-simple-life.com

2. Rainbow Umbrella Skies

In Portugal, it's raining shade instead of cats and dogs: The Umbrella Sky Project in Águeda strings colorful parasols across narrow streets, creating stunning geometric patterns and constantly shifting shadows, so visitors can stay cool and be visually wowed by this art-meets-function summertime tradition.
Source => pps.org

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. Vasco's Mega-Bridge

If Vasco da Gama had to build a bridge every time he discovered a new sea route, he'd have quite the construction business going: Portugal has the longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which spans the Tagus River in Lisbon. At 17,185 meters long, it could have shaves weeks off old Vasco's travel time! This sturdy structure is designed to withstand winds up to 250 km/h and expected to stay afloat (well, technically, above float) for 120 years.
Source => bridgeinfo.net

4. Clove-powered Vision

Long before there was Red Bull to give us wings, milk with a dash of something spicy promised spectacular spectacles: cloves were considered the ultimate spice in Europe during Magellan's voyages, believed to improve vision and even alleviate fevers when mixed with a good ol' glass of moo juice.
Source => history.com

5. Heavenly Laundry Desserts

Who knew that laundry could lead to drool-worthy desserts? Well, when Portuguese monks decided to toss some yolks in the oven instead of on their robes, magical things began to happen: It turns out that Pastéis de Nata, over 300-year-old Portuguese pastries, were accidentally crafted by monks in a monastery near Lisbon as a creative way to use up spare egg yolks leftover from laundering clothes. These sweet treats consist of flaky puff pastry filled with velvety custard, spiced with cinnamon and sugar, then baked until gorgeously caramelized on top. Grab one fresh from the oven, or reheat one within two days of baking for a bonafide taste of dessert serendipity!
Source => allrecipes.com

6. Left-to-Right Traffic Twist

Once upon a time, Portuguese drivers had a "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty" moment of confusion: Portugal decided to switch from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic in 1928, maintaining its newfound orientation in the present day!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Castle-Palooza in Portugal

In Portugal, move over MTV, it's all about the CTV - Castles Television: Portugal is brimming with some of Europe's oldest and most magnificent castles, dating as far back as the eighth century. More than 20 of these architectural marvels adorn the Algarve, Alentejo, and Lisbon regions, each with its own distinct style. Originally designed to fend off intruders, these castles now serve as fascinating museums and monuments for visitors to embark on a royally grand adventure!
Source => nomadsunveiled.com

8. Mysterious Eighth Hill

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, was either founded by a zealous hill counter or a cartographer with serious attention to detail – it's acclaimed worldwide as the City of Seven Hills: Yet, some claim that there's an eighth hill in the mix, referencing the glorious view from Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen atop the Graça Hill, but officially, the hills are São Vincente, Santo André, São Jorge, Sant’Ana, São Roque, Chagas, and Santa Catarina. One thing’s for certain, this hilly conundrum adds even more picturesque charm to the enchanting cityscape!
Source => gruncleodd.com

9. Volcanic Cooking Wonders

Ever heard of a hot pot that's, well, literally hot? Prepare to be steamed away by Portugal's volcanic cooking magic: In the Azores islands, Cozido das Furnas is a special stew cooked underground using geothermal heat from volcanoes, combining a variety of meats and local veggies, all slow-cooked for up to seven hours before tickling local taste buds.
Source => coffeeandcaminos.com