Páscoa Beckons! Why You Should Visit Portugal For Easter in 2024

Easter celebrations in Portugal are atmospheric, unique and worth witnessing. This year, Good Friday falls on 29^th March, and Easter Sunday on 31^st March. Known as Páscoa in Portuguese, It is without doubt one of the most popular celebrations in the country.

With a predominantly Roman Catholic heritage, it is has significant religious and cultural importance. This and Portugal’s deep roots in cultural tradition promise a rather rich experience of this celebration. That is just one of the many reasons why you should consider a trip this Easter!

As blossoms of spring add more color to the already colorful streets, neighborhoods come alive with festivities. This is the time for rebirth, reflection, family and community. Each city has its distinct and unique style of celebrating Pacao, but two things are present in all; atmospheric processions during the Holy Week, and sharing of traditional Portuguese Easter dishes with family and community.

Easter essentials;

You can participate in the festivities and join in the joyous community spirit. Whether you are attending mass at the beautiful Se of Lisbon (Cathedral of Lisbon), or joining in the solemn processions on Good Friday, each activity is as atmospheric as it gets.  The colorful streets, whether in bustling cities such as Porto, or in a small village, add to the spirit of festivity.

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Indulging in traditional Portuguese Easter dishes is another must-do off your bucket list. A popular dish this time of year is the sweet Folar da Pascoa (Easter bread), and the various cod dishes such as balcahau(salted cod). Some restaurants offer special Easter menus.

Since Easter always comes around in Spring, you can expect mild weather ideal for outdoor activities. That means, you can see numerous attractions with ease, and comfortably walk around neighborhoods like Alfama in Lisbon.

Lastly, you can expect amazing events, concerts and traditional music performances around this time in most cities. I would recommend booking as early as now especially if you plan to visit very popular places like Sintra.