A holiday in Carvoeiro is one that will remain with you for many years to come; this special old fishing port is tucked into a cosy dip in the coastline making a protected little beach that is beloved of the many tourists who come here year after year.

There is a lot to see and do in Carvoeiro and if playing on the beach gets tiresome, you could visit one of the many attractive towns nearby for a little adventure or take a look at the amazing Algar Seco with its weird rock formations!

This is a perfect holiday location if you love to bask in the warmth of the sun and to enjoy good food on tap! This is a great place that will stay with you for many years to come.

A tradition is a specific practice of long standing in which unwritten customs and practices are passed from one generation to the next. Traditions and customs form part of a country’s culture and heritage. The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about customs and Christmas traditions in Portugal:

 Christmas is a deeply religious holiday in Portugal

 An elaborate Nativity scene is displayed in many homes

 Pai Natal delivers gifts but also on the morning of January 6th the Three Kings also bring gifts for the children

 Shoes are filled with straw or carrots for the camels that must carry their riders to deliver the gifts. In the morning the food is gone and small gifts of candy are left

 The Christmas Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of the Holy Innocents both involve the sharing of gifts

 The Portuguese have a Yule or Christmas log (cepo de Natal)

 The Portuguese celebrate a feast caled the “consoda.”. The consoda is held on Christmas morning where extra spaces and food is laid in honor of the dead as this is believed to bring good luck for the new year.

Christmas Traditions in Portugal – The Food!

What do people eat in other countries at this special time of the year? Festive feasts and recipes are traditional for special occasions including family dinners and meals. Interesting facts about the special food eaten as part of the customs and Christmas traditions in Portugal:

 A dish of dried cod with boiled potatoes is popular in Portugal on Xmas Eve

 A typical Christmas dinner in Portugal would start with small portions of lute fish or corn pudding followed by honey roasted ham, roasted turkey served with vegetables including rutabagas and turnips. Other favorites are Portuguese sausages or a variety of shell fish

 Christmas traditions in Portugal

Portuguese Christmas Vocabulary

How do you say Merry Christmas in Portugal? If you have friends or family who live, or have ties with, a different country it is a nice gesture to add a seasons greetings in the language of the country. A practical addition to learning about Christmas traditions in Portugal:

 How do you say Merry Christmas in Portuguese? “Boas Festas!”

 What is the name for Santa Claus? Pai Natal

 Christmas Eve is known in Portuguese as Véspera de Natal

The pretty, family-friendly resort of Carvoeiro has a beautiful golden beach sheltered by stunning cliffs. When the beach gets a little crowded in peak season, boat trips can take you to quieter coves along the coast or to see the amazing caves and rock formations at Algar Seco Natural Park. This bustling town has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you entertained after the beach. Two excellent golf courses can also be found at the nearby Carvoeiro Club.

Carvoeiro is the idyllic Portuguese holiday paradise to suit everyone. As you unwind on a beautiful beach, or pause for a lunch of grilled sardines in the tranquil village, you might wonder why the great Portuguese explorers ever wanted to leave this enchanting and diverse country in search of far-away lands.