38 Cool Fun Interesting Amazing Surprising Facts about Portugal

(Last Updated On: October 12, 2021)

Do you know some cool facts about Portugal? To be more precise, it’s around 4 centuries old. It was founded approximately 1200 BC by the Phoenicians and is the second-oldest European capital after Athens. With so much to see and do in such an ancient and historic city, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular tourist destination. This blog will share many more cool facts about Portugal like this.

Lisbon was devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in 1755, which was followed by a tsunami and flames that completely destroyed the city! In addition, the earthquake occurred on All Saints Day, a big religious occasion when churches are crowded with lit candles, cool facts about Portugal. When the earthquake hit, the candles were knocked over, sparking large flames. Up to 100 000 people were murdered, and 85 percent of the city’s structures were destroyed!

Portugal has had the same defined borders since 1249, over 800 years ago, when King Afonso I declared independence. During the Reconquista against the Muslims in 868, the name Portugal first emerges, cool facts about Portugal. The city of Porto (Portus Cale in Latin) was established into a county, from whence the name (and the nation) “Portugal” was derived.

Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca) is the farthest western point of continental Europe, located where the land stops and the sea begins. It’s roughly a 40-minute drive from Lisbon, and it’s about midway between Sintra and Cascais, cool facts about Portugal. Visitors are welcome to visit the location, which offers a beautiful view of both the ocean and the Serra de Sintra. A lighthouse, a memorial stone with Camoes’ words, and a souvenir store are situated on the grounds.

The infamous Triangular Atlantic Slave Trafficking, which entailed the enormous trade and transportation of slaves from Africa and other areas of the world to the American continent, saw Portugal play a key role, cool facts about Portugal. Lagos’ slave market was also Europe’s first slave market, having been founded in 1444.

With almost 300 sunny days per year in certain areas, you may get over 3000 hours of sunshine each year. It is an ideal vacation spot for both the summer and winter sun. So, if you’re thinking of skipping the winter and taking a vacation in Portugal, have a look at the villas and flats available, cool facts about Portugal.

Fatalism is an important feature in Portuguese culture. The traditional song Fado is one of the most visible manifestations of it. This is marked by somber melodies and lyrics, typically about the sea or impoverished people’s lives, and imbued with a distinct sense of resignation, fatefulness, and melancholy, cool facts about Portugal. It was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2011.

A peculiar world record belongs to the country, interesting fun cool facts about Portugal. This is the world record for the biggest dining table. When more than 16 000 people were fed lunch on the Vasco da Gama bridge, it was won. The table was almost 3 miles long, with nearly 10 tons of Feijoada (Portuguese pork and bean stew) served.

Pasteis de Natas is a famous Portuguese delicacy that is sweet and tasty. The original formula is still a closely guarded secret. Since the 19th century, the family who owns the original recipe has kept it a secret. One of the many reasons to go to Lisbon’s Belem neighborhood, the birthplace of the pastry, is to sample the greatest Pastel in Portugal, one of the cool facts about Portugal.

Cool facts about Portugal

1. Portuguese cuisine revolves around codfish. Bacalhau (dried and salted fish) and Bacalhau Fresco are both popular ingredients in over 1000 recipes (fresh cod).

2. Portugal is steadfast in its commitment to renewable energy. So much so that in 2016, the country ran on solar, wind, and water-powered electricity for five days in a row.

2. Certain privileges are reserved for the host at the residence of your host. When being served a meal, meal, for example, wait until the hostess says “bon appetite” before starting to eat. Additionally, avoid resting your elbows on the table. However, keep your hands visible at all times.

4. Always keep your napkin to the left of your plate when eating during mealtime. Move your napkin to the right side of your plate once you’ve finished eating. Cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife if you haven’t completed eating and need to stand up or chat.

5. The nation is officially recognized as Europe’s westernmost point.

6. Cork is a popular material in Portugal. It is the world’s biggest cork forest and a major producer and exporter of cork and cork goods. You may discover a wide selection of cork products at any market in Portugal. This material is used to make purses, designer shoes, coasters, and wallets.

7. The country’s most renowned export is port wine, which is the country’s national drink. The sweet, fortified wine is made solely in Northern Portugal’s Douro Valley. Many of the grapes required to create port are only found in Portugal, which is why the name Porto may only be used in Portuguese ports.

8. In the 17th century, Bartholomew Portugues developed the first pirate code, which was eventually adopted by English pirates.

9. The Portuguese are, on the whole, trustworthy people. They seldom volunteer information until it is specifically requested. Even when they are asked for information, they consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding whether or not to provide it. They would stay quiet in particular if it was in the best interests of someone or everyone.

10. Expect a promise from a Portuguese coworker. Never expect a Portuguese colleague to follow through on a commitment. They’d make a promise so as not to hurt your feelings if they didn’t follow through. So don’t be too concerned if your Portuguese colleagues don’t keep their commitments.

11. These statistics contain virtually all of the basic facts of Portugal, both well-known and lesser-known. After reading them, you’ll be a self-proclaimed expert.

12. The Portuguese Republic is the official name of the country. Portugal gets its name from the Roman-Celtic geographical name Portus Cale.

13. In Portugal, ATMs do a lot more than just dispense cash. The country has the world’s most efficient ATM system. An ATM may be used for a variety of transactions. Donating to charity or purchasing concert tickets are just a few examples.

14. Boom Festival, one of Europe’s greatest and most recognized music events, is held in Portugal. For festival lovers, it’s a must-see event. If you’re planning a Boom vacation, don’t forget to include your ultimate festival packing list.

15. Portugal is the first country to decriminalize all narcotics, deeming drug use a public health issue rather than a crime. Since the law’s passage 16 years ago, there has been a considerable reduction in drug-related diseases and deaths.

16. Slavery was abolished for the first time in 1761 when Portugal became the first colonial nation to do so. That is more than a half-century before the United Kingdom, France, Spain, or the United States.

17. Before fermentation is finished, grape spirit, or brandy, is added to the wine to enhance sweetness. Before bottling, the wine is matured for two to six years in oak barrels or steel containers.

18. From 219 BC to 19 BC, the Romans took over 200 years to conquer Lusitania. The Romans had a famous expression: “In Iberia, there is a tribe that neither rules itself nor allows itself to be controlled.”

19. Football is the most popular sport in Portugal. We are the current European Champions, having been third in the 1966 World Cup, second in Euro 2004, and fourth in the 2006 World Cup.

20. Only the terraced slope of the Douro valley in Porto, one of the world’s longest-established wine production regions and a UNESCO World Heritage site, produces Port wine grapes.

21. In 1290, the University of Coimbra was founded. Although it began in Lisbon, it was subsequently relocated to Coimbra (after a few moves back and forth). Paço das Escolas is one of Portugal’s most well-known sights.

22. Garrett McNamara caught the largest wave (+30 m / 90 ft) ever surfed at Praia do Norte in Nazaré in October 2011. Portugal boasts an 800-kilometer coastline and is recognized as one of the best surf places in the world!

23. In 1290, the University of Coimbra was founded. Although it began in Lisbon, it was subsequently relocated to Coimbra (after a few moves back and forth). Paço das Escolas is one of Portugal’s most well-known sights.

24. By signing the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, Portugal and Spain effectively divided the world in half, giving Portugal control of the eastern half of the “New World,” which included nations such as Brazil, Africa, and Asia.

25. The Portuguese Empire was the world’s best-known worldwide empire and one of the world’s longest-lived colonial empires, spanning over 600 years until Macau (now part of China) was given over in 1999.

26. Both nations fought in conflicts to defend each other, with the UK fighting in the Iberian Peninsular War and Portugal fighting in World War I. For a long time, it appears that the Portuguese and the British have had each other’s backs!

27. The campus, which was established in the 16th century on the grounds of a previous palace, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

28. It is the world’s eighth most spoken language and the official language of nine countries: Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Principe, Sao Tome, and Equatorial Guinea.

29. Portugal is renowned as the “Tiles Country.” Tiles have long been used by the Portuguese to decorate their walls and floors. Houses, restaurants and tiny streets are all adorned with tiles.

30. In fact, visitors to the Algarve should know that Guia, Algarve, has the greatest “chicken with Piri Piri sauce.” The Portuguese community considers this a “closely guarded secret.”

31. The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is the longest in Europe, measuring 17 kilometers. The world record for the biggest dining table was achieved when over 15 000 people were given lunch on the bridge as part of the inauguration ceremonies, but this isn’t the only record that the bridge brought to Portugal.

32. Cristiano Ronaldo was born in 1985 in Funchal, the capital of the autonomous territories of Madeira, in the dos Santos Aveiro neighborhood. He is a professional football player who captains the Portugal national team and plays as a striker for the Italian club Juventus.

33. Brazil, Cape Verde, So Tomé and Prncipe, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Mozambique, Goa, Daman, Diu, Kochi, Malacca, and Macau would all fall under the Portuguese Empire. After the regime fell apart in 1975, the African colonies were granted freedom. In 1999, China took control of Macau, the last Portuguese enclave.

34. The Japanese tempura, a battered, deep-fried vegetable, and seafood dish were created by Portuguese missionaries. The Portuguese introduced chilli, pepper, potatoes, and tomatoes to India and Thailand, in addition to Piri Piri and tempura.

35. This section of the Portuguese coastline is home to the world’s largest wave producer, thanks to an undersea canyon in the vicinity. In February 2011, Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara set a new world record after riding a big wave measuring 80 feet tall off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal.

36. One of the most noteworthy facts about Portugal is that it began the process of removing the death penalty in 1846, and capital punishment for civil offenses was officially abolished in 1867. Furthermore, Portugal and Spain are the only EU nations that have abolished the death penalty.

37. With 220 to 240 million native speakers worldwide, Portuguese is the 6th most spoken language on the planet. It is the official language of nine nations and is spoken on all five continents!

38. Portugal contains 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 14 of which are cultural and one of which is natural (in Madeira Island). With almost 13 million visitors coming each year, it is one of the world’s top 20 most visited nations.