Visit Portugal - Portugal. Always close at hand

Major Events /

National Horse Fair /
Witness the National Horse Fair in November in Golegã, a region where the equestrian tradition is deeply rooted.

Cinanima - International Animated Film Festival /
Do you like animated film? If so, don't miss Cinanima - International Animated Film Festival in Espinho, south of Oporto.

Lisbon Marathon /
Every year in December, the streets of the Portuguese capital are invaded by the Lisbon Marathon – Portugal’s oldest marathon event.

What's on /

Handcrafted textiles in the Alentejo /
In various parts of the Alentejo region, skilful hands produce Portugal’s most highly coveted carpets, tapestries and rugs.

Basalt – black gold from the Azores /
“Azorean Gold” - unlike conventional gold - is black, stony and, sometimes, porous, but is just as valuable.

Madeira Embroidery /
Genuine works of art created by the skilful hands of the island’s embroiderers.

Tradition and modernity in Porto e Norte /
When visiting Porto e Norte de Portugal, you’ll come across countless unique handcrafted articles - produced using three key ingredients: perfection, rigour and art.

Carpets with design /
High-quality hand-woven carpets are produced in Arganil, close to the historic village of Piódão.

October 2008 /

In Portugal, many treasures await you. Handcrafted articles created by skilful hands that are true works of art. Come and discover our unique riches!

Appreciate the delicate art of filigree in the North of Portugal, where fine threads of gold and silver are transformed into spectacular objects. Admire the bedspreads, hand-embroidered with silk thread, from Castelo Branco, unique lovers’ handkerchiefs from Viana do Castelo (that gracefully substituted love letters for the exchange of amorous messages), and embroidery from Madeira honoured with an official certification of origin. In Arraiolos, magnificent needlework wool carpets are produced, and nearby in Portalegre, tapestries are created that rigorously reproduce works by famous painters. In fishing zones such as Vila do Conde or Peniche, experienced hands execute intricate bobbin lace.

Travel the Marinha Grande Glass Route and watch qualified glassblowers at work, If you prefer crystal glass, travel to Alcobaça. In terms of ceramics, alongside handcrafted azulejo tiles, it’s well worth highlighting the porcelain articles produced by Vista Alegre, that form part of the tableware of many European royal households. Utilitarian clay pottery items are produced throughout Portugal, but you’re sure to be charmed by the curious figurative items produced in Barcelos or Estremoz.

Since local handicrafts are produced with the materials found in great abundance in each region, in the Azores you’ll find objects made of fig tree pith and fish scales. Younger artists use other materials, including the ground itself - black basalt– used in daring examples of goldsmithery.

Handicrafts are reinventing themselves and nowadays designers conjure up innovative items made of age-old materials. In the worlds of goldsmithery, ceramics, glass, tapestry work, fashion and even furniture design, creativity has no limits.

Set off on your own treasure hunt! When you find something you like, take it with you. That way, you’ll keep a little bit of Portugal always close at hand, before your return. Until next time!

Traditional arts /
Contemporary designers and artists are updating traditional arts.

Algarve handicrafts /
Take home a souvenir from your stay in the Algarve, one of the many pieces reflecting the handicrafts of the region.

Shopping in Lisbon /
Lisbon, a city for shoppers, a cosmopolitan city, an open and friendly city, a city where everything you need is just a step away.