Islamic Festival of Mértola
Of the many festivals held in Southern Portugal, arguably the most interesting take the region’s turbulent history as their theme.
In Mértola, a pretty, fortified town in the Alentejo, high on the banks of the Guadiana River, which forms the border with Spain, the area’s Islamic past is celebrated. This biennial festival, the next of which is in 2025, gives you the feeling of stepping back in time. The festival recognises when Southern Portugal was occupied by the Moors from north Africa, who gave the Algarve its name: Al-Gharb, meaning ‘the west’. Every other year, Mértola transforms into an authentic Souk for five days in May when traders come across the Gibraltar Straights from north Africa to sell all manner of tasty morsels, spices, silks, Arabian slippers and other leather goods, jewellery and household decorative items such as Arabian lanterns.
Alcoutim Contraband Festival
The Algarvean town of Alcoutim, again on the Portuguese side of the Guadiana River, also has a fascinating history with an equally fascinating festival. It’s a charming old town with cobbled streets and a castle that has spectacular views across the river to Spain. Thanks to its closeness to the border and its long coastline, it became a hotbed of smuggling in the 18th and 19th centuries. Every other March, the Contraband Festival celebrates the story of the smugglers who lived there. The next event takes place in 2025.
Castro Marim Medieval Festival
But for an annual festival that showcases the region’s medieval period in spectacular fashion, look no further than the town of Castro Marim in the eastern Algarve, about a 50-minute drive from Quinta do Lago. This festival, held in August, harks back to the 13th century when Portugal’s Christian king, Sancho I, overthrew the Muslims at their capital Silves, in the central Algarve.
Castro Marim’s castle is, appropriately, the main setting for the activities. Evening banquets, with medieval-style entertainment, take place with lighting provided by flaming torches. Other highlights include performances on horseback.
Great emphasis is placed on historical accuracy. Castro Marim is transformed into a medieval village and on its streets, you can see kings and queens, ladies and noblemen, knights in shining armour, court jesters, merchants, monks, jugglers, swordsmen and contortionists.
Medieval dancers, snake charmers, street parades and even falconry demonstrations can be seen. Arts and crafts of the period are also on show and there is plenty for children to do with workshops, games and storytellers to entertain them.
Food is a theme that also features highly in the festival calendar of the Algarve. If you like fish, the seafood festivals of Olhão (August) and the Ria Formosa in Faro (end July/ beginning August) are not to be missed. These events are very popular and include live music. There is also an annual sardine festival held in Portimão at the beginning of August. In the winter months, the festival of São Martinho takes place in Portimão (November), which features roasted chestnuts and the first tasting of the season’s new wine. Then, at the end of November, Aljezur hosts its Sweet Potato Festival. The sweet potatoes from Aljezur are reputed to be the best. Who knew there were so many ways to cook them? If you like sausages, make your way to Querença in late January for the sausage festival in honour of São Luís, the protector of animals (although maybe not of pigs).
Religious festivals naturally feature large in the calendar, with saints days being celebrated throughout the year. Easter parades take place in many villages, such as Alte. For grander affairs, make your way to cities like Faro for torch-lit processions at night. Carnival is a world-famous event in Rio de Janeiro, but Loulé is where it is said to have begun. Here, every Shrove Tuesday, floats satirise the previous year’s political events, while others feature exotically-clad dancing girls in elaborate feather headdresses.
Don’t miss these festivals too:
- Kitesurfing – Alvarez in June
- Surfing – Praia do Amado, Aljezur in June
- Sand sculptures – Guia, March to October
- Motorcycle festival – Faro in July
- Classic car rally – Portimão in October
- Med Music Festival – Loulé in June
- The Sunset Colour Party – Lagos in August
- White Night Algarve – Loulé, last Saturday in August
