Medieval Fairs in Portugal
Feira & Mercado Medieval
Various towns and cities throughout Portugal in the summer play host to so-called "Medieval Fairs". These events seek to recreate the atmosphere of historical Portugal including its Islamic and in the case of Chaves in Trás-os-Montes, its Roman past.
Visitors have the chance to dress up in period costumes, shop at pop-up markets, eat local delicacies and enjoy various historical reenactments and shows. Many of the traders and other participants move from fair to fair during the year.
Perhaps the most famous Medieval Fair is in Óbidos but there are also fairs in Silves and Lagos on the Algarve, Palmela near Setúbal, Aveiro on the Atlantic Coast, Chaves in northern Portugal and Alvalade do Sado and Marvão in the Alentejo region.
The fairs tend to have a theme which changes each year.
Óbidos Medieval Fair
Taking place from mid-July to the end of the month, the fair is the largest in Portugal and takes place both within the imposing walls of Óbidos Castle and the town as a whole.
There are concerts of medieval music, dances, theater performances, food stalls and lots of people (and some animals) in period costume.
In 2022, the fair took place from 21 July to the 31st July. Entrance was 10 Euros.
Silves Medieval Fair
Silves Medieval Fair (Silves Feira Medieval) takes place each August in the historic city of Silves.
Beginning in 2004 Silves Medieval Fair has now grown into a large 10-day event which attracts over 130,000 visitors to watch the nightly historical dramas and re-enactments of the town's Islamic history.
One of the main venues for the festival is Silves Castle along with Praça Al'Mutamid and the square outside Silves Cathedral.
The fun and action starts at 6 pm every evening and continues until 1 pm.
Each evening's entertainment begins with the procession through the streets by participants in period costume (visitors can hire them and join in too!), followed by music, dance, street entertainment (acrobats, court jesters, fire-eaters, jugglers, musicians, snake charmers, veiled dancers) as well as dramas relating to the history of Silves performed in the grounds of Silves Castle or outside the Sé (Cathedral). A horse tournament takes place twice each evening in Praça Al'Mutamid.
The streets of Silves are packed with market traders who have come from all over Europe and North Africa to sell their wares. Goods for sale range from dried fruits, nuts and dates from Tunisia to singing bowls and carpets from Tibet.
Lots of stalls also set up under torch lights selling regional foods and drinks. There's even a local currency - the Xilb - in use during the Fair that can be exchanged for Euros.
You would need to book a hotel in Silves far in advance to have a chance of getting a room in the town or surrounding countryside. Many people drive in from their accommodation on the coast. Various travel agencies and hotels in the Algarve arrange mini-bus shuttles to the fair, transporting you there are back for the evening
Lagos Festival dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Festival)
The Festival dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Festival) in Lagos celebrates Portugal's Age of Discovery. Henry the Navigator launched many of the ships that set sail during Portugal's golden "Age of Discoveries" in the 15th and 16th centuries from the port in Lagos.
In 2019, the festival's theme was the discovery of the Madeira archipelago by the Portuguese explorers Bartolomeu Perestelo, Tristão Vaz Teixeira and João Gonçalves Zarco. After a hiatus due to Covid-19, the festival returns in 2023.
It features a parade by locals as well as displays of arms and armor, a market, period recreations and costumes as well as musical performances.
The festival usually takes place biannually at the end of April or the beginning of May. The 2023 edition takes place from May 4 to May 7.
2023 is also the 450th anniversary of Lagos becoming a city and various celebrations will take place throughout the year.
Chaves Festa dos Povos
The Festa dos Povos in Chaves in northern Portugal is a little different as it celebrates the city's Roman heritage as Aquae Flaviae. Held annually over the third weekend in August, the fun festival offers local gastronomic delicacies, gladiator fights, fireworks, wrestling, music, and processions. Expect Roman deities, beggars, legionnaires, dancers, gladiators, musicians, senators, slaves, and falconers all represented in period costume.
Marvão Al Mossassa Fair
The Al Mossassa Fair in Marvão in the Alto Alentejo region will take place from September 29 to October 1 in 2023. It usually takes place at around this time every year. The festival celebrates its Islamic heritage and foundation by Ibn Marwan, in the 16th century.
Entertainments include acrobats, circus performers, food and crafts stalls, artisans working live, reenactments of dueling knights, musicians, dancers, fire-eaters, snake charmers, and even birds of prey.
Alvalade Medieval
The Alvalade Medieval takes place in the village of Alvalade near Santiago do Cacém in mid-September and celebrates the town's Manueline Charter (Carta Foral) of 1510.
Expect the usual assortment of food and craft stalls, street performances, dances and music.
There are trains from Gare do Oriente and Sete Rios stations in Lisbon to Ermidas-Sado and then a bus.
Palmela Medieval Fair
The town of Palmela hosts the Palmela Medieval Fair in late September. Rent a medieval costume and wander historic Palmela Castle and enjoy a medieval-themed market as well as demonstrations of falconry, juggling and parades of knights on horseback and participating in tournaments.
Santa Maria da Feira
Located roughly midway between Porto and Aveiro, Santa Maria da Feira hosts its Viagem Medieval in the first week of August below the walls of its impressive castle, the Castle of Santa Maria da Feira.
There are knights in armour, processions, and reenactments of the tragic love story of Inês de Castro and Dom Pedro.
In addition, shop and eat in a recreated souk, enjoy magic shows and other fun activities for the kids.
There are trains to Santa Maria da Feira from Campanha Station in Porto via Espinho. Direct buses from Porto take about 30 minutes.
Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com
Hotels in Lisbon - Booking.com
Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Tramcars, and Yellow Boat River Tour