Easter in Portugal
Holy Week in Braga
What are the Easter Traditions in Portugal?
Easter in Portugal is not about bunnies and eggs. The country is rich in age-old traditions and rituals. That celebrates the Christian liturgical year’s main feast.
Easter in Portugal Traditions include the “folar” (easter bread) and sponge cake (recipe). Folar is a piece of sweet bread that comes with a boiled egg in the middle. Representing rebirth and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Codfish is eaten as the main meal on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
The Catholics don’t eat meat until the resurrection. It is celebrated on Easter Sunday. The traditional dish on this day is the roast lamb. During Holy Week, it marks the end of Lent in the run-up to Easter.
Read more: Best Time to Visit Portugal.
What happens in Portugal at Easter?
The profoundly Catholic country is steeped in religious rituals and traditions and follows people from the smallest villages to the largest cities.
The Holy Week in Braga is the most imposing, attractive, and famous for all in Portugal. That is the most important tourist and religious event in Braga. It is estimated that about 100.000 people attend the processions. It combines elements of the liturgy, ancient traditions, and innovation.
The Holy Week is celebrated in Braga as in no other town in Portugal. We join solemnity and pomp. The streets are lined with candles and colorfully decorated. During the holy procession, visitors and devotees gather along the darkened streets to witness this incredible moment of devotion.
The ‘Penitência’ procession, which represents Christ’s final steps while being led to Calvary, is perhaps the most pious event. Another is the Senhor Ecce Hommo procession and Our Lord’s funeral procession. Both take place on Good Friday under a shroud of silence, which draws an end to this majestic cycle of the Holy Week processions. And that means the beginning of the Easter celebrations.
Braga is a fascinating town full of traditions and places to visit. Braga is famous in Portugal for being the main religious center in the country. It is also known for its baroque churches, magnificent 18th-century houses, and elaborate gardens and squares.
The Bom Jesus do Monte Shrine, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro, and Falperra are unusual places. That should be included in any tour of Braga. Due to their beauty and religious value. They make up a triangle based on religious interest and are surrounded by unspoiled green areas.
And there are countless other religious celebrations. Pagan festivals intersect with the religious calendar, occurring mainly in the summer and waiting for you in the region.
Read more: Best Things to Eat in Portugal?
I am planning to buy souvenirs on Good Friday. Will the stores open?
Yes. If you plan to visit Braga, the stores open on Good Friday. However, they will be closed on Easter Monday. This day is not an official public holiday in Portugal, but some people take the day off to spend more time with their families.
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Tips
Here are our Tips for Travelling to Portugal, recommendations, where to eat, checklist, and other information. Read here.
Other Tours During the Holy Week in Braga:
BRAGA TOUR
Unique Experience in Braga. 3-Hour Private Tour in Braga.
- Visit the first cathedral in Portugal.
- Use the incredible hydraulic funicular to climb to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus.
- Explore the fantastic Bom Jesus do Monte. We will spend a few hours in its park and take some photos in the lake area. Come down the stunning staircase with our guides.
Incredibly Low Price! BOOK YOUR TOUR
BRAGA FOOD TOUR
3-hour food walking tour. Five stops with tastings in Braga.
If you are looking for an exciting experience, join us in Braga. Hurry, Sale Ends Soon! Best Price Guarantee! BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Are you a solo traveler? Book this guaranteed departure date: Braga Food Tour.
Are you planning to visit Portugal during Easter?
We have a particular departure date for the Tour – Easter in Portugal. Portugal Food Tours – 8 DAYS
Learning how to cook Portuguese food is a secret dream for many people. During this cooking holiday, you will have the opportunity to learn the traditional Portuguese recipes, from Piri-Piri chicken and custard tart to desserts and other culinary delights.
Discover the color and history of some of Portugal’s oldest and most exciting cities and towns. These include Lisbon, Sintra, Fatima, Obidos, Porto, and Braga.
Our Portugal cooking tours include:
- Accommodations at beautiful hotels and a country house,
- Hands-on cooking classes featuring authentic Portuguese dishes,
- Winery visits and tastings (Port Wine Cellar and Vinho Verde).
- Foodie excursions to pastries,
- Cultural visits from Lisbon to Porto,
- Travel in a small group of up to 10 passengers,
- Transfers and transportation,
- And more!
Book online Special Departure Date:
- Easter Vacations 2024! – From 21 March 2024 to 28 March 2024. Enjoy more time in Portugal and book a pos-tour extension to the Douro Valley!
Read more: How can I get to Portugal?