⛈️ After the Storm, the Confetti

Happy Sunday, expat family 🫡

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by last week's storm. While we suffered only the inconvenience of being without electricity or communications for three days, along with forest debris scattered around our home and garden, many others suffered severe property damage, being stuck without electricity, comms, or water for much longer. In fact, some of our friends were still without power at the time of sending this newsletter. And sadly, a few people even lost their lives.

Storm Kristin has been named a rare, violent Atlantic storm that hit mainly central and northern Portugal on 28 January 2026, bringing hurricane‑force winds, flooding, landslides, and widespread power and transport disruption.

At the same time, moments like these also tend to bring out something beautiful and powerful: community. Neighbours and friends checking in, candles being shared, WhatsApp groups suddenly very active again, people offering others a place to have a warm shower or charge dying mobile devices (thanks Gabe!). People have a way of pulling together when it matters.

And we may need that spirit again. Another storm is forecast to arrive Sunday evening, with heavy rain and strong winds expected through Monday. Recovery will take time, and our patience may be tested once more.

But here's what we also know about Portugal: eventually, the skies do clear. And when they do, this country knows how to celebrate. February means Carnaval, and this weekend's newsletter leans firmly into colour, noise, tradition, and a little joyful chaos. From where to experience Carnaval at its most authentic, to other events happening later this month, there’s plenty to look forward to.

To top it off, we’ve got a double bonus from our Portuguese tutor, Mia Esmeriz, with two short language videos themed perfectly around Carnaval. Because if you’re going to dress up, you might as well know what everyone’s shouting around you.

So once you’ve caught your breath, poured another coffee, and checked the weather one last time… let’s ease into the lighter side of February together. 🎭

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Praia de Odeceixe is a striking horseshoe‑shaped beach where the Rio de Seixe meets the Atlantic, right on the border between the Algarve and Alentejo, backed by cliffs and set inside the Vicentine Coast Natural Park. At low tide you get a broad sweep of golden sand and a choice between calm, warmer river water that’s great for families and the wilder Atlantic side that draws surfers, all under the “wonderful beach” label it earned in Portugal’s 7 Maravilhas survey and its Blue Flag status for water quality.

🍷 Simplesmente Vinho, Porto – Boutique natural/indie wine event featuring small producers, urban‑cool vibe and food pairings; highlighted as one of the key February wine happenings. 27 February-1 March.

🍷 Essência do Vinho, Porto (Port & wine mega‑fair) – 26 February–1 March at Palácio da Bolsa, with 300+ Portuguese wine producers, masterclasses and serious tastings.

🚴 Algarve Bike Challenge: The best of mountain biking in Portugal! Elite cyclists compete in challenging terrain. Perfect for cycling enthusiasts and those who love outdoor sports. February 27-March 1.

Today’s local travel tip is brought to you by Marga from Discover Portugal. Last time, she took us into the snowy mountains of Serra da Estrela, showing us a side of Portugal many people don’t expect: winter villages, real snow, and slow, cosy escapes.

This week, she’s swapping mountain calm for colour, noise, and tradition. Marga is diving into Carnaval in Portugal, breaking down where to go, what to expect, and which celebrations are truly worth planning around. If you’ve ever wondered how Portugal really does Carnaval, her guide below has you covered.

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If you’re living in Portugal or planning a February getaway, Carnaval is one of the most fun and surprising cultural events to experience. While it’s not always as internationally famous as Brazil or Tenerife, Carnaval in Portugal is colourful, loud, satirical, and very local.

Carnaval always takes place in the days leading up to Lent, with the main celebration falling on Carnaval Tuesday. In 2026, that’s February 17, followed by Ash Wednesday on February 18. Celebrations usually run for several days before and sometimes after that date, depending on the city.

Carnaval has deep Catholic roots and marks the final moment of indulgence before Lent. In Portugal, it was traditionally known as Entrudo, meaning “to enter”, a word you’ll still hear in some regions today.

Not every city celebrates Carnaval in the same way. Some places go all in, others keep it low-key. The most well-known Carnaval destinations in Portugal are Torres Vedras, Ovar, Funchal, and Loulé.

Lisbon has street parties and samba-style parades, especially in neighbourhoods like Graça, but for a truly traditional experience, you’ll want to leave the capital for at least one day.

Just one hour north of Lisbon, Torres Vedras hosts what’s often called the most Portuguese Carnaval in the country. This isn’t a polished samba show. It’s loud, cheeky, political, and proudly local.

The Carnaval de Torres Vedras has been documented as far back as 1574 and is famous for its satirical floats, oversized paper-mâché heads called cabeçudos, and the iconic matrafonas. These are men dressed as exaggerated women, poking fun at politics, society, and current affairs.

Parades run both during the day and at night between February 13 and February 18, 2026. In the evenings, the city centre turns into one big street party. Expect crowds, music, and very little sleep if you stay nearby.

Unlike many other cities, Torres Vedras requires a day ticket or wristband to enter the main festival area. Accommodation is limited, so booking early really matters.

For a completely different and deeply traditional experience, head to the village of Podence in northern Portugal, home to the famous Caretos, masked figures in red, yellow, and green costumes whose Carnaval tradition is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Ovar, near Porto, stretches Carnaval over almost three weeks with samba schools, themed nights, and major parades on the weekend and Shrove Tuesday.

In Madeira, especially in Funchal, Carnaval feels more glamorous, with sparkling costumes and large parades, followed by comedy-focused events like the Cortejo Trapalhão.

Down south in Loulé, the Algarve’s oldest Carnaval takes place along Avenida José da Costa Mealha, with colourful floats and a strong community feel.

Absolutely. Carnaval is one of the best moments to experience Portuguese culture up close. Locals dress up, traditions come alive, and every city adds its own twist. Just plan ahead, expect noise, and avoid booking accommodation directly on parade routes if you value sleep.

If you want to dive deeper, you can read the full guides here:

Carnaval in Portugal overview

Carnaval in Torres Vedras detailed guide

Whether you join a big parade or just stumble upon a local celebration, Carnaval in Portugal is an experience you won’t forget.

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With thanks to our collaborator for today’s travel article. Marga is a Dutch travel writer, photographer, and Portugal expert who founded Discover Portugal after falling in love with the country during a 2019 visit and relocating to Lisbon permanently in 2021.

With over 25 years of travel experience and a background in tourism, aviation, and tech—including nearly eight years as an international flight attendant—Marga combines her storytelling skills, local insights, and photography expertise to help travelers discover both Portugal's famous sights and hidden gems. Through her website and personalized services, she offers travel planning assistance, Lisbon photography sessions, and authentic stories from her ongoing exploration of every corner of Portugal, helping curious travelers experience the country like a local rather than a tourist.

In these videos, Mia talks about Carnival (Carnaval) in Portugal and shares some of the vocabulary you’ll hear around this time of the year.

You’ll often hear words like:

🎭 Carnaval = Carnival

👗 Fato / fantasia = Costume

🎉 Festa = Party

🎶 Música = Music

Celebrations vary depending on the region, but Carnival is widely recognised and talked about throughout the country.

🗣 For more everyday Portuguese tips, Mia offers a free starter course to help you learn the basics of the language.

💡 Mia from Mia Esmeriz Academy is a Portuguese teacher from Porto with more than 15 years of experience teaching foreigners. She helps expats become fluent in Portuguese in a clear and practical way. Alongside her courses, she also shares free content on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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