12 Fun Facts About Portugal We Bet You Didn’t Know
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Know any fun facts about Portugal? Ask me out of the blue, and what I would instantly think of is Ronaldo being Portuguese. Unfortunately, or fortunately, everyone knows this. Since everyone knows this, it’s not really a fun fact anymore.
How about we look at unique trivia about Portugal? We all know of the good Mediterranean weather, beautiful beach towns in the Algarve, and historic cities, but what surprising facts remain unknown? Read on as we will take you on a mind-jogging trip about this European gem.
Ready? We bet you didn’t know many, if not all, of these fun facts about Portugal.
Portugal Is the Oldest Country in Europe
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If you are looking for a European country with the longest history, that would have to be Portugal. The current Portugal became a kingdom in 1139, with King Afonso I coming to power. Portugal remained a kingdom for the next 800 years before officially becoming a republic in 1910.
In 1297, the Portuguese and Spanish signed a treaty that saw Spain hand over the Algarve region to Portugal. Ever since then, Portugal’s borders have remained largely the same.
Read also: Hidden Gems in Portugal
The World’s Oldest Bookstore Is in Lisbon
One of the must-sees in Lisbon is Livraria Bertrand, the oldest active bookstore in the world, as crowned by the Guinness World Record in 2010. The bookstore was founded in 1732 but was brought down by the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755.
Livraria Bertrand was reopened on Rua Garret in 1773 and has been in operation ever since. It has retained this location since its reopening. Whether you want a classic or the world’s best sellers, you will find it in Livraria Bertrand.
Today, Livraria Bertrand has over 50 branches across Portugal, but for the authentic experience, visit the original in Lisbon.
Read also: Things To Do in Lisbon
The Biggest Waves Were Surfed in Portugal
Sebastian Steudner, a German surfer, surfed the biggest wave ever in Nazare, Portugal’s ultimate surfing destination known for its big waves. The wave, calculated using drone technology, measured 93.73 feet (28.57 meters).
Steudner’s 2024 world record officially broke his other 2020 world record, which he broke in the same destination after riding over a 86 feet (26.21 meters) wave.
Steudner’s 2020 record surpassed an American surfer, Garrett McNamara’s record set in 2013, after having surfed an 85.99 feet (23.77 meters) wave. The surprising part? McNamara’s record was also broken in Nazare!
If you are a big wave surfer, you know where to go.
Read also: Top Surfing Spots Across the Globe
A Portuguese Masterminded the First Complete Journey Around the Earth
The Portuguese have always had the spirit of adventure. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the country was at the forefront of European exploration. A Portuguese, Ferdinand Magellan, became the first to start circumnavigating the globe. Although Magellan himself was killed before completing the trip around the globe, the expedition he masterminded in 1519 successfully completed the circumnavigation 1522.
Besides, Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India, as Alvares discovered new lands like Brazil and parts of Africa, which later became Portugal’s territories. On the other hand, Bartholomew Diaz was the first person to sail around the southern tip of Africa, which was later named the Cape of Good Hope.
If you have the spirit of exploration, you would definitely love the experience of visiting the country of pioneer explorers, who played a significant role in opening up the world for other wanderlusters.
Read also: Tourist Traps To Avoid in Portugal
Lisbon Is Older Than Rome
Everyone knows how much Lisbon is steeped in history, but not many people know how seriously old it is. Did you know that Lisbon is over 400 years older than Rome? With its age, Portugal’s current capital is the second oldest city in Europe after Athens.
Lisbon was first settled by pre-Celtic tribes and later by the Phoenicians. The Romans conquered it in 139/138 B.C., and Julius Caesar officially made it a city. One of the oldest Roman landmarks in Lisbon is the ruins of a theater from the 1st century, located at Rua de São Mamede, 3A.
If you are looking for a super historic city in Europe, Athens is the only city that would give Lisbon a run for its money.
Read also: Surreal Places in Portugal
The Douro Valley Was the First Formally Demarcated Wine Region in the World
Portugal’s famous port wine is produced only in the Douro Valley; no other place on the planet produces it. Beyond their world-renowned quality, port wines are very historic.
They date back to the 1600s when Douro wine exporters started adding grape brandy to their wine to help it survive the long journey to England. This led to a boom in exports. However, by the mid-1700s, the industry faced challenges. In 1756, Portugal’s ruler, the Marquis of Pombal, took control of the port wine trade to revive it. He marked the region with 335 stone pillars, making it the world’s first formally demarcated wine region.
Read also: European Towns for Wine Lovers
Portugal Is the Largest Cork Producer
Still, regarding wine production, it would be interesting to know that Portugal is the world’s largest cork producer, accounting for over 50% of the global output.
Portuguese corks are commonly used as wine stoppers and have evolved to serve other functions, including furniture, fashion, and construction domains.
Read also: Common Mistakes To Avoid on Your Portugal Trip
Portuguese Is the Official Language of Nine Other Countries
Due to colonialism and Portugal’s imperial expeditions, Portuguese is the official language in Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique, and Macau.
With over 230 million native speakers, Portuguese is the world’s 6th most spoken first language.
Read also: Portugal Travel Guide
Fado Music Is UNESCO Recognized
We are often told to take advantage of visiting Lisbon to enjoy Fado Music; it is an unmissable cultural aspect of Portugal. However, did you know that UNESCO recognized Fado as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011? Fado is a traditional genre of Portuguese music known for its soulful tunes and profound melancholia.
Fado music, whose earliest history can be traced back to the 1820s, is often played in pubs and cafes.
Read also: Top Retirement Spots in Portugal
Portugal’s UNESCO Heritage Sites
Looking for unmissable landmarks in Portugal? Do not miss out on the country’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are not only full of history, but some are also scenic and instagrammable.
The most notable include the Douro Valley, the Monastery of Jeronimos, and the Tower of Belem.
Read also: Charming Villages in Portugal
Portugal Is Europe’s Most Westerly Point
Time for some geography. On Europe’s mainland, Cabo da Roca, a cape in Sintra, is Europe’s most westerly point. Including continental Europe’s islands, Portugal remains the westernmost country, with Capelinhos, a volcano in the Azores, being the furthest west.
Although Portugal has the westernmost points in Europe, it’s not the most westerly point in the European Union. That title goes to France, whose overseas territory of Saint-Martin in the Caribbean, becomes the farthest west.
Read also: Top Portuguese Beach Destinations
The USA’s Founding Fathers Adored Portuguese Wine and It’s Not Port Wine
Portugal is known for its port wines, but Madeira wine has also made a good name out of the country. Madeira wine, a fortified wine from Portugal’s Madeira islands, was a favorite among presidents George Washington, Tomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.
Even more interesting, Madeira wine was famously used to toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
From then on, Madeira wine became even more popular in America and was used to toast many other historical events, including the signing of the Constitution and the Louisiana Purchase.
Read also: Beautiful Castles in Portugal
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