Bem Vindo 2023

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Passagem de Ano - New Year's Eve - is full of charming Portuguese traditions and superstitions. It all starts with the colour of your clothing; if you wear blue, it will bring you good luck, red brings you love, yellow brings you money, white brings you peace, green brings you health and brown brings you professional success.

Wearing new underwear on New Year’s eve in Portugal is said to attract love and good luck too, but which colour is best is heavily debated – blue or red?! But one of the most iconic customs is as the clock strikes midnight, to eat twelve raisins with a glass of sparkling wine or ‘espumante’. Some say it’s a raisin for each stroke of the clock, while others claim that it’s for each month of the year. Whatever you think, it’s important to consciously make a wish as you devour each of the twelve raisins!

To ward off evil spirits and clear negative energy, locals can be seen banging pots and pans together and holding huge fireworks displays with massive street parties.

Weather-wise, it’s usually very mild and pleasant with warm winter sun during the day and then cooler at night. Temperatures in the Algarve for example hover around 17°C during the day, which is perfect for a stroll along the beach.

On New Year’s Day, you could always take a dip in the ocean. Not for the faint-hearted but, if you’re feeling brave, you can go to the beach and run into the ocean to clear your head and enjoy a fresh if not chilly start to the year!

So ‘ano novo, vida nova’ – new year, new life – make new adventures and memories in your new home in Portugal! Contact us now to find out just how easy it can be - hello@portugalproperty.com or call us on +351 308 800 878 or 0800 014 8201 free from the UK.

Feliz Ano Novo!

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Published in: Guide to Portugal / Miscellaneous / Portuguese Life