In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Portugal.
Weddings in Portugal: What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a truly unique destination wedding, Portugal should be at the top of your list.
This beautiful European country has so much to offer, from stunning coastal towns to idyllic countryside villages.
There are endless possibilities for your ceremony and reception when you tie the knot in Portugal.
Exchange vows overlooking the ocean at a cliffside chapel, or say “I do” in an intimate wine cellar.
For your reception, dance the night away in a grand ballroom, or have a laid-back BBQ on the beach.
No matter what your vision is, you can make it a reality in Portugal.
So if you’re looking for a destination wedding that’s truly one-of-a-kind, consider getting married in Portugal.
You and your guests will fall in love with this beautiful country, and you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.
But first: you need to know where in the world Portugal is…
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is located on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It has extensive coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and its northern and eastern border is with Spain.
Area: 35,608 sq mi (92,225 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 10,323,000, Capital: Lisbon.
Portugal Facts To Know:
- Language: Portuguese
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Airports: Lisbon Airport (LIS), Porto Airport (OPO), Faro Airport (FAO)
- Official Tourism Website: https://www.visitportugal.com/en
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Portugal for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Portugal
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Portugal:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Portugal or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a Portugal wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Portugal:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Portugal
Portugal Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Portugal:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in Portugal?
- What are the marriage requirements for Portugal?
- What is the weather like in Portugal?
- What should you pack for a trip to Portugal?
- What things are there to do in Portugal?
- What are the best Portugal wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in Portugal Cost?
The marriage license and registration cost is €120 if you choose to marry at the register office on a weekday.
Weekend and after-hours ceremonies, as well as those held elsewhere cost €200.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Portugal
When tying the knot in Portugal, couples have the option of a Catholic or civil ceremony. In order for a wedding to be legally binding for people of different faiths, a civil ceremony must take place first.
In Portugal, a wedding ceremony may only be performed by a priest or registrar. Civil ceremonies must be held in Portuguese, and you are obliged to have a translator if you don’t speak the language.
Marriage license can be obtained from any Portuguese Civil Registrar Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil).
Same sex marriages are legal in Portugal.
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Passport with minimum validity of six months, and a copy of the passport.
- A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) is required.
- Birth certificate issued not longer than 6 months before the date of applying for your wedding.
- If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
- Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- You should apply for the marriage license at least 6 weeks prior to the ceremony.
- The license is valid for 6 months from the issue date.
- In order to have a wedding on a beach, you will need a license from the maritime police and the local council.
- Although witnesses are not required, the registrar has the authority to insist on witnesses if there is any doubt. The witnesses would have to speak Portuguese by law.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Portugal, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- All international paperwork has to be translated into Portuguese by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
- Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
- What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
Following the wedding ceremony, the Portuguese Civil Registry will give you a marriage certificate. This is the official documentation of your marriage in Portugal, which you may present in your home country in order to be formally registered as a married couple.
What Is The Weather Like in Portugal?
Since the weather in Portugal’s cities may become rather warm in the summer, the ideal times to visit are in the spring months of May and June, as well as September and October. You may still enjoy the summer around the coastlines, where the heat is less frequent and less intense, and where you can cool down in the water on particularly hot days.
Although mild, the winters may be chilly in inland areas and wet and windy in the north.
Although the summer months of July and August (and the first half of September in the center and south) are ideal for a beach vacation, the water temperature is not very warm and is even cool on the north coast.
What should you pack for your trip?
For Lisbon and the southern coast in winter, pack spring/fall clothes, a sweater, a coat, and a rain jacket. For Porto and the northern coast, pack a heavier jacket and a hat. Warm clothing, including a down jacket, hat, and raincoat or umbrella, should be packed if you are planning on traveling to interior and mountainous regions.
In the summer, you should pack light clothing, a sun hat, a light scarf for the sea breeze, a sweatshirt for the evening, and a sweatshirt and a light jacket if you are going to the north and the mountains.
Portugal Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Portugal:
Average Temperatures in Portugal
The table below shows the average temperatures in Portugal each month:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
| January | 8.8 | 14.9 | 11.8 | 48 | 59 | 53.3 |
| February | 9.2 | 16.1 | 12.7 | 49 | 61 | 54.8 |
| March | 11.1 | 18.6 | 14.8 | 52 | 66 | 58.7 |
| April | 12.3 | 20.1 | 16.2 | 54 | 68 | 61.2 |
| May | 14.4 | 22.6 | 18.5 | 58 | 73 | 65.3 |
| June | 16.9 | 25.8 | 21.3 | 62 | 78 | 70.4 |
| July | 18.3 | 27.8 | 23.1 | 65 | 82 | 73.5 |
| August | 18.9 | 28.4 | 23.6 | 66 | 83 | 74.6 |
| September | 17.7 | 26.3 | 22 | 64 | 79 | 71.6 |
| October | 15.4 | 22.6 | 19 | 60 | 73 | 66.2 |
| November | 11.9 | 18 | 14.9 | 53 | 64 | 58.9 |
| December | 9.6 | 15.2 | 12.4 | 49 | 59 | 54.4 |
| Year | 13.7 | 21.4 | 17.55 | 56.7 | 70.5 | 63.5 |
Average Rainfall in Portugal
The table below shows the average rainfall in Portugal each month:
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
| January | 110 | 4.3 | 10 |
| February | 80 | 3.1 | 8 |
| March | 75 | 3 | 8 |
| April | 70 | 2.8 | 8 |
| May | 60 | 2.4 | 5 |
| June | 15 | 0.6 | 2 |
| July | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| August | 5 | 0.2 | 1 |
| September | 40 | 1.6 | 4 |
| October | 115 | 4.5 | 9 |
| November | 135 | 5.3 | 10 |
| December | 105 | 4.1 | 10 |
| Year | 810 | 31.9 | 75 |
Sunshine Hours in Portugal
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Portugal each month:
| Month | Average | Total |
| January | 4.5 | 145 |
| February | 5.5 | 160 |
| March | 6.5 | 210 |
| April | 8 | 235 |
| May | 9.5 | 290 |
| June | 10 | 305 |
| July | 11.5 | 355 |
| August | 11 | 345 |
| September | 8.5 | 260 |
| October | 7 | 215 |
| November | 5 | 155 |
| December | 4.5 | 145 |
| Year | 7.7 | 2810 |
Sea Temperatures in Portugal
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Portugal each month:
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
| January | 15.5 | 60 |
| February | 15 | 59 |
| March | 15 | 59 |
| April | 16 | 60 |
| May | 17 | 62 |
| June | 18.5 | 66 |
| July | 20 | 68 |
| August | 20.5 | 69 |
| September | 20.5 | 69 |
| October | 19.5 | 67 |
| November | 18.5 | 65 |
| December | 17 | 62 |
| Year | 17.8 | 64 |
What To Wear in Portugal? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Portugal so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Beachwear: Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit! Portugal has some of the best surfing beaches in Europe, so even if you’re not a surfer, you can enjoy taking a dip in the ocean.
- Sunscreen: The Portuguese sun can be quite intense, especially during the summer months.
- Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Portuguese sunshine.
- Insect repellent: Mosquitoes and other insects can be a nuisance when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors. Pack insect repellent to keep them at bay.
- Comfortable shoes: You should also pack comfortable walking shoes, as Portugal is a very walkable country with plenty of hills and cobblestone streets.
- Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera! Portugal is full of beautiful scenery, from the beaches to the mountains, and you’ll want to be able to capture it all.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
Things to Do in Portugal
There are many different things to do in Portugal, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Ponte de Dom Luís I
- Praia Sao Rafael
- Pico do Arieiro
- Ponta da Piedade
- Quinta da Regaleira
- 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco
- Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
- Torre de Belém
- University of Coimbra
- Cabo da Roca
- Ria Formosa Natural Park
- Praia do Camilo
- Tavira Island
Best Portugal Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Portugal?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Portugal
- Arriba by the Sea in Lisbon
- Algarve Wedding Planners
- Vidago Palace in Porto
- Quinta das Oliveiras in Algarve
- Hotel Casa da Insua in Porto
- Hotel do Bom Jesus in Porto
- Farol Design Hotel in Lisbon
- The Lake Resort in Algarve
- Forte da Cruz Beach Castle in Estoril
- Lisbon Greenhouse
- Palace Marques da Fronteira in Lisbon
- Solar de Pancas in Alenquer
Hotels in Portugal
- Pure Formosa Concept Hotel in Olhão
- Lumen Hotel in Lisbon
- Ferraria XVI FLH Hotels Lisboa
- Cerquido Village by NHôme
- Casa De Santo Antão – Turismo Rural in Padrões
- Quinta dos Bravos in Pico da Pedra
- Quinta Pereiro Tropic Garden in Moncarapacho
- Miradouro da Papalva Guest House in São João
