Portugal National Day - What To Do and Where To Be on June 10

Portugal National Day, officially known as Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas, is held every year on June 10 as a celebration of national pride, culture, language, and the Portuguese diaspora around the world.

It honours the death of Luís de Camões, the country’s greatest poet and author of Os Lusíadas, a sweeping epic of exploration and empire.

While it’s marked with official ceremonies and speeches, Portugal’s National Day is also about food, music, and local celebrations that bring communities together. Here’s how to experience June 10 like a local - and skip the tourist version!

Lisbon

Lisbon is the heart of National Day’s official events. Every year, the Portuguese President leads a state ceremony that includes military parades, the raising of the flag, and the awarding of honors to distinguished citizens. These events often rotate locations, but Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery are common focal points due to their national significance.

Once the formalities are over, the capital comes alive. Head to the Alfama or Bairro Alto neighbourhoods for live fado music, street food, and an electric atmosphere. Restaurants serve up patriotic specials, with bacalhau in its many forms, grilled sardines, and pastéis de nata straight from the oven! 

Don’t leave without watching the sun set over the Tagus River from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Locals will be up there with a bottle of vinho verde and nowhere to be.

Porto

In Porto, the celebrations tend to lean more local and relaxed. The waterfront terraces along the Ribeira will be packed, and there will be pop-up stages with traditional folk music plus plenty of port wine flowing by the glass. While the big crowds hit Lisbon, Porto is a more intimate look at Portuguese pride!

Make a visit to the Casa de Camilo, dedicated to writer Camilo Castelo Branco, who, alongside Camões, helped shape Portuguese literature. It’s a reminder that this is a cultural holiday as much as a national one.

In the evening, locals spill out along the Douro River, and unofficial fireworks often light up the night sky.

The Algarve

If you’re in the Algarve on June 10, don’t expect huge processions. Small towns like Lagos, Tavira, and Faro host their own events, including open-air concerts, local crafts markets, and community feasts featuring everything from cataplana seafood stews to freshly baked pão de ló.

This is a great way to see the slower, community-focused side of Portugal. We recommend to find a seaside town with a local taverna and stay for dinner. Chances are, you’ll end up in a festival atmosphere without trying.

Getting There with Aer Lingus

Reaching Portugal for National Day is simple and stress-free with Aer Lingus, which offers direct flights from Dublin to both Lisbon and Faro, with seasonal services also available to Porto. Flight time clocks in at just under three hours, making it an easy long weekend getaway.

Return fares typically range from €120 to €220, depending on how early you book and your travel dates. If you're in Portugal on June 10, don’t just observe - join in!