Lisbon, St. Anthony's Day
It was quite by luck that I happened to arrive in Lisbon during Saint Anthony’s (or “Santo Antonio’s”) festival which may just be Europe’s best-kept summer secret… it’s the day when Portugal’s capital city literally turns into one gigantic outside block party! Every night for 2 weeks leading to a big parade, there are pop-up restaurants and bars everywhere you turn, old ladies hanging out the windows yelling instructions all during the set up, Portuguese music blasting from every corner, plus a bunch of drunk and happy locals,. Two weeks of non-stop parties in the old, and charming little district of Alfama, where I just happened to have my Airbnb. The festivities culminate on even larger celebrations from the 12th to the 14th.
This is one of the most authentic Portuguese experiences I could have hoped for, one for the history books!
