Summer in Portugal is a season that brings people together, slows life down, celebrates simple moments. If you spend August in the Algarve, you'll notice that locals enjoy summer in ways that go beyond sightseeing.
Families gather for long meals, friends meet at outdoor cafés, and towns come alive with festivals (which continue late into the evening). Understanding these traditions can help you experience Portugal more authentically and pick up some useful Portuguese along the way!
Here are a few words and expressions you 'll hear throughout the Portuguese summer.
Férias (Vacation)
For many Portuguese people, August is the month of férias. Schools are closed, many businesses reduce their hours, families take time off to travel and simply relax together.
It's also common for people who live in larger cities to return to their hometowns to spend time with family and reconnect with old friends.
You'll often hear people asking:
- Já vais de férias? → Are you going on vacation yet?
- Boas férias! → Have a great vacation!
- Onde passaste as férias? → Where did you spend your vacation?
Esplanada (Outdoor terrace)
When the weather is warm, life moves outside. Whether it' s for a morning coffee, a relaxed lunch, a sunset dinner, or just a walk around the neighborhood, the esplanada becomes a favorite place to meet.
Don't be surprised if you see people sitting and chatting for long hours. In Portugal, sharing time together is just as important as sharing a meal.
If you're meeting Portuguese friends, don't be surprised to hear:
- Vamos para a esplanada. → Let's go to the terrace
- Sentamo-nos lá fora. → We sit outside
- Há uma mesa na esplanada? → Is there a table on the terrace?
These all refer to sitting outside and enjoying the weather.
Petiscos (Portuguese small plates)
You may have heard of Spanish tapas, but in Portugal you 'll find petiscos. These are small dishes meant to be shared, often enjoyed with a cold drink while talking with friends or family.
They can include olives, grilled chouriço, octopus salad, cheese, or many other local favorites.
You'll hear this word when friends are deciding where to eat:
- Vamos comer uns petiscos. → Let's grab some snacks
- Este restaurante tem ótimos petiscos! → This restaurant has great snacks!
- Pedimos vários petiscos para partilhar. → We ordered several snacks to share.
Pôr do sol (Sunset)
One of the simplest pleasures of summer in the Algarve is watching the pôr do sol. From the cliffs of Sagres to the beaches near Lagos or T avira, sunsets become a daily ritual for many locals and visitors alike. It's the perfect moment to slow down, enjoy the view, and appreciate the end of another warm summer day.
Common expressions include:
- Vamos ver o pôr do sol. → Let's watch the sunset.
- Que pôr do sol bonito! → What a beautiful sunset!
- A que horas é o pôr do sol hoje? → What time is sunset today?
Aproveitar (To make the most of something)
If there is one word that captures the Portuguese approach to summer, it has to be aproveitar.
You will often hear it when people talk about enjoying the warm weather, making the most of their holidays, appreciating a good moment while it lasts:
- Temos de aproveitar o bom tempo. → We have to make the most of the good weather.
- Aproveita as férias! → Enjoy your holidays!
- Vamos aproveitar o dia e ir à praia. → Let’s make the most of the day and go to the beach.
It does not necessarily mean doing anything extraordinary. Aproveitar can be spending time with family, enjoying a meal outside, taking a swim, or relaxing by the sea. It is a simple reminder to enjoy the season while it is here.
Yes, learning Portuguese is about grammar or vocabulary, but it's also about understanding the moments that matter to the people who speak the language.
So this summer, whether you're enjoying a coffee on an esplanada, sharing petiscos, or watching the pôr do sol, remember one of the most useful Portuguese words of all: aproveitar.
Because sometimes, the best way to learn a language is simply by living it.
About Anita
Olá, my name is Anita! I was born and raised on the beautiful Alentejo coast of Portugal, but I’ve been living in the Algarve for over 26 years, a region that continues to inspire my love for language, culture, and connection.
I am a university-qualified teacher and have been teaching Portuguese since 2005, transitioning to online teaching in 2020 to reach students worldwide. This led to the founding of Portuguese With Anita, one of the largest communities of Portuguese learners, with over 200,000 followers on its platforms. What began as an unexpected opportunity, teaching small groups of expats and Portugal-lovers, quickly became a true passion.
Over the years, I’ ve had the privilege of serving as Pedagogical Director of an international school in the Algarve, where I designed complete Portuguese language programs for both children and adults. This experience shaped my teaching approach and motivated me to bring all my knowledge into an accessible online format.
To date, I’ve helped over 6,000 students from many different countries learn Portuguese.
Whether my students want to move to Portugal, communicate with loved ones, reconnect with their roots, or simply learn a language they love, my goal is always the same: to help them feel confident, supported, and truly connected to the Portuguese language and culture.
Let’ s learn Portuguese together! Vamos!
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Intro photo courtesy of Depositphotos.com
Photo courtesy of Depositphotos.com
