WHERE TO GET MARRIED IN PORTUGAL, TOP MAGICAL LOCATIONS TO ORGANISE YOUR WEDDING OR ELOPEMENT IN PORTUGAL.

Written By Eric Rene Penoy

"Portugal's Best Kept Secrets: The Most Beautiful and Unique Wedding Locations You Need to Know"
Why choose Portugal as your wedding destination?

ELOPEMENTS AND INTIMATE WEDDINGS IN PORTUGAL.

The most beautiful, romantic, wild, or trendy venues to get married in Portugal.

Portugal already became one of the best places to visit back in 2017, so why not choose the country to get married to and gather your family and friends in a trendy and beautiful location? Here you can find some of the best villas, castles, hotels, and churches in this little and amazing European country.

FAQ : Most popular questions asked

  • Portugal is one of the countries where you do not need to be an actual resident to be married by the Portuguese national authorities. In the next article, we will present to you how magical can be your perfect wedding destination, also depending on the area you have chosen, you will see a lot of different possibilities. We will also cover how to legally prepare your document if you wish to be married in Portugal even if you are from abroad. If you plan your Wedding or Elopement in Portugal you should know the market is about 20 to 30% lowest than most countries in Europe and would cost between €5000 up to €25.000 in 2022/2023. Depending obviously on the number of guests, the location. You can rather rent a Palacio (castle), a fully inclusive hotel, or a private house. The providers are amazing and the products and music scene are even better.

    From the Knot Articles in 2019: “Weddings in Portugal also come at a hefty price tag of $16,700 with an average of 126 guests.” but the pricing now is rising as Portugal is becoming very popular.

  • We can divide the Wedding industry in Portugal into 9 different areas.

    1- Lisbon

    2- Sintra

    3- Great Lisbon

    4- Algarve

    5- Alentejo

    6- Coimbra

    7- Porto

    8- Braga

    9- The Douro Valley

  • In a short answer: Both parties need to provide the following documents:

    1- Citizen card, passport, or residence permit.

    2- A certified copy of your birth certificate issued within the last six months. ...

    The affidavit of eligibility to marry, if your home country issues this kind of certificate; again, must be translated into Portuguese.

    It usually takes a minimum of 4 Weeks to process each application and once approval is granted, the marriage must occur within six months.

  • Portugal is one of the best, rather romantic, or adventurous elopement destinations in modern times in Europe. Portugal offers a variety of landscapes, temperatures, and cultures and provides the best mix between beautiful weather, amazing food, wine, and traditions. We will find a lot of different opportunities for your Wedding or Elopement. If you like an outdoor location by the mountain, by the beach, in a colorful city, or beautiful architectural location full of history. There are a lot of palaces, and castles, you can easily get married to a Portuguese administration and plan a nice dinner at a beautiful typical or modern restaurant enjoying typical Fado while drinking Porto wine and eating sea food.

What are the most beautiful/magical locations to get married in Portugal?
In total, you will have access to more than 60 wedding venues in Portugal to get inspired.

STILL NEED MORE INFORMATION?

1. Lisbon

A very popular destination for its beautiful historical palaces and monuments, the hills, and light of Lisbon are some of the reasons this is one jewel in Europe. Here are my top 9 best wedding venues in Lisbon.

1.1 Palácio de Sant’Anna

A true palace from the 18th century in neoclassic style, with an astonishing view of Lisbon. Has the capacity for 50 to 200 people, a dining room, a terrace, and a garden. Ideal for small and medium weddings with classic inspiration.

1.2 Pestana Palace

This venue is also a 5-star hotel, located in a palace from the 19th century. Its gardens with flowers and subtropical trees are a national monument. The hotel has a chapel, and the halls are decorated with French influences, supporting up to 350 guests.

1.3 LX Factory

A contemporary choice in a traditional city, this venue is a mix of market, urban ventures, and the integration of spaces. It can be a great choice for hip couples looking for something different and DIY. If interested, contact Vows Portugal (hello@vowsportugal.com).

1.4 Palácio Virtvs

1.5 Palácio Marqueses da Fronteira

1.6 Palácio de Queluz

1.7 Pateo Alfacinha

1.8 Quinta do Torneiro

1.9 Grémio Literário

2. Sintra and Cascais

Sintra is not far from Lisbon but there is something very special about this place. Famous for his colours, the fog and climate very unusual and green. Enter Sintra is like entering in a whole new world., a whole new Portugal. Here are my top 9 best wedding venues in Sintra.

2.1 Palácio de Monserrate

Located in Sintra, this small palace with gothic, Indian, and Moorish decor influences from the 19th century is one of the most important examples of the romantic architecture in Portugal. If you are looking for an exotic and beautifully intimate wedding, this one has the capacity for 72 guests.

2.2 The Quinta – My Vintage Wedding

The first venue with a vintage proposal in Portugal is located in Sintra, in a remodeled villa. Ideal for outdoor weddings, with a rustic and romantic vibe. It can also offer beach ceremonies, gardens, a fountain, and breathtaking views - these are included, just like magic.

2.3 Camélia Gardens

2.4 Quinta da Penalva

2.5 Tivoli Palácio Seteais

2.6 Cabo da Roca Lighthouse

2.7 Ritz Carlton Penha Longa

2.8 Casa dos Penedos

2.9 Arriba by the Sea

3. Great Lisbon Area

Other cities around Lisbon are amazing choices as wedding venues. Afar from the crowd, these palaces and beautiful villas will call your heart for a visit. Here are my top 13 best wedding venues in top 13 best wedding venues in Great Lisbon Area

3.1 Quinta da Picanceira

This villa from 1830 is an ideal venue for a wedding with a rustic feel. With wine barrels in its rooms and being a known producer of a local Portuguese pear, it can be a great choice for foodies and DIY lovers. It has vineyards and gardens, with a capacity of 40 to 250 guests, and is just 40km from Lisbon.

3.2 Areias do Seixo

3.3 Palácio de Bacalhôa

3.4 Rio do Prado

3.5 Sublime Comporta

3.6 Quinta da Comporta

3.7 L’AND Vineyards

3.8 Solar de Pancas

3.9 Forte da Cruz

3.10 Vila Sao Paulo

3.11 Sanguinhal - Vinhos & Turismo

3.12 Quinta da Bichinha

3.13 Quinta do Hespanhol

4. Algarve

The beaches in the very south of Portugal have been discovered by Europeans years ago, and can also be a wedding destination, with their crystal clear waters and blue skies. Here are my top 11 best wedding Venues in the Algarve.

4.1 Pousada Palácio de Estoi

Just 10km from Faro, this luxury hotel is a recovered palace from the 18th century, with a chapel and three halls in baroque style, with a capacity of up to 200 people. The gardens are in French design with orange trees and exotic plants from Algarve.

4.2 Monte Amarelo

This venue is located in Olhão, close to Faro, and is perfect for an outdoor romantic wedding. With open gardens and tents, can fit from 50 to 450 guests and is proper for a big or small wedding with a DIY touch.

4.3 Quinta do Lago

Inside of a beach resort, this venue can offer luxury and comfort, besides natural beauty and peace. With a capacity of 60 to 200 guests, the venue offers gardens, sea views, and green spaces for outdoor and indoor weddings.

4.4 Farmhouse of the Palms

Admire the view from the top of a hill, over the green Algarve countryside, stands Farmhouse of the Palms, a boutique B&B.

A place of singular beauty with whitewashed walls, terracotta floors, and almost 300 years of history, Farmhouse of the Palms is one of the most beautiful houses in the Algarve.

4.5 Casa Arte Lagos

Casa Arte is a private villa to rent, ideal for large families and groups of friends, seeking a high-end yet relaxed private and intimate location for time together. We invite you to tailor-made your stay and make it unforgettable.

4.6 Os Agostos

4.7 Estoi Palace

4.8 Vila Vita Parc

4.9 Vidamar Resort Hotel

4.10 Sao Rafael Atlantico

4.11 Quinta do Muro

5. Alentejo

Close to Lisbon, the Alentejo region is a Portuguese jewel. With beautiful beaches and nature, it can offer amazing venues and great wine. Here are my top 5 best wedding venues in Alentejo.

5.1 Vila Galé Beja

If you are looking for a complete hotel with a countryside style with integrated nature, this one is for you. With beautiful gardens and full structure to offer comfort to your guests, this venue can support up to 200 people.

5.2 Herdade dos Grous

In the heart of Alentejo, this venue has a romantic view over olive and orange trees, even being a wine producer with recognizable quality and awards. It can support up to 300 guests and has a chapel and gardens as far as the eyes can see.

5.3 Pousada dos Arraiolos

This venue is a reformed monastery from the 16th century, with a capacity for weddings from 160 to 300 guests. It has a beautiful chapel decorated with classic blue tiles, gardens, and fountains, for a special outdoor reception.

5.4 Dá Licença

5.5 São Lourenço do Barrocal

6. Coimbra

This jewel in the center of Portugal is known to have been the capital of the country with immense historical importance and for hosting one of the oldest Universities.Here are my top best wedding venues in Coimbra.

6.1 Palácio da Lousã

A boutique hotel with the capacity to offer small and big weddings, from 30 to 300 guests. With indoor and outdoor possibilities, the venue has several rooms and gardens, fitting accordingly to your type of celebration.

6.2 Quinta das Lágrimas Palace

Once a private palace, and where Emperor D.Pedro and Inês de Castro had their love story, this villa is the perfect place for a romantic wedding with luxury and history. With beautiful gardens and a chapel, this venue has a lot to offer.

6.3 Convento de Sandelgas

This monastery is the perfect venue for a rustic wedding with a historical feel.

With stonewalls surrounding the halls, a beautiful chapel, and gardens, this place gathers a peaceful and magical atmosphere and nature.

7. Porto

The second city in Portugal has a lot to offer to the lovebirds who dream about getting married in a magical and historical city. Here are my top 7 best wedding venues in Porto and more to discover around Porto.

7.1 Mosteiro de São Bento da Vitória

This venue is a monastery from the 16th century, with amazing panoramic views. The majestic main hall is covered in tall stonewalls and antique windows, perfect for a wedding with a dance floor, fitting up to 400 guests.

7.2 Caves Porto Calém

If you are a wine fan and wishing for a small urban-but-romantic wedding, this is your call. The cellars of Calém in Vila Nova de Gaia can fit from 12 to 80 guests in a magical and exclusive venue.

7.3 Casa dos Arcos

In the heart of the city, this venue offers indoor and outdoor wedding settings, with beautiful gardens and halls to design your perfect experience. The number of guests can go from 70 to 250, with ceremony spaces and a chapel.

7.4 The Yeatman Hotel

7.5 Set Lounge

7.6 Indulgent - Events by the Sea

7.7 Casa dos Arcos Boavosta

8. Braga

The main city of the northern area of Portugal offers more than natural beauty and tranquility. Some of the most beautiful villas in Portugal are here. Around Porto, there are my top 7 best wedding venues in Braga and Porto District.

8.1 Pousada Mosteiro de Amares

This magical venue has an architecture award for the reconstruction of the monastery becoming a luxury hotel, and one of the most requested wedding sites in Braga. It has indoor and outdoor spaces, a chapel, and amazing gardens.

8.2 Casa do Egipto

If you are looking for a unique venue with classic French architecture, gardens, and multiple halls beautifully decorated, this one in Barcelos might be the one. Fitting from 45 to 250 guests, it’s perfect for intimate weddings.

8.3 Quinta Lago dos Cisnes

In the heart of Minho region, this venue offers indoor and outdoor spaces, beautiful gardens, and a lake. With the possibility to host from 120 to 400 guests, this villa will conquer your heart with the union of green spaces and architecture.

8.4 Casa de Mateus

8.5 Solar de Leva

8.6 Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Landim

8.7 Farm Caslopo

9. Douro Valley

The north of Portugal is known for its natural beauties, the Douro River, and the winemaking. In this region, you can find some of the best venues in the country. Here are my top 5 best wedding venues in the Douro Valley.

9.1 Vidago Palace Hotel

A luxury spa hotel with beautiful gardens, fountains, and lakes, astonishing natural beauty, and belle époque architecture. With indoor and outdoor spaces and the possibility to do intimate to big weddings, day and night.

9.2 Douro Royal Valley Hotel

Located in the lower Douro area, this luxurious hotel with magnificent views of the River and vineyards offers natural beauty and sophistication. Besides the surroundings, it has gardens, a pool, and a capacity for 200 guests.

9.3 Montverde Wine Experience Hotel

This venue is on the Vinho Verde route, perfect for wine lovers looking for romance. Indoor halls with wine barrels and beautiful décor, and outdoors with vineyards as far as the eyes can see, perfect for intimate weddings.

9.4 Douro Six Senses

9.5 Quinta da Pacheca

WHAT ABOUT THE BORING PART? THE ADMINISTRATION PAPERS

ALL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO GET CIVIL MARRIED IN PORTUGAL. HOW DO GET MARRIED IN BEAUTIFUL PORTUGAL

Mentioning the Government of Portugal: “The marriage process is initiated when the engaged couple goes to a civil registry office and declares their will to get married. They may also do it online.

In the marriage process, the engaged couple may also be represented by their representatives with special powers. The process is concluded with the registry office’s order which authorizes or refutes the marriage.”

The marriage process may be initiated by:

  • the individuals who intend to get married or by their representatives with special powers

  • by the priest or religious minister of a church or religious community established in Portugal, through a request.

Who can get married?

Any individual over 16 years old.

However, if any of the engaged parties are not yet 18 years old, the parent’s or guardian’s authorization is necessary. This authorization may be waivered by the civil registry office, through a specific process.

To get married, no marriage impediments may be observed

During the marriage process, the registry office verifies if there are no impediments to the marriage of those two individuals. If there are no impediments, the registry office authorizes the marriage.

WHERE CAN YOU INITIATE THE MARRIAGE PROCESS?

WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS TO INITIATE THE MARRIAGE PROCESS?

You must submit the following documents of the engaged couple:

  • Citizen Card or identity document.

  • A prenuptial agreement certificate, if it has been prepared at a notary office.

WHAT IS THE PRICE TO INITIATE THE MARRIAGE PROCESS?

The cost of the marriage process and registry is 120€
This amount includes the process before the marriage and the registry carried out after the marriage.

Non-urgent marriage on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, outside the registry office or at the registry office but outside of the operating hours
The cost of the marriage process and registry will be 200€ if you opt to get married:

  • on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday

  • on a business day, outside the registry office or at the registry office but outside the operating hours.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT PORTUGAL
A BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT EACH OF THESE CITIES

Lisbon

Lisbon (/ˈlɪzbən/; Portuguese: Lisboa [liʒˈboɐ] )is the capital and the largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 505,526 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2.Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administrative limits with a population of around 2.8 million people, being the 11th-most populous urban area in the European Union. About 3 million people live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, which represents approximately 27% of the country's population. It is mainland Europe's westernmost capital city and the only one along the Atlantic coast. Lisbon lies in the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the River Tagus. The westernmost portions of its metro area form the westernmost point of Continental Europe, which is known as Cabo da Roca, located in the Sintra Mountains.

Sintra

Sintra (/ˈsɪntrə, ˈsiːntrə/, Portuguese: [ˈsĩtɾɐ] ) is a town and municipality in the Greater Lisbon region of Portugal, located on the Portuguese Riviera. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 377,835, in an area of 319.23 square kilometres (123.26 sq mi). Sintra is one of the most urbanized and densely populated municipalities of Portugal. A major tourist destination famed for its picturesqueness, the municipality has several historic palaces, castles, scenic beaches, parks and gardens.

The area includes the Sintra-Cascais Nature Park through which the Sintra Mountains run. The historic center of the Vila de Sintra is famous for its 19th-century Romanticist architecture, historic estates and villas, gardens, and royal palaces and castles, which resulted in the classification of the town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sintra's landmarks include the medieval Castle of the Moors, the romanticist Pena National Palace and the Portuguese Renaissance Sintra National Palace.

Sintra is one of the wealthiest municipalities in both Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula as a whole. It is home to one of the largest foreign expat communities along the Portuguese Riviera and consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Portugal.

Great Lisbon Area

Grande Lisboa (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɡɾɐ̃d(ɨ) liʒˈbo.ɐ]; English: Greater Lisbon) is a former Portuguese subregion integrated in the Lisboa Region. It was abolished at the January 2015 NUTS 3 revision. It is part of the historical Estremadura Province. It includes the capital and prime city of Portugal, Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese). It is the main economical subregion of the country. It covers 1,376 km2 and it is the most populous and most densely populated Portuguese subregion (2,042,477 inhabitants and 1,483.6 inhabitants/km2).
The main cities of the Great Lisbon Area are Amadora, Cascais, Lisbon, Loures, Mafra, Odivelas, Oeiras, Sintra and Vila Franca de Xira.

Algarve

The Algarve (UK: /ælˈɡɑːrv, ˈælɡ-/, US: /ɑːlˈɡɑːrvə, ælˈ-/Portuguese: [alˈɡaɾvɨ]) is the southernmost region of continental Portugal. It has an area of 4,997 km2 (1,929 sq mi) with 451,006. permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities. The region has its administrative centre in the city of Faro, where both the region's international airport (IATA: FAO) and public university, the University of Algarve, are located. Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Production of food, which includes fish and other seafood, different types of fruit such as oranges, figs, plums, carob beans, and almonds, are also economically important in the region. Although Lisbon surpasses the Algarve in terms of tourism revenue, the Algarve is still, overall, considered to be the biggest and most important Portuguese tourist region, having received an estimated total of 7.1 million tourists in 2017. Its population triples in the peak holiday season due to seasonal residents. The Algarve is also increasingly sought after, mostly by central and northern Europeans, as a permanent place to settle. A 2016 American-based study concluded that the Algarve was the world's best place to retire.

Coimbra

Coimbra (/koʊˈɪmbrə/, also US: /kuˈ-, ˈkwɪmbrə/, UK: /ˈkɔɪmbrə/, Portuguese: [kuˈĩbɾɐ] ( or [ˈkwĩbɾɐ]) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. The population at the 2011 census was 143,397, in an area of 319.40 square kilometres (123.3 sq mi).The fourth-largest urban centre in Portugal (after Lisbon, Porto and Braga), it is the largest city in the district of Coimbra and the Centro Region. About 460,000 people live in the Região de Coimbra, comprising 19 municipalities and extending into an area of 4,336 square kilometres (1,674 sq mi).

Among the many archaeological structures dating back to the Roman era, when Coimbra was the settlement of Aeminium, are its well-preserved aqueduct and cryptoporticus. Similarly, buildings from the period when Coimbra was the capital of Portugal (from 1131 to 1255) still remain. During the late Middle Ages, with its decline as the political centre of the Kingdom of Portugal, Coimbra began to evolve into a major cultural centre. This was in large part helped by the establishment of the University of Coimbra in 1290, the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world. Apart from attracting many European and international students, the university is visited by many tourists for its monuments and history. Its historical buildings were classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2013: "Coimbra offers an outstanding example of an integrated university city with a specific urban typology as well as its own ceremonial and cultural traditions that have been kept alive through the ages.”

Porto

Porto, also known as Oporto in some languages, is the second-largest city in Portugal, one of the Iberian Peninsula's major urban areas. Porto city has a population of 237,55.and a metropolitan area with 2.4 million people (2019) in an area of 2,395 km2 (925 sq mi), making it the second-largest urban area in Portugal. It is recognized as a gamma-level global city by the Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) Study Group, the only Portuguese city besides Lisbon to be recognized as a global city.

Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centers, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, as the "Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar". The historic area is also a National Monument of Portugal. The western part of its urban area extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Its settlement dates back many centuries when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire. Its combined Celtic-Latin name, Portus Cale, has been referred to as the origin of the name Portugal, based on transliteration and oral evolution from Latin. In Portuguese, the name of the city includes a definite article: o Porto ("the port") which is where its former English name "Oporto" comes from.

Port wine, one of Portugal's most famous exports, is named after Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular, the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the packaging, transport, and export of fortified wine. In 2014 and 2017, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency. Porto is on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago.

Braga

Braga (/ˈbrɑːɡə/ BRAH-gə, Portuguese: [ˈbɾaɣɐ] ; Proto-Celtic: *Bracara) is a city and a municipality in the northwestern Portuguese district of Braga, in the historical and cultural Minho Province. The city has a resident population of 192,494 inhabitants (in 2011), representing the seventh largest municipality in Portugal (by population). Its area is 183.40 km2. Its agglomerated urban area extends from the Cávado River to the Este River. It is the third-largest urban centre in Portugal (after Lisbon and Porto).

It is host to the oldest Portuguese archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Braga of the Catholic Church and it is the seat of the Primacy of the Spains. Under the Roman Empire, then known as Bracara Augusta, the settlement was the capital of the province of Gallaecia. Inside the city, there is also a castle tower that can be visited. Nowadays, Braga is a major hub for inland Northern Portugal and it is an important stop on the Portuguese Way path of the Road of St James. The city was also the European Youth Capital in 2012.

The Douro Valley

The Douro (UK: /ˈdʊəroʊ, ˈdʊəruː/, US: /ˈdɔːruː, ˈdɔːroʊ, ˈdoʊru/, Portuguese: [ˈdo(w)ɾu]; Spanish: Duero [ˈdweɾo]; Latin: Durius) is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing from its source near Duruelo de la Sierra in Soria Province across northern-central Spain and Portugal to its outlet at Porto.

The Latin name Durius may go back to the name used by the Celtic tribes who inhabited the area before Roman times: the Celtic root is *dubro-. In modern Welsh, dŵr is "water," as well as dour in modern Breton with cognate dobhar in Irish. In Roman times, the river was personified as a god, Durius.

A folk-etymological derivation suggests that the name Douro comes from the Portuguese word for "golden".

The Douro vinhateiro (winegrowing), an area of the Douro Valley in Portugal long devoted to vineyards, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Traditionally, the wine was taken downriver in flat-bottom boats called rabelos, to be stored in barrels in cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto. In the 1960s and 1970s, dams with locks were built along the river, allowing river traffic from the upper regions in Spain and along the border. Nowadays Port wine is transported to Vila Nova de Gaia in Tankert trucks.
In 1998, Portugal and Spain signed the Albufeira Convention, an agreement on the sharing of trans-boundary rivers including the Douro, Tagus, and Guadiana. The convention superseded an original agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to

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