In the month of June, the Porto area is full of festivities – in the space of one week we had:

• São João  (Porto street party – read more here).
• Boat Race (where all the old wine cellars compete against each other in a boat race down the Douro).
• Pirates in Leça da Palmeira, a pirate themed festival at the Forte in Leça da Palmeira (north of Porto)

It is certainly a tourists dream to come and see so many traditional activities in such a short space of time.

This year McGunnMedia paid the Pirate fair a visit – and we were thrilled we did!

 Pirates in Leça da Palmeira

We arrived to a great array of stands selling local crafts. The most fun were the child’s swords and shields – they were so skilfully decorated that even adults couldn’t resist them!

My personal favourite sword of the day: this amazing peacock hilt:

There was of course something for the pretty wenches of the fair too:

Summer Headbands

But there was more than just stands selling their wares. There was also plenty of entertainment, and this band treated us to plenty of charming folk songs.

… not to mention the horse drawn carriage awaiting to take you through your adoring crowds to cheers and whoops!..

Displays of traditional metal work skills..

No Portuguese festival is complete without food. This one was our favorite, and judging by the continuous queues, we weren’t alone! — crepes made the old fashioned way!

The role playing of the pirates was obviously the main attraction of the day, and we failed to count how many times they all died in the space of the afternoon.  Much to our enjoyment and entertainment!

This really was a highly entertaining day out and fun for all the family.