There are several significant literary festivals in Portugal, spread across different regions of the country and taking place throughout the calendar year. In this article, we highlight five of them—among others that also deserve recognition—based on their geographic distribution from north to south of mainland Portugal, the consistency with which they have been held over years or decades, and their current relevance.
Some of these events have been supported by Turismo de Portugal, with particular attention given to the literary-tourism programming at the festivals. In future articles on this blog, we plan to feature other literary festivals, based in different regions and taking place at other times of the year.
Enjoy your reading!
FOLIO – Óbidos
Part of the Óbidos Literary Town project, sponsored by UNESCO, FOLIO – the Óbidos International Literary Festival – celebrates its first ten years in 2025, standing out as one of the most important literary and cultural initiatives in Portugal. Born from a collaboration between the Municipality of Óbidos, Ler Devagar, and Fundação Inatel, FOLIO hosts a wide range of activities each year, including book launches, conversations, musical and artistic events, debates, and much more. Featuring, in several editions, the participation of Nobel Prize-winning authors, FOLIO is dedicated to a different theme each year. In 2025, the chosen theme is Borders.
Edition dates: October 9–19, 2025
Site: https://foliofestival.pt/
Correntes d’Escritas – Póvoa de Varzim
Established in 2020, Correntes d’Escritas is one of the oldest and most important literary events of the past decades in Portugal. Organized by the Municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, “Correntes” is a major annual gathering of writers from the Iberian linguistic sphere, including authors from Latin America and Portuguese-speaking countries. Since 2004, the Casino da Póvoa Literary Prize has been awarded in this context, with its first edition won by the writer Lídia Jorge. Among the speakers at Correntes have been the philosopher Eduardo Lourenço and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the current President of Portugal. Notable authors who have participated in past editions include the Chilean Luis Sepúlveda, the Portuguese Rui Zink, the Angolan Manuel Rui, and the Galician Carlos Quiroga.
Usual period: February
Latitudes – Óbidos
In February 2025, the seventh edition of Latitudes – Literature and Travelers took place as part of the Óbidos Literary Town project, sponsored by UNESCO and supported by various institutional partnerships. Curated by the writer José Luís Peixoto, the latest edition of Latitudes offered visitors a rich program exploring the intersections between literature and travel, including a book fair, exhibitions, school activities, and film screenings. Everything was inspired by the motto: “All literature is a journey”, reflecting the idea that “human beings have explored geographies and ideas to discover themselves.”
Usual period: April (or February)
Site: https://obidosvilaliteraria.com/latitudes/
5L – Lisboa
The Lisbon 5L – International Festival of Literature and the Portuguese Language (Language, Literature, Books, Bookstores, Reading) is organized by the Lisbon City Council, together with the Municipal Directorate of Culture and the Library Network Division – BLX Lisbon Libraries. The 2025 edition took place across the Unicorn Factory Lisbon – Beato Innovation District and the Palácio Galveias Library at Campo Pequeno, curated by Carlos Vaz Marques, Catarina Magro, and Jorge Amorim. The rich program included concerts, talks, debates, performances, exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and an educational program.
Usual period: May
Site: https://lisboa5l.pt/
FLIQ – Querença
FLIQ – Querença International Literary Festival, held in Loulé, has been organized by the Manuel Viegas Guerreiro Foundation since 2016. FLIQ offers a program of cultural activities centered on the word, expressed in forms that are “written, spoken, remembered, sung, subverted, danced, performed, and discussed.” Among the festival’s objectives are to “strengthen a stimulating literary environment in the Algarve, spread glocal reflections, and promote the region.” Aimed at literary, university, education, and arts audiences, FLIQ also includes activities for children and young people, as well as tributes to active writers.
Usual period: September
Site: https://www.fundacao-mvg.pt/fliq-festival-literario/
Fabrizio Boscaglia
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Discover Lisboa & Pessoa, from Lisboa Pessoa Hotel, a themed boutique hotel inspired by Fernando Pessoa.
