Despite not being the patron saint of the city, the São João is the most intense and eagerly awaited. However, is this the first time you’ve been to the longest night of the year? With the help of our readers, we’ve prepared a the ultimate guide to ‘survive’ São João in Porto.
Eating delicious sardines, buying a good ‘martelinho’, not leaving home without leeks and much more… These are some basic but essential tips for making the most of Porto’s longest night. Let’s take a look at this indispensable ‘survival guide’?
1 – “Carry a helmet”
If you have any helmets at home, then take advantage and bring them to the party, literally. Yeah, the risk of getting hit on the head a lot is pretty high.
According to our readers, this is a good strategy for enjoying the longest night of the year without having to take a painkiller at the end. Yes, of course we’re exaggerating. But still, be careful!
2 – “Hammer in hand”
Of course, if you need a helmet to protect your head, your ‘survival’ kit needs a hammer.
Part of our tradition is to carry a hammer in our hand. After all, it’s part of the fun of São João.
3 – “Try not to wake up on a beach in Matosinhos”
Does this tip seem strange to you? That’s because you’re about to make your debut in the brave new world of São João festival.
However, believe it makes perfect sense. After all, walking from Ribeira to Foz is a classic. And after that, there are those who venture further afield, so the ‘risk’ of waking up on a beach in Matosinhos exists.
4 – “Protect your eyes from leeks”
Even with a bit of humor thrown in, any guide to São João in Porto must include this tip. In other words, don’t even think about leaving the house without being mentally prepared for the tide of hammers and leeks that will flood throught the streets of Invicta.
So, just as it’s advisable to protect your head, you should be careful with your eyes. And so you have a foolproof ‘protection’kit!
5 – “Comfortable walking shoes”
São João night means a lot of walking. So don’t you dare leave the house without sneakers and/or other comfortable footwear.
6 – “Arrive before the fireworks and leave after the sea of people”
Watching the fireworks, which illuminate the Ribeira do Porto with light and color, is a must in any São João guide.
This is truly one of the most spectacular moments of the festivities. So at midnight on June 23rd to 24th, try to arrive as early as possible to get a good spot.
Otherwise, you risk getting lost in the crowd that ‘invades’ our streets. Also, don’t you dare leave the place as soon as the fireworks are over… Wait a bit, or you’ ll feel like a canned sardine!
7 – “Carry water”
A common mistake is to think that you can stay up all night in your finery. It may taste good, but you have to hydrate yourself. To do this, you need to drink water.
Furthermore, as you have already realized, the São João night is synonymous with walking, or staying up late. So take care of yourself!
8 – “Good mood”
With hammers and leeks everywhere, it ‘s essential that you take a good mood with you. Believe me, there’s no other night like it. So make the most of it!