Elope in Portugal

Portugal is a small country, packed with history, culture, wonderful weather, and unique traditions. From big cities full of culture, like Porto and Lisbon, to vast sprawling landscapes with forests and epic coastal views - in Portugal, you are never far from the sea.

Locations we especially love for wedding elopements in Portugal include the fairytale forest and palaces of Sintra and the natural wide landscapes of Alentejo, also known as the Tuscany of Portugal. Explore the small secret beaches and cliffs of the Algarve or the vineyards and Douro Valley's wine culture, all of which are just perfect for an intimate wedding ceremony.

Although you can legally get married in Portugal, the process can be a bit long for foreigners. We recommend getting the marriage license from your home country first and then eloping in Portugal. After you’ve exchanged your vows, your wedding officiant will hand you your wedding certificate and you can sail away into the sunset and enjoy your honeymoon!

Portugal's climate is seasonal and moderate: hot summers and wet winters. The best time of year to organize your Portuguese elopement is spring (February-May) or early autumn (September–October) when the weather is not too hot, the sea is warm and the summer crowds have left.

Every couple's elopement timeline is different, depending on the location, season, and time of the day but generally speaking, the ceremony itself is usually around 20 minutes long. When you elope in Portugal, the whole experience including being photographed in different locations usually lasts around 4-5 hours but we recommend keeping the whole day available in case plans unexpectedly change.

The best outdoor lighting is in the two hours around sunrise and sunset, so we usually recommend that the elopement wedding ceremony is held close to that time.

Let’s take a look at your transportation options for your elopement wedding. Portugal has three international airports, Faro, Porto, and Lisbon, which pretty much cover the entire country, and provide numerous international routes, including national and low-cost airlines. Portugal is a small country and you can get almost everywhere with ease.

If you decide to elope in Portugal, we recommend hiring a car upon arrival. This will enable you to visit small villages, national parks, and other regions with minimal public transport, throughout your honeymoon.