Clams and other bivalves will be the stars of the Portuguese culinary art festival, which will be held in Albufeira on July 26, 2025.
The Portuguese Hotel, Restaurant, and Similar Association (AHRESP) revealed this Friday that the 2025 National Gastronomy Day will be celebrated in the Algarve in an initiative driven by the Algarve Tourism Board.
The grand festival of Portuguese gastronomy will take place in Albufeira on July 26 next year and will shine a spotlight on bivalves. A special homage will be paid to razor clams, cockles, and clams – the primary highlights of the occasion and central ingredient in many authentic regional delicacies.
The collaboration with AHRESP emphasises the Algarve Tourism Board’s effort to elevate Portuguese gastronomy and position the Algarve as a premier culinary destination.
André Gomes, president of Turismo do Algarve, highlights the importance of bivalves in the region’s gastronomic identity: “Bivalves are a treasure that distinguishes us. Their versatility makes them the main ingredient in iconic dishes such as razor clam rice, cockle xarém and clam cataplana, offering unforgettable culinary experiences. This gastronomic richness is a fundamental attraction for those looking for authenticity and unique flavours.”
The quality and variety of the Algarve’s cuisine are essential for attracting tourists and enhancing the region. To promote regional cuisine, the Algarve Tourism Board has supported a range of projects such as the Mediterranean Diet, Algarve Craft & Food, Cataplana Algarvia, and Algarve Cooking Holidays. The Mediterranean Diet, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is one of the gastronomic brands that the Algarve Tourism Board strives to internationalise.
The annual celebration organised by AHRESP on National Gastronomy Day serves as a platform to appreciate and boost the diverse and abundant Portuguese culinary heritage, attracting both food lovers and gastronomy experts.
