There will be fiery sauces, spicy chocolates and even piri-piri beer
Spice lovers are marking their calendars for July when the Algarve’s second Piri-Piri Festival is set to make its return to Guia, Albufeira.
Held in the Jardim dos Sentidos (next to the Guia primary school), the festival brings together a wide range of chilli pepper producers, with 20 vendors expected – up from 16 in the first edition. Organised by the municipal council of Albufeira in collaboration with chef Nuno Bergonse, this three-day event celebrates the world of spice in all its forms.
The festival will showcase chilli varieties from around the globe, including Jalapeño, Habanero, Cayenne, Thai, and of course, the Portuguese malagueta – a local favourite, especially known for its starring role in Guia’s famous piri-piri chicken.
How visitors decide to enjoy these chilies will be up to them. There will be a hot sauce vending machine at the event, alongside a showcase of rare chilli plants, sauces, and curiosities from around the world. Stalls will also be selling several spicy products, from fiery chocolates and jams to a brand-new piri-piri-infused beer, brewed especially for the event.
Other highlights of the festival include a chilli-eating contest for the brave, live stand-up comedy with a “spicy” twist from Michele Cascais and other live music performances, a dedicated kids’ zone, appearances by Mister Chilli, the festival mascot, and a fire breather, real-time urban art, local craft displays and even piri-piri tattoos.
The festival is also sustainability-minded, with reusable festival cups and eco-friendly practices throughout.
Local influencer Cristiana Jesus, with over 545,000 followers, will be sharing the festival experience live on social media throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, for those who like to take a little heat home, there’s a themed prize draw at the end of the event, offering a full basket of products featured at the festival.
“This is a rising event,” says Albufeira mayor José Carlos Rolo. “You can tell by the interest it attracts from national and international producers, as it is the only in the country to put such a beloved product like chilli peppers – used in Guia’s piri-piri chicken –centre stage.”
The event will run from 4pm to midnight on July 11, noon to midnight on July 12 and noon to 11pm on July 13. Admission is free.
