Top 5 Tips For The Best Golegã Experience

Here are 5 recommendations for you to experience Golegã in the best way possible!
 

1. Dress the Part 

   Locals go all out—and we love them for it. Expect crisp riding jackets, high-waisted trousers, fancy hats, and a general vibe of “ready to star in a period drama.”
   
   

   You don’t have to match them, but comfy boots, warm layers, and something waterproof are your best friends. Rain? Likely. Mud? Guaranteed. Fashion moment? Optional, but fun.

   💡 Top tip: If you wear heels on cobblestones, the horses won’t laugh—but we might.

   For a complete guide read our blog on what to wear at the Golegã
   
   

2.  

   Horseback Bars Are a Thing

   
   
   Yes, you read that right—horseback bars are a very real, very fabulous thing. Imagine this: you ride up on your Lusitano, slide up to the bar, and order a glass of local wine without ever getting out of the saddle. It’s part Wild West, part European elegance, and entirely Golegã.
   
   You’ll spot these taverns dotted around the fair—designed with low windows or open counters, perfectly placed for riders to clink glasses and chat like it's the most normal thing in the world (because here, it is).
   
   💡 Top tip: If you’re not on horseback, it’s still a blast to stand nearby and people-watch. It’s like a drive-thru, but cooler, with hooves instead of wheels and drinks instead of fries.
   
   📸 And yes, it's 100% Instagram-worthy. Just maybe don’t post until after the second glass.
   
   

3. VIP Vibes at Filipe Pimenta’s Casetta

   
   
   Filipe Pimenta’s Casetta is one of Golegã’s best-kept secrets. It’s not open to just anyone—this little haven is only accessible through Cavago’s Luxe Package, and it’s where the fair’s most fascinating conversations unfold. 
   
   This is intimate, exclusive, and deeply Portuguese—the kind of place where you realize you’re sipping wine next to someone who’s been riding Lusitanos since before you could walk.
   
   💡 Top tip: Dress smart, bring questions, and be ready to listen. 

    

4. Know what to eat = Everything

   
   
   
   
   This is no time for calorie counting. Chouriço on the grill, stews that hug your soul, crispy bacalhau, and plenty of wine—some of which tastes suspiciously like festive juice (we see you, Água Pé).
   
   If someone offers you a toast, clink glasses and dive in. That’s friendship forming, Portuguese style.
   
   💡 Top tip: Don’t ask for ketchup. Just… don’t.
   
   Looking for more options? We have the complete What to Eat in Golega blog just for you.
   
   

    

5. Enjoy the Happening nightlife

At night, the fair gets a makeover—music, dancing, drinks flowing, street food sizzling, and a kind of rustic romance in the air that makes everyone a bit friendlier (and possibly more coordinated on horseback after dark).

Wander the cobbled streets, join a tavern jam session, and toast to whatever just happened.

💡 Top tip: Don’t plan anything for early the next morning. Trust us.

Dive deeper into this guide with our blog on Nightlife in Golegã.

Additional Recommendation: Respect the Horses And Spaces

They’re beautiful, majestic, and occasionally sassy. Give horses space, especially in crowds. Ask before petting, don’t sneak up behind them, and remember—those riders aren’t just looking cool. They’re keeping you safe.

💡 Top tip: If a horse sniffs your pocket, it probably smells your snacks. Hold firm.

Traveling to Golega? Take a look at these Golega Packages