“Out of the Blue”

Matosinhos is the host city of the Out of the Blue event, due to its long tradition and industry linked to the sea, contributing to positioning the North of Portugal as a privileged destination for gastronomic and sustainable tourism.

The presentation of this initiative took place yesterday at the Matosinhos Municipal Market, the starting point of the program. On October 23rd and 26th, there is free entry to educational activities for schools and families, showcookings, workshops and tastings with local products.

Also at the Market, from 6pm onwards, there is an immersive experience to see and hear every day. The multimedia projection Under the Blue recreates the ocean floor, transporting visitors to the underwater world.

On October 24th and 25th, the Market will also host talks that bring together experts to discuss topics such as food based on fish or marine plants, the past and future of seafood, the role of women in local food systems and also the current challenges facing cities. Each talk, with free entry, has an associated tasting associated with the topic under debate.

In other areas of the city, there are themed guided tours with free entry. The four visiting experiences combine the exploration of the geography and gastronomy of Matosinhos, passing through places such as Matosinhos Fish Market, Pinhais Canning Factory, CIIMAR (Cruise Terminal) and Leça da Palmeira. These experiences also include dinners at restaurants such as Casa de Chá da Boa Nova – the only moments with paid access throughout the event.

The final celebration of the event takes place on October 26th, at a community street party, between 12pm and 10pm. The Grande Arraial do Peixe closes a section of Rua Heróis de França to traffic to give it new life: a community table where local restaurants will serve freshly prepared fish dishes, while music enlivens the space.

“In Matosinhos, gastronomy goes beyond the pleasure of the palate. It is a city where gastronomy combines tradition with creativity and where flavor meets sustainability. All this, added to the city’s intrinsic connection with the industry and economy of the sea, makes Matosinhos the perfect setting to host Out of the Blue”, said Mayor Luísa Salgueiro.

Out of the Blue activities are free to access (except restaurants), with prior registration required at certain times. The full schedule can be found soon at http://outofthebluematosinhos.pt/ 

Out of the Blue is promoted by Opium and produced by Local Heroes, with the support of Turismo de Portugal and in partnership with Matosinhos City Council.