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Situated at the point where the river Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean, it is hardly surprising that Lisbon has always had a special relationship with the sea. This sentiment is celebrated in the Oceans Festival, which takes place in the city from 31st July to 14th August.

The 'Festival dos Oceanos' offers a huge variety of events ranging from street performances and film screenings to exhibitions and book fairs. The sea itself plays a key part in proceedings and the Portuguese pay homage to it with boat races, sailing events, canoeing and windsurfing to name a few. While most of the major events take place along Lisbon's seafront, which stretches from Alcantara to Nations' Park, the streets also play host to theatre performances, parades and firework and laser shows.

The Portuguese are famous for their sea food, and the festival is the perfect time to sample their incredible cuisine. If you are a foodie then you will be pleased to know that there are several open air markets with stalls offering fresh sardines, cod, squid, octopus and lobsters all caught that day.

The Oceans Festival celebrates Lisbon's view of itself as a 'gateway to the world' and draws heavily on the city's history. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was at the centre of the 'age of discovery', and was the departure point for the explorer Vasco de Gama when he set sail for India in 1497. The city became a centre of commerce between Europe and Africa, India and the Far East, which flooded Lisbon with spices, sugar and textiles. This international trade became the source of a wealth that has left its mark on the city with monuments such as the Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery. During the Second World War, Lisbon was one of the few neutral international ports and from it, millions of refugees were able to escape Europe for the safety of the United States. If you want to find out more about this rich cultural heritage then the festival organises multilingual tours which are a great opportunity to learn about the history of the city through the works of famous Portuguese poets and artists.

The Oceans Festival is an event like no other, incorporating everything from award winning food and water sports to interactive activities and intriguing history. With so much to offer, you should start thinking about booking your flights to Portugal right away.