Get ready to look up!
Returning for its landmark 29th edition, the Festival Internacional de Balões de Ar Quente (FIBAQ) is back to fill the crisp November skies of the Alentejo with dozens of vibrant, giant hot air balloons.
Established in 1997, FIBAQ is the longest-running balloon festival in Portugal, bringing together elite international teams from countries like Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Over the course of six days, the festival travels dynamically across different picturesque Alentejo locations:
If you are planning to witness or participate in this year’s festival, keep these crucial tips in mind:
Don’t expect the famous Night Glow (where illuminated balloons light up to music in the dark) everywhere. This magical show only happens in Ponte de Sor (Nov 7 at 7:30 PM) and Fronteira (Nov 11 at 7:00 PM). Watching from the ground is entirely free!
Morning flights take off right around 7:00 AM. If you are coming down from Lisbon, be prepared for a very early wake-up call to make the 2-hour drive on time.
Hot air ballooning depends entirely on wind and weather conditions. Launches can—and sometimes do—get postponed or canceled at the very last minute for safety reasons.
Official passenger spots and charity solidarity wristbands (Pulseiras Solidárias) are tightly regulated and managed exclusively through the official platform. Direct email or phone requests are generally not accepted.
Chasing hot air balloons across rural Alentejo towns like Ponte de Sor, Montargil, or Alter do Chão is an incredible experience, but driving back and forth from Lisbon—especially for 7:00 AM departures—can be exhausting.
At go2lisbon.pt, we provide custom private transfers and tailor-made day trips to the Alentejo. Let an expert driver handle the early morning road while you sit back, relax, and enjoy the breathtaking landscape.
