After five semi-finals and a final which took place between January and March 1997, "Antes do adeus" performed by Célia Lawson emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from 20 regional juries and a public televote.

[1] Its highest placing in the contest was sixth, achieved in 1996 with the song "O meu coração não tem cor" performed by Lúcia Moniz.

Its least successful result has been last place, which they have achieved on two occasions, most recently in 1974 with the song "E depois do adeus" performed by Paulo de Carvalho.

Eighteen entries competed in the competition that consisted of five semi-finals held between 25 January and 22 February 1997 leading to an eight-song final on 7 March 1997.

Fifteen of the composers were selected by a jury panel consisting of journalists Jaime Fernandes and Nuno Infante do Carmo, singer Simone de Oliveira and RTP representative Fernanda Ferreira from 224 submissions received through an open call for songs, while the three remaining composers were invited by RTP for the competition with their songs automatically qualifying to the final: João Mota Oliveira, José Cid and Thilo Krasmann.

[9] The final took place at the Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon on 7 March 1997, hosted by António Sala and Cristina Caras Lindas.

[12] The Portuguese conductor at the contest was the co-composer of "Antes do adeus" Thilo Krasmann, and Portugal finished in twenty-fourth (last) place failing to score any points.