Portugal in December: Christmas, New Year and Winter Sun

December in Portugal is all about Christmas: twinkling lights, Christmas villages, bolo rei, roasted chestnuts and bacalhau on Christmas Eve, followed by spectacular New Year fireworks in Lisbon and Madeira. The weather is mild compared with northern Europe. Here’s what to expect.

Quick answer: expect highs of about 15°C in Lisbon, 16–17°C in the Algarve and around 20°C in Madeira, with some rain. Highlights: Óbidos Vila Natal, Wonderland Lisboa, Perlim near Porto, Christmas lights, and New Year’s Eve fireworks in Lisbon and Funchal. Book early for Christmas and New Year.

Weather

• Lisbon: highs around 15°C, nights around 8°C.
• Porto: around 14°C, often wet.
• The Algarve: 16–17°C and often sunny.
• Madeira: around 20°C, the warmest place in Portugal.

What’s on

• Christmas villages: Óbidos Vila Natal (late November to early January), Wonderland Lisboa in Parque Eduardo VII, and Perlim in Santa Maria da Feira.
• Christmas lights in Lisbon, Porto and Funchal.
• Christmas Eve (Consoada): bacalhau dinner and midnight Mass. See bacalhau.
• New Year’s Eve: free concerts and fireworks on Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio and Porto’s Avenida dos Aliados, and Madeira’s famous fireworks over Funchal bay.

See Christmas in Portugal.

Where to go

• Lisbon: lights, markets and fado. See Lisbon in winter.
• Madeira: for New Year and warm weather. See Funchal.
• The Algarve: winter sun and walks. See the Algarve in winter.
• Óbidos: the Christmas village. See Óbidos.

Tips

• Closures: many shops, museums and restaurants close on 25 December and 1 January, and early on the 24th and 31st.
• Book ahead for New Year in Madeira and Lisbon.
• Pack warm: homes and some hotels have little heating.
• Try: bolo rei, filhós and rabanadas. See Portuguese desserts.

More: November, January and Portugal in winter.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.