How to plan and enjoy your Christmas in Lisbon
Feat photo by Hotel Roma
Lisbon might not be the first city that comes to mind when one thinks of a Christmas getaway. The chances of a white Christmas are slim to none, and for many, this southern European capital means only sunny warm weather and summer vibes. However, there are many reasons why this corner of Europe makes for an excellent Christmas destination.
Firstly, with its hills, narrow labyrinthine streets and 18th century downtown architecture, it’s definitely not lacking in romantic charm, making it a perfect background for a cozy and idyllic Christmas break. Also, its mild and sunny weather makes Lisbon an ideal city to visit year round. Even in the peak of winter, it is possible to spend all day walking through the city without risking frostbite in the process.
Finally, visiting Lisbon around this time gives visitors a chance to take a sneak peek into unique Portuguese Christmas traditions, and truly celebrate the holidays like a Portuguese. So if you want to come along for the ride, grab a pair of comfortable shoes and get ready to fill your heart (and your belly) with holiday cheer.
What to do in Lisbon during Christmas
When visiting Lisbon around Christmas time, whether with family or friends, there’s definitely no shortage of activities that will warm both your body and your soul, and leave you full of holiday spirit. We’ve put together a selection of indoor and outdoor activities that are suitable for all kinds of visitors, from foodies to shopping aficionados, from traditionalists to trendsetters.
Photo by We Love F Tourists
When writing a Christmas city guide, we could not fail to mention the Christmas lights in Lisbon. Like many holiday lovers around the world, Lisboners flock to see the best displays of Christmas cheer in the city, and in Lisbon, you can definitely find it in the Baixa and Chiado area. In Praça do Comércio you can also find the city’s official christmas tree. And Lisboners take this tree very seriously: a few years back Lisbon even boasted the tallest Christmas tree in Europe, at a vertigo inducing height of 76 meters. Nowadays, the tree has gotten smaller, and environmental concerns dictated the use of more energy efficient LED lighting, but the excitement around this holiday tradition in the heart of the city remains the same.
Photo by Visão
Another Christmas activity that has become more and more popular with both locals and tourists is the yearly visit to the various Christmas markets around the city. Just a short walk from Praça do Comércio is Rossio Christmas Market, located in one of Lisbon’s most impressive squares, Praça do Rossio. Apart from the traditional Christmas stalls and Santa’s house, in previous years this market also hosted events like holiday themed fashion shows, a Christmas train to delight the young ones, as well as a Hospital das Bonecas Christmas Exhibition with a vast collection of dolls from the historic store, located nearby.
The largest Christmas market, Wonderland Lisboa, is located in Parque Eduardo VII and impresses with its variety of attractions, including an ice skating rink, a giant wheel, and numerous other rides. It has plenty to keep both kids and adults entertained. There are also a variety of food choices, from the more traditionally portuguese ones like warm chorizo stuffed bread (pão com chouriço) and sweet dough fritters (farturas) to the more international options. If warming up is needed, the younger ones can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate, while the grownups can enjoy a glass of ginjinha, a portuguese traditional sour cherry liqueur that perfectly matches the holidays.
Photo by Público
If you are looking for an activity that will definitely warm you up while getting you acquainted with Lisbon’s architecture, history as well as food traditions, Taste of Lisboa’s Food and Cultural walking tours might just be the thing for you. Experienced native hosts and guides will help you maneuver the city’s cultural and gastronomic landscape, and give you the confidence to further explore what Lisbon has to offer. And when it comes to the holidays, there’s nothing like asking a local for their recommendations, in order to do Christmas Portuguese style.
Photo by lap719 on TripAdvisor
Another way to come into contact with the local cuisine is through a Portuguese cooking class, where you can learn about the country’s gastronomic culture and the typical Portuguese flavors. Get to know the history behind the recipes, learn to cook a Portuguese meal from scratch and enjoy the fruits of your labor over a well deserved spread. If cooking is not your forte, but you’d still like to know what it’s like to experience the cuisine of a typical local household, you can book a dinner in a Portuguese home, where you can enjoy a 3 course meal paired with Portuguese wines, in what might be one of the best ways to enjoy Lisbon’s hospitality.
For the culture vultures who want to experience the capital’s cultural offerings during the holidays, there are plenty of Christmas related activities that visitors can enjoy. This year, ballet lovers will be able to enjoy Companhia Nacional de Bailado’s production of Alice in Wonderland (Alice no País das Maravilhas) while classical music aficionados can attend concerts like the Christmas Concert at the CCB, where the Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa and the Coro do Teatro Nacional de São Carlos will play works by Bach and Händel. A special Christmas edition of the Candlelight Concerts, held at the church of Santa Catarina will also be another opportunity to appreciate the city’s holiday spirit through classical music, in a truly magical (and candlelit) setting.
Photo by Lisboa Camping
For those coming on this Lisbon Christmas break with children, there are also many options to keep the young ones entertained. One of the most popular attractions in the city, the Oceanário de Lisboa (Esplanada D. Carlos I), is considered one of the best aquariums in the world, and through its impressive number of animals and plants, it showcases not only marine biodiversity around the globe, but also Portugal’s unique relationship with the oceans.
Just a five minute walk away from the Oceanário is another attraction that can entertain both adults and children: the Pavilion of Knowledge, locally known as Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Largo José Mariano Gago 1). Like the Oceanário, it was built for Lisbon’s 1998 edition of the World Expo, and remains popular among both locals and tourists, with its mission of promoting scientific culture and knowledge and inspiring people through science. Its exhibits and activities are always inventive and extremely interactive, awakening the childish curiosity that lives in all of us.
Photo by Agenda Cultural de Lisboa
Finally, another of Lisbon’s most underrated attractions for families, and a particularly fitting choice for the holidays, is the charming Puppet Museum or Museu da Marioneta (Rua da Esperança 146). Located in the beautiful Convento das Bernardas, a former convent built in the seventeenth century, this museum informs visitors about the history and diversity of this art form, through its creative exhibits. But it also regularly hosts puppet shows, workshops and visits, that are aimed at schools, families, or even to adults.
Where to go for Christmas shopping in Lisbon
Apart from Christmas Markets that will be open in Lisbon throughout December, there are also a plethora of charming and eye-catching shops around town, where you can find unique Christmas gifts for your loved ones (and even some for yourself). If you really want to explore Lisbon’s most interesting and exceptional shops, you can also check out Lojas com História, an extensive directory of Lisbon’s most historical stores.
A Vida Portuguesa
Born of the passion that former journalist Catarina Portas has for old Portuguese products that retain their old school design charm, it is a one-stop shop for traditional Portuguese brands with a unique vintage feel, at the same time that it showcases young designers that create and produce in Portugal. From stationery to jewelry, textiles to drugstore, you can find something for everyone in this true treasure trove of Portuguese charm.
📍Chiado: Rua Nova do Almada 72, 1100-184 Lisbon
📍Intendente: Largo do Intendente Pina Manique 23, 1100-285 Lisbon
📍Time Out Market: Avenida 24 de Julho, 1200-481 Lisbon
Photo by USA Today 10Best
Retrosaria Rosa Pomar
Retrosaria (Portuguese for haberdashery) is a unique shop where you can find delights not only for knitting and crochet lovers, but to any crafts enthusiast in your life. The highlight of this extraordinary place is the line of yarns created by the founder of this project, Rosa Pomar, a designer, researcher and lover of Portuguese wool. Made from 100% wool of native Portuguese sheep, some of them are even handspun using traditional methods and tools.
📍Rua Maria Andrade, 50A, 1170-217 Lisbon
https://retrosaria.rosapomar.com
Photo by Lisbon Shopping
Luvaria Ulisses
This tiny space in the heart of Chiado is more than a shop, it is truly a part of Lisbon’s history. Founded in 1925, to serve the most exclusive clientele in the capital, Luvaria Ulisses maintains its original decor and charm, and still focuses on predominantly custom made gloves with a classic and chic design. The experience of choosing an exquisite pair of gloves made of the finest leather will take you back in time and be a truly unforgettable adventure in itself.
📍Rua do Carmo 87-A, 1200-093 Lisbon
Photo by Condé Nast Traveler
A Outra Face da Lua
For the lovers of vintage and/or the more environmentally conscious, Lisbon offers more and more options, for all styles and pockets. However, A Outra Face da Lua, founded in 2005 and still a family business to this day, is a reference in the second hand market, and a true gem, where you can find quality garments from the 60s up to the 90s in a shop that is itself decorated with impeccable taste.
📍Rua da Assunção, 22, 1100-044 Lisbon
Photo by Simbiotico
Livraria Bertrand
In our list of charming stores with the best Christmas goodies, we could not leave out the oldest operating bookstore in the world (as certified by the Guinness Book of Records) where you can find English-language editions of works by famous Lusophone writers, such as Fernando Pessoa, Jorge Amado, and Nobel Prize Winner José Saramago. You can also take a rest from all the Christmas book shopping with a glass of wine, a warm cup of coffee or a sweet treat at Café Bertrand, a peaceful corner in the back of this bustling bookstore nestled in the heart of Chiado.
📍Rua Garrett, 73-75, 1200-203 Lisbon
www.bertrand.pt/online/livraria-bertrand-do-chiado
Photo by Bertrand
Confeitaria Nacional
We could not write a Lisbon Christmas guide without mentioning the most festive of all the city’s patisseries, the venerable Confeitaria Nacional, the oldest functioning pastry shop in the city, still owned by the family who founded it in 1829. It was also in this shop that the french galette des rois was transformed into the most famous of Portuguese Christmas sweet treats, the iconic bolo rei. If you want to experience a true Lisbon Christmas tradition, and take with you a real piece of holiday cheer to share with your loved ones back home, join the scores of Lisboners that flock to the Confeitaria Nacional every year, and get yourself a fresh bolo rei. The hard part will be stopping yourself from having a slice of that warm and aromatic delicacy.
📍Praça da Figueira 18B, 1100-241 Lisbon
https://confeitarianacional.com
Photo by NIT
What to eat during the Christmas season in Lisbon
If there’s something that Portuguese know how to do over the holidays, it is eating. And even before the arrival of the day, (or in our case, the big night, because the Portuguese celebrate on the evening of the 24th, the consoada) you can partake in the culinary delights of the season. In pastelarias everywhere you begin to see Portuguese Christmas sweet treats like sonhos, rabanadas and filhoses, freshly fried and piled on window displays. Many Lisboners also switch their espresso and pastel de nata for an espresso and a slice of bolo rei, the king of Christmas confections. If you want to feel like a local, make sure to go into a pastelaria whenever you can, warm yourself with the scent of cinnamon and lemon zest, and tuck in.
Photo by beira.pt
However, if you want to live Christmas like a Portuguese, there are also restaurants where you can experience the flavors of the holidays. And in Portugal that definitely means the so-called “faithful friend”. Like on the rest of the year, codfish makes an appearance on the Christmas menu, so make sure to make room for it on your celebratory meal. If you are not a big friend of this salted delicacy, you can also consume another favorite of northern Portugues: octopus. Traditionally, the preparations involving these two ingredients are quite simple, but nowadays many Portuguese enjoy more complex (and perhaps more interesting) variations of the Christmas classics, so feel free to do so too. If fish and seafood are not your thing, eating goatling or lamb is also traditional during this time of the year, especially for lunch on the 25th.
Solar dos Nunes
A cozy and traditional restaurant that serves solid Portuguese classics done right, with a welcoming and homely feel. With an extensive menu that is particularly heavy on dishes from the Alentejo region, it is the perfect spot to enjoy a more traditional Portuguese Christmas. Enjoy the codfish or the octopus lagareiro style, or lean into its more southern influences with an Alentejo style açorda with cod, a deliciously soupy concoction that uses the famous bread from Alentejo to its full potential. The dessert menu is also filled with sweet treats from the south of Portugal, and should not be skipped. The sopa doce, a house specialty that serves four people, comes highly recommended.
📍Rua dos Lusíadas 68-72, 1300-305, Lisbon
www.instagram.com/solardosnunes
Photo by The Fork
Restaurante do Clube Naval de Lisboa
For an equally traditional meal, but with a very Lisbon twist, try spending your Christmas day by the river, enjoying a plate of grilled codfish or octopus, and enjoying the calming view. Apart from these holiday classics, the menu offers many other types of fish, as well as a luscious shellfish rice with lobster for two. End the meal with an Alentejo classic dessert, the sericaia with preserved plums from Elvas, to really give your soul the culinary hug it deserves, and perhaps then sneak in a refreshing post Christmas meal walk by the Tejo, for a perfect Christmas day in Lisbon.
📍Av. Brasília – Doca de Belém – Edifício do Clube Naval de Lisboa, 1400-038 Lisbon
www.restaurantedoclubenavaldelisboa.pt
Photo by Visão
Delfina – Cantina Portuguesa
A fresh take on traditional Portuguese food, in a relaxed, youthful but comfortable setting, Delfina is a perfect place to enjoy honest, home-style Portuguese food. The amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, a clam dish infused with flavors of lemon and garlic, as well the codfish dishes (bacalhau à Brás e bacalhau à Delfina) are natural contenders for a Christmas meal, but Delfina also offers a dedicated holiday menu that it is worth exploring. Chocolate is featured heavily in the desserts, with the chocolate mousse being a customer favorite. The wine list is extensive and solid, but there is also a good selection of cocktails for those who prefer something different from the more traditionally Portuguese.
📍Praça do Município 23, 1100-365 Lisbon
www.instagram.com/delfina_cantinapt
Photo by UberEats
Grapes and Bites
A lively wine bar and restaurant, featuring live music and suitable even for a bigger group, Grapes and Bites provides a relaxed atmosphere, where the food has a distinctively portuguese flavor, and the menu is heavy on the petiscos (small dishes meant to be shared). Make sure to try the uber traditional flat cod fritters (pataniscas de bacalhau) or the more veggie friendly green bean tempura (peixinhos da horta). There are also assorted boards with Portuguese regional cheeses and charcuterie, accompanied by a wine list that will not disappoint.
📍Rua do Norte 85, 1200-284 Lisbon
https://grapesandbites.eatbu.com
Photo by Grapes & Bites
Infame
For a slightly less traditional Christmas meal option, this playful and out of the box restaurant might be the perfect option, with a menu in which “Portuguese flavors are complemented by strong tastes from around the world” and that matches the multicultural Intendente area where this eatery is located. Make sure to try Oh my Cod (chipped codfish, caramelized potatoes, low temperature yolk and garlic chips), its take on the ubiquitous codfish, as well as the eRICEira, a rice dish with crab and tiger prawns that blends a quintessential Portuguese character with a worldly twist. Apart from the impressive wine list, that comes with an exciting “out of the box” section, the restaurant also offers a selection of signature cocktails, perfect to kick off the festivities.
📍Largo do Intendente Pina Manique 4, 1100-285, Lisbon
Photo by The Fork
Fortaleza do Guincho
We could not finish this list of Christmas meals without the impressive and panoramic Fortaleza do Guincho, a Michelin starred restaurant that is part of the Fortaleza do Guincho Hotel, located in what once was a seventeenth century fortification, in nearby Cascais. If one wants to celebrate the holidays with an outstanding culinary experience, this is the place to go. With the years, a restaurant that started with a very strong French base, has intensified its Portuguese character, especially after having Portuguese chef Miguel Vieira and now chef Gil Fernandes at its helm. Expect a dedicated and carefully curated Christmas menu that matches the excellence of this true Portuguese institution.
📍Estrada do Guincho, 2413, 2750-642 Cascais
Photo by Visão
If you want to make sure your holiday meal is secured, have a look through our selection of restaurants that cater to those who are looking for a Portuguese Christmas restaurant experience, whether it is a more traditional one, a more relaxed affair, or even an all out Michelin starred adventure. Make sure to book in advance to secure a table, because these places tend to be fully booked in advance. However, if for some reason you arrive on the day without a booking, here is another piece of advice from us locals: take a stroll around the city center. It is possible that a family style restaurant chef/owner might get bored and open the doors of their place to you. We guess you could call that… a Christmas miracle.
Where to go – Christmas inspired day trips from Lisbon
If you wish to venture out of Lisbon in search of holiday cheer, here are a few easy to get to day trip destinations that will certainly raise the Christmas spirit, and give you another glimpse into the way Portuguese people enjoy the festivities.
Cascais
Photo by Time Out Lisboa
The closest and easiest of Christmas day trips, where getting there is in itself a veritable treat. Take the train from Cais do Sodré, (make sure to sit facing south) and watch as the Tejo river opens into the sea, and enjoy the scenery that ends at the lovely bay of Cascais. This picturesque seaside town becomes even more charming during the holidays. The hub of the celebrations is the Cascais Christmas Village, a veritable wonderland for kids of all ages to enjoy the festivities. Once you enter, you can enjoy the food court, Santa’s House, a living nativity scene, street performances and music shows by local musicians, face paintings, an ice rink, an ice ramp and a lot more. You are sure to be entertained and come back to Lisbon at the end of the day with a full heart (and hopefully a full belly too).
Óbidos
Photo by Público
Óbidos might be the town in the whole of Portugal that is associated the most with Christmas. And once you get there, you’ll quickly understand why: its architecture alone is enough to make you feel that you have gone back in time. And while its captivating narrow streets and winding staircase themselves are worth visiting, since 2006 this small town has also been the home of Óbidos Vila Natal, a celebration of all things Christmas, located inside the 8th century moorish castle of Óbidos. An interesting detail: every year the celebrations have a theme. Last year’s was Harry Potter, and although this year’s theme is yet to be revealed, it is expected to be equally exciting. Óbidos is located around 80 kilometers from Lisbon, and you can reach it by car (it takes around one hour), bus and even train.
Penamacor
Photo by Vila Madeiro
Once a common tradition in rural parts of Portugal, the lighting of a bonfire to warm the people gathering to celebrate Christmas Eve has unfortunately become less and less common. In Penamacor, however, the tradition of the Christmas bonfire, called o madeiro, is still alive and well. In fact, Penamacor boasts the biggest madeiro in the country, and the celebrations around this tradition involve the whole town, starting on the 7th of December, when young men collect wood from dead and fallen trees, chop the wood and bring it to the town center, accompanied by music and songs. The celebrations continue throughout December, with exhibits, concerts and all kinds of cultural activities that in the past have included events like foraging in the countryside around Penamacor, and even the planting of trees. The climax of the festivities, however, happens on the 23rd of December, at 11.59pm, when the huge bonfire is lit. It stays lit until the end of Christmas day, keeping locals and visitors warm while they enjoy the cheerful celebrations. The best way to arrive in Penamacor from Lisbon is definitely by car, and the ride is on the longish side, being almost 3 hours long. However, the uniqueness of the tradition as well as the number of activities that can be experienced there make the journey worth it. Check out the full program here.
Book a boutique hotel in Lisbon during the Christmas Holidays
Choosing a place to stay during the holidays is a crucial part of your Christmas break planning. The right atmosphere can really set the mood for your time in the city, so here you can find a selection of boutique hotels around Lisbon, where you can also enjoy your Christmas meal, if you so wish.
Bairro Alto Hotel
Located in the heart of the city, between Chiado and Bairro Alto, in a beautiful building refurbished and improved by the famous Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, this luxury boutique hotel has a combination of easygoing charm and sophistication. You can relax after a day of climbing Lisbon’s hills, or move your body after the excesses of the holidays at its Wellness & Fitness Centre, where you can use the sauna, get a massage or use the gym, set up with the latest Technogym equipment. And if you so choose, you can book your Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas day meal at its excellent restaurant, BAHR, which focuses on excellent local ingredients with innovative preparations, and will surely surprise and delight.
📍Praça Luís de Camões 2, 1200-243 Lisbon
www.bairroaltohotel.com/en/crafting-lisbon
Photo by Luxury Link
Memmo Príncipe Real
Located in the charming Principe Real neighborhood, this 41-room boutique hotel is characterized by both stylish interiors and superb views aided by the rooms’ floor to ceiling glass windows. The outdoor swimming pool has a panoramic view over avenida da Liberdade and is situated next to the restaurant and bar Café Príncipe Real. The dishes on offer at the restaurant are mainly based on Portuguese culinary tradition, infused with Mediterranean flavors. Guests that follow a plant based diet are also spoiled for choice, with a whole separate menu to choose from. During the holidays Café Príncipe Real also provides special menus for dinner on Christmas Eve and for lunch on Christmas Day, so you can comfortably celebrate the holidays in style.
📍Rua Dom Pedro V 56, 1250-094 Lisbon
www.memmohotels.com/principereal
Photo by Booking.com
Valverde Hotel
Located in what is arguably the noblest part of the city, Valverde Hotel’s style is reminiscent of a New York or London Townhouse, decorated in warm tones and with stylish mid century modern furniture. Another appealing feature of this boutique restaurant is the Pateo, a secluded outdoor space adjacent to its bar/restaurant Sítio Valverde, and a perfect place to relax away from the bustle of the city. You can even enjoy a classic afternoon tea at the Pateo, delivered straight from the restaurant. Sítio Valverde, a sophisticated restaurant, with ceilings and the same sophisticated decor that characterizes Valverde Hotel as a whole, serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, focusing on Portuguese classics, while the bar serves both classic cocktails and inventive signature cocktails. The list of spirits is also impressive, as are the wine options. For guests spending Christmas at the hotel, Sitio Valverde has both a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu, where traditional dishes reign supreme, with codfish and lamb featuring heavily, and the presence of an elevated rabanada (Portugal’s take on French toast) as a dessert, a true Portuguese Christmas classic.
📍Av. da Liberdade 164, 1250-146 Lisbon
Photo by Hotels & Resorts
Verride Palácio Santa Catarina
Located right by the impressive Santa Catarina viewpoint, in a renovated historic palace in the Bica neighborhood, the Verride Palace is imbued with history, and offers its visitors sophisticated spaces like its restaurant SUBA and The Lisboa Club 55 Bar, and rooftop bar that displays the whole city in a stunning 360º view. SUBA is definitely one of the strong suits of this hotel, where chef Fábio Alves designed a bold menu that changes seasonally and includes tasting menus, one of them being a vegetarian one. Chef Fábio also designs a menu especially for the holidays, so you can experience Portuguese tradition with surprising techniques, flavors and presentation.
📍Rua de Santa Catarina 1, 1200-401 Lisbon
Photo by Verride
Hotel Palácio do Governador – Lisbon Hotel & Spa
For those looking for a little bit of pampering during their Christmas break, the Hotel Palácio do Governador is an excellent fit. Located in Belém, one of Lisbon’s most attractive areas, and a stone’s throw away from the Tagus river, this hotel, with its Spa & Wellness center, is perfect to rest and relax your body and mind after a busy day exploring Lisbon. Whether enjoying its heated swimming pool or receiving a rejuvenating massage that uses ancient Greco-Roman techniques, at Palácio do Governador you can make sure your Christmas break is not only exciting, but also repairing. At Po Tat, its in-house restaurant, the pampering can continue. Blending Portuguese flavors and culinary traditions with ingredients and preparations from Asia, Po Tat (named after the Cantonese name for the luso-chinese egg tart) presents an exciting menu that won’t fail to surprise its guests. Perhaps the most untraditional of all of the options presented for a Christmas meal, Po Tat’s east meets west approach will be a great fit for the more adventurous foodie.
📍Rua Bartolomeu Dias 117, 1400-030 Lisbon
Photo by Booking.com
As you can see, Lisbon offers a unique Christmas experience, blending traditional Portuguese festivities with a mild, welcoming climate and many wonderful culinary options. From its cozy markets to cultural performances, Lisbon invites you to a holiday season that promises warmth, wonder, and an authentic local flavor.
Don’t forget to follow Taste of Lisboa on Instagram for more appetizing food stories and holiday magic from around the city! #tasteoflisboa
Feed your curiosity on Portuguese food culture:
How to celebrate Christmas like a Portuguese
10 Christmas Foods You Must Eat in Portugal
Unique Christmas eatable gifts you can buy in Lisbon and take with you
The oldest restaurants and cafes in Lisbon
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