Lisbon in December is a city of lights strung across hills, bolo rei in every bakery window and a river that fills with fireworks at midnight on the 31st.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | Mid teens °C |
| Nights | Around 9 °C |
| Rain | Some wet days, clear ones between |
November is a shade warmer and wetter.
What's on#
The Christmas lights from the end of November, the big tree in Praça do Comércio, the Wonderland Lisboa fair in Parque Eduardo VII. The 8th is a holiday. Christmas Eve is the family dinner of boiled bacalhau and the midnight mass; the 25th is closed; the 26th is a normal day. New Year's Eve: the concert and fireworks on Praça do Comércio, twelve raisins at midnight. Things to do in Lisbon.
What to eat#
Bolo rei, the crown-shaped Christmas cake. Rabanadas, the Portuguese French toast. Bacalhau in every form. Roasted chestnuts still on the corners. And pastéis de nata, which do not care what month it is.
What to do#
The 3-day itinerary, with Sintra on the clearest day of your forecast. Winter light on the river at Belém is the best of the year. The Gulbenkian and the Tile Museum for the wet afternoons. A fado house for a cold evening.
Crowds and prices#
Quiet and cheap through the first three weeks. The week between Christmas and New Year fills with visitors and hotel prices rise, with the 31st the most expensive night. Lisbon travel guide for neighbourhoods.
What to pack#
A warm jacket, rain protection, shoes with grip for wet cobbles, a scarf. Is Lisbon safe?.
Plan it#
Post your dates on Roavi Community. A Local Friend in Lisbon can get you to the right miradouro for midnight; Roavi has few here yet, so post early. How to meet locals in Lisbon.
Lisbon in December? Lights, bolo rei, and fireworks on the river. Share it with a local.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon worth visiting in December?
Yes. It is mild compared with most of Europe, the lights are generous, the crowds are small until the last ten days, and the food is at its most traditional. Pack for rain and you will have a good trip.What is open in Lisbon on Christmas Day?
Little. Museums, most shops and many restaurants close on 25 December, and Christmas Eve evening is family time. Some hotel and tourist-area restaurants open with a set menu; book. The 26th is a normal working day in Portugal.Where do you spend New Year's Eve in Lisbon?
Praça do Comércio for the concert and midnight fireworks over the Tagus, or any miradouro facing the river for the same view with fewer people. Twelve raisins at midnight, one per chime, for luck.Is 8 December a holiday in Portugal?
Yes, the Immaculate Conception. Shops in the city centre mostly stay open, public offices close, and it marks the start of the Christmas season in earnest.