13 Things to Do in Lisbon at Christmas

Although every season is a good time to see Lisbon's attractions and enjoy its romantic and decadent atmosphere, the Portuguese capital really comes into its own during the Christmas holidays. Just by strolling aimlessly through its streets, the traveller will be captivated by the illumination.

From December onwards, several Christmas markets are set up where young and old alike will have an unforgettable time. The city's shop windows are decorated with Christmas decorations and walking through the city centre with the aroma of roasting chestnuts, coffee and sweets gives a magical feeling.

As Christmas approaches, the streets of the Portuguese capital are filled with colour and light. Whether on your own or by booking a guided tour of Lisbon, you'll see places like Marqués de Pombal Square, Praca do Comercio, Eduardo VII Park or the entire Baixa, all decked out in beautiful Christmas lighting that seems to accentuate the city's characteristic atmosphere even more.

If there's one place in Lisbon that stands out for its Christmas lighting, then the Vasco da Gama shopping centre on Avenida Dom João II is probably the one to choose. Its light show is truly spectacular and should definitely not be missed if you are in the area.

Moreover, these strolls through the illuminated streets of the city will be enlivened by the many concerts and shows that take place on these days. Take advantage of one of the many tours of Lisbon to discover all its splendour.

Nearby Sintra and Cascais are no slouches when it comes to celebrating Christmas. If you can get to them (or at least one of them) I recommend you do, even if it's just for a few hours.

There are many organised tours to Sintra and some of them also pass through Cascais. These tours focus on the many attractions that Sintra has to offer, such as the Quinta da Regaleira or the Pena Palace. Here are a few options:

• Excursion to Sintra and Cascais, from RM345.
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Regaleira, from RM313.
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca, from RM417

However, if you just want to see their way of celebrating Christmas, it's best to go on your own. In my article on how to get from Lisbon to Sintra you can see the options. Here are some of the things not to miss if you go on these excursions:

• Reino do Natal (Christmas Kingdom): Sintra's Liberty Park becomes a real Christmas village at this time of year, with Father Christmas' house included so that children can have their photo taken with him and convince him that they have been good. Adjacent to this space is a Christmas market with an ice rink and merry-go-round.
• Cascais Christmas Market: This seaside town has a Christmas village with food stalls, gifts, an ice rink and a large merry-go-round. There is also a huge Christmas tree and lots of snowmen. To top it all off , Father Christmas himself and his reindeer (the real ones).

A must-see on your Christmas trip to Lisbon is, of course, the Belém Tower. A World Heritage Site, it is one of the most iconic monuments of the Portuguese capital. Designed by the architect Francisco de Arruda, it was commissioned by King Manuel I to serve as a fort and lighthouse.

With your ticket to the Belém Tower, you will have access to the Governor's and King's Chambers, the chapel and the lower and upper batteries. Best of all, you'll be able to enjoy an incredible view of the Tagus River and take some wonderful photos to remember, so don't miss the opportunity to get to know this emblem of the Portuguese capital!

Another of the most visited monuments that you cannot miss on your trip to Lisbon at Christmas is the Jerónimos Monastery. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, it is a work of the architect Diogo de Boitaca, which was completed in the 16th century and is mainly in the Manueline style.

With your ticket to the Hieronymites Monastery, you can explore the old monks' refectory and the cloister, which will not leave you indifferent. In addition, the remains of the writer and poet Fernando Pessoa lie here.

Of course, the views of the Tagus are also spectacular from the Jerónimos Monastery. So, don't hesitate, and include this plan in your trip to Lisbon.

And a very fun plan, also if you go with the little ones at Christmas, is to take a trip on the tourist tram. This way you can easily get an idea of how Christmas is experienced in each area of the city. Ideally, as soon as you arrive in Lisbon, you should get a ticket valid for 24 hours so that you can hop on and off whenever you want, giving you the opportunity to visit the city in a comfortable and flexible way.

The tour takes you to Lisbon' s main points of interest such as the popular Alfama district, where you'll have wonderful views of the city from the Portas do Sol viewpoint, St. George's Castle and the famous Santa Justa elevator, Commerce Square, Figueira Square and Pedro IV Square, among many other points of interest. And it has a built-in audio guide that will allow you to get to know all the details wherever you go.

Plus, with your ticket you'll get discounts on leisure, culture and gastronomy, at many attractions and shows and venues in the city.

If you want to see the biggest Christmas tree (a fir tree) in Lisbon, just take a stroll around Praça do Comércio.

Praca do Comercio is one of the essential stops for anyone travelling to the city. Due to its location, it is often the starting point for some of the **city'**s tours, as well as for several of Lisbon's tourist buses. In addition, the atmosphere here and in the surrounding streets is always magnificent. This is even more so at Christmas, and not just because of the Christmas lights.

If you are lucky, your stay may coincide with the lighting of the Christmas tree decorations at the beginning of December. Lisbon organises a whole spectacle around this time, culminating in fireworks that light up the whole city and mark the beginning of Christmas.

Christmas in Lisbon has the flavour of the typical Christmas sweets. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the quality of these products, which can be found in all the city's cafés and confectioners' shops and could perfectly be the star of the best gastronomic tour:

• Bolo Rei: the star of Christmas sweets is the Bolo Rei, similar to the Spanish Roscón de Reyes. One of the main differences is the dough, which is more similar to that of panettone than to the sponge cake with orange blossom water typical of the Spanish roscón. On the other hand, the filling is made with a mixture of candied fruit, sultanas and nuts.
• Rabanadas ( or Fatias Douradas): these golden slices are practically the same as Spanish torrijas, although many have port wine.
• Sonhos de Natal: "Christmas dreams" are balls of flour, eggs, sugar and butter that are fried before serving. One variety has a pumpkin filling.

It's not easy to decide which Christmas market in Lisbon is the most worthwhile, as they are all worth a stroll through their stalls and huts. During your stay in the city you should not miss the one in Campo Pequeno, the one in the Santa Catalina viewpoint or the one in Alvalade, but any of the others that are set up are also very interesting. Here is some information about them to help you decide:

• Campo Pequeno Christmas Market: located in a former bullring, this market brings together every year a large number of artisans and producers from all over the country. Almost 100 stalls are set up offering all kinds of products: food, Christmas decorations, jewellery, clothes, wooden toys, etc. The market also has a restaurant area and, for the more daring, a sensational ice-skating rink.
• Alvalade Christmas Market: its wooden houses , Father Christmas' house and the general atmosphere of the Alvalade market have made it one of Lisbon's favourite markets in recent years. Its stalls sell everything from food to handicrafts and it also has an entertainment area for children.
• Wonderland Lisbon: if you want to feel Christmas as you did when you were a child, Wonderland will be your must-see destination. In addition to its central location, this market has several attractions for children, as well as a Ferris wheel and a Christmas village. Highlights include merry-go-rounds, a toboggan run, a giant Christmas tree and live entertainment.
• Santa Catalina viewpoint Christmas market: although it is not very big, it has a quality that makes it highly recommendable, the viewpoint that allows you to enjoy the Christmas stalls while enjoying incomparable views of the city. This place, located between Bairro Alto and Santa Catalina, focuses on local handicrafts and sweets.

Oddly enough, Lisbon's largest Christmas market, Natalis, usually takes place a few weeks before the festive season begins in early December. However, its theme and appeal make it a must-visit if you're in town at that time of year and consider Christmas to be the best time of year.

This Christmas fair offers all kinds of Christmas-related products. Here you can find all kinds of Christmas delicacies, sweets, mulled wine, liqueurs and, above all, chocolate. There are also stalls where you can buy handicrafts and all the gifts you need for the festive season.

There is also a large area full of games and attractions for the little ones. And, as a guest star , Father Christmas himself always makes an appearance. This event, which is free to enter, takes place at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa exhibition centre. The easiest way to get there is to use the green metro line.

For those who want to enjoy music in unique settings, Lisbon's Christmas in Lisbon offers an almost unbeatable proposal, the so-called Natal Concerts. These are organised by the Church and combine musical performances with a tour of the rich ecclesiastical heritage of the Portuguese capital.

Thus, those interested can attend concerts in several churches, mainly of Baroque sacred music, and at the same time enjoy the architecture and art of these temples, among which are the church of Gracia, the basilica of Estrela, the church of Santo Domingo and the church of San Roque.

If you are going to Lisbon with children during Christmas (or even before, in November), you will probably not find a better plan for them than attending the Circo de Natal at the Coliseu dos Recreios.

This circus show has been entertaining all audiences for more than 125 years and has become one of the most important symbols of Christmas celebrations in the city. Moreover, the show does not include animals and is designed so that everyone can enjoy the performances, regardless of their age.

Practical information

• Dates: the dates may vary from year to year, so it is advisable to check them on their website. It usually takes place from mid-November to 26 December, the day after Christmas.
• Address: The performances take place in one of the capital's best-known auditoriums, the Coliseu dos Recreios, at Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 96.
• Prices: Although I recommend checking if there have been any changes in prices, they usually range from €18 to €25, depending on the seats reserved.

As you can see, Lisbon in December is a wonderful place to visit. And sports fans can enjoy the San Silvestre race. The streets of Lisbon fill up with runners to cover the 10 kilometres of the race. Whether you are a participant or a spectator, don't hesitate to come to the area and be part of the fantastic atmosphere.

Part of the attraction of this race is that its route passes through some of the most interesting corners of Lisbon. Both the start and finish line are located on Avenida de la Liberdade, which you are sure to have passed through on your visit to the attractions of central Lisbon.

The race also has a children's section, the "Mini São Silvestre da Pequenada", which is half the distance of the adult race. Unlike in other cities, the Lisbon San Silvestre does not have a fixed date, so I recommend that you check when it takes place on its website. There you will also find how to register.

If you have decided to spend New Year's Eve away from home and have chosen Lisbon, you will experience an unforgettable night in a magical atmosphere. The main stage for the celebrations to bid farewell to the year is the Praça do Comércio, where you will find the huge clock that counts down the clock to welcome the new year. Of course, in Portugal there is no custom of eating grapes, so if you want to keep the Spanish tradition you will have to bring your own.

What is customary at the end of the countdown is to toast with champagne. This is when an impressive spectacle of lights and sounds begins, followed by the launching of fireworks over the Tagus.

The celebrations continue for the next few hours, with concerts and various parties in many of the bars that characterise Lisbon's nightlife. During these hours you should stop at least once at a ginjinha stall to toast with shots of this liqueur.

Although Lisbon is in the low season in winter, the influx of visitors picks up somewhat at Christmas. For this reason, it's best to book accommodation well in advance, as well as tickets for any shows you want to attend.

As happens in all cities, Lisbon is slow to wake up after the two big nights of Christmas. This makes them perfect days to stroll through the streets with a tranquillity that you will hardly find at other times.

My advice is that you try to take advantage of these days to visit neighbourhoods such as Belem and see all the charms of Alfama. It is also a good time to go up to the viewpoints and watch the sunset from them without having to share the space with hundreds of tourists.