If you are looking for a temperate climate in winter and feel the need for light, Lisbon or Porto are ideal destinations for a few days in December.
The cities are decked out in millions of bright lights and several Christmas markets put you in a festive mood.The Christmas markets ("Mercados de Natal" in Portuguese) are an opportunity to meet craftsmen, designers, producers and shopkeepers at the heart of their trade, in a festive and warm atmosphere.
The Christmas stalls offer visitors the opportunity to give Portuguese Christmas gifts, made from the country's authentic crafts.Discover our recommendations for visiting the most beautiful Christmas markets in Lisbon and Porto.
Christmas lights - Lisbon 2021
Located in the Eduardo VII Park, at the very top of Avenida de la Libertad, you can't miss it thanks to its big wheel. It is probably the biggest and most beautiful Christmas market in the city.
Wonderland Lisboa has many attractions for children and adults alike. The most eye-catching one is the Ferris wheel. During the weekend you may have to queue for a few minutes, but we guarantee that the view from the top is worth it!
More than 40 creative craftsmen will be there to help you buy beautiful and authentic Christmas gifts. You will find typical Portuguese jewellery as well as Portuguese textile crafts.
Natalis is a Christmas market that takes place in a covered area for the more chilly, at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa, Rua do Bojador.
You will be able to enjoy a fantastic night-time stroll through the Christmas lights with more than six hundred thousand lights. The Botanical Garden (Parque da Liberdade) will be the place to be for the little ones, while the main square in the city centre (Largo Rainha Dona Amélia) will host Portuguese producers and craftsmen offering their most authentic Christmas gifts.
The Christmas markets in Porto are the best way to find original gifts. You will find sweets and bakery products, cheeses and sausages, dried fruits and nuts, spices and herbs, honey and jams, wines and liqueurs, clothes and shoes, gloves and scarves, toys and dolls, table textiles, works of art and even figurines to adorn the cot and colour your home with the magic of Christmas. All in illuminated and decorated markets, to get you in the Christmas spirit.
On the Praça da Batalha there is a year-round craft market and at Christmas craftsmen and small producers present the most typical Portuguese products in pretty wooden huts.
You will find original Christmas gifts such as dolls, wooden toys, filigree jewellery, hats and scarves made of Portuguese wool. But this market will also offer you the opportunity to taste many regional delicacies: honey, jams, cheeses, sausages, port, preserves and dried fruits.
The second Christmas market in Porto is located in Avenida D. Afonso Henriques. It is the traditional arts and crafts market entirely dedicated to Portuguese handicrafts.
Located near the São Bento train station, this market, organised by the Santa Clara Association, offers a wide variety of Portuguese products and handicrafts. Ceramics, wool, linen, wood, leather, traditional Portuguese toys and games, handmade soaps, cloth dolls and homemade liquors are just some of the items that will be found on Santa's stalls.
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If you are not sure of the ideal time to plan a visit to the city of Lisbon, the answer is, without a doubt, the month of June and more specifically the 12th and 13th of June. These are the dates of the Lisbon Festivals!
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