Portugal is a fantastic destination to visit during December.

December offers two distinct holiday experiences: the peaceful atmosphere of the first two weeks, followed by the exciting build-up to Christmas and holiday celebrations. The first half of December sees very few tourists in Portugal, making it an ideal time for a sightseeing trip or a relaxing holiday in the Algarve.

These first two weeks of December offer the perfect opportunity to find bargain flights and book heavily discounted luxury hotels. It's also a wonderful time to discover authentic Portugal and explore the country's many wondrous sights without the peak season crowds.

The pretty town of Obidos will be completely free of tourists in December

The second half of December is the Christmas season and its enjoyable build-up. To fully immerse yourself in the festive spirit, consider visiting Lisbon or Porto, with their festive markets, bustling shopping streets and abundance of holiday cheer.

The Christmas holidays (December 23 to January 2) experience a significant increase in tourism, with the Algarve's coastal towns, Lisbon, and Porto experiencing visitor numbers comparable to June. During the holidays, Lisbon stands out with its vibrant and exciting atmosphere, while Albufeira in the Algarve hosts some of Portugal's best New Year's celebrations.

 

 

Visiting Portugal in December requires some flexibility, as there can be very wet weather, especially in the north of the country. The southern Algarve region typically offers the best weather in December. While not warm enough for sunbathing or beach lounging, it is ideal for touring or activity-based holidays.

These activities could include playing a round of golf in Vilamoura, hiking the Sete Vales Suspensos coastal footpath, cycling in the Serra de Monchique hills, or surfing the massive waves at Sagres. The lack of tourists and mild weather in early December make it a wonderful season for sightseeing and touring holidays, whether it's an in-depth trip to Lisbon and Porto or a multi-stop tour of the Algarve.

This article provides a guide to Portugal in December and will help you get the most from your holiday.

The Algarve will be peaceful and relaxing in December, such as the little village of Ferragudo

The Rossio Christmas market in Lisbon

December is the coolest and wettest month in Portugal, but the weather is some of the best of mainland Europe. The weather in Portugal in December can be divided into three areas:

• Porto and northern Portugal – Cool days, chilly nights and possibly very wet weather.
• The Algarve – Mild and dry, with an equal number of grey days and bright sunny days – there is very little rain.
• Lisbon and central Portugal – An unpredictable mix of bright and sunny days and grey days – there will be some wet days.

The Algarve boasts Portugal's finest weather in December, with many sunny days and mild temperatures that peak at 18°C. While not ideal for sunbathing or relaxing on the beach, these conditions are perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

The north of Portugal can be very wet, with moisture-laden winds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean and dropping heavy rain over the hilly regions. It can also be chilly in Porto, only reaching a maximum daytime temperature of 14°C.

Lisbon is more of a mix between the north and the Algarve. It will be cool (daytime maximum of 16°C and down to 8°C at night) but will have considerably less rain than Porto.

The far eastern side of Portugal, close to the Spanish border, tends to be much drier than the western coastline and can provide a fantastic alternative holiday destination.

For a holiday to Portugal in December, it is best to go to Lisbon or one of the larger towns of the Algarve such as Lagos, Albufeira, or Vilamoura.

Lisbon is the best choice for a December holiday, as it offers many activities in case of potential poor weather, while boasting Portugal's largest Christmas markets.

The Algarve will feel very quiet in the first two weeks of December, and only start to get lively from the 22nd of December. There will be nightlife and a buzzing atmosphere in Albufeira during the Christmas period, but it will be nothing like the peak summer season.

December is a fantastic time of year for a touring holiday of Portugal. The weather is ideal for exploring, the popular tourist destinations will be free of tourists, and there can be significant reduction on accommodation (outside of the Christmas week).
Some of the best itineraries for December holiday include:

1) Tour of the Algarve - Faro (1 night), Tavira (2 nights), Albufeira or Vilamoura (2 nights), and Lagos (3 nights, with a day trip to Silves).

2) One week in Lisbon - Three days exploring Lisbon and day trips to Sintra, Cascais, Setúbal, Sesimbra, Évora and Óbidos.

3) Central and eastern Portugal – Lisbon (2 nights), Évora (1 night), Elvas (1 night), Marvão or Castelo de Vide (1 night), Monsanto and Almeida (2 nights) which includes the surrounding regions of Trancoso, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Marialva. Then drive back to Lisbon, which could include Viseu and Coimbra.

4) The Alentejo coastline – Lisbon (2 nights) – Setúbal (1 night and day trip to the Serra da Arrábida) – drive through Comporta and Melides to Vila Nova de Milfontes (2 nights) or Porto Covo – Odeceixe – Sagres (1 night) – Lagos (2 nights). You will need a car for this route, and it requires good weather to appreciate all of the stunning scenery.

The interactive map below displays these tours. The green line shows the Lisbon 1-week holiday, the blue line is the tour of the Algarve, the yellow line is the east Portugal tour and the red line shows the Alentejo coastline route. (Note: Zoom in to see all of the points)

Algarve tour (blue) 1) Faro 2) Tavira 3) Albufeira 4) Vilamoura 5) Lagos
1 week in Lisbon (green) 6) Lisbon 7) Sintra 8) Cascais 9) Setubal 10) Obidos
East Portugal tour (yellow) 6) Lisbon 11) Evora 12) Elvas 13) Marvão 14) Monsanto 15) Serra da Estrela 16) Almeida
Alentejo coastline tour (red) 6) Lisbon 9) Setubal 17) Comporta 18) Vila Nova de Milfontes 19) Odeceixe 20) Sagres

Having flexible plans is a very useful approach when visiting Portugal in December, so they can be easily adjusted depending on the weather.

When sightseeing in cities, it is a good idea to have a mix of indoor and outdoor activities planned for each day. It is even better to have a flexible itinerary that can adapt to the weather conditions.

The winter months are the low season, and there is simply no need to pre-book tours, tickets, or even accommodation (excluding December 23rd to January 2nd when you will need to have accommodation pre-booked due to demand). It is much better to have a range of ideas and places you would like to see that can vary depending on the weather.

Insight: Portugal is a relatively small country and has an excellent express train network. It takes only 2.5 hours to travel from Lisbon to the Algarve if the weather becomes poor, or 3 hours from Lisbon to Porto if the weather is dry and sunny.

The Praia de Dona Ana beach, in the Algarve, on a sunny winter's day

Christmas is a fantastic time of year to be in Portugal. The Portuguese adore the Christmas holidays, and the cities are alive with the build-up to the festivities, combining religious traditions with unique cultural elements.

The Christmas season officially begins on December 8th, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is when the Christmas markets in Lisbon and Porto open, along with smaller markets in most large cities. Lisbon and Porto will have a real buzz about them, with busy shopping streets, vibrant nightlife, and festive decorations adorning the historic streets. The largest Christmas market is the Winter Wonderland in Lisbon, held in Eduardo VII Park.

On Christmas Eve, families gather for "Consoada," a special dinner often featuring bacalhau (salted cod) and traditional sweets like "bolo rei" (king cake). At midnight, many attend "Missa do Galo" (Rooster's Mass), while excited children often stay up till midnight to open their presents. Christmas Day is a public holiday, so most tourist activities and shops will be closed. It is useful to make restaurant reservations for Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, as many restaurants may be shut and the ones open booked out. Boxing Day (December 26th) is not a holiday in Portugal, so businesses generally operate normally.

The holiday period from December 23rd to January 2nd sees tourism peak, with high demand for flights and accommodation. Flights are particularly crowded just before Christmas, as Portuguese expatriates return home to celebrate, and again on January 1st-3rd as they depart to their places of work.

Lisbon’s Christmas tree in the Praça do Comércio plaza

The Bolo Rei – The traditional Portuguese Christmas cake

Lisbon is the better location to visit in December. This is due to better weather, more indoor activities and larger Christmas markets.

In December, Lisbon typically enjoys milder and drier weather compared to Porto. The Portuguese capital boasts average daytime highs of around 16°C (61°F), whilst Porto, further north, tends to be cooler and wetter, with average highs reaching about 14°C (57°F).

There is always the risk of poor, wet weather in Portugal in December, but Lisbon offers more indoor sights and activities than Porto. These include the Gulbenkian Museum, LxFactory, Jerónimos Monastery, the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, and Museu Nacional dos Coches. For families, there is the Oceanário de Lisboa and Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Pavilion of Knowledge).

During the festive build-up to Christmas, Lisbon has more and larger Christmas markets than Porto.

Porto can be great to visit if there is dry weather, which is why it is recommended to have flexible plans for any trip to Portugal in the winter.
Related articles: Lisbon guide – Porto guide

The Algarve can be an excellent choice for families with pre-school children or those able to travel outside school holidays. December brings milder temperatures without the intense summer heat, and you can often find great deals on accommodation.

The best family-friendly resorts are listed below, but be aware that some summer services and activities may not operate during the winter months.

Pestana Blue Alvor - This all-inclusive resort offers kids' clubs and multiple pools. Year-round activities keep all ages entertained.
Jupiter Albufeira Hotel - With its family entertainment programs and spacious rooms, this hotel ensures comfort for all seasons.
Pine Cliffs Resort - One of the smartest hotel complexes in the Algarve, this cliff-top resort features family suites, children's clubs, and direct beach access.
Aquashow Park Hotel - A hotel complex which is attached to a water park, which has a indoor water pool area for the winter months.
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa - A luxury resort balances grown-up indulgences with family amenities, including pools and diverse entertainment options.
Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort - This beachfront resort offers relaxation and fun. Kids' clubs and varied dining cater well to family needs throughout the year.

During winter, snow falls over the Serra da Estrela mountains, and there is a ski resort at Torre - the highest point in Portugal (1,997m). These are only a small set of ski slopes (5.9km of slopes and 3 chairlifts), and certainly not comparable to the Alps, but it is an enjoyable activity if you're based in Portugal. For further information and prices, see the Serra da Estrela skiing website: https://www.skiserradaestrela.com/

The areas to avoid during December are the Douro Valley and the northern coastal towns.

The Douro Valley can be extremely wet in December. Whilst there may be bargains available for boat cruises, the potentially inclement weather can significantly diminish their appeal.

The northern coastal towns (north of Costa Nova and Aveiro) are subject to strong winds and possible rain, with most establishments closed for winter. Many towns along the Atlantic coastline can appear rather gloomy and bleak in December.

The Algarve is a fantastic destination in December, as long as you accept that the resort towns will be very quiet, and the weather is not warm enough to sunbathe.

Our advice is to stick to the larger resort towns, such as Albufeira, Lagos, or Vilamoura, , which have large permanent populations and will have a decent selection of restaurant and bars open. To experience some Portuguese culture during your holiday, consider being based in the charming town of Tavira or having a day trip to Faro or Silves.

December is the best time to find a bargain hotel in the Algarve. Searching the hotel comparison websites can find you last-minute 5-star luxury for the price of 3-star mediocrity. We would strongly advise hiring a car so that you can explore the region and are not just tied to your deserted hotel complex or quiet town.

The western Algarve has lively resort towns and golden cliffs

December is surfing season in the western Algarve, with the town of Sagres having a great surfing vibe along with some amazing surfing beaches.

Some good ideas for activities in December include hiking along the Praia do Vale de Centeanes trail, joining a boat tour from Albufeira or Vilamoura (when the seas are calm!), or cycling the quiet roads around Burgau or Tavira

December is a popular season for golfing holidays in the Algarve. It offers bright, dry weather without the intense summer heat, and December is also much cheaper for golf than in September and October when prices are at their highest. Vilamoura is a great base for a golfing holiday.

Lisbon is a good option for a European-based city break or holiday during December, and this is due to the huge variety that this vibrant city has to offer. For inclement days, there are numerous museums and indoor activities to visit, along with hundreds of trendy bars and stylish restaurants to choose from.

If the sun does show itself, hop on the train to the magical town of Sintra, with its whimsical Pena Palace and the ruins of the Moors castle. If it is warm head to the characterful resort town of Cascais or the traditional beach town of Sesimbra.

If the sun shines head to the Pena Palace, which is magical with few tourists about

If it does rain, there is the wonderful oceanarium, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Calouste Gulbenkian art museum. If it stays wet, head to the artisan area of LX Factory, sample Portugal's finest foods in the Timeout Market and end the day in the trendy bars of the Bairro Alto district.

In the low season, the main tourist attractions will be almost deserted, so you'll be able to visit at your own pace without enduring the summer crowds.
Related articles: Our Lisbon guide

Porto in December is difficult to predict. The weather could be good, or it could be very wet. If it is raining, the city has significantly fewer indoor activities and sights to offer than Lisbon. The main indoor experience is Port wine tasting in the many cellars that line the banks of Douro River - and with over 14 different Port cellars, there's a lot of Port tasting!

If the weather is dry take a day trip to the pretty city of Guimarães or the religious centre of Braga. If the sun does come out hire a car and explore the Douro Valley.

Our advice: If you are thinking about visiting Porto in December, leave your planning to the last minute and base your decision on the long-term weather forecast. If it seems wet, head to Lisbon or the Algarve. If its dry, book Porto and get yourself a bargain trip!
Related articles: Porto guide

The Ponte Luís I in Porto, crossing the Douro River