Christmas in Portugal is a fantastic idea!

Are all the stores and restaurants closed during Christmas in Portugal?

Most commercial places close on December 24th and 25th.

You may find a few places open on the morning of the 24th or the late afternoon on December 25th.  

Suggestion: Plan for things to be closed on the 24th and 25th.

Where can I go for a Christmas lunch or dinner?

Make a reservation for a Christmas meal at a hotel. It will be fun to enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal or a festive international buffet-style Christmas meal.

Where can a woman over 50 spend Christmas in Portugal?

If you are spending Christmas alone in Portugal, go to a city like Lisbon or Porto. It will be more festive and there will bemore people on the streets.

Reserve a table at a hotel where you can be around people during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (lunch).

Nativity Scenes

Portuguese love Nativity Scenes, and you will find them all over Portugal in the larger cities and smaller villages.

Pastry Stores

The pastry shops will show off their beautiful holiday sweets and cakes making the cities and villages look beautiful, and you will be tempted to visit every single one and try all the cakes! Don’t forget to try the Bolo Rei.

Midnight Mass

Many Portuguese families go to the midnight mass on December 24th after their dinner and save their bolo rei, delicious cakes, and pastries for after midnight mass.

What can I do during my Christmas trip to Lisbon?

Expect everything to be closed on Christmas, but check the museums to see if any will be open on the 24th.

• Walk around the city. It’s a great walking city. Enjoy the Christmas decorations, and pop into a few churches to check out their architecture.
• Get on the No. 28 tram and use it as a hop-on and hop-off bus. It will be off-season, so there will be fewer people and hopefully fewer pickpockets!
• Visit the Christmas markets in Rossio and Bairro Alto.
• Reserve dinner at a hotel.
• Enjoy a sunset on one of the many hills or at a rooftop terrace like the one in Mundial with the Castle of S Jorge view.
• Choose great cafes to have breakfast.
• Best places to eat at food markets in Lisbon.
• My best hidden gems in Lisbon.

Is Porto a good place to visit during Christmas?

Porto is beautiful during Christmas time. There are quite a few small markets around the city. It’s a bit colder than Lisbon, so dress accordingly.

You will love walking near the river in the evenings when the city lights are on and everything looks so magical.

Reserve your Christmas dinner at a hotel with a river view.

Most stores will be closed on December 24 and 25th.

Go on self-guided walks and get to know this charming city.

What are the smaller villages in Portugal like during Christmas?

The smaller villages are pretty quiet during Christmas. Most will have some street decorations, and you may find a small Christmas market. Most stores will be closed, so I suggest you stay at a hotel where you can have your meals and be around a few people.

The best way to enjoy a small village during the Christmas season is to visit a few days before Christmas, then head to a city for the holiday. You may find yourself a bit lonely in you are in a small town on your own.

What is a traditional Portuguese Christmas dinner like?

Portuguese families enjoy eating bacalhau (cod) and lamb, although some may also eat turkey, which is not a traditional Portuguese dish. They will enjoy the bolo rei, a rich and sweet cake, rabanadas (similar to French toast), and a variety of delicious Portuguese pastries.

Christmas vocabulary

Christmas=Natal

Merry Christmas=Bom Natal

Santa Claus = Pai Noel

Christmas dinner= Consoada

Nativity Scene=Presépio

Christmas Tree=Árvore de Natal or Pinheiro

Midnight Mass=Missa do Galo

Wishing you a fantastic Christmas in Portugal!