Portugal can't give you a white Christmas with snow and frost, but the holidays can still be jolly! Portuguese cities are lavishly decorated with Christmas lights, and there are many small markets with perfect gift ideas for everyone on your Christmas list.
Porto
Porto Christmas Market (December 1–24, 2023)
The annual holiday Christmas fair is held in Batalha Square (Praça da Batalha) every December. Located in the very center of Porto, the artisan market consists of about 20 wooden chalets, offering books, decor items, apparel, and gastronomy. Live music, various workshops, and entertainment are available. The market is beautifully decorated with twinkling lights, providing a wonderful Christmas atmosphere. It's open from 11 am to 8 pm during the week with extended hours till 11 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Christmas Market at the Crystal Palace (December 1-23, 2023)
The Christmas Market is held every December in the Gardens of Palácio de Cristal on Avenida das Tílias, The holiday market features music, various shows, arts&crafts vendors, workshops, and regional produce. With plenty of entertainment both indoors and outdoors, the Christmas Market has attractions for all ages: еру Santa Claus’, carolers, clowns, magicians, cartoonists, and dancers. The market is also known for delicious food and cookies.
Lisbon
Wonderland Lisboa (December 1, 2023–January 2, 2024)
Wonderland Lisboa is located in Eduardo VII Park in the center of Lisbon. The premier holiday destination in the Portuguese capital features a Christmas Market, a Ferris wheel with 360º heated cabins, and an ice skating rink. The market consists of cozy wooden stalls, offering apparel, accessories, crafts, and regional products. There's plenty of international and local foods to try. Kids can have a picture with Santa and other favorite characters in the Christmas Village.
Campo Pequeno Christmas Market (November 30– December 11, 2023)
The former bullfighting arena, Campo Pequeno, offers a vibrant Christmas market with over 140 stalls. Fun activities and workshops are available for the whole family. Vendors offer delicious foods, Portuguese art, toys, apparel, decor, and various crafts. The market, which always takes place during one weekend in late November or early December, is a popular place to look for Christmas presents thanks to a great number of artisans in one place. The market is usually open from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm. Admission is € 2.
Cascais
Christmas Village (November 30, 2023–January 1, 2024)
Every winter Cascais, located about a half-hour drive from Lisbon, hosts a wonderful Christmas village for 27 days. A reindeer, a 26 ft (8 m) Christmas tree, a skating rink, and a vibrant Christmas market attract about 160,000 visitors annually. Christmas Village, located at Park Marechal Carmona, is a perfect place for kids, where they can visit The Santa Claus House (Casa do Pai Natal), walk through the Enchanted Forest and see the House of the Tree Magician. An old-fashioned merry-go-round and the Christmas train are among kids' favorite attractions. Also, there is the traditional lighting, the Giant Wheel, installed in the Gardens of Casino Estoril.
