13 Things to Do in Lisbon at Christmas

Although any time of year is a good time to see Lisbon's attractions and enjoy its romantic and decadent atmosphere, the Portuguese capital really dresses up for the Christmas holidays. Just by wandering aimlessly through its streets, travellers will be captivated by the lights.

From December onwards, several Christmas markets are set up where young and old alike can enjoy unforgettable moments. The city's shop windows are decorated for Christmas, and walking through the city centre with the aroma of roasted chestnuts, coffee and sweets provides 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 will see places such as Marqués de Pombal Square, Praça do Comércio, Eduardo VII Park and the entire Baixa district, decked out in beautiful Christmas lights that seem to further accentuate the city's characteristic atmosphere.

If we had to highlight one place in Lisbon for its Christmas lights, it would probably be the Vasco da Gama shopping centre on Avenida Dom João II. Its light show is truly spectacular and definitely not to be missed if you are in the area.

What's more, these strolls through the city's illuminated streets will be enlivened by a host of concerts and shows taking place during this period. Take advantage of one of the many tours of Lisbon to discover all its splendour.

The nearby towns of Sintra and Cascais are not far behind when it comes to celebrating Christmas. If you can visit them (or at least one of them), I recommend you do so, even if only for a few hours.

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

• Excursion to Sintra and Cascais, from €66
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais, the Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Regaleira, from €96
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca, from €96

However, if you just want to see how they celebrate 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 things you can't miss if you go on these excursions:

• Reino do Natal (Christmas Kingdom): at this time of year, Sintra's Liberty Park is transformed into a real Christmas village, complete with Santa's house where children can have their photo taken with him and convince him that they have been good. Next to this area is a Christmas market with an ice rink and a merry-go-round.
• Cascais Christmas Market: this coastal town sets up 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, Santa Claus himself and his reindeer (the real ones) make an appearance.

A must-see on your trip to Lisbon at Christmas is, of course, the Belém Tower. A World Heritage Site, it is one of the most iconic monuments in the Portuguese capital. Designed by 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 can enjoy an incredible view of the Tagus River and take some wonderful photos to remember your trip. Don't miss the opportunity to visit 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 the work of architect Diogo de Boitaca, who completed its construction in the 16th century, and is mainly in the Manueline style.

With your ticket to the Jerónimos Monastery, you can explore the monks' old refectory and cloister, which are sure to impress. The remains of the writer and poet Fernando Pessoa are also buried here.

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

Another fun activity, especially if you are travelling with children at Christmas, is to take a ride on the tourist tram. This will give you a good idea of how Christmas is celebrated in each area of the city. Ideally, as soon as you arrive in Lisbon, you should buy a 24-hour ticket that allows you to hop on and off whenever you want, giving you the opportunity to visit the city in a comfortable and flexible way.

The route takes in Lisbon's main attractions, such as the popular Alfama district, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the city from the Portas do Sol viewpoint, St. George's Castle and the famous Santa Justa Lift, Commerce Square, Figueira Square and Pedro IV Square, among many other points of interest. It has a built-in audio guide that will allow you to learn all the details of where you are going.

In addition, with your ticket you will receive discounts on leisure, culture and gastronomy, at many attractions, shows and venues in the city.

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

Praça do Comércio is one of the essential stops for anyone visiting the city. Due to its location, it is often the starting point for some of the city tours, as well as several of Lisbon's tourist buses. What's more, the atmosphere in the square and its surrounding streets is always magnificent. This is even more so at Christmas, and not just because of the lights.

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

Christmas in Lisbon has the flavour of traditional seasonal sweets. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the quality of these products, which are available in all the city's cafés and confectioners and could easily be the stars of the best gastronomic tour:

• Bolo Rei: the star of Christmas sweets is Bolo Rei, similar to the Spanish Roscón de Reyes. One of the main differences is the dough, which is more similar to panettone than to the orange blossom water sponge cake typical of the Spanish roscón. The filling is made with a mixture of candied fruit, raisins and nuts.
• Rabanadas (or Fatias Douradas): these golden slices are practically the same as Spanish torrijas, although many contain port wine.
• Sonhos de Natal: these 'Christmas dreams' are small 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 strolling through their stalls and huts. During your stay in the city, you should not miss the Campo Pequeno, Santa Catalina viewpoint or Alvalade markets, but any of the others 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 a large number of artisans and producers from around the country every year. There are almost 100 stalls offering all kinds of products: food, Christmas decorations, jewellery, clothing, wooden toys, etc. The market also has a food court and, for the more adventurous, a sensational ice rink.
• Alvalade Christmas Market: its wooden houses, Santa's house and the general atmosphere of the Alvalade market have made it one of the favourites among Lisbon residents 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 relive the Christmas spirit of your childhood, Wonderland is the place to go. 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 its merry-go-rounds, toboggan run, giant Christmas tree and live entertainment.
• Santa Catalina Viewpoint Christmas Market: although not very large, it has one feature that makes it highly recommended: the viewpoint, which allows you to enjoy the Christmas stalls while taking in unparalleled views of the city. Located between Bairro Alto and Santa Catalina, this market focuses on local crafts and sweets.

Interestingly, the largest Christmas market in Lisbon, Natalis, usually takes place a few weeks before the festivities begin, in early December. However, its theme and appeal make it a must-see if you are in the city at that time of year and consider Christmas to be the best time of the year.

This Christmas fair offers all kinds of Christmas-related products. Here you will 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 special guest, 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 take the green metro line.

Those who want to enjoy music in unique settings have an almost unrivalled option in Lisbon at Christmas: the Conciertos de Natal(Christmas Concerts). These are organised by the Church and combine musical performances with a tour of the rich ecclesiastical heritage of the Portuguese capital.

This way, those interested can attend concerts in various churches, mainly featuring Baroque sacred music, while enjoying the architecture and art of these temples, including the Church of Graça, the Basilica of Estrela, the Church of Santo Domingo and the Church of San Roque.

If you are travelling to Lisbon with children during Christmas (or even earlier, 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 audiences of all ages for over 125 years and has become one of the most important symbols of Christmas celebrations in the city. What's more, the show does not feature animals and is designed so that everyone can enjoy the performances, regardless of their age.

Practical information

• Dates: dates may vary depending on the 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 for any changes in prices, they usually range from €18 to €25, depending on the seats reserved.

As you can see, visiting Lisbon in December is wonderful. What's more, sports fans can enjoy the San Silvestre race. The streets of Lisbon fill with runners covering the 10 kilometres of the race. Whether you're a participant or a spectator, don't hesitate to come to the area and be part of the fantastic atmosphere.

Part of the appeal of this race is that the route passes through some of the most interesting parts of Lisbon. Both the start and finish lines are located on Avenida da Liberdade, which you will surely have passed by during your visit to the attractions in central Lisbon.

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

If you've decided to spend New Year's Eve away from home and have chosen Lisbon, you're in for an unforgettable night in a magical atmosphere. The main stage for the celebrations to see out the year is Praça do Comércio, where you'll find the huge clock that counts down to welcome in the new year. However, in Portugal it is not customary to eat grapes, so if you want to keep up the Spanish tradition, you will have to bring your own.

What is customary when the countdown ends is to toast with champagne. At that moment, an impressive light and sound show begins, followed by fireworks over the Tagus River.

The celebration continues for several hours afterwards, with concerts and various parties in many of the bars that characterise Lisbon's nightlife. During these hours, you should stop by a ginjinha stand at least once to toast with shots of this liqueur.

Although Lisbon is in low season in winter, the number of visitors increases somewhat at Christmas. For this reason, it is best to book your accommodation well in advance and do the same with tickets for any shows you want to attend.

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

My advice is to try to take advantage of these days to explore neighbourhoods such as Belém and see all the charms of Alfama. It's also a good time to go up to the viewpoints and watch the sunset without having to share the space with hundreds of tourists.