Portugal is a country known for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich traditions, many of which are celebrated through its public holidays. Whether you're planning a visit, organising work schedules, or simply curious about the days of rest and festivity, knowing Portugal's public holidays for 2025 is essential.
The 2025 holiday calendar in Portugal will bring 13 national (mandatory) public holidays, 1 optional holiday, 3 opportunities to create long weekends, and 5 extended weekends. On top of that, there are also municipal and regional holidays to consider. From national celebrations to regional festivities, this guide provides a comprehensive list of holidays to help you make the most of your year.
How many public holidays are there in Portugal?
In Portugal, there are 13 national public holidays that are mandatory for all workers. In addition to these, there are optional holidays (such as Carnival) and municipal holidays that vary depending on the region.
So, the number of national public holidays in Portugal is 13, but the total number of public holidays, including regional and optional ones, can be higher depending on the area.
What are the public holidays in Portugal in 2025?
2025 started on a Wednesday, meaning that the first Wednesday of the year was a public holiday. After that, everyone will have to wait a bit longer, until mid-April, for the next holiday: Good Friday.
To help you plan your calendar, here’s a detailed list of all the public holidays in Portugal (mainland and archipelagos) for 2025:
National Public Holidays in Portugal (Mandatory)
- 1 January: New Year’s Day falls on a Wednesday.
- 18 April: Good Friday marks the first long weekend of the year, commemorating the death of Jesus Christ.
- 20 April: Easter Sunday, a significant Christian holiday celebrating Christ’s resurrection.
- 25 April: Freedom Day, also known as the Carnation Revolution, falls on a Friday, providing another long weekend opportunity.
- 1 May: Labour Day will be on a Thursday, offering the possibility of a “bridge” holiday the next day for a mini-break.
- 10 June: Portugal Day, commemorating Luís de Camões and Portuguese communities, falls on a Tuesday, allowing for a “bridge” holiday on the preceding Monday.
- 19 June: Corpus Christi, a Christian celebration of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, always falls on a Thursday.
- 15 August: Assumption Day will be on a Friday, perfect for a long weekend.
- 5 October: Republic Day falls on a Sunday, meaning most of us won’t benefit much from it, but it’s still an important date in Portugal’s history.
- 1 November: All Saints’ Day will fall on a Saturday, making it less useful for most workers.
- 1 December: Restoration of Independence Day will fall on a Monday, arguably one of the best days for a holiday, as Mondays are widely disliked!
- 8 December: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception also falls on a Monday.
- 25 December: Christmas Day, marking the birth of Jesus Christ, will fall on a Wednesday as usual, rounding out the year.
Optional Holidays
- 4 March: Shrove Tuesday (Carnival) is not an official public holiday, making it optional. If your employer grants you this day off, it’s an excellent opportunity to take advantage and enjoy a the first long weekend of the year. Perhaps even celebrate Carnival in Venice or Rio de Janeiro!
Municipal Holidays
Municipal holidays vary by region, so don’t forget to check for specific dates in your area. Since there are many municipal holidays in Portugal, we cannot list them all here. Therefore, we’ve decided to highlight the holidays in June, as most municipalities celebrate their local holidays during this month, when it’s also the time to celebrate the popular saints.
- 13 June: Saint Anthony's Day is not only celebrated in Lisbon. The municipalities of Cascais, Vila Real, Vila Nova de Famalicão, and Aljustrel, among others, also celebrate their municipal holiday on this day. In 2025, it falls on a Friday.
- 24 June: On a Tuesday, the municipalities of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Figueira da Foz, Almada, Tavira, and Castro Marim, among many others, will celebrate their municipal holiday and Saint John's Day.
- 29 June: For residents in the municipalities of Póvoa de Varzim, Sintra, Montijo, Seixal, Évora, and many others, their municipal holiday of Saint Peter’s Day in 2025 will fall on a Sunday, which is less ideal for many.
How to make the most of public holidays in 2025?
To make the most of public holidays in 2025, start by planning in advance. Look for long weekends and optional holidays that offer opportunities for short getaways or extended breaks. Consider taking advantage of “bridge” days, where you can create extended weekends by taking a day off between a holiday and the weekend. Whether it’s a relaxing staycation or an adventurous trip, using these holidays to recharge or explore can make the year’s busy moments feel more balanced.
Long weekends
The first long weekend of 2025 will take place during Easter, from 18 April (Friday) to 20 April (Sunday). If you have family living far away, take advantage of these days to visit them and celebrate the season together.
Next, there’s another long weekend in April, from 25 April (Friday) to 27 April (Sunday). The weather might not be hot enough for beach days, but it’s perfect for a getaway in nature. Take a look at the map of Portugal (or the world) and choose your spring destination.
If you’re one of the lucky ones working in a municipality that celebrates its local holiday on Friday, 13 June, you’ll have a great opportunity to enjoy three days (from 13 to 15 June) in a location perfect for swimming, as the weather is already warm by then.
Between 15 August (Friday) and 17 August (Sunday), there’s another long weekend. Good news for those taking holidays in the first half of August, as it means one less working day.
Following that, there are more long weekends in December, from 29 November (Saturday) to 1 December (Monday) and from 6 December (Saturday) to 8 December (Monday). The perfect time to head to the snow or visit a European city to explore traditional Christmas markets.
“Pontes”
When it comes to the so-called “bridge” days, known as "pontes" in Portugal, you may be lucky enough to have your first one on 3 March (Monday) if you get a holiday for Carnival. In that case, you’ll enjoy a 4-day weekend from 1 to 4 March.
On Labour Day (1 May), you’ll have the chance to take Friday, 2 May, off, allowing you to enjoy a mini-break until Sunday, 4 May.
Just over a month later, you can also take Monday, 9 June, off before Portugal Day. And still in the same month, thanks to the Corpus Christi holiday on 19 June, you can create a “bridge” on Friday, 20 June.
What is the biggest holiday in Portugal?
The biggest holiday in Portugal is Portuguese National Day, known as Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas, celebrated on 10 June. This day commemorates the life and work of the famous Portuguese poet Luís de Camões and celebrates the contributions of Portuguese communities worldwide.
However, for many Portuguese people, Christmas (25 December) and Easter (especially Easter Sunday) are also considered among the most important holidays, as they are deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions.
The 25 April, known as Freedom Day, marking the Carnation Revolution in 1974, is another significant national holiday in Portugal, commemorating the peaceful overthrow of the Estado Novo regime.
While all these holidays are celebrated with great importance, 10 June stands out due to its national pride and cultural significance.
Are shops open in Portugal on public holidays?
In Portugal, whether shops are open on public holidays depends on the type of shop and its location:
- Large retailers and shopping centres: In major cities and tourist areas, large retailers and shopping malls may remain open on public holidays, especially in the summer months or around major holidays. However, this is not always the case, and many stores choose to close on specific holidays, such as Christmas or New Year's Day.
- Smaller shops and local businesses: Many smaller shops, particularly those in more residential or rural areas, tend to close on public holidays. This is more common for holidays like Easter Sunday, 1 May (Labour Day), and Christmas.
- Tourist areas: In tourist-heavy locations (like Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, etc.), businesses catering to tourists often remain open on public holidays to accommodate visitors.
- Grocery stores: Many grocery stores and supermarkets may have reduced hours on public holidays. Some larger chains may open but for shorter hours, while smaller, local shops may close entirely.
It's always a good idea to check specific store hours in advance if you're planning to shop on a public holiday.
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