Lifestyle in Portugal

Christmas in Portugal runs from the Consoada supper on 24th December through family lunches to Twelfth Night.

CostaTerra keeps popping up in the press, with famous names swirling around the dunes of the Alentejo coast in what's now nicknamed the 'Hamptons of Portugal'.

Are you wondering where to spend Christmas in Portugal? Whether you’re looking for twinkling city lights, a cosy countryside escape, or a sun-soaked coastal getaway, Portugal offers a magical holiday experience.

The Christmas lights in Cascais 2025 turn the old fishing town into a seaside winter fixture on Portugal’s festive map. The town boasts a lively Christmas Village with an ice rink and markets by the water.

The famous Christmas lights in Obidos turn the town into a gentle fairytale each evening, with the medieval walls lit for Vila Natal.

Nestled in the heart of Alentejo, southern Portugal, the charming village of Mértola has earned international recognition from the United Nations as one of the world’s Best Tourism Villages in 2025.

Portugal does the festive season with a cosy, neighbourhood feel: twinkly squares, proper artisan stalls, and plenty of warming snacks. You'll get cork crafts, ceramics and textiles alongside seasonal favourites like bolo-rei, roasted chestnuts and cups of ginjinha.

Black Friday in Portugal is almost here, which means the year’s most anticipated discounts are just around the corner!

Madeira is already humming with festive buzz as Funchal's Christmas lights go up. Crews started stringing up the illuminations in early October, so by the time December arrives, the centre feels like a living postcard.

Portugal's northwest city is leaning into the season with a warm glow and a proper sense of occasion this year.

Solo travelling is having a real moment, and Lisbon is right in the thick of it, thanks to being the sort of city that makes going it alone feel easy.

Living in Faro means easing into the laid‑back capital of the Algarve, where a compact old town meets the lagoon. With a population of around 60,000, life feels refreshingly local.

Portugal consistently sits near the top of Europe’s league table for safe travel, and the 2026 ranking from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection confirms it: Portugal is comfortably within the top 15 safest countries worldwide to travel to. BHTP's safest destinations report explainedThe BHTP St

According to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s 2026 traveller safety survey, Lisbon is in the top ten safest cities in the world.

The Algarve once again confirmed its position as Portugal’s top tourist destination, welcoming 597,700 guests and 2.38 million overnight stays in September.

For things to do in Olhao, early starts and unhurried evenings work best.

The 1st of December is a national public holiday in Portugal, officially called Restoration of Independence Day.

Olhão is a low-key fishing town in the Algarve with flat-roofed “cubist” houses, working boats in the marina and ferries sliding out to Ilha da Armona. Living in Olhão means you get proper year-round town living here rather than a manicured resort.

If you’re weighing up the best place to spend New Year’s Eve in Portugal, picture Passagem de Ano as sociable and outdoorsy: twelve raisins at midnight (doze passas), a toast with espumante, and a slice of bolo‑rei the next day.

This town in Alentejo, less than two hours from Lisbon, feels like sun on whitewashed walls, cool church interiors, and cork‑oak country rolling to the horizon.

Portugal does festive evenings properly: grand trees, clever illuminations and markets threaded through historic centres.

Are there any lakes in Portugal? While Portugal is famous for its stunning coastline and sun-soaked beaches, the country also offers a selection of beautiful lakes and lagoons perfect for autumn getaways.

Portugal’s winter can be quietly dramatic: frost on granite villages, empty mountain roads, taverns warmed by bowls of caldo verde.

Winter slips into Portugal with misty valleys, fire‑warm taverns and the scent of street‑roasted chestnuts. Snow does arrive on higher ground while the coast stays mild and moody.

Winter in Portugal suits a quieter city break with mild days, good-value stays and proper comfort food, especially if you’re plotting the best Portuguese cities to visit in winter.