The Top Christmas Markets to Visit in Portugal
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, steaming hot Gluhwein and twinkling lights are all a glow. You’re bound to get into a festive holiday spirit when visiting Portugal at Christmas, or Natal. If you find yourself in Portugal in December, you’re in for a real treat. Between Porto and Lisbon and nearby towns, you’ll find some fun, festive Christmas Markets to visit. Here are the top Christmas Markets to visit in Portugal in 2022.
Best Christmas Markets in Europe
When it comes to European Christmas Markets, Portugal might not be the first country that comes to mind. In fact, they aren’t even mentioned in any list of the Best European Christmas Markets. Originating in Germany in the late middle ages, Christmas Markets are now a staple in many European cities, with Germany and Austria being the biggest ones. Christmas Markets in Portugal are still a relatively new tradition. Consider them the hidden gem of European Christmas markets. Here, you won’t find massive crowds or hoards of tourists instead, they are authentic, fun and festive.
Related reading: The Magical Christmas Markets in Paris
Christmas Markets in Lisbon
Wonderland Lisboa
Wonderland Lisboa is the biggest Christmas market in Portugal. In its 7th year, this popular Lisbon Christmas market is a must-visit as it has it all! A Ferris wheel, a skating rink, a Santa’s village, and so much more. Festive Christmas music is piped through speakers throughout the park. Bring your appetite as there are endless options to tempt you with everything from crepes to pork sandwiches. Expect long lines for the food trucks and market stalls offering food and drink as they are the most popular reason to come here.
- Dates: November 30, 2022, to January 1, 2023
- Location: Parque Eduardo VII Park | Metro: Praca Marques de Pombai or Parque
- Cost: Free
Rossio Christmas Market
In the Baixa city centre, you can visit Rossio Mercado de Natal. A tall Christmas tree takes centre stage on a lively square, along with Nikolaus Santa’s house. Tiny wooden huts selling homemade artisan gifts like jewellery and knits but the biggest draw is for the sweet treats. This is a market to grab a hot chocolate, warm sangria or mulled port wine and slowly wander sampling some of the tasty dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, and pastries like Pastel de Nata (creamy custard tarts). And, a fun thing to do at this Christmas market is to take a ride on the free Christmas train at Rossio Square around the Baixa neighbourhood streets!
- Dates: November 18 to December 21, 2022
- Location: Rossio Square | Metro: Rossio
- Cost: Free
Campo Pequeno Christmas Market
The Campo Pequeno Christmas market is a shoppers’ delight! And it might be worth visiting twice. The original market offers locally made artisan items perfect for gifts or souvenirs to bring home. To be followed by the gourmet market where you can sample wines, cheeses, jams and smoked meats. It’s like your very own charcuterie picnic.
- Dates: November 30 to December 4, 2022 (original market), plus December 7 to 11, 2022 (gourmet market)
- Location: Campo Pequeno | Metro: Camp Pequeno
- Cost: €2
Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Lisbon
The capital city is making big efforts to converse energy. LED Christmas lights in Lisbon will be on between December 6, 2022, to January 6, 2023, with reduced hours every night.
The best locations in Lisbon for Christmas lights:
- Praça do Comércio – Lisbon’s biggest square downtown features a 30 m Christmas tree
- Stroll along Rua Augustine, Rua dos Fanqueiros
- Wander through the streets near the shopping centre of Armazéns do Chiado and Praça Luís de Camões
- Walk along Av. da Liberdade leading you to Wonderland Lisboa Christmas market
Best Christmas Store in Lisbon
Nickolaus is located on Rua do Carmo, 87 in the Baixa neighbourhood and is the best specialty store for all things Christmas. The store is stocked with tree ornaments, snow globes, stockings, tableware, and soft toy reindeer, elves and Santas. I was disappointed that no Christmas markets in Portugal sell tree ornaments or Christmas decorations (we travellers love to collect and bring them home). But this is the store to find something Christmassy to bring home for your tree.
Related Reading: The Best Neighbourhoods in Lisbon
Christmas Markets in Porto
Porto Christmas Market (Palácio de Natal or Christmas Palace)
Set in the beautiful gardens overlooking city views of Porto is where you’ll find this large Christmas market and Christmas-related activities being held. Entertainment is what this market promises, and it delivers! From live music in front of the Super Bock Arena, a Snow Tent or Tenda da Neve for kid-friendly entertainment, and a Crystal Tent or Tenda de Cristal housing workshops for kids are just some of the entertainment you’ll find here. As well, you’ll find market stalls filled with crafts and gift-giving items.
- Dates: December 1 to December 24, 2022
- Location: Jardins do Palácio de Cristal | Bus stop: Hosp. St. António
- Cost: Free
Porto Christmas Market (Batalha)
A year-round market showcases seasonal crafts and gifts at Christmas time including specialties like jams, honey, port, and dried fruits. This market is in an ideal location, to the nearby Sao Bento train station.
- Dates: December 1 to December 2, 2022
- Location: Praça da Batalha | Near Sao Bento Train Station
- Cost: Free
Porto Christmas Village
A large indoor Christmas market, perfect for those rainy days in Portugal caters to families with a toy factory, ice rink and arcade games.
- Dates: December 1 to December 30, 2022
- Location: Alfândega do Porto Convention Cente | Metro: Alfandega
- Cost: Free
Christmas Market at WOW (World of Wine)
WOW is hosting a wide range of Christmas-related events between December 1, 2022, to January 9, 2023, see the calendar for full details. A 3-day Christmas Market is being kicked off with a Christmas tree lighting at 7:30 pm on December 1. It’s a tiny market, but the lights and city view of Porto makes it worth it.
- Dates: December 1 to December 4, 2022
- Location: Rua do Choupelo 39, in Vila Nova de Gaia | Metro: General Torres
- Cost: Free
Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Porto
Christmas lighting will be on from the last day of November until the day after Kings Day, which is celebrated on January 6th. Just like Lisbon, Porto will be using low-consumption LED technology and running on reduced hours.
- Notable streets like Avenida dos Aliados, Rua das Flores
Christmas Market in Coimbra
The Christmas market in Coimbra has traditional wooden huts filled with vendors selling crafts and food specialty items like cheeses, dried fruit and jams.
- Dates: December 8 to December 23, 2022
- Location: Praca d Comercio
- Cost: free
Christmas Market in Obidos
The Christmas Market in Obidos, promises to be the most magical place in Portugal with this year’s theme called “brightness”. The brightness of the Christmas lights is bound to get you in the holiday spirit. Throughout the entire village of Obidos, there are Christmassy events and activities taking place mostly catering to families. Everything from a Santa Claus chalet to an ice skating rink to a Christmas train. Just like any Christmas market in Portugal you’ll find a nativity scene.
- Dates: November 30 to December 31, 2022
- Location: Town centre
- Cost: €10 for adults and €8 for kids
Christmas Wonderland in Sintra
The Sintra Reino de Natal or Christmas Wonderland promises something magical. An entire park is decorated and fairies, goblins and Santa make an appearance. Activities, concerts and crafting workshops make this a fun event for all ages. Next to the National Palace of Sintra is where you’ll find a small number of stalls featuring food and crafts.
Dates: December 1, 2022, to January 6, 2023
Location: Liberty Park, or Parque da Liberdade
Cost: free
Christmas Village in Cascais
The Cascais Christmas Village is a favourite of many, even with all the Christmas-related activities in Lisbon, many celebrate here, only 30 minutes from Lisbon. This year’s theme “Magic Garden” features a skating rink, Santa Claus House, a Christmas train and an Enchanted Forest with real reindeer are among the reasons this Christmas event is loved by families. The Christmas market stalls, provide great shopping with vendors featuring Portuguese pottery, rugs, knits and jewellery. Oh yes, you can bet there were a few purchases made at this one. This was one of the best Christmas markets in Portugal.
- Dates: November 30, 2022, to January 1, 2023
- Location: Marechal Carmona Park
- Cost: €9 for adults and €8 for kids | Christmas Market stalls = free
Christmas Food Specialities in Portugal
As far as Christmas food goes, Portugal has so many wonderful specialties to choose from. These can be found in the Christmas Markets, but also, many of them will be found in local grocery stores and bakeries.
- Bacalhau – Portugal’s most famous dish is smoked cod, often served with cabbage and boiled potatoes
- Rabanadas and sonhos – Deep-fried desserts are often shaped into different sizes and shapes, some even look like French toast
- Bolo Rei or Bolo Rainha – these two Christmas cakes are the Portuguese equivalent of Germany’s Stollen. They are brioche-like cakes topped with dried fruits (Bolo Rei) or nuts (Bolo Rainha) and are often shaped into a wreath.
As a holidaymaker…
Portugal may not be the same experience you might find in other top European Christmas Markets, but it doesn’t make them any less magical. With warmer temperatures and smaller scales, they are fun things to add to your holiday itinerary. Visit one and I promise you will really feel the joy and community spirit. Between Porto and Lisbon and nearby towns of Sintra, Cascais, Coimbra and Obidos you’ll find some fun, festive Christmas Markets in Portugal to visit in 2022.
Feliz Natal!
