Are you coming to Lisbon in December? Would you like to visit a Christmas market or do some Christmas shopping? Where are the best Christmas markets in Lisbon? Do they have a big Christmas tree in Lisbon? Everything you need to know about your Christmas celebration and the Christmas markets in Lisbon.
The Christmas market tradition isn’t very strong in Lisbon and Portugal. The climate has never forced the Portuguese people into creating an extra event, in contradiction to Germany and Austria, in which the people needed an excuse to go out and drink and have fun in the dark and cold month of December.
But, seeing the success of the Christmas markets elsewhere in the world, Lisbon is also moving in the Christmas market direction. So, where should you go to find the best Christmas markets in Lisbon? Where to go if you want a Christmas atmosphere and some nice holiday spirit in Lisbon?
The Christmas markets in Lisbon
Here we will give you information about Lisbon’s most popular Christmas markets and areas.
Wonderland Lisboa
This is the most popular place in Lisboa for those in love with Christmas. It is arranged in Parque Eduardo VII, a place located less than 2 kilometers from the Rossio square in the heart of Lisbon. This is an amazing place, and here you will find an ice rink, places where you can buy hand-made products, a giant Ferris wheel, the house of Santa Claus, and at times you can also enjoy live music and performances from the stage. You can easily get to this area by taking the metro to either the stop Parque or to Marques de Pombal.
Are you looking for a hotel ideal for Christmas market shopping in Lisbon?
Below you can see a map of central Lisbon with both hotels and apartments included, and also with price estimations. We hope this map will help you find a hotel suitable for you and those you travel together with.
Campo Pequeno Christmas market
This is a very nice Christmas market located by the metro stop Campo Pequeno. It isn’t a permanent Christmas market, but it is open twice in the advent period for a couple of days. There is an entrance fee of two euros to enter the area, and on the inside, you can enjoy shopping from more than 150 stalls. It is possible to buy Portuguese handicrafts from designers, and you can taste Portuguese gastronomy at its best.
More information about this Christmas market can be found right here.
Christmas market at Rossio square
This square is in the center of Lisbon, and here you will typically find places where you can buy roasted chestnuts, hot wine, and other traditional Christmas drinks and food. It cannot be compared to the giant Christmas markets in Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and similar cities, but it is still a nice place to go. There are different markets at this square throughout the year, but before Christmas, the Christmas lights are turned on, and it looks really nice. There is also a giant Christmas tree in the square.
This is at a very central location and it is almost impossible to miss if you visit Lisbon during this time of the year.
You can find more information about this Christmas market and event here (the page is only available in Portuguese).
What to buy at the Christmas markets in Lisbon?
Many people visit the Christmas markets to see the beautiful decorations and lights. But, Christmas markets are always wonderful for buying local products and tasting the local cuisine. What should you buy if you want to purchase something at the different Christmas markets?
As you might know, people eat a lot of fish in Portugal and Bacalhau is a local specialty. This is a very salty and smoked fish. It is often served together with potatoes and cabbage.
Pastel de Nata is a national sweet in Portugal and you will often meet it at the Christmas markets as well. It is a wonderful biscuit with vanilla filling. This is one of the things that you have to taste before leaving Portugal.
It is important to drink local wine while in Portugal, and the Port wine has made Portugal especially famous. You can taste this at many Christmas markets, and maybe it will make you feel even better. Many like to drink alcohol in cold weather, but normally, you just drink wine and other alcoholic drinks in Lisbon because it is good, not because it is cold! If you’d rather drink something else, you will also find traditional hot wine, hot chocolate, and sangria at the different Christmas markets.
The Christmas markets are also a wonderful place to buy ceramics, jewelry, and other Christmas presents that you can take home and remind you of Portugal whenever you look at them.
Christmas markets outside Lisbon
If you want even more Christmas spirit during your stay in Portugal, you could consider a trip to Obidos.
The Obidos Christmas market
Obidos is a city located approximately 90 kilometers from the heart of the city of Lisbon. There are two ways to the city from Lisbon; one is 90 km, while the other is 110km. The ride between Lisbon and Obidos should take you approximately 70 minutes. But why go to Obidos?
This little village turns into a giant Christmas village every year. The Castelo de Obidos Pousada surrounds the market, and it looks magnificent. Here you will find an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, Merry-go-around, and everything you would expect from such a place. The village is also a delight to visit, so this might be a nice place for a day excursion from Lisbon, also on a nice summer day!
Dates for the Christmas markets in Lisbon in 2024
- Obidos Christmas village: to be announced…
- Wonderland Lisbon: to be announced… but we guess that it will be open between November 30 and January 1.
- Cama Pequeno: to be announced… might not be arranged at all.
- Rossio Christmas Market: to be announced… might not be arranged at all.
The remaining dates are not yet published. But you can guess the dates based on the dates for the Christmas markets in Lisbon in 2022 and 2023.
Christmas market dates in 2023.
- Obidos Christmas Village: November 30, 2023 – December 31, 2023.
- Wonderland Lisbon: November 30th, 2023 – January 1st, 2024.
- Campo Pequeno: November 30 – December 4 & December 7 – December 11.
Christmas market dates in 2022.
- Wonderland Lisbon: November 30th, 2022 – January 1st, 2023.
- Campo Pequeno: November 30 – December 4 & December 7 – December 11.
- Rossio Christmas market: November 18 – December 23.
These are some thoughts and suggestions for those coming to Lisbon before Christmas.
If you have further thoughts, comments, or maybe questions, write them in the comment field beneath!
