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Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal beacons tourists with its rich heritage, historic buildings, scenic views, and culture. Beautiful landmarks include the Tower of Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery, and São Jorge. Uncover best things to do in Lisbon in December where you can go for tram rides in Alfama, pastel de nata desserts from traditional purveyors, and nightlife in Bairro Alto. It has sense-able public transport, which includes the trams and metro. The city always lived up to its name as being synonymous with fado music, delicious fresh seafood, and lower travel costs compared to many other European capitals.
Top 10 Things To Do In Lisbon In December
Lisbon offers a perfect mix of culture, adventure, and holiday charm in December. Here are the top 10 things to do in Lisbon in December:
1. Wander Through Wonderland Lisboa
Photo: Sergei Gussev / Wikimedia Commons
Wonderland Lisboa brings the festive cheer of Christmas to Lisbon. The event focuses on creating a kind of winter wonderland filled with sparkling lights, enormous Christmas trees, and family attractions. For visitors, there are different attractions like an open-air ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel for skyline views, Santa’s house, and live performances. There are a flock of shops where one can buy seasonal local specialities like roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, but they also host markets for artisans of handcrafted gifts and decorations.
Timings: 12 PM – 10 PM
Entry Fee: Free
2. See The Christmas Lights At Praça Do Comércio
Photo: Erik Cooper / Wikimedia Commons
Praça do Comércio, the glorious waterfront square of Lisbon, is miraculously converted into an amazing spectacle in the holiday season. During December, the square hosts a huge Christmas tree, measuring more than 30 meters in height and covered with thousands of twinkling lights, while all the Pombaline-style surrounding buildings and arcades are lit to create a magical ambience. The display even extends to the nearby streets such as Rua Augusta and Avenida da Liberdade and makes this a preferred area for strolls at Christmas time. The official Christmas lights-switching-on ceremony comes early in December, with live music and performances.
Lighting Schedule: December to early January, from around 5:30 PM to midnight
Entry Fee: Free
3. Explore Alfama And São Jorge Castle
Photo: diego_cue / Wikimedia Commons
Alfama is Lisbon’s most ancient neighborhood, a twisted labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets, historic buildings, and halls of Fado she will find the sounds resonating with its medieval charm like clothes hung on terraces and people mingling in little cafes. Their perspectives include the beautiful Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol, which contribute fantastic views of the Tagus River and the city’s red rooftops. São Jorge Castle towers over Alfama-a historic fortress that can trace its origins back to the 11th century: originally by the Moors later recaptured by the Portuguese in 1147.
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee: €15
4. Visit Jerónimos Monastery In Belém
Photo: Hugo Ferreira / Wikimedia Commons
Jeronimos Monastery is located in the Belem district of Lisbon and is among the landmark monuments of Portugal. The monastery was built in the sixteenth century during the Age of Discoveries and it was sponsored by King Manuel I in celebration of Vasco da Gama’s successful expedition to India. The church exhibits the Manueline architecture, which is a Portuguese Gothic style, characterized by intricate stone carvings, elaborate maritime motifs, and grand cloisters.
Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Entry Fee: €12 for adults; free with the Lisbon Card
5. Ride Tram 28 Through Historic Neighborhoods
Photo: Ввласенко / Wikimedia Commons
Tram 28, which is already one attraction in Lisbon itself, the journey offers the best vista of and from the oldest and most scenic streets in the city. It starts its journey from Martim Moniz and meanders through Alfama, Graça, Baixa, Chiado, Estrela, and ends at Sé Cathedral, São Jorge Castle, Basilica da Estrela, and other major attractions. The trams are vintage trams from the 1930s that have kept their interior wood. For the most part, people ride this tram, and most of the time, it gets really busy. Make the ride early in the morning or late in the evening.
Timings: 6 AM – 10:30 PM
Entry Fee: €3 per ride; free with the Lisbon Card
6. Shop At Campo Pequeno Christmas Market
Photo: Juntas / Wikimedia Commons
This Christmas market situated within the imperative Campo Pequeno bullring is Lisbon’s ace location for those seeking to find special holiday gifts-the market stalls offer an extensive collection from a Portuguese source: handcrafted ceramics, artisanal jewelry, textiles, and gourmet specialties such as cured meats, cheeses, and traditional sweets are just some of the delights on offer. Besides that, festive decorations will see visitors enjoy live music and cultural performances all while perusing the stalls. Support for the local artisans might just be part of this market’s fine reputation, making it an ideal venue for an authentic, high-quality Portuguese crafts purchase.
Timings: 11 AM – 9 PM
Entry Fee: €2 per person
7. Experience Fado In A Traditional Alfama Tavern
Photo: Alain Rouiller / Wikimedia Commons
Lisbon is the birthplace of Fado, the deeply emotional traditional music of Portugal, in which longing, love, and loss are put into words. Dating back to the early 19th century, it has now been recognized as one type of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Alfama district is the most ancient cluster inside Lisbon. Fado houses of Alfama have some of the best singers who perform in an intimate setting, accompanied by guitars. Such popular places include Clube de Fado which is famous for its actual performance and historical ambiance, A Baiuca, a tiny tavern where the experience is much more participative.
Show Timings: Usually start around 8:00 PM and last until midnight
Entry Fee: Some venues charge €10–€20
8. Take A Day Trip To Sintra
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
Sintra is an immensely picturesque town, roughly 40 minutes from Lisbon, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its fairy-tale palaces, misty forests, and historical background. For December, this very heart of winter provides a better reason for being out and about because of its colder temperatures and smaller crowds. The Pena Palace, lively and colorful yet quite eclectic in its architecture, looks from its hill quite well on the best views. Right next to it, one could find the Moorish Castle, an ancient fortress that allows for a wide view over the entire region.
Travel Time: 40 minutes by train from Lisbon’s Rossio Station
9. Relax At Ribeira Das Naus
Photo: Pedro / Wikimedia Commons
Ribeira das Naus is a beautiful waterfront scheme lying along the banks of the wide Tagus between Cais do Sodré and the spacious square at Praça do Comércio. It became a vessel construction site, but today it is a place for leisure with its broad pedestrian trails, grassed sloped areas, and small riverside seating terraces. Cooler days in December make relaxing ambling a possibility; the taking of coffee at a riverside cafe or simply gazing out onto the sight of the 25 de Abril Bridge and the statue of Cristo Rei present on the opposite river bank. String artists, local vendors, and others who create a lively atmosphere live on the promenade.
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee: Free
10. Christmas Sweets At Confeitaria Nacional
Photo: RickMorais / Wikimedia Commons
Lisbon’s oldest and most popular pastry shop is Confeitaria Nacional, founded in 1829, and known for its traditional sweets from Portugal of the finest quality. Situated at Praça da Figueira, the bakery is at its busiest during December when much of the town flocks to sample the goodies. Bolo Rei (King Cake) is the most famous holiday delicacy, consisting of a cake shaped like a brioche filled with candied fruits and nuts and inspired by the French gâteau des rois. The ambience is kept alive by the interiors that are elegant.
Timings: 8 AM – 8 PM
Entry Fee: Prices vary
There is a magic in December within the city of Lisbon as it combines history, culture, and festive charm. The city’s mild winter weather, along with its winding streets, resembles a place to enjoy seasonal delights and participate in a whirlwind of holiday celebrations. Visitors would experience, in one place, a perfect combination of relaxation spelled and implemented by adventure. Discover the best things to do in Lisbon in December, make your trip with TripXL and create your exciting yet wonderful memories.
Cover Photo: Svetlana Gumerova / Unsplash
