December really isn’t a month you usually associate with travelling to Portugal. It’s firmly in the off season and the weather has taken a strong turn to the worse. That said, for adventurers and off-season travellers there’s still lots of magic to be found. Portugal’s lively cities and towns host events, and as Christmas approaches things really do start to feel quite special. The weather, although not guaranteed can still be lovely, often with bright sunny days and cool chilly nights.
Who doesn’t love a crisp morning walk discovering a new town or city? The best part? Crowds are gone and aren’t returning any time soon, and the prices are often at their lowest. You can get some great deals on some of the best hotels outside of the peak Christmas and New Year days of 24th, 25th, and 31st. Portugal’s biggest tourist attractions? Feel free to wonder around them at a relaxed pace with almost none of the usual crowds.
What’s the Weather like in Portugal in December?
First up, lets take a look at the weather, and what you might be need to pack to feel comfortable! Mainland Portugal is widely considered to have three main areas for visitors, its Northern region (Região do Norte) centered around the city of Porto. The Lisbon metropolitan region based around the capital, and the sunny Algarve, the most southern region.
Temperatures in the north are the coldest and often wettest, and you can usually expect highs of around 14°C (57°F), but the lows can drop to around 7°C (45°F). Lisbon is usually somewhat warmer, bright sunny days will easily be 15°C (64°F) or higher. The Algarve is the warmest of Portugal’s regions in December, with highs of 18°C (64°F), and lows of 10°C (50°F). Careful though, because these are averages and cold snaps, or stormy periods can change the averages drastically.
| Location | Highs | Lows | Rainy Days |
| Porto | 14°C (57°F) | 7°C 45°F) | 15 |
| Lisbon | 15°C (64°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 12 |
| Algarve | 18°C (64°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 11 |
How often does it Rain during December in Portugal?
December is well into Portugal’s rainy season and rain becomes much more common. The most recent averages for rain in Portugal published by its weather agency suggest that in the Algarve, you can expect around 11 days of rain in December. In Lisbon you can expect around 12 rainy days, and in Porto around 15 rainy days. This means that December is a great time to experience Lisbon or Porto, as if you do get caught by those rainy days? There are more than enough museums and activities to keep you indoors and dry, alternatively you can pack a good raincoat and continue exploring. It might be wet, but it’s really not that cold.
Beach Weather in December?
For the average tourist, then the beaches and enjoying a traditional day on the beach is really not possible or that comfortable. They’re great for long walks and exploring, but you’ll want a good jacket to keep out the wind! That said, there’s a certain type of visitor that deliberately goes to Portugal in these off seasons – surfers. If you’re an experienced surfer, then Portugal’s Atlantic coast still attracts a wide range of surfers, including the famous big wave surfers of Nazarre. You’ll find towns like Ericeira attracting surfers from October to April as they’ll want to avoid the smallest waves.
Snow in December?
Unknown to a lot of people is that Portugal actually has one ski resort located in the Serra da Estrela mountains. Sera da Estrela is a mountain range in Central Portugal and also the home of the highest peak on mainland Portugal at 1993m above sea level. With over 300km of hiking trails, this destination isn’t only for winter skiers and snowboarders, and is fantastic winter destination. The official opening of the ski resort happens between November and December, and the date is usually announced during October. Stay tuned because we’ll post the 2022 opening date here soon! Elsewhere, snow is exceptionally rare in December.
How busy is Portugal in December?
Portugal in December is widely considered the off-season. Long queues for the major attractions are now a thing of the past, those hour-long queues you read about to ride Tram 28 in Lisbon? They’re now long gone. Many of its most touristy attractions are now queue free, and can be enjoyed at a very relaxed place. If you can pick a bright sunny day, it’s probably one of the best times to explore it’s most popular attraction the National Palace of Sintra.
December is also when you can take advantage of some of the lowest prices of hotels and accommodation. We’ve had stays in accommodation that usually costs around €200 a night in the summer, for less than €50 a night in December. Just don’t be too taken by any pretty photos of sunbeds and swimming pools, it really is much too cold for the average person to be swimming in an outdoor pool!
What events happen in December?
Obidos Vila Natal: One of the most famous Wonderlandesque attractions is Obidos’ Vila Natal, or Christmas village. For the whole of December, Obidos becomes a full winter wonderland attraction, it’s historic streets are decorated and you’ll find a wide array of Christmas themed attractions. As well as traditional winter food and arts and crafts . It is very popular and its advised to visit during the week as opposed to the busiest days at the weekend.
Wonderland Parque – Eduardo VII Lisbon: For those not wanting to leave Lisbon, or perhaps only visiting Lisbon for a weekend then look no further than Wonderland Parque. Located in Lisbon’s Parrque Eduardo VII near Marqes de Pombal. This is your commercial winter wonderland that pops up in most major cities as Christmas approaches. You’ll find a Ferris wheel offering incredible views over the city, and an ice rink, as well as lots of typical Christmas street food, with a unique Lisbon twist. So expect lots of ginjinha and other local delicacies!
New Year’s Eve: New Years eve is a big day of celebration across Portugal and you’ll find most big towns and cities hosting their own events and fireworks. Some of the most popular are held in Porto though, watching the fireworks from the riverside is an incredible experience with its own party atmosphere. Elsewhere, and in many of the popular resort towns in the Algarve you’ll find similar events just on a slightly smaller scale.
Visiting Portugal in December?
Visiting Portugal in December offers a completely different experience to what most travellers think of when they think of Portugal. Portugal is an excellent winter break, offering a small dose of sunshine and lively towns and cities. If you can deal with the unpredictable weather you are sure to find some wonder and some charm. The smell of roasted chestnuts, or Vinho quente on the chilly streets of many of its towns and cities is something we adore. So is taking a stroll around so many of its town centers lit up with Christmas lights. Where else have you seen palm trees, castles or even historic boats covered in sparkling Christmas lights?
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