Portugal by month
Portugal in December
Portugal in December: 59°F in Lisbon, 55°F in Porto, 62°F in the Algarve, wet · early december is low season: empty streets, cheap hotels, no lines at pena palace or the port cellars. Crowds, hotel prices, when to book, and what's worth doing.
December in Portugal is wet, mild, and mostly quiet — until Christmas week flips the switch. You'll find low crowds, gentle prices, and the occasional sunny break between Atlantic fronts. The coast is cool (water ~60°F, air mid-50s to low 60s), the Douro quintas close for winter, and the Christmas markets are modest by European standards. If you're booking for the final week of the month, expect New Year's crowds, fireworks in Lisbon and Porto, and prices that triple from the early-December baseline.
Updated September 2026
Temperature
59°F in Lisbon, 55°F in Porto, 62°F in the Algarve — mild sweater weather, occasional warm sunny spells
Wind
Atlantic fronts bring wind and chop; less predictable than summer's nortada but still breezy on the coast
Rain
Wet — this is the heart of Portugal's rainy season, especially in Porto; expect showers and the occasional sunny window
Crowds & prices
Early December is low season: empty streets, cheap hotels, no lines at Pena Palace or the port cellars. Christmas week through New Year's reverses all of that — Lisbon and Porto fill for the fireworks, the Algarve draws northern-European winter-sun seekers, and prices jump to peak-season levels. If you're traveling the first three weeks, you'll have the country nearly to yourself; if you're coming for New Year's, book months ahead.
When to book
Early-to-mid December: book flights 6–10 weeks out and hotels 2–4 weeks out for the best low-season deals. Christmas week and New Year's: treat it like peak summer — flights 3–4 months ahead, hotels 2–3 months minimum, especially in Lisbon and Porto where fireworks drive demand.
Our getting-there guide covers flights to Portugal plus a cheapest-fare-by-month table to sanity-check December flight prices.
What to do
What December is made for.
On the calendar
- December 1 (Restoration Day) — national holiday
- December 8 (Immaculate Conception) — national holiday
- Christmas markets (modest by European standards) in Lisbon and Porto
- Christmas Eve bacalhau dinners and Bolo Rei (King Cake) tradition
- New Year's Eve fireworks in Lisbon (Terreiro do Paço) and Porto (riverfront)
Pack for December
- Waterproof jacket and compact umbrella — rain is frequent
- Layers: sweater, long sleeves, light jacket for 55–62°F days
- Closed-toe walking shoes with grip (cobblestones get slick)
- Scarf and beanie for evening walks, especially in Porto
- Leave the swimsuit unless you're Algarve-bound and optimistic about 60°F water
Know before you go
- Book Christmas week and New Year's 2–3 months ahead; the rest of December you can wing it
- Porto is significantly wetter than Lisbon in December — factor that into your city choice
- Douro quintas close for winter; if you're set on wine country, push your trip to spring
- Early December hotel deals in Lisbon and the Algarve are some of the year's best — look for 50–60% off peak rates
- Tagus sunset sails and Algarve boat trips run weather-permitting; have indoor backups (food tours, museums, port cellars)
- Christmas Eve (December 24) shuts down most restaurants early; book dinner ahead or buy picnic supplies
- New Year's crowds mean you need reservations everywhere — restaurants, miradouros, even some bakeries in Belém
Going in December? Get a plan built around it.
The planner turns your dates, budget, and travel style into hotelpicks, restaurants, and a day-by-day rhythm — in about two minutes.