Winter in Portugal

So, you’re looking to spend the winter in Portugal? I don’t blame you – it’s probably going to be better than spending it in your hometown (especially if you’re from the UK!). Weather in Portugal can be drab in the winter – particularly in the North. But, if you book for the Algarve and plan your timing well, you can have a great time in winter in Portugal. Oh, and they put on a fabulous show for Christmas too, and so planning a Christmas trip to Lisbon is always a good idea! So what can you expect, and what should you pack for winter in Portugal?

Where to go in Portugal during the winter

If you prefer warmer weather then you definitely need to head to the Algarve. Saying that, Porto and Lisbon are relatively mild in the winter compare to the UK or Northern cities in the USA such as Boston and New York. I’ve spent a winter in the Algarve and it was still a bit sunny up to mid-December with temperatures around 17-20°C. The winter I spent in Braganca (a very small city in Northern Portugal) was slightly dewy or frosty some mornings but it mellowed out in the afternoon, with temperatures between around 12-17°C.

So, it depends what you are looking for as to where you want to go. If you need a spot of winter sun then it has to be the Algarve (even then sunshine is not guaranteed in December and January). If you are more interested in Christmas celebrations or visiting tourist destinations then Lisbon may suit you better.

colourful buildings and calcadas Loule Algarve — Loule, Algarve – still a bit sunny even in winter!

What to pack for Portugal in Winter

Winter is Portugal is certainly not all about bikinis and sarongs! You won’t get beach weather and evenings and night time can be quite cold. I would recommend a mixture of tops, blouses, fleeces and jeans, with a few jumper dresses and tights for evening wear. The first time that I packed for Portugal in winter, I seriously underestimated the cold! You can probably ditch the sun hats and sun cream though, unless you are extremely sensitive to the sun and get a warm winter on the Algarve. Here’s a good list of what to pack….

Warm pyjamas for the cold nights.
Several pairs of jeans, trousers and long sleeved tops.
Layers such as fleeces, cardigans, jackets and shawls.
Warm dresses such as jersey dresses or jumper dresses with tights or leggings.
Warm socks and underwear (a thermal base layer is good for cold evenings).
Bikini or swiming costume in case you want to do an indoor spa or swimming pool.
Swimming cap and flip-flops also essential for spas and swimming in Portugal (some places don’t allow you to swim without these).
Decent sturdy walking boots – essential for any Portuguese city due to the hills.
A nice but warm(ish) Christmassy dress with shoes – the Portuguese dress up nicely to go out at Christmas time.

Also, I always like to pack my Lonely Planet on Portugal so that I have something handy to read on buses and planes. There are some great restaurant and accommodation ideas in there.

solo travel in Portugal — Pack a waterproof jacket and light fleece when travelling to Portugal in winter

A word of warning about the Pavements

I know that I’ve mentioned this a few times on my other Portugal blogs, but the Portuguese pavements or ‘calçadas’ as they are names in Portuguese might look beautiful, but they can be deadly. They become extremely slippy in the rain and I can’t even imagine what it would be like if it got icy (thankfully this is extremely rare).

I would avoid going out in wet weather if you can help it, and whatever the weather, make sure that you have sturdy footwear such as proper walking boots. To put you in the picture, I have slipped, my mom has slipped and pretty much every friend I know has had a slip in Lisbon or Porto!

Benefits of visiting Portugal in the winter

No massive queues for the fernicular or number 28 tram.
Less crowded at the main sites such as Sao George castle (Lisbon), Bolso Palace (Porto), Jeronimos Monastery (Belem) and Pena Palace (Sintra).
You will get to ride the ‘Christmas train’ in Lisbon!
Weather is still good in the Algarve – winter can have temperatures from 17-20°C.
The Christmas decorations in Portuguese cities are beautiful – I loved Christmas in Lisbon and Loule.
Weather is much cooler which is great for anyone who does not like the summer heat and for fair skinned people who tend to burn easily.

Christmas lights Chiado Lisbon in winter — Christmas lights in Chiado – Lisbon in winter

Cons to visiting Portugal in the Winter

It rains a lot, especially in the Northern cities such as Porto and Aveiro.
Can be chilly especially in the North and especially at night.
Pavements (calçadas) are very slippery, especially when wet.
Not beach weather and rough seas so unsuitable for sunbathing and swimming.
Shops can be busy in Lisbon in December due to the Christmas shoppers.
Not all of the tours will be running – a lot of tour guides take a break in Portugal, particularly in December and January.

Algarve in the winter

Algarve is lovely in the winter – the last time that I was there in December we were still ‘al fresco’ dining and enjoying a glass of wine in the streets in the evening (with a jacket or cardigan). Most Algarvian towns also do a fantastic Christmas lights display which usually starts the first weekend in December.

My holiday to the Algarve - drinking Ginja at Dois Irmaos — Make sure that you drink a nice warming Ginja on a winters evening in the Algarve

Lisbon in the Winter

I love Lisbon in the winter due to the beautiful decorations and Christmas atmosphere. The Christmas lights are really beautiful. Here are a few places and things that you will love about Lisbon in December….