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Lisbon for Christmas: Why You Should Gift Yourself a Trip to Portugal

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Petoff (aka Dr. J) | Sidewalk Safari) — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:46:00 +0000

Why visit Lisbon in December? Christmas is an ideal time of year to visit Portugal.

Lisbon is not too hot nor too cold and has a festive air. Read on for ideas of how to make the most of a trip to Lisbon for Christmas.

I'll share ideas for things to do in Lisbon as well as Lisbon day trip ideas to make the most of your December holiday. I think you'll find that Lisbon is absolutely full of hidden gems to explore. Get into the Christmas spirit and let's go!

Getting to Lisbon

We visited Portugal three times before moving here. Two of those trips were in December and timed to coincide with Christmas in Lisbon.

On our first trip, we combined our trip to Lisbon with Faro and the Algarve and decided to take the train from Faro to Lisbon. How long is the train ride from Faro to Lisbon? About 3 hours.

On our second trip, we flew. Lisbon is well-served by both national and low-cost airlines. We took a direct flight from Dublin to Lisbon Airport on TAP Air Portugal.

The flight leaves incredibly early, but 5 am departures have their perks. We loved the sunrise views on our way from Dublin to Lisbon. Definitely request a window seat. The approach into Lisbon definitely gets an A+! I could see Belém from the plane.

It was smooth sailing on arrival in Lisbon. There was no line at immigration (most people on our flight were connecting to the U.S. or Brazil). Our bags were waiting on the belt when we got to baggage claim.

On our most recent trip, we decided to wait out rush hour in Lisbon and stopped for a coffee and pastel de nata. Go to Just Arrived by baggage claim. It's a nice and quiet spot. Once you exit, the secure area of the airport, it's much more crowded.

Hopefully your airline won't lose your luggage, but if they do, I've got you covered with this post on retrieving your lost bags at Lisbon Airport.

Getting around in Lisbon

I don't recommend getting a car if you plan to stay in Lisbon. You can easily get around on foot and public transportation. If you plan to go further afield to Lisbon day trip destinations like Sintra or Cascais, a car gives you a bit of flexibility.

You can also drive from Lisbon to Porto in about 3 hours. We did this on one of our Christmas in Portugal trips.

The time we rented a car, we were glad we waited out rush hour. You'll need to navigate a large and scary traffic circle to get onto the motorway and I found it to be super confusing. I actually had to drive around twice to get to the exit that I wanted.

I learned two important things about driving in Lisbon that day. You should only use the right lane entering a traffic circle in Portugal if you are taking the first exit. Also, the rumor that Portuguese drivers love to tailgate is most definitely true!

Booking.com

Where to Stay in Lisbon

We decided to rent an apartment for the week rather than stay at a hotel in Lisbon and we're so glad we did. We find that it's easier to pretend for a moment that we're locals when we rent a place like this rather than staying at hotels like the usual Marriott or Sheraton.

We met our host from Lisbon Apartments near one of the Metro stops and he guided us up the winding pedestrian streets to our temporary home in Mouraria. Our apartment had two stories (the second floor had a seriously sloped roof so it was hard to stand up in parts of the bedroom).

There was a window embedded in the slanted ceiling and we were able to pop our heads out and enjoy views of the surrounding city anytime we liked. The view from the kitchen was also nice -- we enjoyed getting some sun following a rather gray December in Dublin.

Each morning, we would wind our way down the staircase and emerge with anticipation of what the winter day in Lisbon might have in store.

Now that we live in Lisbon, we simply walk out of our apartment and into the Metro to get around. It's amazing to have all that Lisbon has to offer at our door step.

🔎 SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Portugal is one of my favorite countries to explore. Spend 3 days in Porto for a relaxing weekend break anytime of year.

Pro tip: stay in Vila Nova de Gaia to be close to the historic port cellars and easy access to the best Porto day trips like Coimbra, Portugal's historic university city.

Head to the Algarve in winter for an off-season adventure.

Alternatively, you could fly to Madeira for a weekend. Madeira is an island full of surprises with great food.

Things to do on a Lisbon Christmas Itinerary

Now that we've arrived in Lisbon and have settled in, let's take a look at the cool things to do in Lisbon on your winter itinerary.

Getting Our Bearings in Lisbon

We went for an evening walk through the cobbled streets of Mouraria (our new 'neighborhood') to get our bearings when we first arrived in Lisbon. We noticed a series of photos posted along the narrow and winding Beco das Farinhas. A plaque said:

A Tribute by Camilla Watson. The photographs on these walls are a tribute to the elderly who live here. They walk this beco daily and their spirit makes this corner of Mouraria special.

I thought that was simply a lovely sentiment. The Mouraria neighborhood is pretty hilly with all sorts of winding staircases and nooks and crannies.

Just like elsewhere in Portugal, I love the tile work on the buildings. I felt that Lisbon derived some of its unique character from the various textures of the buildings (ornate tiles, peeling paint, soot and water spots) and graffiti.

We wandered down to the main road and caught a glimpse of Lisbon's tram. The city was already starting to remind me of San Francisco and especially the Barbary Coast Trail. I kept thinking back to the F-Market street car rattling around town.

Dinner from São Tomé and Príncipe

We stopped for dinner at a restaurant in our neighborhood run by a family from São Tomé and Príncipe in Africa. The place was really small and homey feeling and was actually pretty crowded for a weeknight so we had a feeling this would be a good meal.

We started with some bread and cheese. In Portugal, most restaurants serve couvert which they bring automatically and charge you for it if you don't send it back. In general, we found the prices were pretty reasonable and had some tasty treats we wouldn't have ordered otherwise.

They brought us a second couvert -- a type of seafood turnover; delicious! We also ordered a small pitcher of sangria. We ordered a typical stew and a lamb dish.

The best part of the meal though were the plantain fries. They look like french fries but they are actually plantains (savory bananas) which we simply love.

For dessert, our waitress talked us into trying a specialty from Africa. I'm still not exactly sure what it was. She brought out a picture of a giant tree and then cut up an apple to show us the seeds to give us a sense of what it was.

I think it's a pudding made from seeds from the fruit of that tree. It was starchy and tasty.

🔎SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: The Christmas season in Europe is a great time to travel. Here are some of my favorite Christmas travel destinations.

Have you considered visiting great Christmas markets in 7 different countries?
How about spending Christmas in Belgium (or more specifically Christmas in Bruges)?
Visit Germany and eat your way through the Berlin Christmas Markets; the Berlin Christmas Markets are also especially photogenic so bring your camera. Spend Christmas in Stuttgart Germany and explore the Black Forest region.
Travel to France and Alsace for a fabulous Christmas in Strasbourg.
Why not visit the most popular Christmas Market in Germany: Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg. Alternatively, get off the beaten track at nearby Regensburg Christmas Markets.
Have you been to the Christmas Markets of North-Rhine Westphalia? They are just a hop, skip, and a jump from Dusseldorf or Cologne and perfect for a winter Ryanair weekend.
Want to experience the best place to celebrate Christmas in Spain? Discover all the amazing places to eat in Bilbao. Spend Christmas in Granada and ring in the New Year in Malaga.
Eat thirteen desserts while celebrating Christmas in Provence.

Baixa

On our first full day in Lisbon, we decided to begin by exploring Baixa or central business district. This neighborhood was designed and built after the 1755 earthquake destroyed Lisbon.

We passed by Confeitaria Nacional, a popular bakery, and stopped instead at Casa Brasileira. We couldn't resist all the goodies in the window. We enjoyed our first pastel de nata (cream custard tart) at Casa Brasileira.

We continued our walk through Baixa past the maritime logo of the Banco Nacional Ultramarino. We emerged at Praça do Comércio. We caught our first glimpse of the 25th April Bridge, Lisbon's own Golden Gate Bridge.

ViniPortugal

It was raining pretty hard so we sought a place where we could relax and wait out the storm. We found it at ViniPortugal, a venue that showcases Portuguese wines with free tastings.

In return, all they ask is that visitors fill out a form summarizing their impressions of the wines. Each person can taste up to 4 wines and 3 different wine regions in Portugal are featured each month.

We sampled wines from Beira Interior (Quintas dos Currais, vinho blanco; Piornos, reserva tinto; Quinta dos Termos) and Tejo (Quinta do Casal Branco, vinho tinto; Quinta da Rocha; Quinta da Lagoalva; "Yes We Can" red wine from Herdade de Cadouços).

The wines were hit or miss. The ones that were good were very good -- especially given the typical price point of 5-10 euros a bottle. Overall, it was a fun way to spend an hour while we waited out the rain.

Interested in exploring Portugal's wine scene more deeply? Why not go wine tasting in Setúbal on a day trip from Lisbon.

More of Baixa and Cherry Brandy

As we emerged from ViniPortugal, a bit of blue was beginning to peek through the clouds. We stopped to have a look at Vasco da Gama's likeness sculpted into the arch framing the plaza.

We walked back into Baixa and explored the grid-like streets. We found a statue commemorating the local tile workers in the neighborhood outside Igreja Paróquia de São Nicolau.

We passed through Praça da Figueira and stopped at A Ginginha, an establishment specializing in Portugal's finest cherry brandy. For about a euro, we got a shot complete with a sour cherry garnish.

It was just before lunchtime, but there was a constant stream of people coming up to the counter. It was a welcome treat on a cold day December day in Lisbon.

Rossio Square and Lisbon's Christmas Markets

From here, we walked to Rossio station, a fine example of neo-Manueline architecture. We admired a rainbow over the Praça do Rossio (Rossio Square) and wound our way down a side street nearby to conjure up lunch.

We had an egg sandwich and fish cake at Ginjinha Popular, a place full of local feel and flavor.

We could see Castelo São Jorge beckoning to us in the distance.

You'll also find a giant Christmas tree and one of Lisbon's best Christmas Markets on Praça do Rossio. Grab a mulled wine or a glass of sangria and set about your Christmas shopping at the local craft stalls.

Take a walk up the hill toward Carmo Convent (Museu Arqueológico do Carmo) for inspiring views over Praça do Rossio. You could also consider taking Elevador de Santa Justa up from Baixa, but it's expensive and the queues tend to get really long.

You can basically walk up hill a few blocks and get to the same spot and experience the same viewpoint you would get if you took the elevator up.

Beautiful Christmas lights adorn the buildings surrounding the square. making the Christmas Market on Praça do Rossio even more magical after dark.

Do Your Christmas Shopping at Lisbon's Lojas Das Historias

Baixa and Chiado are filled with charming historic shops. Keep an eye out for small signs labeled "Lojas Das Historias" and then wander in to have a browse.

One such shop is Ginginha sem Rival. They sell shots and bottles of both ginginha and a special liquor that they only make and sell there called Edwardino.

For 1.45 EUR, you can have a little shot of one of these winter warmers. I tried the Eduardino. It was very sweet and herbaceous. Eduardino makes for a unique Christmas gift to bring home and it's low risk at just 11 EUR a bottle.

We went into another loja da historia that sold different wines and treats from around the country. I was able to pick up a couple of packages of decorative marzipan as small gifts for my colleagues and friends.

Another loja da historia sold soaps, chocolates, tea, and coffee. There was a horse taken from a historic carousel greeting passersby in the window. The faded and chipped paint simply added to the charm.

We picked up a tin of chocolate sardines for our niece and nephew. What are chocolate sardines? It's a bit touristy, but it's basically a container of fish-shaped chocolates wrapped in foil and sold in a decorative sardine tin.

A Christmas Sunset Over Praça do Comércio

Praça do Comércio is the place to be for sunset in Lisbon. We sat down at a cafe tucked into a corner of Praça do Comércio called Martinho da Arcada. The cafe was also labeled as a loja da historia, by the way... We learned that Martinho da Arcada was founded in 1782.

Grab a seat outside overlooking the giant Christmas tree on Praça do Comércio. I got a glass of sparkling wine and my husband got a generous pour of white wine for just 2.50 EUR. We also each got a pastel de nata for 1.50 EUR each. For eight euro, we got ourselves a nice snack with a beautiful view. Not a bad value for a very central and touristy part of Lisbon.

The sun set was just amazing today. The sky simply lit up with pink and orange clouds. The colors just kept changing and it was just really spectacular and a great opportunity for photography.

Walking in Alfama

We took an extended walk to Lisbon's Alfama neighborhood and detoured up the hill to see the castle (Castelo de São Jorge). Once again, the streets were narrow and winding with laundry saluting us from every terrace.

We caught another glimpse of the 25 de Abril bridge. We finally arrived (winded from the uphill climb) to the entrance of Castelo de São Jorge. A terrace runs around the property.

We wandered around the grounds. The castle itself is several hundred years old but was 'remodeled' back in the 1960s by the dictator in power at the time.

Supposedly, the castle looks authentic, but it's not authentic anymore. Flags waved at us from above and invited us to climb up on the turrets. We found the drawbridge and went inside.

There is a flock of peacocks that live on the property!

We did indeed climb the turrets and checked out the sun-drenched buildings against the backdrop of some darker storm clouds.

We left the castle and wandered back down the hill getting just a little lost along the way. We were serenaded by a guitar player just outside the castle walls. Good things come in threes and I saw three adorable kitties sitting on the cobbled sidewalk.

It costs 15 EUR for a ticket to visit Castelo de São Jorge in 2023. Did you know that entry to the castle is free if you are a Lisbon resident?

Feel the Christmas Vibes in Lisbon

One thing we noticed (in the Algarve and Lisbon) is that the Portuguese love to hang Santa on the outside of their apartments. We saw one example dangling from a drainpipe and there were many, many more.

The sun began to set as we emerged into Jardim Julio Castilho. The garden offers sweeping views over Lisbon and more brilliant tile work.

We descended a steep staircase and passed a lovely piece of street art. Christmas lights danced on the front of a local church.

We arrived at Santa Apolonia station and decided to take the Metro back to our apartment from there. When we first approached the station, we thought there was a fire inside because there were a lot of people milling around and there was smoke everywhere.

It turns out that a chestnut vendor was responsible for both the smoke and the commotion. We bought a cone of roasted chestnuts to enjoy. It was our first time trying them and they were delicious!

Roasted chestnuts are a great Christmas treat in both Portugal and throughout Europe.

If you love Christmas lights, head to the streets of Lisbon's Baixa and Chiado neighborhoods. The streets, squares, and historic buildings are all aglow in festive lights to celebrate the holiday season. We especially loved the giant Christmas ornament in Praça Luís de Camões.

Christmas Shopping in Saldanha

El Cortes Inglés in Saldanha is worth a visit if you have some Christmas shopping to do. This eight storey department store on the edge of Parque Eduardo VII has a large supermarket in the basement, a gourmet floor on top and something for everyone on your Christmas list in between.

There is even a small Christmas market outside El Cortes Inglés. When we visited, members of the Lisbon Police were singing "Every Breath You Take" by, who else?, The Police!

You'll find a huge Christmas tree and a few stalls selling food an gifts. It's a small Christmas market but very elegant.

Wander into any of the shopping centers around Saldanha circle to pick up some gifts and get into the Christmas spirit with all the decorations you'll find.

The Campo Pequeno Christmas Market

Campo Pequeno is another hidden gem worth visiting in Lisbon. This bullfighting ring turned concert venue and shopping center hosts a lovely Christmas crafts market leading up to the Christmas holiday.

Pay 2 EUR to enter a tent filled with local craftspeople selling their artisan products.

As an added bonus, Campo Pequeno is incredibly picturesque when lit up for the holidays. Campo Pequeno may seen a bit off the beaten track in Lisbon, but it's easily accessible on the Lisbon Metro.

See Fado

Catching a Fado performance is a 'must do' in Lisbon.

We took the tram back into the Alfama neighborhood. We had reservations at Sr. Fado which was recommended by Lisbon Apartments.

The decor was lovely and featured a variety of stringed instruments hanging on the wall. Duarte and Ana Marina own the place and do double duty as chefs and entertainment.

We enjoyed a supper of chicken and rice followed by a creme caramel for dessert. After everyone finished their meal, Duarte and Ana Marina took off their aprons and started to play.

It turns out that we were the only visitors there that night -- several others canceled because of the snow storms in Europe at the time.

We felt a bit like we were crashing a private gathering of friends and family as different people picked up an instrument to join in or were called upon to belt out a tune.

Each musician drew new energy from the others and the effect was magical. Lisbon Apartments was spot on in recommending Sr. Fado -- it's an experience we won't soon forget.

Explore Lisbon by Tram

Tram 28E is the perfect way to sample all that Lisbon has to offer. For 3.00 EUR, you can ride through the Alfama, Bairro Alto and beyond.

We queued up to board near Praça Martim Moniz and managed to snag a prime standing space near the back window.

We looked out at more tile buildings and locals going about their business.

The trams run pretty regularly so we snapped a picture of another car approaching from behind. We saw an older lady disembark and walk right in front of the tram behind us without a second glance. The driver hit the brakes and somehow neither person seemed fazed by this occurrence.

We debarked in Bairro Alto and walked home again through Baixa-Chiado satisfied with our economical tour of the city on Christmas Eve.

Celebrate Christmas Eve Dinner in Lisbon

In Portugal, the traditional Christmas dinner takes place on Christmas Eve. Most people spend time at home with family, but select restaurants are open. We dined at Hotel Inspira.

We were treated to four gourmet courses including chestnut and pumpkin soup (the highlight of the meal), a modern take on bacalhau com todos, and goat with potatoes.

For dessert, we enjoyed a glass of port 'on the house' and three typical Portuguese sweets including a chickpea turnover, french toast, and pumpkin fritter. All were sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar --

Yum! The service was excellent and we definitely felt the Portuguese Christmas cheer.

Lisbon on Christmas Day

One of the challenges of being on vacation over Christmas is that many things are closed on Christmas Day.

In Lisbon, we discovered that their aquarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) in Parque das Naçoes was actually open on December 25th in the afternoon. We took the Metro to Oriente Station and could already feel the 'under the sea' vibe in the station artwork.

🔎Parque das Naçoes is also known as "Expo" and is home to Web Summit in Lisbon in November.

It was blustery, cold, and rainy that day. We could see the Oceanário in the distance and walked very briskly to get there and take refuge from the elements.

A giant whale skeleton constructed entirely of crushed soda cans was an impressive display near the ticket office.

We paid our admission and went inside. We were excited to see puffins for the first time. We saw a cool looking bird chilling out near the penguin tank. We saw Mama and Papa penguins watching over their brood from among the rocks. We saw the penguins swimming frantically around the tank during feeding time -- so cool!

My favorite specimen was a giant octopus. It was amazing to see the soft head, tentacles, and his/her (I'm not sure how to tell the sex of an octopus...) graceful fluid movements from such a close vantage point.

We finished our tour of the Oceanário and made our way back to the train station. We were tempted to hop on the local skytram but decided against it given the bad weather.

We were amused and slightly appalled that Vasco da Gama, one of the most revered figures in Portuguese history, had been reduced to the name of a shopping center in Lisbon.

Explore More Dining and Drinking Spots

Beyond the spots we've already shared, Lisbon in December offers even more delightful places to eat and drink. We keep adding to our list the longer we live here!

A Sophisticated Start: Cocktails at the Ritz

For a touch of elegance to complement any festive December evening, grabbing a cocktail at the Ritz along Parque Eduardo VII is a lovely prelude. You can sit on a comfy couch and enjoy a bowl of almonds and olives alongside your drink.

Sunset Views and Cocktails at TOPO Martim Moniz

December is also a great time to head to TOPO Martim Moniz. This casual bar offers fantastic views of Graça and Castelo de São Jorge. It's a versatile spot where you can play video games, grab a bite, or sip a fantastic cocktail invented by the bartenders.

A Modern Portuguese Twist at Tricky's

Tricky’s is one of our go-to restaurants for a weekend meal in Lisbon. We enjoyed sipping cocktails and pet-nat wine there. The menu features Portuguese flavors with a modern twist, and sharing 3 or 4 small plates is about perfect for two people.

Art Deco Drinks at Art Legacy Hotel

We stumbled upon the Art Legacy Hotel in the heart of Baixa. We loved sitting at the bar and soaking in the Art Deco vibe while sipping handcrafted cocktails.

Sharing Plates at Pica Pau in Princípe Real

Another fun place for dinner in Lisbon in December is Pica Pau in Princípe Real. We went with friends and enjoyed sharing a variety of small plates, including tempura green beans, the namesake Pica Pau (a kind of meat stew), and octopus chunks.

Market Vibes at Mercado de Campo de Ourique

The Mercado de Campo de Ourique is another fun spot to visit in Lisbon in December. It’s a great place to grab a drink and a bite. You can also do a little shopping for homemade goods, perfect for picking up some unique holiday presents.

Mexican Flavors and English Books

For a warm and flavorful dinner, Boca Linda is a great restaurant to visit in Lisbon in December. We enjoyed festive margaritas with colorful salted rims and flavorful tacos that really warmed us to our core. Next door, Salted Books offers a chance to do a little shopping for English language books before or after your meal.

A Michelin Starred Anniversary Dinner at Cura

Our wedding anniversary is in December and so we treated ourselves to a fancy meal at Cura, located in the Ritz hotel.

We enjoyed an extensive seafood-focused menu and loved sitting at a table with a bird's-eye view of the kitchen. From here, we had a front row seat to watch the Michelin-starred chef and their crew prepare the food with great care.

We opted for the wine pairings, which included 10 different wines to go with the 10-course meal. While the price for the meal and wine pairing is, frankly, eye-wateringly high, it felt worth it for a memorable splurge on a special occasion.

More Unique Shopping Experiences

If you're looking for more places to do some Christmas shopping or just browse, here are some additional options. This is another category we keep adding to the longer we live here!

Shopping Galore at Vasco de Gama Center

Need to get some Christmas shopping done? Taking the red line of the Lisbon Metro to Oriente and heading to the Vasco de Gama shopping center is a good plan.

This three-story Centro de Comércio offers three stories of shopping. I have a friend from Portugal who lives in Zurich, and this is the first place she visits every time she comes home.

Exploring Lx Factory

In Alcântara, Lx Factory is definitely worth a visit. It features a variety of restaurants and shops, including a spectacular bookstore that has some English language content.

Mirari in Alcântara

Also in Alcântara, Mirari is another place worth checking out. It functions as a food court but also features vintage clothing stalls and bric a brac for sale. If I had to choose between Lx Factory and Mirari for a daytime visit, I'd pick Lx Factory.

However, Mirari is noted for having a great nighttime vibe with music and dancing, although that's less our preference as we're more morning and daytime people than night owls.

How to Spend New Years Eve in Lisbon?

Now that we live in Lisbon, we had the opportunity to experience New Year's Eve in Lisbon. We grabbed dinner surrounded by locals at Laurentina O Rei do Bacalhau.

We enjoyed traditional dishes made with salt cod (bacalhau). Bacalhau is surprisingly good; better than it sounds on paper, especially when you pair it with a great bottle of Portuguese wine.

After dinner, we headed to Miradouro Parque Eduardo VII to ring in the New Year. Lisbon has NYE fireworks and music on Praça do Comércio. However, that area attracts huge crowds.

We prefer a more chill New Year's Eve experience. The viewpoint at Parque Eduardo VII was just perfect. We had plenty of room and could easily see the fireworks over the Tagus River.

Day Trips from Lisbon at Christmas

When we travel at Christmas, we like to spend at least a week (if not two!) pretending that we live in a new place. That typically leaves plenty of time for day trips.

If you are planning to get outside of the city, I can personally recommend these Lisbon day trips to add on to your Portugal itinerary. I especially appreciated the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites within striking distance of Lisbon.

Day Trip from Lisbon to Belém

Another quintessential experience in Lisbon is taking a day trip to Belém.

The sun was shining so we hopped on Tram 15 at Praça do Comércio. We arrived in Belém and took a stroll around since the sun was shining. We passed Praça Afonso de Albuquerque.

We walked along the Tagus River and caught a glimpse of the beautiful 25 de Abril bridge.

We soon spotted the Monument to the Discoveries with Prince Henry the Navigator at the helm. The monument commemorates the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator.

We paid a small entrance fee and climbed up the inside of the monument to enjoy panoramic views of Belém and the surrounding area.

We could see the Torre de Belém in the distance. Did you know that Belem Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? I liked the view of Prince Henry from above looking out over the water.

The plaza in front of the Monument to the Discoveries is also impressive when viewed from above. We continued along the river to the Torre de Belém which was built in the 16th century for both defense and as a symbolic gateway to Lisbon.

We walked into town and detoured into the grounds of the Centro Cultural de Belém. We found a 'house' sculpted entirely from cork as a concept piece. Of course, we had to walk inside.

Again, good things come in threes. This time, we saw three golden retrievers lounging on the grounds of the Cultural Center.

Our next stop was the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a fine example of Manueline architecture. On Sunday mornings, entrance to the cloister is free.

We took a walk around the ground level gardens and 2nd story. Sunday services were being held so entrance into the church itself was limited. We waited our turn and went in to see the final resting place of Vasco da Gama.

Our next stop was of the tastier variety. We stopped at Pasteis de Belém to try the famous egg custard tarts. We enjoyed our treat while steeping in the neighborhood views.

To be honest, I liked the pasteis de nata from Quinta do Caracol in the Algarve (served with breakfast) and Casa Brasileira better but it was fun to try the famous pastry warm out of the oven.

We ate lunch at Queijadas de Belém, a local cafe. We enjoyed the dish of the day (turkey with rice and salad) and a glass of wine on the cheap. It's a nice economical option for lunch and the service was very good.

We passed the Palácio Nacional de Belém, the official residence of the president of Portugal. We even witnessed the changing of the guard.

We decided to check out the National Coach Museum. We got there at 2:02 pm so we just missed out on the free Sunday morning museum entrance policy (runs from 10 am - 2 pm).

It was worth the entrance fee though. We were transported in time to the days when royalty and other dignitaries bounced down the road on ornate horse-drawn coaches.

The museum itself also had an impressive interior. As we were walking along the second story, I noticed that there were faces in the wallpaper on the ceiling. I'm not sure who they were, but I found it to be a little creepy.

The museum also had the coach on display in which the king and his eldest heir were shot and assassinated in Lisbon on 1908. You can see the bullet holes in the carriage door.

Our final stop in Belém was the Maritime Museum (Museu da Marinha). We especially enjoyed the maps and artifacts from the Age of Discovery.

There was a section of the museum dedicated to royal barges and other seafaring transportation. I liked the colorful boat on display.

We took the tram back to Lisbon and decided to head to Parque Eduardo VII. After a steep uphill climb from Praça do Marquês de Pombal, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the park and bay.

Parque Eduardo VII is also home to another Lisbon Christmas Market and fun fair.

We had walked a long way exploring Belém and beyond (more than 5 miles), so we decided to head back to our apartment to eat the last of the pasteis de Belém that we bought. This time, we made sure to try them the proper way -- drenched in cinnamon and sugar.

A Bus Trip to Évora

Évora is another popular destination near Lisbon with UNESCO World Heritage status and it's just a couple hours away by bus. You could also consider visiting Évora as part of a broader Alentejo road trip.

We found our way to the Terminal Rotovario (bus station) near the Sete Rios Metro station. We debarked in Évora and explored the town on foot.

We entered through the town wall. Yellow trim was thought to ward off evil spirits and we saw this motif everywhere in Évora.

We soon spied the entrance the main square, Praça do Giraldo. Our first item of business was to try queijada at Cafe Arcada. These sweet cheese tarts are a specialty in Évora.

Walking around the square, we noticed that Évora had a lovely old-fashioned feel. Elderly gentleman in stylish wool hats carrying canes greeted each other on the street and stopped to chat. Praça do Giraldo seemed to be a sort of social nexus.

We left the square and walked to the town hall. It's free to enter during business hours and you can catch a glimpse of excavated Roman baths. The Roman aqueduct is one of the key attractions in Évora. We passed a Roman arch which was once a main gate into the town wall.

We chanced upon an exhibit created by school children at the Ponto Jovem em Évora - Espaço Municipal. They had created Christmas trees out of recycled materials. Some of them were pretty imaginative.

We walked beneath a section of the old aqueduct. Stepping outside the town wall, we saw old contrasting new. The Roman aqueduct makes a striking backdrop to a modern parking lot.

We hustled back inside the town wall and traced the route of the aqueduct. Some houses were actually nestled into the arches.

The aqueduct got lower and lower until it finally disappeared underground. Amazing! From here, we walked up to Évora's Roman Temple. There is a park nearby which offers amazing views of town and the distant countryside.

We walked down Rua 4 de Outubro for a little window shopping. We were quite hungry and decided to dine at Adega do Alentejano (Note: according to Google Maps, Adega do Alentejano is now permanently closed, but I'm leaving this section in the post to give you a feel for a what a meal in Evora can be like).

The restaurant is known for wines from the Alentejo region of Portugal. The waiter pulled our pitcher of red wine directly from the barrel.

The meal was excellent and featured bread, meat, cheese, and an egg and mushroom dish as couvert. The menu is printed on wooden planks on the wall. We tried a sort of asparagus polenta dish with pork which was quite tasty.

Sufficiently refreshed, we continued on our tour of Evora. We stopped at Évora's own Chapel of the Bones. We liked the one in Faro better since we could get much closer to the walls.

Everything was roped off and it cost extra for a 'photo licence' in Évora. Still, it's amazing to think that skeletons are actually bearing the load of the structure.

We passed Igreja da Graça, a church with impressive embellishments on the facade and then strolled through the public gardens before making our way back up the hill to the Templo do Diana (Roman Temple).

Jews were killed in this square during the Inquisition and this sculpture of a skeleton in a coffin in the lower right of the picture is a memorial to the victims and reminder of the atrocities that happened here.

Our final stop of the day was the M.C. Escher exhibit at the Fundação Eugenio de Almeida. For 1 euro each, we were able to see some of the finest (not to mention trippy) masterpieces from M.C. Escher.

Overall, our Lisbon day trip to Évora was an excellent outing and worth the effort invested. We covered a lot of ground -- about 5 miles in total.

Day Trip to Sintra

While it's true that you can visit Sintra from Lisbon on a day trip, there are so many things to do, you'll either need to prioritize the things to do on your wishlist or visit Sintra more than once. I've given you three options below for how to spend a day in Sintra.

Option 1: Sintra Day Trip to Castelo dos Mouros and Palácio da Pena

Sintra is a 30 minute ride on the commuter rail outside of Lisbon. We hopped on the train and were whisked away to another time.

The train station features some fantastic tile work. We walked past Câmara Municipal de Sintra (Sintra Town Hall). We could see Palácio Nacional de Sintra in the distance.

Volta do Duche between Sintra Town Hall and the National Palace is an open air art gallery and also affords really spectacular views. We were impressed by the provocative sculptures.

We passed Parque da Liberdade and were surprised and delighted by the colorful animals. We saw the Moorish influenced architecture first hand.

We took the public bus up a steep incline to Pena Palace, a whimsical castle on the hillside. Pena National Palace is definitely one of the top highlights of a Lisbon day trip to Sintra.

We walked downhill to Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors). The wind whistled in our ears as we walked along the ruined walls of the fortress.

We were feeling ambitious so we decided to walk down the hill back to town on the forested trail that began at Castelo dos Mouros. We saw people fetching water at a shabby blue well along the way.

The trail was well marked with red and yellow paint. Before we knew it, darkness had fallen on Sintra. We passed the same buildings again on our way back to the train station and they were outlined in Christmas lights to dramatic effect.

We arrived back at Lisbon's Rossio station hungry from our day of exploration. Time to find some dinner.

Rossio Station in Lisbon is at the base of Bairro Alto so that's where we decided to find dinner upon our return from Sintra. We took a quick wander around after a steep climb up several flights of stairs.

We indulged in Moroccan tagines accompanied by warm bread at Ali-A-Papa. We walked back to our apartment via the tony Baixa-Chiado neighborhood which was also bathed in holiday lights.

Option 2: A Quiet Photowalk on Christmas Eve

We visited Sintra twice on different trips to Portugal. You could easily do the Lisbon to Sintra day trip more than once and it would be entirely new each time.

The second time we visited, we drove into Sintra. Beware: driving and parking in Sintra can be harrowing. I got over the trauma of extremely narrow roads seemingly hewn from the rocks with a slice of Christmas cake and a glass of wine.

When you are in Lisbon for Christmas, the timing of your day trips is super important. Some shops are open until mid afternoon on Christmas Eve.

However, all of the the tourist attractions in Sintra are closed. We made the most of it anyway and admired sights like Sintra National Palace from outside.

We took an atmospheric walk up the hill to Quinta da Regaleira. The place is just dripping in gothic detail. Apparently Madonna owns the place next door.

If you want, you can hire a tuk-tuk to take you around Sintra on a guided tour. We chose to proceed on foot. A lunch of traditional cheese and honey, bacalhao, and mushrooms at Villa 6 washed down with a glass of white wine was a perfect winter warmer.

Pick up a couple Queijadas de Sintra and other local treats at Queijadas da Sapa. Queijadas de Sintra are sweet cheese and egg tarts with a paper thin pastry crust.

Even though tourist attractions are closed on Christmas Eve, I recommend taking a quiet photo walk. I was personally loving the dramatic doors all around Sintra. Many of the beautiful doors of Sintra are accented by colorful tiles on the wall.

Option 3: Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace

A third option for a Lisbon to Sintra day trip involves taking the bus to two of Sintra's storied palaces. All aboard Scotturb 435 which stops at 4 different palaces in Sintra!

We paid 5 EUR per person to ride this single route all day. Pay 11 EUR for all routes if you want to combine the attractions in Option 1 and this one into a single mega-day trip.

It was raining pretty hard when we visited, so just went for one route. Note: Scotturb 435 only runs once an hour.

We had a grand time exploring Quinta da Regaleira. We started with a climb to the top of the hill and the Initiation Well. Climb down the nine ceremonial landings separated by 15 steps each which are believed to have ties to Masonic rituals.

The original owner of the property was a known freemason.

Get lost exploring all the winding paths, gardens, fountains, caves, and grottoes at Quinta da Regaleira. The grounds of Quinta da Regaleira were beautiful despite the rain that plagued our visit.

Bring a flashlight if you wander into the labrynthine grotto at Quinta da Regaleira, a very cool, albeit dark, place to wander around.

Finish with a self-guided tour of the palace at Quinta da Regaleira. Keep an eye open for some amazing architectural details and some of Sintra's best doors. It costs 10 EUR per person to visit Quinta da Regaleira.

You could easily spend at least half a day at Quinta da Regaleira exploring the gardens at a leisurely pace, so it's not a bad value in my opinion.

Onward to the Park and Palace of Monserrate which costs 8 EUR per person to enter. We found lots of cool flowers in the gardens at Monserrate even in December.

We appreciated the chance to walk around and explore the late 19th century Monserrate Palace which featured Moorish motifs throughout.

The tree growing out of the chapel at Monserrate Palace and Gardens reminded me of the temples at Angkor in Cambodia.

Take the bus back to Sintra train station and pop into Alba for some gelato. White coffee and guanduja scoops hit the spot.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Perhaps you are interested in exploring a hidden gem that is technically in Sintra but a little closer to Lisbon. I recommend visiting Queluz Palace, the sumptuous 18th century home of Portuguese royalty.

Cascais for a Day

Cascais is another excellent Lisbon day trip, or you can visit directly from Sintra. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Sintra to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Continental Europe en route from Sintra to Cascais.

Getting out of Sintra on narrow one way roads with sharp switchbacks is the hardest part. We discovered great road quality through Sintra Natural Park approaching Cabo da Roca. It was very foggy on the drive in, but clear seaside. We took a brief walk from the lighthouse along the cliffs looking out into the Atlantic.

Continuing on from Cabo da Roca to Cascais, we made a quick stop near Fortaleza do Guincho to admire the fortress turned 5-star hotel and watch the crashing ocean waves. There are bike and walking path runs alongside the road and sand dunes if you want to turn this into a longer stop.

Upon arrival in Cascais, we parked in a metered spot (4 hours max) near Boca do Inferno (cost about 3 EUR for 4 hours) and walked from there along the coast into Cascais.

Before heading into town, take a moment to find out how Boca do Inferno got its name by watching the waves crash in through a small opening in the rocks.

We spotted Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães in the distance and walked over for a closer look. The palace appeared to have a moat.

It turns out that there is a staircase down to a small beach which is mostly sand with some water trickling under the bridge with the tides. Of course, Cascais is known for beautiful beaches. I learned after our visit that this beach is super popular with locals in the summer.

We took a lovely photo walk around Cascais. The town was still decked out for Christmas when we visited in late December. Keep an eye out for fabulous doors, of course!

It was neat to see that the old fortress in Cascais had been turned into an artists' complex. There was also lots of cool street art to be found around Cascais.

You'll find a bunch of cute restaurants along a pedestrianized section of Cascais where each street is marked with art on the ground.

We ate lunch at Moules and Gin where we ordered two batches of mussels: champagne and Thai. Sadly, there would be no gin for me since I was doing the driving. Moules and Gin was delicious with a super friendly staff.

Birdwatching at EVOA Nature Reserve

Compared to many places, the weather in Lisbon in December is lovely. If it’s not raining (or even if it is…hey, it’s not snowing after all…), there are plenty of places to go birdwatching near Lisbon.

We planned a December day out at EVOA - Espaço de Visitação e Observação de Aves, a nature reserve and bird sanctuary located near Vila Franca de Xira (VFX). We took the train from Oriente to VFX, a ride of about 15-20 minutes.

We arranged for a staff member from EVOA to pick us up at the train station in VFX and drive us to the sanctuary. Upon arrival at the visitors center, we transferred into a giant golf cart for the tour.

The weather had been rainy in the days leading up to our visit, and we were the only ones on the tour that day. Unfortunately, our golf cart got stuck in the mud, requiring a pick-up truck to hook up a winch and pull us out. It slowed us down a bit, but certainly makes for a memorable story in hindsight!

The highlights of our visit included seeing a flock of flamingos soaring overhead and tons of black ibises, which are a rare species in general but relatively plentiful in Southern Portugal.

Before heading back to Lisbon after our birdwatching adventure, we grabbed a tosta mista and a glass of wine at a quiosque near the train station in VFX. We really enjoyed this nature-focused December day trip from Lisbon.

Summing up Lisbon at Christmas

As you can see, Lisbon is an amazing destination for Christmas. You'll find excellent holiday spirit as well as plenty of things to do (and eat!) both in Lisbon and on a variety of day trips further afield. Why not plan a trip to Portugal to celebrate the holiday season?

Are you trying to decide what time of year to visit Lisbon? Check out month-by-month ideas based on my personal experience living in Portugal:

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Is Braga Worth Visiting? Unwind and Work Remotely

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/is-braga-worth-visiting/

20 Hidden Gems in Portugal You Won't Want to Miss (Expat Discoveries)

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/portugal-hidden-gems/

13 Lisbon Hidden Gems: An Expat's Guide to Lesser Known Spots

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/lisbon-hidden-gems/

Why Queluz Palace is a Must-See Lisbon Day Trip (My Expat Opinion)

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/queluz-palace/

Is Madeira Worth Visiting? 9 Surprises That Shaped Our Trip

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Ireland

An Efficient Dublin to Sligo Road Trip: A 3-Day Guide to Yeats Country

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/dublin-to-sligo-road-trip/

My 5 Favorite Dublin Whiskey Tastings: From Expat to Expert

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/whiskey-tasting-in-dublin/

The Best Time to Visit Dublin? Monthly Tips from a 12 Year Resident

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/when-to-visit-dublin/

The Ultimate Dingle Weekend: 13 Things to Do on a Quick Irish Road Trip

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/things-to-do-dingle/

Your Definitive Guide to a Dingle to Tralee Day Trip in 8 Essential Stops

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/dingle-to-tralee-day-trip/

Europe

18 Things to Do in Mainz: Your Ultimate Guide to a Winter Workcation

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/things-to-do-in-mainz/

11 Fun Things to Do in The Hague: Your Bleisure & Workcation Guide

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/things-to-do-in-the-hague/

United Kingdom

Weekend in Canterbury: An Efficient UK Itinerary for Work-Life Travelers

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/weekend-in-canterbury-uk/

Take a Weekend Break in Birmingham UK (with a Pet Shop Boys Playlist!)

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/birmingham-weekend-break/

York in 48 Hours: A Leave-Free Weekend Add-On in the UK

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/york-weekend-break/

Bristol in a Day: Highlights for Busy People

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/bristol-in-a-day/

Brighton Day Trip: Maximize Your UK Getaway as a Work-Life Traveler

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/brighton-day-trip/

Aberdeen in 2 Days: 13 Reasons to Take a Detour to The Granite City

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/things-to-do-in-aberdeen-scotland/

Switzerland

A Half-Day Trip from Zurich by Train: An Adventure in Rapperswil

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/rapperswil-day-trip/

Zurich to Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein in a Day: A Bleisure Blueprint

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Is a Zurich to Liechtenstein Day Trip Feasible? (Yes, Here’s How!)

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Winter in Lucerne: From Work to Weekend

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This Lake Constance Itinerary Will Make Your Work Trip Soar

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The Best of Chicago in a Day for Bleisure Travelers

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Things to do in Ann Arbor: A Bleisure Guide to Downtown Year-Round

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10 Steps to One Perfect Day in NYC (Filled with Architecture and Views)

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/one-day-in-nyc/

Mount Auburn Cemetery: Your Must-Do Boston Business Trip Add-on

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/mount-auburn-cemetery-cambridge/

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A 4-Day Mendoza Itinerary: Wine, Food (& More) for Busy Professionals

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Essential Things to Do in Punta Arenas for the Modern Explorer

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Our 10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: Maximize Paid Time Off in Paradise

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Is Marrakech Worth Visiting? A Candid Review of the Pros and Cons
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Our Gorilla Safari in Uganda: A Tough Trek to Meet the Nkuringo Family
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2 Weeks in South Africa: 10 Must-Do Experiences for Busy Professionals
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Heaven and Earth Hoi An Bicycle Tour: Authentic Vietnam Up Close

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Mutianyu Great Wall Day Trip by Car: Travel Like a VIP from Beijing

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/day-trip-to-mutianyu-great-wall/

Is Osaka Worth Visiting? Elevate Your Vacation with This Smart Add-on

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Is Perth Worth It as a Business Trip Add-on? 14 Reasons to Visit

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/is-perth-worth-visiting/

Bonorong Wildlife Park: See Tasmanian Devils (and more) on a Work Break

https://travel.sidewalksafari.com/bonorong-wildlife-park-tasmania/

3 Weeks in New Zealand: Top 10 Must-See Stops on a Career Break

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I'm currently in the process of moving my decade old site from Blogger to Wordpress to make it easier and faster for you to find what you are looking for. The new site lives at travel.sidewalksafari.com

I'm also moving my door photography focused content to my Doors, Glorious Doors subdomain (doors.sidewalksafari.com).

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I'm currently in the process of moving my decade old site from Blogger to Wordpress to make it easier and faster for you to find what you are looking for.

I'm also moving my door photography focused content to my Doors, Glorious Doors subdomain (doors.sidewalksafari.com).

As a part-time travel blogger with a full-time "day job", as you can imagine, this process will take time. Thanks for your patience as I work to improve the user experience here at Sidewalk Safari.

31 Fun Things to Do in Vilnius on a Quick Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Petoff (aka Dr. J) | Sidewalk Safari) — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 11:37:00 +0000

Is Vilnius worth visiting?

We aimed to find out thanks to an amazing deal on flights from Dublin on Ryanair (99 EUR return for two people!).

We had previously visited Tallinn, Estonia, and Riga, Latvia and had a great time so we were absolutely delighted to visit Lithuania for a long weekend city break in September. The crisp autumn air and mellow warmth made for an ideal first impression.

Fast forward nearly a decade, and I had the incredible opportunity to return to Vilnius for a second visit in late February and early March. This trip, while partially for business, offered a much colder experience, often rainy and dark, though the temperature remained above freezing.

Despite the inclement weather, Vilnius continued to reveal its charms. This return trip underscored how Vilnius will win you over no matter the season.

Read on to learn about the variety of fun things to do in Vilnius that we discovered across both visits! Hopefully, this will provide you with some travel inspiration to hop on a plane and visit Lithuania's vibrant capital city yourself.

Things to do in Vilnius in September

Let's start with a deep dive on things we did on first trip to Vilnius in the late summer/early Autumn.

1. Soak Up the UNESCO Heritage Spotlight in Vilnius

The historic Old Town in Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's easy to see why. Stately public buildings and ornate churches dot the streets of Lithuania's capital city.

We arrived in Vilnius in the evening and got a chance to marvel at the architecture under a brilliant spotlight. Vilnius Old Town is definitely one of the premier points of interest.

🔎 Riga in Latvia is another great city break destination in the Baltics with a reputation for fantastic Art Nouveau architecture. Check out this post for recommendations on how to spend 3 days in Riga.

2. Drink Cool, Cheap Lithuanian Beer in Vilnius

If architecture's not your thing, pop into one of the local pubs in Old Town Vilnius to sample cool, cheap, Lithuanian beer.

We found a number of local offerings on tap at a bargain price of less than 2 EUR a pint in many cases. What an ideal way to quench our thirst on our weekend city break in Vilnius!

3. Admire Vilnius' Street Art

Vilnius also features a wide range of striking street art. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk around the Old Town for some stunning creations.

4. See Sculpture in context in Vilnius

Continuing with an art theme, sculpture abounds in Vilnius. From quaint wooden carvings, to stately historical figures, to throwbacks to the communist era and more; an architecture walk is a fun thing to do in Vilnius.

5. Somebody's Watching Me in Vilnius!

I couldn't help but feel like somebody was watching me in Vilnius. Every time I looked up, I spotted faces on the facades of the ornate buildings staring back at me.

6. Marvel at Vilnius' Church Spires

Vilnius is a city of churches. On a sunny day, I could have spent hours looking up at the spires watching little wisps of clouds roll past.

7. Explore Vilnius' Communist Era Contrasts

Vilnius is also a city of contrasts. Lithuania was part of the USSR from the World War II era until the Iron Curtain fell in 1990.

There are still remnants of communist-era architecture in Vilnius which stands in stark contrast to the fabulously ornate structures of the medieval Old Town.

8. Stroll Through Vilnius' Fair of Nations

Our trip to Vilnius was serendipitously well-timed. A huge Fair of Nations was on along Gediminas Avenue in the heart of Vilnius. We strolled along the busy thoroughfare sampling local and international treats and admiring the local Lithuanian crafts on offer.

Notable stalls included a vendor selling at least ten kinds of bacon and someone selling colorful wool socks. I picked up a pair of Lithuanian socks to keep my feet warm during the upcoming winter season in Dublin.

Unfortunately, I didn't have any room in my backpack for Lithuanian bacon although I'll admit it was tempting.

The Fair of Nations in Vilnius even featured an alpaca petting zoo. That's something you don't see every day...

🔎 SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT

Did you know that European Capitals of Culture have been designated since 1985 and that Vilnius was a European Capital of Culture in 2009? We've had the opportunity to visit a number of cities that at once held this designation.

Here are some ideas for the cities that we visited with the year the place was capital of culture listed in parentheses:

Visit the Christmas markets in Berlin, Germany (1988)
Spend 2 days in Glasgow Scotland (1990)
Explore 25 ways to do a day in Dublin Ireland (1991)
Spend a weekend exploring Luxembourg with a Luxembourg Card and don't forget to do some day trips from Luxembourg City (1995, 2007)
Spend a day in Stockholm Sweden (1998)
See Rotterdam in winter (2001)
Drink port as old as you are with 3 days in Porto Portugal (2001)
Learn about awesome things to do in Cork City Ireland (2005)
Get off the beaten track with a day in Mons Belgium (2015)
Explore Bulgaria’s Roman past with a bus ride from Sofia to Plovdiv for a weekend (2019)

9. Climb Up to Vilnius' Gediminas Tower for Sweeping Views

We rode the funicular up the steep slope at the foot of Gediminas Avenue in Vilnius to Gediminas Tower. The tower features sweeping views over the old and new towns in Vilnius.

Inside, there was a photo exhibit chronicling the fall of communism in the Baltic States. We saw some impressive pictures of the Baltic Chain, a demonstration back in 1989 where approximately 2 million people joined hands in a continuous link between Tallinn, Estonia and Vilnius.

It was a peaceful political demonstration credited with paving the way for the fall of communism in the Baltic region.

10. Go Yarnbombing, Vilnius Style

We discovered that the residents of Vilnius love a bit of yarnbombing. We spotted several trees, lampposts and even a derelict building covered in yarn.

I loved this quirky side to Lithuania's Capital City. If you can knit, why not join in?

11. Amble Through Bernardinai Garden in the Heart of Vilnius

Bernardinai Garden is a peaceful oasis in the center of Vilnius. We strolled through manicured gardens and enjoyed exploring the fountains and metallic sculptures strewn throughout the park.

12. Understand Lithuanian Literature at Vilnius' Literatu Garve

Literatu Garve was one of the most fascinating points of interest that we discovered on our weekend city break to Vilnius.

This ode to Lithuanian literature features hundreds of unique pieces of art embedded into the walls along a narrow street for 2-3 blocks. Definitely check it out if you find yourself visiting Vilnius!

13. Enjoy Lithuanian Doughnuts!

If you have a sweet tooth like I do, you can't go wrong with Lithuanian doughnuts. Filled with caramel, chocolate, or jam, these dense balls will definitely help fuel a day of exploration around Vilnius.

14. Get Into Vilnius' Craft Beer Scene

In addition to the cheap local beer described above, Vilnius also has a thriving craft beer scene. We particularly enjoyed Bambalynė.

We descended from the bustling streets of Vilnius into a cool cellar lined with refrigerators. The cases were loaded with Lithuanian craft brews.

We had a heck of a time deciding but ultimately made our selection, paid for our craft beer, were handed the corresponding mugs, and sat in the atmospheric cave sipping Vilnius' finest.

15. Go Carb Loading in Vilnius and Kibinai

I don't recommend going on a diet before visiting Vilnius for a weekend. Lithuanian cuisine features lots of heavy comforting food.

You'll find delicious potato pancakes, golden pastry filled with meat and cheese (kibinai), and the yes-it's-as-big-as-it-sounds zeppelin, a starchy potato based dumpling.

Of course, Lithuanian food all washes down really well with a local craft beer.

16. Have A Headbanging Good Time in Vilnius

I love the things we chance upon on a trip that are totally unplanned. A series of concerts was on in Vilnius in conjunction with the Fair of Nations.

We were walking down Gediminas Avenue before dinner when we suddenly heard a blast of loud headbanging music followed by classic violin. As we got closer, we discovered that Jelonek, a musician based in Poland, was putting on the show of his life on the streets of Vilnius.

The band played classical music melodies with a heavy metal twist. We were mesmerized and stood watching for almost an hour.

I even decided to bang my head a bit although I nearly fell over in the bushes when I made my attempt. Don't try this at home, folks!

Jelonek was totally over the top awesome. The show even featured some crazy pyrotechnics. I've included a few clips below so you can see the spectacle we discovered in Vilnius for yourself.

17. Take A Day Trip from Vilnius to Trakai Island Castle

We were only in Vilnius for a little over 2 days, but we still managed to squeeze in a day trip to Trakai which is located about an hour outside of Vilnius by bus. Trakai is a lake resort town in Lithuania anchored by a magical castle located on an island.

We explored the castle grounds, walked along the lake, and dined al fresco on fine Lithuanian cuisine at Kiubete before making our way back to Vilnius. Trakai Island Castle was a lovely and tranquil respite from Lithuania's capital.

18. Photograph Vilnius' Colorful Houses

Vilnius also features some amazing colorful homes, particularly around Trakai. We spotted quaint wooden buildings in nearly all the colors of the rainbow on our walk from the Trakai bus station to the castle.

19. Check Out the Gates of Dawn in Vilnius

Vilnius was once a walled city and the Gates of Dawn medieval entrance to the city still stands tall. We took a mental trip back in time and thought about what it would have been like to walk the streets of Vilnius in the 16th century.

The Gates of Dawn also features relics from the Virgin Mary which are believed to have special powers. We didn't have time to go up and see for ourselves but we were able to catch a glimpse of the Virgin Mary from outside while standing on the streets of Vilnius below.

Things to do in Vilnius in The Winter

Building on my previous adventures in Vilnius, I was excited to return in late February and early March.

If you decide to visit Vilnius in the winter, bring a warm coat (I wore my warmest parka), winter hat, gloves, and an umbrella and don’t let the weather stop you from exploring!

Let’s look at some fun things to do in Vilnius in late winter with plenty of options to nip inside and warm up from the chill.

20. Taste Unique Lithuanian Bagels

Forget everything you thought you knew about bagels! On my recent visit, I was delighted to discover that Lithuania has its own unique take on bagels, which you can find at places like Beigelista.

These bagels are typically one flavor, often sprinkled with poppy and sesame seeds, boasting a bubbly crust and a soft interior. They're smaller and different than New York bagels, but quite good in their own right.

I enjoyed my Lithuanian bagel with classic cream cheese, cucumbers, tomato, and lettuce. If you are feeling adventurous, try a slightly more unusual flavor combination like beetroot and hummus like my husband did. And yes, Beigelista serves a decent cup of coffee too!

21. Delve Deeper into Vilnius's Eclectic Art

Beyond the striking street art and sculptures already mentioned, Vilnius delighted us with its whimsical and often unexpected art installations and decorations. Keep your eyes peeled as you wander!

For example, I spotted a sleek sculpture of a naked lady riding a bear. I saw giant books by Agatha Christie above the windows of the oddly Agatha Christie-themed Puaro bar.

For a sweet visual treat, I loved seeing Poniu Laime, a dessert restaurant covered in giant macarons – a true photographer's delight.

On our winter trip I found a square with rusted metal dogs sprinkled with snow. Unexpectedly, there is even a statue of Leonard Cohen in the Old Town, a nod to his Lithuanian heritage.

While I didn't have time to go inside MO muziejus on my second trip, exploring the interesting street art and sculptures in the area around the museum was still worthwhile.

22. Explore Vilnius's Market Hall (Halės Turgus)

As a fan of European food halls, I've added Halės Turgus, Vilnius's Market Hall, to my list of must-visit spots. Have a look around and immerse yourself in local flavors.

I was particularly impressed by the sheer variety of pickled items on offer. Far beyond just cucumbers, you'll find various kinds of lettuce, beets, potatoes, mushrooms and just about anything else you can imagine pickled.

Each vendor seems to have their own special brining recipe. Don't miss the huge array of smoked meats, sausages, sides of bacon and for those with a sweet tooth, halva is also available.

This market is conveniently located close to the Gates of Dawn.

23. Unearth History at the Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall

For a dose of history and a touch of medieval make-believe, head to the Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall (LNM Vilniaus gynybinės sienos bastėja). You can walk along the bastions outside and explore the exhibits inside.

The bastion even offers opportunities to dress up in the helmet of a knight and wield a sword.

A highlight (or lowlight, depending on your bravery!) was encountering an ugly looking creature with wings and the head of a rooster in a particularly dark room. It turns out, it's a Basilisk, a legendary creature said to inhabit the cellars of Vilnius, capable of killing with a single glance.

24. Discover the Free-Spirited Republic of Užupis

Cross the river to the independent Republic of Užupis, a fascinating neighborhood that's perfect for people watching and street art.

The main draw here is the Constitution of the Republic of Užupis (Užupio Respublikos konstitucija), displayed on a wall in many, many languages. This Bill of Rights is truly unique, with terms like:

"Everyone has the right to live by the River Vilnele, and the River Vilnele has the right to flow by everyone."
"Everyone has the right to hot water, heating in winter and a tiled roof."
"Everyone has the right to make mistakes."
"Everyone has the right to love. Everyone has the right not to be loved, but not necessarily."
"Everyone has the right to love and take care of the cat."
"A dog has the right to be a dog."
"No one has the right to violence."
"Do not defeat. Do not fight back. Do not surrender."

It was both impressive and slightly tongue in cheek at the same time.

25. Indulge in Vilnius's Fine Dining and Unique Culinary Experiences

Vilnius's food scene goes beyond cheap beer and traditional comfort food.

For a special occasion, I highly recommend 14 Horses. Here, I enjoyed a multi-course tasting menu that started with spectacular bread that was flaky like a croissant. This was followed by elegantly prepared snacks, pork mains, pickled vegetables, and two desserts. Make sure to book ahead as 14 Horses is quite popular.

For traditional Lithuanian cuisine, try Etno Dvaras. While somewhat touristy, it offers local craft beers and their signature zeppelins –large and quite filling Lithuanian potato dumplings served with mushroom sauce. Their mushroom soup in a bread bowl is also a winner.

I also revisited Amatininkų Užeiga, a place that caught my eye on my first trip. Here, you can enjoy a Lithuanian dark beer alongside classic dishes like meatballs served with various salads and of course Lithuanian dumplings.

For a truly indulgent start to a Sunday, consider the musical brunch at the Grand Hotel. This included a buffet selection, two main courses, and unlimited bubbles (prosecco) for two hours, accompanied by a live piano player and singer. Don't miss trying the caviar on mini pancakes!

26. Sip on Local Lithuanian Liqueurs or Warm Up with Ukrainian Cherry Wine

On colder evenings, instead of just beer, explore Vilnius's unique beverage scene. At the Grand Hotel bar, I discovered and sampled various Lithuanian liqueurs, which were served with pungent chunks of hard cheese that had a texture like parmesan and some seasoned almonds. The bar itself has a lovely atmosphere and was worth stopping by just to hang out.

Alternatively, if you find yourself in Vilnius during the colder months, grab a hot Ukrainian cherry wine at Piana Vyshnia. While this bar is part of a chain across Eastern Europe having a warm drink on a chilly late winter day is a worthwhile diversion.

27. Stroll Through Vilnius University's Historic Courtyards

Take some time to walk onto the campus of Vilnius University. The campus is comprised of a number of courtyards with covered archways and promenades that are lovely to explore. The buildings themselves are historic, allowing you to steep in this historic institution of higher knowledge.

28. Uncover Vilnius's Rich Jewish Heritage

For a deeper understanding of the city's past, I highly recommend a walking tour focused on Jewish history in Vilnius. Our guide provided fascinating insights as we walked through the old Jewish quarter, pointing out recreated street art from old photographs that serve as a poignant reminder of those who are no longer there.

You can also visit the remaining synagogue with its sky blue interior and walk through the parks and squares that were once part of the Jewish ghetto during WWII. There's even a small museum still housed in the Jewish quarter. It was both a fascinating and poignant walk through history even in the cold.

29. Spot a Filming Location in Vilnius

Keep your eyes peeled for film crews! On a Sunday morning at Cathedral Square, I was surprised to find a flurry of activity – trucks, tables, filming equipment, and crew in yellow vests.

Soon, actors in 1950s and 1960s clothing appeared, turning the square into a living set. Rumor has it, they were filming Star City, a spin-off of the Netflix show For All Mankind, which explores an alternative history of the space race.

It seemed like some of the actors were staying at The Grand Hotel which was also used as a backdrop for filming.

30. Ascend to The New Arsenal of National Museum of Lithuania

Housed within Vilnius Castle, The New Arsenal of the National Museum of Lithuania (LNM Naujasis arsenalas) offers an interesting setting for a museum with visible ruins that you can walk through.

Inside, you'll find a wide range of art exhibits not to mention unique room sized ceramic heaters. Climb to the top of a spiral staircase for panoramic views over Vilnius.

Though the weather was dreary during my late winter visit, the glass enclosure allowed for comfortable temperature-controlled viewing. Plan to spend a good few hours here to learn about Lithuania's intricate history and its fascinating ties to Poland.

31. Discover Art and Nature at Vilnius Tech Park

While perhaps not a top priority for a quick trip, if you find yourself in the Vilnius Tech Park area (like I did for the business part of my trip), I think you'll appreciate its forested setting and cool art.

I was surprised to find wooden sculptures of gorilla and an jarring stone sculpture of a gorilla skeleton. There is also a specialty coffee shop on the campus to make the detour more worthwhile. Vilnius Tech Park is an off-the-beaten track but idyllic place to explore.

Where to Stay in Vilnius?

Choosing the right home base for a city break is an important decision. I've now personally experienced a few excellent hotel options in Vilnius for you to consider depending on your travel style and budget

Hotel Rinno

On my first trip, we spent two nights at Hotel Rinno. This accommodation is located just outside the historic Old Town, making it convenient to walk to all of Vilnius' attractions yet still quiet.

It's about a 10-minute walk from the hotel to Town Hall Square. You can secure a room at Hotel Rinno for less than 60 EUR a night, making it a fantastic, reasonably priced choice.

The Grand Hotel Vilnius (Curio Collection)

For my more recent visit, my husband and I decided to treat ourselves to something special for the weekend portion of the trip. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Vilnius, a Curio Collection hotel, which was super cool.

We had a view of Cathedral Square and the the bell tower of Vilnius cathedral. It was beautiful to photograph both the tower and the church lit up at night.

The cost for our three-night stay was 533 EUR. We decided to splurge for a more luxury experience and central location which we thought would be beneficial if the winter weather wasn't great.

Courtyard by Marriott Vilnius

For the business portion of my second trip, we moved to the Courtyard Marriott. This was a more economical option compared to the Grand Hotel Vilnius. The rate for the Courtyard Marriott was about 100 EUR a night.

Located across the river, this hotel was clean and comfortable with breakfast included in our rate.

Is Vilnius Worth Visiting?

As you can see, Vilnius is unequivocally worth visiting for a city break, whether it's a quick weekend or a longer stay. If I had to choose, I recommend going in September versus the dead of winter, but visiting in the cold offers a less touristy look at the Lithuanian capital

My first visit in September showcased a city brimming with UNESCO heritage, cheap local beer, vibrant street art, and delicious, comforting carb-loaded food like kibinai and zeppelins. We found reasonably priced accommodation and a memorable food and beer scene.

My recent return in late February and early March, despite being a much colder experience with rainy and dark weather, only solidified my positive impression. It's clear that the city offers plenty of reasons to brave the chill.

You’ll find plenty of specialty coffee places to duck inside of during the colder months. Eskedar Coffee, co-located in a bookstore, was one of our favorites.

What are you waiting for? Are you ready to plan your own Lithuanian holiday?

Where to Next?

Ryanair also flies to Kaunas, Lithuania's second city. We found that flying into Vilnius and out of Kaunas and taking the bus between the two cities is an excellent plan for a weekend city break.

Find out why Kaunas is worth visiting...

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The Algarve in December: Discover Portugal's Coastal Haven on a Winter Escape

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Petoff (aka Dr. J) | Sidewalk Safari) — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 12:01:00 +0000

Have you considered spending time in Portugal in December?

The Algarve in the winter months is an ideal destination in Southern Portugal: the weather is not too cold (definitely above freezing) plus the region is quiet and relaxing.

As an added bonus, you can avoid throngs of tourists by visiting Portugal in winter. We've had the pleasure of visiting the Algarve three times now in December. Read on for ideas about things to do in the Algarve and places to see on an Algarve Portugal road trip.

Getting to the Algarve

There are a few different ways to get to the Algarve: by plane, train, bus, or car.

How far is the Algarve from Lisbon? It takes about 3 hours to drive to the Algarve from the Portuguese capital.

You can get to the Algarve from Lisbon by train as well. It takes between 3-4 hours to get between Lisbon and the southern coast of Portugal by rail depending on the number of stops the train makes. The main train stops in the Algarve are Loulé, Albufeira, and Faro.

If you want to fly directly to the Algarve from points in Europe, both Ryanair and Easyjet fly directly to Faro. If you are visiting Portugal from further afield, you can also catch a connecting flight from Lisbon to Faro.

Rede Espressos and FlixBus both operate services between Lisbon and Faro. Taking the bus is probably your cheapest option to get to the Algarve with tickets purchased well in advance selling for as little as 5 EUR.

Of course, the most convenient way to get to and around the Algarve is to rent a car. Renting a car gives maximum flexibility to visit the charming towns and villages all along the coast.

We've personally used three different modes of transportation to get to and around the Algarve. On our first trip (before moving to Portugal), we flew from Dublin direct to Faro on Ryanair.

We rented a car at Faro Airport so that we could more easily get around on our trip. We took the train from Faro to Lisbon for Christmas on that same trip. On our most recent trip, we rented a car from Hertz in Lisbon near Marquês de Pombal and drove down to the Algarve coast from there.

Getting Around the Algarve

Renting a car is essential if you want to explore extensively in the Algarve. There is a high quality motorway that runs across the Algarve from end to end. If you drove the A22 from end to end, it would take about 2 hours (one way).

There used to be hefty tolls along the A22, but they were removed at the beginning of 2025 so you can fly along the motorway for free now.

Make sure to check with your rental car company to understand their terms and conditions if you plan to drive across the border into Spain. Many rental car companies apply a daily surcharge for the duration of your rental if you take the car across the border.

In theory, you could get around the Algarve by train. For example, there is a train that runs from Faro to Vila Real de Santo Antonio. The train runs less than every hour and the journey takes up to one hour and 15 minutes. You can drive that distance in about 50 minutes and have the flexibility to stop and explore in more places along the way.

Unless you want to "fly and flop" at a resort in the Algarve (I'm not judging you, that's just not my travel style) make sure you rent a car.

Where to Stay in the Algarve

The Algarve is a pretty big place and stretches from Sagres in the west all the way to the Spanish border in the east along the Southern Coast of Portugal. We have stayed in five different places in the Algarve (so far!) Let’s explore our different choices of accommodation.

Quinta do Caracol

On our first trip to the Algarve, we checked in to Quinta do Caracol, a family run resort in Tavira. We think the place used to be a snail farm before it was turned into a hotel. In the low season in mid-December, expect to pay less than 100 EUR a night.

The grounds were lovely and featured whitewashed buildings with blue and yellow trim, lush vegetation and citrus, and even a swimming pool. All the rooms have names.

We were whisked into 'Amor Perfeito' (Perfect Love) for our stay. We even had a little table and bench outside our room to sit outside -- unfortunately, it was bit cold and rainy during the time we were there so we didn't avail much of the outdoor elements of the property.

Breakfast was one of the highlights of our stay. The breakfast room featured a roaring wood fire. We were served freshly squeezed orange juice from fruit grown on the property.

We also got our first taste of traditional Portuguese Pastel de Nata, Portugal's famous cream custard tarts. The Quinta do Caracol was an excellent home base for exploring the Algarve.

Grand House in Vila Real de Santo Antonio

If you are looking for a splurge in the Algarve with period atmosphere, Grand House in Vila Real de Santo Antonio is a great pick. The building itself dates back to the 1920s. Hotel Guadiana, as it was known at the time, is believed to be the oldest hotel in Southern Portugal.

After its heyday, the building fell into disrepair and was resurrected to its former glory as Grand House in 2018. With just 26 rooms, you can expect a personalized luxury experience. Enjoy Portuguese sparkling wine with the breakfast included in your room rate.

Make time for a gin and tonic at the sleek wooden bar or just sit for a spell in one of the atmospheric parlors on the first floor. We chose to ate a gourmet tasting menu at the Grand House restaurant as a treat for our anniversary.

We especially liked the proximity of the hotel to the Spanish border. At this time of year, you can pop across the Guadiana River and into Spain for seasonal polvorones and mantecados. There is a Mercadona about a 15 minute drive from Grand House.

Grand House cost about 300 EUR a night during the low season in the Algarve in mid-December.

Tivoli Carvoeiro

A more budget-minded option with great amenities in the Algarve in December is the Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel and Resort. We paid about 150 EUR per night in mid-December. Our room had a beautiful ocean view and breakfast was included.

Take some time to explore the extensive grounds which include an outdoor pool and access to the nearby cliffs and caves. Grab a sunset drink on the terrace if the winter weather in the Algarve isn't too chilly.

The One Restaurant on-site features a high-end multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings. It's worth booking a table if you are celebrating a special occasion or if you simply want to treat yourself to a fine Portuguese meal.

If you are driving to Carvoeiro, the roads to get here from the motorway are not for the faint of heart. Pro-tip: Google Maps will give you a couple of different options. Use Google Street View to get a sense of which route is better. A couple of the roads that we traversed were barely wide enough for a single car to fit. It reminded me of some of our self-drives in rural Ireland.

The center of Carvoeiro town is about a 10 minute walk from the Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort. Beware, the area is quite hilly and you'll need a bit of stamina for this walk.

We still thought it was worth walking into town to avoid the stress of finding parking and also so that we could have a drink or two.

We found a reasonable selection of restaurants in Carvoeiro and ate Italian pinsas and Indian food on two of the nights that we spent in town.

Domes Lake Resort

For a festive holiday escape in the Algarve, we opted to break up our road trip journey from Lisbon to Jerez de la Frontera with a 3-night stay in Vilamoura. The Domes Lake Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott (about 185 EUR per night) offered a spectacular sunset view from our room.

We were delighted to find a fruit plate and bottle of wine waiting for us upon arrival. As Marriott lifetime gold status members, we were also pleasantly surprised on Christmas Day to discover a mini Bolo Rei (a traditional Portuguese Christmas cake) and a gift of a candle and some orange-scented room spray in our room.

This thoughtful touch really added to our holiday celebration. During our stay, we enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner at the hotel's Topos Restaurant, which featured live music.

The hotel bar also offered a relaxed atmosphere for a casual dinner. We had sushi and cocktails with more live music on one of the other nights of our stay.

It was a little chilly and thus we didn't use the beautiful pools on the property. However, we did avail of a boardwalk hike around the lake and tranquil grounds of the hotel.

Beyond the Domes Lake Resort, we explored the stunning Algarve coastline nearby and went for a long walk (about 45 minutes one way) along the coast from Quarteira back to Vilamoura on Christmas Day.

However, we were disappointed to find many shops and restaurants closed around the Vilamoura harbor during our visit. If you stay in Vilamoura in December, definitely take a drive to some of the other places in the Algarve that I will describe below.

Pousada Palácio de Estoi

On our way back from Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain, we chose to stop for one night at the Pestana Pousada Palácio de Estoi, located in Estoi, an inland town in the Algarve.

This beautiful hotel, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, boasts gorgeous salons and a lovely garden. The Jardim do Palácio de Estoi, the historic property's garden, offered beautiful sea views and was made even more charming by the cats roaming freely within it.

We enjoyed our dinner at the hotel's elegant restaurant. Our meal there included seafood rice, a lovely beetroot and cheese salad, and a main course of chicken and polenta.

The hotel also included a breakfast buffet, and we were delighted by the selection of cakes and pastries available. You can also sit in the grand rooms of the palace for a drink and a chance to steep in the historic atmosphere.

We paid just 106 EUR for the night, a real bargain to stay in such a historic hotel.

An Algarve Road Trip

No matter where you choose to stay in the Algarve, you'll find plenty of places to visit. On each winter trip to the Algarve, we explored both the place we were staying in depth and took a drive to some of the historic towns and sights across the Algarve region. Let's deep dive into some of the experiences we've had in the Algarve in December.

Alvor

Alvor is definitely worth a visit on a day out in the Algarve in winter. Hike along the extensive boardwalk which winds its way through the sand dunes. The area is also a prime spot for birdwatching.

After our hike, we drove to Alvor town. Take a 30 minute stroll through town. I was particularly impressed with the quality of Alvor's doors.

Portimão

On our first trip to the Algarve, the first stop on our road trip was Portimão. We got a little lost on the way into town (the streets are not well marked) and never found the town center. We did, however, find a series of gorgeous beaches.

One of the advantages of traveling in Portugal in winter during the low season is that you have a lot of touristy places to yourself. The beach in Portimão was deserted. Local resorts and high rise apartments sat on a dramatic cliff with stairs leading down to a boardwalk.

A lone person sat on the beach listening to the rhythmic sounds of the waves. Limestone rock formations competed for beach frontage with local restaurants.

We decided to climb down the stairs and have a look around. For those that didn't want to get sand in their shoes, the boardwalk extended far out onto the beach. We weren't entirely alone. Two adorable Western Highland White Terriers frolicked in the sand making our visit complete.

On our second winter trip to the Algarve, we did a Portimão do-over. We plotted a course on Google Maps to Mercado Municipal de Portimão. We found plenty of on-street metered parking.

Take some time to wander around Portimão, the third largest city in the Algarve. In December, you'll find red carpets connecting the shopping streets to guide your exploration.

We stumbled upon A Casa da Isabel with its charming decor and delicious pastries.

I also discovered that Portimão has some amazing doors! That's always a plus in my book.

Lagos

Our next stop on our driving tour of the Algarve was Lagos.

I was immediately drawn to a dilapidated tile-fronted building in the center of town. Birds circled above a statue of Dom Sebastiao. I liked a shiny, triangular deep green building anchoring one of the town squares.

We walked past Santo Antonio to Praça Infante Dom Henrique. Prince Henry the Navigator ran a sea navigation school in the area in the 15th century and was a key catalyst in Portugal's prominence during the Age of Discovery.

Vestiges of the local slave market still remain and can be toured for a fee. We looked in through the gate but didn't have enough time to visit the museum proper -- we had a lot of ground in the Algarve to cover in a single day.

We stopped to refuel at Taquelim Gonçalves (they have free WiFi, by the way) and enjoyed a fig and marzipan treat with our espresso. The most striking impression that Lagos left me with was the stark whiteness of the boats in the harbour against the ominous storm clouds.

Sagres

We made it to the end of the world...at least that's what it was called in Vasco de Gama's day. When the explorers set off from the southwest coast of Portugal during the Age of Discovery, they didn't know what lay on the other side of the ocean (if anything at all!).

We drove all the way to Sagres to pay homage to the bravery of those that explored and charted the world beyond their own borders. The views from Cabo de São Vicente were stunning.

We had a picnic lunch along the rocky cliffs. We made sure to stay well away from the edge. Apparently there were others that visited (from Scandinavia) that weren't so lucky.

The problem with the plaque marking this spot is that it looks like a historical marker and wills you to walk out farther to take a look and see what it is. As soon as we realized that it was a memorial to those that had likely fallen to their death here, we took two giant steps back.

We stopped at Praia do Beliche as the sun was beginning to set for more stunning views. Our final stop of the day was Fortaleza de Sagres.

It is believed that Prince Henry the Navigator ran his school of Navigation near here during the Age of Discovery. We paid our admission fee and took a stroll around the grounds. A giant divided circle is thought to be a compass rose used for navigational purposes.

A small church stands on a bluff overlooking the ocean. I liked the rusty old cannon guarding against attack on the fortress. A cobbled walkway leads around the site along the ocean. We were rewarded with amazing views once again.

The sun began to set and after admiring its beauty over the water, we made our way back to the fort entrance and drove back to the Quinta do Caracol in Tavira. We couldn't have asked for a better day for an Algarve road trip to explore this part of the world so rich in history.

Parque Natural Da Rio Formosa

We decided to embark on a little birdwatching at the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa near Olhão, Portugal. The entrance is a little hard to find -- blink and you'll miss it (we did). Fortunately, we realized where we made our wrong turn and were quickly back on track.

We wandered on foot through paths covered in clover. The park has a kennel full of Portuguese water dogs and we were really excited to see them. Unfortunately, the kennel was closed for an indeterminate amount of time.

We could hear the dogs. It was quite a cacophony but we couldn't quite see in the window or over the fence. Bummer.

Walking on, we saw ruined Roman baths. We stopped at a dilapidated wooden shelter to watch birds on the fresh water lake. I liked the hints of color peeking out of the forest.

The park also features a historic pump house that worked off the motion of the tide. We were able to climb to the roof for nice views of the landscape.

We spied a wooden boat dock in the distance but when we got closer we saw a signed warning “Perigo!” (dangerous) Overall, Parque Natural da Ria Formosa made for a relaxing hike and visit but I don't suggest going out of your way to visit unless you're in the neighborhood.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Looking for other European winter travel ideas? These destinations promise fewer crowds and aren't too cold.

Decamp to the Canary Islands and spend a few days in Lanzarote in January for great food, local wine grown in volcanic soil, and a bit of sun.
The crowds clear out of Venice in winter so plan a trip to Italy's most romantic city in November or December.
Santander in winter is a great day trip destination for walks along the sea and beautiful sunsets.
Spend Christmas in Granada and celebrate New Year's Eve in Malaga for a Spanish winter holiday.

Algar Seco

Staying in Carvoeiro gave us the perfect home base for exploring Algar Seco, a series of natural limestone caves, grottoes, and rock formations along the coast.

Bring hiking boots since you'll be scrambling up and over rocks for part of the walk. There is a very nice and civilized boardwalk if you're looking for something a little less strenuous. The wooden path leads to the Forte e Capela de N. Sra. da Encarnação (Fortress and Chapel of Our Lady of the Incarnation)

We learned that the Algar Seco cliffs are between 24 and 16 million years old! The rocks were formed by the slow deposition of marine sediments over millions of years. Limestone slowly dissolves in water and thus we have the unique carved landscape that we see today.

Faro

After our morning exploring the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, we drove into Faro to have a look around town. The area inside the old town wall was lovely and dotted with orange trees.

The most charming part about the place was the storks nesting on the rooftops of many buildings. There were a few birds living on top of the Arco da Vila, a gate leading from the old town to new.

We went for lunch at Restaurante Taska and had our first taste of salt cod (bacalhau). We had ordered a dish of pork and onions but the owner insisted that we try the cod and brought us out a small portion on the house.

She told us that there are as many ways to prepare bacalhau as there are days in the year. This particular variation was drizzled with oil and was covered in eggs, onions, and garlic.

It was actually pretty tasty and not overly 'fishy'. The restaurant was warm and inviting -- I definitely recommend stopping in. We covered about 2.3 miles during our visit.

Faro's Chapel of the Bones

We visited the Chapel of the Bones (Capelo dos Ossos) in Faro's Igreja do Carmo, the big church on the square. We wandered past a grand altar into an unassuming side room where we paid a 1 euro per person admission fee to see the chapel.

We stepped outside into a quiet courtyard and then into the Bones Chapel on the other side. The chapel was built almost entirely from the remains of former monks and was meant to serve as a reminder of our own mortality.

I've never seen a 'real' human skeleton before and it was amazing to see the bones bear the weight of the church structure. I've never seen anything like it before and it was definitely humbling.

We could actually reach out and respectfully touch the bones that had found their final resting place here.

8 EUR Fruitcake

I thought I'd end this section about our visit to Faro in winter with a bit of a funny story. We stopped at a local bakery while exploring the pedestrian streets of Faro town and they had Christmas cakes covered in almonds and walnuts sitting in the window.

They looked amazing so I managed to order one using a combination of mime and a few words of Portuguese. Unfortunately, at the time, I didn't know how to say "How much does it cost?" in Portuguese. It turns out that it cost 8 euro for a tiny (but dense) slice of fruitcake.

It was definitely one heck of a fruitcake. I guess fruitcakes are much more in demand here than they are in the US. I can imagine why -- this one was actually quite tasty, maybe not 8 euro worth of tasty but tasty nonetheless.

Estoi

Estoi is a very small town located inland from Faro. We stayed here for one night on one of our trips while we were en route back to Lisbon. We took a short 15-minute walk from our hotel to the Roman ruins of Milreu. Entering the ruins cost €2 Euros per person, and we enjoyed roaming around the complex for about an hour.

We loved how some of the mosaic tile murals from the Roman era featured playful fish. Visiting the Roman ruins is a good winter activity when the Algarve isn't too hot. There is limited shade, so I expect it would be much less pleasant in the summer.

We also took a walk into Estoi town itself, where I discovered many lovely doors. Given that Estoi felt very quiet with few restaurants open in the winter, we were glad we had booked dinner at our hotel restaurant.

Algarve Arts and Crafts in Loulé

Loulé may not be on the beach, but this inland town is worth a visit on your way to or from the Algarve. We found parking on the street and took the opportunity to walk around and shop for some of Loulé's famous crafts.

Mercado Municipal de Loulé was home to a number of vendors and is an ideal spot to pick up some Christmas presents to bring home.

Loulé is less than 30 min by car from Faro and just 10-15 minutes away on the train.

Ilha Tavira

We spent our final hours of one of our trips to the Algarve on Ilha Tavira, a small beach island a 10-15 minute drive from our hotel in Tavira. During the high season, you can take a boat trip there from Tavira's town center, but the owner of the Quinta do Caracol told us about another way to get there -- via a floating pedestrian bridge on the outskirts of town.

We braved the undulating bridge and then took the tourist tram to the beach. We passed through some marshy areas along the way. It was just a quick walk down the boardwalk until we were dipping our toes in the sand.

There is an 'anchor cemetery' right along the water. We had the beach entirely to ourselves, a nice reward for visiting Portugal in December during the off-season.

We took a moment to admire the ocean and reflect on the first part of our trip before heading back to the 'mainland' on foot and hopping on a train to Lisbon...

Algarve Towns in Depth

Now that you've seen some of our favorite places to visit in the Algarve in winter, let's take a closer look at two of the places where we stayed and some of the things to do there.

Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA)

Vila Real de Santo António is situated on the far eastern edge of the Algarve near the Spanish border. If you visit in December like we did, you'll be treated to a small Christmas market on Praça Marquês de Pombal.

Did you know that VRSA is home to the largest nativity scene in Portugal? Pay just 1 EUR for admission and take some time to explore the intricate scene.

I like to read the signs surrounding various attractions. You never know what interesting nuggets of information you might uncover. One of the signs at the VRSA crib was titled "The Cagón or Caganer". What is a Caganer?

"It is a statuette that was usually placed in the nativity scene in Catalonia, Valencia and Canary Islands. The statuette (a peasant with red cap) was hiding behind a shrub or tree to make poop. This tradition emerged at the end of the seventeenth century with a baroque cultural and artistic movement."

After reading this sign, I just had to search and search until I found him hiding behind a bush.

Vila Real de Santo António is also known for birdwatching. You'll find various seabirds and potentially flamingos on the nearby salt pans. Unfortunately, we didn't see any flamingos on our trip to the Algarve in December.

Park near the ALDI on the outskirts of VRSA town and take a hike through Esteiro da Carrasqueira. You'll find modern art sculptures and birdwatching opportunities on this relaxing walk. Note, the trail to the Observatório gets muddy when it's wet so time your visit for nicer weather if you can.

Walk toward the lighthouse: Farolim de Vila Real de Santo António for a windswept walk along the beach. The beach is about a 40 minute walk from the center of VRSA. You can drive yourself or avail of shuttle service if you stay at Grand House like we did.

The Grand House Beach Club is near the beach hike. We decided to stop in for a cocktail after our walk.

Drive yourself to neighboring Monte Gordo and have a rooftop drink at one of the local bars as you watch the sunset. At the far end of the boardwalk, you'll find local fishing boats with brightly colored flags on the beaches in the evening.

Things to Do in Tavira Portugal in Winter

I knew I would like Tavira when I walked down a street past a crumbling tile facade and saw an old woman in a colorful headscarf looking our her window.

Our eyes met and she smiled and nodded as we walked by in the rain. Our first order of business was to find something to eat. It was after 3 pm so most lunch places were closed.

We found a small snack bar filled with locals (rowdy but harmless) having a bite to eat and drinking beer. We don't speak Portuguese other than a few pleasantries that we learned for the trip so we pointed to a knish type item (filled with pork).

We rounded out the meal with a bottle of Sagres beer (cost about a euro) and some hot sandwiches. Yum! Continuing on, we couldn't resist stopping at Pasteleria Tavirense for an espresso and slice of checkerboard cake. The cake was super light and airy -- totally unexpected.

Just like Spain, I liked how restaurants in Portugal print their name and contact information on their napkins as a sort of calling card.

We arrived at the River Gilão and admired Tavira's well-preserved traditional Algarve architecture reflected in the water. We stopped into Mercado da Ribeira and admired the different crafts and baked goods on offer. There were also a number of creative Christmas trees on display from a local school.

We walked back outside and were greeted by a colorful rowboat floating on the water. We crossed the river and admired the Ponte Romana (Roman Bridge) further upstream leading into the formerly walled section of town. Tavira enchanted us with its colorful tile work and ornate door knockers.

We stopped into a local grocery store and picked up a bottle of Vinho Verde (young white wine) for later before heading back to Quinta do Caracol for a siesta before supper. We walked about 3.6 miles exploring Tavira.

We revisited Tavira on our second trip to the Algarve and we found that it is just as delightful for repeat visitors.

I've developed an obsession with photographing doors between our first and second trips. The doors in Tavira are some of the best I've encountered in all of Portugal!

Pay a visit to Tavira Romana near Ponte Antiga de Tavira. This cafe and bottle shop sells wines from across the Algarve. Steep in the atmosphere of the historic stained glass windows.

Tavira is famous for aguardente and more specifically Medronho. We bought a nice bottle of local aguardente for about 40 EUR. The drink immediately made me think "Portuguese Whiskey!"

We grabbed coffee and cake at a local cafe while locals sat riveted in front of a television watching a football match.

My favorite part about our second visit to Tavira was the opportunity to visit Castelo de Tavira, the ruins of an 11th century castle surrounding a lush garden.

We learned that Tavira Castle dates back to the 10th century when the Moors began construction. Work and improvements continued through the centuries.

Following the conquest of Tavira by the Order of Saint James, in 1242, work was carried out on the walls during the reigns of kings D. Afonso III (1248-1279) and D. Dinis (1279-1325). In the Late Middle Ages, the walls enclosed five hectares, in line with the importance of Tavira at that time.

By the 20th century, the castle and fortification had fallen into ruin. In 1938, Tavira Municipal Council purchased the main fortress and undertook its restoration.

(Carefully) climb the crumbling stone staircases for sweeping views over the town and region. Getting to the castle involves an uphill climb, but it's totally worth it, in my opinion!

Tavira After Dark

We ventured back out into Tavira town after dark. I liked how the streets in Tavira were labeled with ornate tiles.

We decided to eat at Restaurante Al-Far-Roba. We treated ourselves to some white wine while waiting for our entrees. We tried two locally recommended dishes: sea bass and arroz com polvo (rice with octopus). I don't typically enjoy food that resembles on the plate what it looked like when alive.

However, the flavors in this case justified the discomfort with the presentation. The highlight of the meal was dessert. The chef offered us a homemade custard tart drenched in honey and cinnamon.

After supper, we took a walk along the cobbled streets of old town Tavira. We were once again impressed with the architecture which looked particularly dramatic bathed in spotlights.

I liked a statue of a man waving farewell at the train station. I also smiled when I saw a colorful sign wishing everyone 'Boas Festas' or Happy Holidays. Our winter trip to Portugal was off to a great start.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Portugal is an amazing country. In addition to the Algarve, make time to visit Lisbon. Portugal's picturesque capital is full of hidden gems like Queluz National Palace and great places to grab a coffee. You could also spend a weekend in Porto where you can drink wine as old as you are and explore some of Northern Portugal's best day trips including spending a day in Coimbra, Portugal's historic university city, a day in Braga, the oldest city in Portugal.

Dinner at Brisa Do Rio in Tavira Portugal

We walked from the Quinta do Caracol across the river to Brisa do Rio for dinner after a long drive to explore the Algarve region. The restaurant featured whimsical metal cutouts of sea creatures.

We tried steak served Portuguese style (apparently that means with bacon on top) and sea bream. A pear tart with vanilla ice cream capped the meal. We definitely slept well that night!

Is the Algarve Worth Visiting in December?

As you can see if you’ve made it this far, the Algarve in December is definitely worth the trip, offering an ideal destination for a winter escape in Southern Portugal.

Our experiences show that you can enjoy days of relaxed and comfortable exploration since the region is quiet at this time of year, especially in comparison to the summer when the Algarve is flooded with tourists and Portuguese people on their summer holidays.

While some shops and restaurants may be closed during the quieter winter season, the overall tranquility and pleasant conditions make the Algarve one of our go to destinations for a December trip in Europe.