Portugal in December
December in Portugal offers two different rhythms: quiet winter exploring and festive evenings in town. In Lisbon and Porto, spend a day moving between historic neighbourhoods, museums and a leisurely lunch. Madeira adds gardens, ocean views and Christmas in Funchal. A few nights in each base give a December trip room to breathe, with time for a daylight walk, a break at the hotel and another outing into town after dark.
Choose a month
Selected month: December
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: range across the selected cities
Cities and resorts
Funchal in December
December in Funchal brings garden walks and festive evenings beside the Atlantic. Spend daylight hours among greenery or on the promenade, then return to the decorated centre after dark. For New Year, a place within walking distance of dinner and the fireworks makes the evening easier to enjoy.
Lisbon in December
December in Lisbon is about architecture, museums and unhurried lunches. Keep an indoor alternative for a rainy day and avoid overloading the schedule with long cross-city walks.
Average air and sea temperatures, with the number of wet days per month.
All cities in this country in the catalogue
Is this a good month to visit?
December suits culture, mild winter days by the Atlantic and a New Year trip. Choose Madeira for island scenery and festive Funchal, or mainland cities for architecture, museums and local food. A warm room in a convenient location makes evenings out easier, while a heated pool is useful for keen swimmers.
Winter weather on the mainland and Madeira
Mainland December is cooler than November, so longer walks call for warm clothing. In Lisbon, pack a jumper, an outer layer and rain protection. The north, inland regions and mountains feel more wintry. After a damp day, accommodation with heating gives you somewhere comfortable to dry a jacket and shoes.
Madeira’s coast has a mild winter. Sunny hours are pleasant for city walks and an outdoor terrace, with an extra layer welcome towards evening. Higher ground calls for warmer clothing and a windproof layer. Start longer excursions in the morning and leave the evening for the city centre and dinner.
Where to spend a December holiday
Lisbon and Porto work well for routes linking cultural visits and cafés. In the Algarve, combine smaller towns and coastal walks from accommodation near everyday activities. The Atlantic shore in December is inviting for sea views and a walk in a jacket. For regular swimming, a hotel with a heated indoor pool is a comfortable choice.
Madeira combines mild winter weather with a festive atmosphere. Funchal is decorated for Christmas in December, and New Year celebrations include a show over the bay. Staying in or near the centre is particularly convenient for an evening-focused trip: dinner and a walk can end with a short journey back to your room.
Choosing dates within December
Madeira has fairly similar weather throughout December: Funchal averages about 20 °C by day early in the month and 19 °C in the middle and at the end. Choose dates around the kind of holiday you want. Early December suits gardens, city walks and short excursions. The end of the month is a good choice for spending Christmas or New Year away. In Lisbon, Porto and Funchal, a central base makes it easy to walk back after a festive dinner.
For Christmas and New Year, booking a preferred place to stay and a table for a festive meal ahead of time can make the trip easier. Allow a rest before a long evening outdoors. Pack weather-resistant outerwear, closed shoes and a warm layer: slow walks and waiting for a show feel cooler than an active afternoon.
Common questions
Is Portugal in December suitable for a trip with children?
Yes. A base near short walking routes, museums and cafés works well for families. Divide the day into smaller outings with breaks in a warm room. A heated pool is a useful addition for children who enjoy swimming.
How does early December differ from New Year?
Early December suits city walks and day trips. A New Year visit gives more time to festive meals, evening events and decorated streets. Central accommodation and a walkable route back are especially useful for that kind of holiday.
Compare destinations
Funchal or Lisbon in December: compare the trip
Compare Funchal and Lisbon in December for city sights, walkable routes and the pace of a short break.
Funchal or Málaga in December: compare the trip
Compare Funchal and Málaga in December for city sights, walkable routes and the pace of a short break.
Trip ideas
Three cities for a three-day December break
In December, a short break works well when built around compact city routes and places to visit on a cool or wet day. Lisbon, Málaga and Paphos offer different combinations of old districts, museums and coast.