Planning a week-long vacation break during Christmas week through New Year's Eve in Lisbon. Can anyone please give some tips on what type of clothes to bring? Does it rain a lot (hopefully not all day!)? Definitely planning a day trip to Sintra, but not sure if Cascais is another good day trip in the Winter. Any feedback on expectations during that time of year would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16077 posts
The weather is similar to the SF Bay Area. Rain is definitely a possibility, so rain gear is a must. It’s not that cold. Actually we get colder nights here in California. I would say around 15 C during the day. At night they might drop to 5 to 8 C. We actually get colder nights here in California. Basically December temperatures in Lisbon will be like September or April or early May in Calgary, but likely with more rain.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1817 posts
It rarely rains all day. Usually, it’s just a few minutes of rain interspersed with sun or clouds. The temperatures are usually quite comfortable. Be aware virtually everything is closed on Christmas Day and most things close early on Christmas Eve.
Posted by
OP
Calgary
5 posts
Thanks for the feedback. We arrive on Christmas morning, so I'm hoping to spend half the day visiting Miradouros in Alfama since those places are open to the public, and walk Praça do Comércio & Rua Augusta where I read that restaurants remain open for tourist business. I hope public transport is not a problem on Christmas Day.
I'm considering how much cash to bring. I am hoping to use my credit cards and minimal cash. But I read that some places, like in Alfama, credit cards are not widespread in use. Is that true?
Posted by
Vancouver, Washington
298 posts
Do make sure you bring footwear with REALLY good traction. The beautiful calcada sidewalks of Lisbon become treacherous when wet.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2599 posts
credit cards are widely accepted - last December the weather was warm and sunny - t-shirt weather
Posted by
Connecticut
96 posts
Ron,
fwiiw, we arrived in Porto on Easter Sunday one year and had difficult time finding anyplace open for dinner. The Portuguese take their holidays very seriously.
Are you staying at a hotel? If so, check with them before you arrive so they can guide you as to where you can eat.
Regards,
Dennis
Posted by
MD
639 posts
Do make sure you bring footwear with REALLY good traction. The beautiful calcada sidewalks of Lisbon become treacherous when wet.
100% agree with this! Those sidewalks are slippery even if they're just barely damp from morning dew.