Christmas in Portugal: North to South by Train

The Portugal Getaways Christmas in Portugal package includes round-trip flights, 7 nights of hotel accommodation across four destinations (2 nights Porto, 2 nights Lisbon, 1 night Évora, 2 nights Algarve), train tickets between all four cities, transfers between hotels and train stations at every stop, airport transfers on arrival in Porto and departure from the Algarve, and all taxes and fees related to the booking. 

The itinerary includes Évora, and Évora's Christmas market opens in mid-December (Dec 13). Departing much before that December would mean arriving in Évora before the market is even open. If you want to travel earlier in December, contact the Portugal Getaways team, and we can adjust the itinerary.

Three train journeys are included: Porto to Lisbon (approximately 3 hours 35 minutes), Lisbon to Évora (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes), and Évora to the Algarve (approximately 2 hours). Transfers between hotels and train stations are included at every stop, so there is nothing to arrange on the ground. The exact departure times are confirmed at booking based on your travel dates.

Please Note: Train tickets are booked in the highest available class offered by each rail operator whenever possible. As availability varies by route and travel date, the final class of service is subject to confirmation at the time of booking.

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on the package page and additional options are available on request. Contact the Portugal Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Seat selection, extra baggage, and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type in your package. You can confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process.

The package includes 4-star hotels as standard across all four destinations, with an upgrade to 5-star available. The package price varies depending on the hotel selected. 

• In Porto and Lisbon, hotels are located in the city but may not always be in the historic center. Both cities have excellent public transport, taxis, and ride-hailing apps to reach the main sights and Christmas markets. 
• In Évora, all properties are in or close to the historic center, within walking distance of the main sights and the Christmas market.
•  In the Algarve, hotels are located in Lagos, within walking distance of the town center, marina, and main beaches. 

Exact options are shown when you click a date in the booking calendar and proceed to the next step. Contact the Portugal Getaways team to discuss preferences before booking.

Breakfast availability varies by hotel. At some properties, daily breakfast is included in the package at no additional cost, while at others it can be added during the booking process for an additional fee. The exact breakfast inclusions for your selected hotels will be shown during booking.

No. City taxes are not included and are paid directly at each hotel on arrival or checkout.

The Christmas markets in all four destinations are typically free to enter. Purchases, food, drinks, ice skating, and any paid activities at the markets are at your own expense.

• Porto has its most iconic market at Avenida dos Aliados, with the WOW Christmas Market across the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia offering gourmet food and wine tastings. 
• Lisbon's largest market is Wonderland Lisboa in Parque Eduardo VII with an ice rink, Ferris wheel, and Santa's village. 
• Évora's main market opens mid-December in Giraldo Square and Praça 1º de Maio, with an ice rink, traditional crafts, and a local atmosphere that most tourists do not associate with the Alentejo.
• The Algarve has markets in Lagos (where you're staying), but it's also worth visiting Portimão, Loulé, Faro, and Albufeira, quieter than the northern cities but with mild weather and a relaxed pace that closes the trip well.

Porto averages around 12°C to 15°C (54°F to 59°F) in December, crisp and occasionally rainy. Lisbon is slightly warmer at 13°C to 17°C (55°F to 63°F). Évora is inland and can feel cooler at night, around 8°C to 13°C (46°F to 55°F). The Algarve is the mildest stop, averaging 15°C to 18°C (59°F to 64°F), with sunshine common even in December. Pack layers for Porto and Évora. The Algarve leg of the trip will feel noticeably warmer than the rest.

No. All transfers are included at every stop and both Porto and Lisbon are walkable cities with good public transport. Évora is compact and the historic center is easily explored on foot. In the Algarve, Lagos is a walkable town with the main beaches and market within easy reach of the hotels. A rental car is not included or needed, but can be added for the Algarve leg if you want to explore the coastline independently. Contact the Portugal Getaways team when booking to arrange it.

Yes to all three. The Portugal Getaways team can add nights at any stop, adjust the order of cities, include day trips such as the Douro Valley from Porto or Sintra from Lisbon, or combine this package with Madeira. Additional costs apply. 

If you are travelling solo, the package price is based on two travelers sharing a room and a single supplement applies. Contact the team directly and we will make it easy. You can also check solo pricing by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices.

Portugal is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Europe for travelers, with no active conflicts and not affected by the current conflicts in Europe or elsewhere.

Canadian and US passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. ETIAS, a pre-travel authorization for Schengen Area travel, is not yet mandatory. When it launches, we will contact you in advance. 

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued, but the Portugal Getaways team will always check with the airline to explore options. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended, particularly for holiday season travel. This summary does not replace the full terms and conditions of your booking, which we encourage you to read before confirming.

For general support during office hours, contact the Portugal Getaways team at our regular number. Support is available every day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM Azores Time. Outside office hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in Portugal, dial 112.