Christmas in Portugal: Castles, Palaces & Lisbon

The Portugal Getaways Christmas in Portugal package includes round-trip flights, 7 nights of hotel accommodation (2 Óbidos, 2 Sintra, 3 Lisbon), a rental car for the full duration, and all taxes and fees related to the booking. Breakfast, airport transfers, guided tours, and city taxes are not included. This package is available for December departures only.

You arrive at Lisbon Airport, pick up the rental car, and drive north to Óbidos (approximately 1 hour, 85 km). After 2 nights in Óbidos, you drive south to Sintra (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, 90 km). After 2 nights in Sintra, you drive to Lisbon (approximately 40 minutes, 30 km) for the final 3 nights. You return the car at Lisbon Airport on departure day. All drives are short and straightforward.

A rental car is included for all 7 nights. The standard vehicle is a compact manual car. Automatic transmission is available on request at an additional cost. You will need a valid Canadian or US passport and driver's license at pickup. The car is collected at Lisbon Airport on arrival and returned there on departure day.

The rental includes basic third-party liability insurance, and depending on the car rental company, a collision damage waiver (CDW) may already be included. Even with CDW, most rentals have a mandatory excess. We always recommend upgrading to the highest insurance level available. This can be arranged through the Portugal Getaways team.

Yes, tolls apply on motorways. Most rental cars include a toll device that charges automatically. Toll costs are not included in the package price. Before your trip, the Portugal Getaways team will send you a travel checklist that includes a tolls calculator from Via Verde so you can estimate costs in advance.

Óbidos hosts one of the oldest and most celebrated Christmas markets in Portugal, the Mercado Medieval de Natal, held entirely inside the medieval walled village. Cobbled streets, stone archways, and the castle walls are transformed with lights, stalls selling handicrafts and local food, medieval entertainment, and the famous Óbidos ginjinha served in a chocolate cup. It runs throughout December and is one of the most atmospheric Christmas experiences in the country. Staying 2 nights inside or near the village walls means experiencing it in the morning before day-trip visitors arrive.

Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in December it is quieter, moodier, and more beautiful than in summer. The palaces including Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the Moorish Castle are less crowded, the light is low and dramatic, and the forested hills take on a misty, atmospheric quality that suits the architecture perfectly. Sintra palace tickets should be booked in advance even in December. The Portugal Getaways team can arrange entry tickets as part of your package.

Lisbon's largest Christmas market is Wonderland Lisboa in Parque Eduardo VII, with an ice rink, Ferris wheel, Santa's village, and festive stalls. Rossio Square has traditional crafts and seasonal Portuguese pastries. The city's main boulevards and historic squares are decorated throughout December with light installations and a strong festive atmosphere in the evenings. Lisbon closes this itinerary well, a city that knows how to do December.

This Christmas in Lisbon, Sintra, and Óbidos package typically uses 4-star hotels in each destination, not always in the city or town center, so some light walking or a short drive may be needed. Exact properties are confirmed at booking or shown on the next step when you click See Dates and Prices. 5-star upgrades or budget-friendlier options are available on request at every stop.

Breakfast is not included by default but can be added during the booking process. 

Parking is available at most properties in this package but is not always free and is not included in the package price. You can check parking details during the booking process or contact the Portugal Getaways team and we will confirm the details for you.

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

The Christmas markets are typically free to enter. Purchases, food, drinks, and any paid activities at the markets are at your own expense. Sintra palace tickets are not included and should be booked in advance. Fado dinners in Lisbon, guided tours, and other experiences can be added when you book.

All three destinations are mild in December by North American standards. Óbidos and Sintra average around 10°C to 14°C (50°F to 57°F), crisp and occasionally misty, which suits the medieval and palace settings well. Lisbon is slightly warmer at 13°C to 17°C (55°F to 63°F), with sunshine common even in December. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket. The evenings are cool but the Christmas lights make them worth lingering in.

Yes to all three. The Portugal Getaways team can add nights at any stop, include Porto, the Algarve, or Évora, or adjust the route to your preferences. 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. 

For general support, contact the Portugal Getaways team at our regular number, 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.