6 good reasons to visit Lisbon in December

Although you may not have that incredible and so tipically portuguese weather, that doesn’t mean, you can’t visit Lisbon in December. Today we give 6 good reasons to visit Lisbon during  the Christmas season:

1 – Weather – it’s true you may deal with some rain, but comparing with the rest of Europe it won’t be nothing. During the cold winter month, Lisbon maintains rather mild temperatures, it usually won’t get any colder than 6°C and the sun is no stranger either, which is perfect to hang around by the city.

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2 – Christmas decorations – One of the best things to do in Lisbon in December is to roam around downtown, and amaze yourself with the Christmas decorations. Every street, neighbourhood, monument and storefront, will be covered up with lights and the most original decorations, making any walk, much more pleasant.

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3 – Value for Money – There is no other place in Europe where you can enjoy that much quality for such an affordable price. Whether in your Christmas shopping, your hotel, or enjoying an incredible meal in the trendiest restaurant, Lisbon has it all and it’s definitely the place to be when you compare price and quality.

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4 – Genuine Experience – December is not a high season for tourism in Lisbon, but that doesn’t mean you will be by yourself. In fact, it is a time when all locals will be on the streets, hanging out with their families and friends, allowing a much more genuine Lisbon experience.

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5 – Christmas food – Rabanadas (portuguese version of french toast), Bacalhau (everyone in Portugal eats it during this time), Bolo Rei (King cake), ou Perú recheado com castanhas (turkey stuffed with chestnuts). These are some of the food specialities of the season, you just can’t miss when travelling to Lisbon during this time of the year.

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6 – Monuments – In a more introspective and religious time of the year, Lisbon has beautiful churches to visit that are opened to the public. Basílica da Estrela, Mosteiro do Jerónimos or Sé de Lisboa, are among others, a great option to visit because their magnificence, and history.

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From 9th to 11th of October Lisbon Fashion Week

Lisbon is a city full of attractions during the autumn. It was named Europe’s top city break destination at last year’s World Travel Awards, this cosmopolitan city offers you good value, unlimited culture, beaches only 20 minutes from the city center and temperatures remain in the twenties into October.

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During October in Lisbon, the oldest independent fashion week in Europe, takes place twice a year.

According to Elite Travel, for three days Modalisboa’s style and glamour attracted more than 400 international journalists, as well as 20,000 buyers, VIPs and guests all coming to see the world premieres of new collections by Portuguese designers and international designers. This year’s event also featured cutting-edge trends in hair styles and make-up as well as cycles of films and fashion exhibitions. In the last edition the facilities was also provided to make your experience very special by arranging front row seats and your own private PA upon request.

Previous attendees at ModaLisboa include Christian Louboutin, Mary Quant, Kenzo, and John Malkovich.

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Top 5 beaches around Lisbon

The closeness of Lisbon to this splendid coast is not well published, and few visitors realize that vacations in Lisbon can combine the pleasures of a city break with the relaxation of a beautiful and exclusive beach holiday.

Praia do Guincho

Guincho

Housed in a nature reserve, Guincho in Cascais, just 30 minutes from Lisbon, it is a revitalizing and windy beach, with impressive Atlantic breakers roaring in over golden sands. Perched on the rocks just above the ocean, but within every sound of the pounding waves is the little 17th century fort called Fortaleza do Guincho, From the beach, you can see the lighthouse and Cabo da Roca, which marks mainland Europe’s most westerly point –once thought of as the end of the world.

There you will find some excellent seafood restaurants, however, and the rolling waves and stiff breeze make this a hot spot for surfing (the World Windsurfing Championships are often held here). Perfect for watching sunsets or dramatic storms late at night.

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Praia de Tróia

Tróia

The Tróia Peninsula by the Sado Estuary has several superb soft sand beaches. With 18km of sandy beaches you can easily spend a relaxing day with a picnic without the hordes of people, you can find untouched sandy beaches lined with dunes and pinewoods, or even attempt to see some dolphins from one of its boat trips.

In Troia there are beach restaurants and snack bars where you can taste the famous fish dishes and seafood of the region of Setubal, whilst enjoying a stunning view of the Setubal bay and Arrábida Hills, in a really relaxing environment.

A frequent car ferry service departs from the port in Setubal, reaching Tróia in 15 minutes.

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Portinho da Arrábida

Portinho da Arrábida

Located within the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park a peaceful beach sheltered by pine forests and ideal for long walks by the sea. This delightful small beach nestled in a bay has calm, crystal blue-green water that is excellent for swimming and diving to enjoy the diverse marine life although fishing itself is forbidden given that the seabed itself is included in the Natural Park’s protected area. Umbrellas, small watercraft and games are available for hire on the beach. This beautiful scenario is perfect for contemplative relaxation.

The harbour is guarded by a tiny 17th century fort, now home to a museo, which features live and stuffed marine animals from the region. A seafront restaurant features a similar variety of fish and seafood on its menu.

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Praia do Meco

Meco

One of the best beaches on the Lisbon coast, very well persevered surrounded by forest. The waves from the North Atlantic Ocean provide excellent surf conditions at the Praia do Meco Beach, which is also well known for its clean and unspoilt stretch of sand. This seaside offers many sections with secluded spots, making it popular with nudist beach lovers. The adult nudists can enjoy their privacy without imposing on families, for whom another stretch of soft sand, on the opposite end of the beach, awaits further down the coast. There are numerous beach amenities available along the coast, making it a convenient beach outing for people coming from close by Lisbon.

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Estoril Coastline

The Estoril Coastline

There are many great beaches along the Estoril coastline, the stretch of shoreline that extends from Lisbon in the east to Cascais in the west. All of these beaches are connected by a frequent and inexpensive train service, which make them ideal as an excursion from Lisbon. This coastline is best suited for families, due to the very calm and non-tidal sea, and tourists who just want to lie and sap up the sun. Also, it is surround by many good bars and restaurants.

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NOS Alive’16 suggested as one of the best festivals in Europe by VOGUE magazine

Pixies , Radiohead , Arcade Fire, Hot Chip and so much more at NOS Alive’16 festival!

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NOS Alive is a music and arts festival which takes place in the Algés riverside, in Oeiras, Portugal. NOS Alive, formerly Optimus Alive, is the leading music festival in Portugal and has caught the rest of the world’s attention due to a single combination of an eclectic line up, warm weather and unique coastline location. In 2014, NOS Alive sold more than 15.000 tickets to foreigners.
NOS Alive takes place in the magnificent city of Lisbon with its wonderful sunny weather.

NOS Alive is referred as one of the best summer music festivals in Europe by international press such as The Guardian, Times, Clash, Mixmag and NME.

Watch promotional video:

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Tickets and More Information here

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