A Self-Guided Map of Lisbon’s Christmas Lights in 2022
by Lana Katsaros and Bernardo Henriques
If you are wondering where to find a self-guided Christmas walking tour of Lisbon, you are in the right place. Below is a Lisbon walking tour, mapped out for those seeking a do-it-yourself tour of the Christmas lights, decor and festivities around the city.
Christmas across Europe is going to be a little different this year. With an increased sensitivity towards effectively using energy, many countries have posed strict energy consumption guidelines, and that restriction includes Christmas lights.
Portugal is no exception but fear not! Lisbon will be celebrating with the typical, enchanting Christmas decor and there will be plenty of places to stroll and get lost in the magic of it all. Though Portugal's major cities will participate in the merriment, there will be just a few minor edits regarding how long the lights stay on each night and the stretch of weeks the lights will be available to view will be limited by just a little.
You will find that most neighbourhoods in Lisbon will be enchanted with twinkle lights and festive holiday delights. Many of the squares will boast stalls filled with food, drinks and gifts and of course the highly anticipated decorations unique to each neighbourhood.
Where can you see Christmas lights in Lisbon?
Firstly, keep in mind that in 2022 the lights will be available between December 6th and January 6th at the following times:
Sunday to Thursday from 18:00 until 23:00,
Friday and Saturday from 18:00 until 24:00,
on Christmas day and New Year’s Eve from 18:00 until 01:00.
This 2.5km self-guided Christmas light tour of Lisbon takes about 2 hours to complete if you do not make any stops.
Main spots on the walking tour:
1. Praça do Comércio.
2. Praça da Figueira.
3. Rossio Square.
4. Chiado.
5. Praça Luís de Camões.
6. Praça do Município.
1. To start your adventure, show up after 18:00 in front of the huge 30 meter tree at Comércio Square. This dreamy setting will set the mood for your walking tour of Lisbon's lights.
Walk through the gorgeous Arco da Rua Augusta and continue north on Rua Augusta. This festive street is a pedestrian shopping street, and each year it’s decorated with glistening, glimmering lights.
You will be passing by several historic stores, such as Retrosaria Bijou (a haberdashery from 1915), the beautiful Casa Pereira da Conceição founded in 1933 (tea, coffee and sweets) and Casa Macário (a delicatessen operating since 1913).
It’s worth pointing out that the parallel street west of Rua Augusta is Rua Áurea, also a very festive street filled to the brim with holiday cheer.
2. At the end of Rua Augusta, turn right and pass by the iconic Confeitaria Nacional, one of the best and oldest pastry houses in town (founded in 1829) before reaching Praça da Figueira, a square touting Christmas’ illuminated charm with a small market and a place where you can eat specialities from all over the country.
3. Next, head west to Rossio Square, where you will find one of the local-favourite Christmas markets with stalls, decor and food. If you are walking with a child, this is a good stop for a train break. Note the beautiful lights on the facade of Queen Maria II National Theatre.
4. Go up the bustling Rua do Carmo and check the beautiful Carmo Jewelery (1925) and the tiny Ulisses Gloves shop (1925) next door, before stopping at Armazéns do Chiado to admire the Christmas tree facade in front.
Continue up Rua Garrett, towards the emblematic Chiado Square, bustling with people, live music and lights. Here you may take a break at A Brasileira, one of the oldest and most emblematic cafés in Lisbon, founded in 1905 by a rich emigrant who returned from Brazil and wanted to introduce coffee drinking in Lisbon.
5. The lively Praça Luís de Camões Square features a magnificent glowing globe where you can enter inside - the perfect scenery for Instragram shots!
6. Go back down Rua Garrett and turn right at Armazéns do Chiado to descent Rua Nova do Almada and head to the Município Square, the town hall square, magnificently decorated with soft lights on the facade and surrounding buildings. Here you are just 150m from the beginning of the walk at Praça do Comércio.
Lisbon’s Christmas lights map
Other spots worth visiting:
7. Avenida da Liberdade
8. Wonderland Lisboa, located in Parque Eduardo VII
9. Campo Pequeno
10. Alvalade District
7. From either Rossio Square or Praça da Figueira, walk to Avenida da Liberdade, one of the main avenues in Lisbon, and head north. This wide street is packed with high-end shops and dripping in Christmas lights and creatively lit gardens along the way.
At the top of Avenida da Liberdade, you will reach the Marquês de Pombal roundabout and, on the other side, you will find what some consider to be the main event of Christmas in Lisbon.
8. Wonderland Lisboa is located in Parque Eduardo VII. Entrance is free, but activities will vary in cost.
Hop on the ferris wheel to get a bird's eye view of all the Lisbon lights you just wandered past. Ice Skating and activities for the littlest merrymakers can all be found throughout the park. If a Christmas fair is not your thing, a stroll to the park is still worth it to see the highly anticipated Christmas tree, which stands tall and is elegantly and uniquely decorated each year.
9. Campo Pequeno is home to Mercado Natal once again this year after taking a hiatus last year for safety measures.
10. The Alvalade District hosts a famous Christmas market on Avenida da Igreja.
And more:
Related blog article: A Self-Guided Map of Porto’s Christmas Lights in 2022