Lisbon in December is one of the strongest arguments for a European winter city break. The weather is mild relative to northern Europe, prices are low, and the city's excellent food and wine scene operates at full strength year-round. Early December is the best combination of good weather odds and low prices. Christmas week brings a modest increase in visitors and costs, but nothing like the surge you'd see in Prague or Vienna.

Weather

Mild and occasionally rainy. Lisbon in December averages 12°C to 15°C during the day, cooler at night. Rain is the main weather risk, and December is one of the wetter months. Sunny spells between rain are common, and the city is perfectly navigable in a waterproof jacket without the cold being a significant factor. The light in December, when it appears, is warm and good for photography along the Alfama rooftops and the Tagus riverfront.

Crowds and Prices

Genuinely one of the cheapest months to visit Lisbon. Flights from the UK are cheap, the trendier accommodation in Alfama and Mouraria is available without advance booking in early December, and popular spots like the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower are accessible without significant queues. The tram 28 is still busy because it's always busy, but everything else operates at a relaxed pace. Christmas week sees some increase in visitors, particularly from Brazilians and Angolans visiting family, and the city picks up into New Year.

What's On

Lisbon has Christmas lights along the Avenida da Liberdade and on the main shopping streets from late November. The Christmas market in the Terreiro do Paço is a modest but pleasant event. The main December experience in Lisbon is the city itself at a comfortable pace: pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém, wine in a tasca in the Alfama, a fado show in the evening, the view from Miradouro da Graça with no crowds. New Year's Eve at Praça do Comércio by the river is Lisbon's main event, with fireworks over the Tagus at midnight.

One Thing to Watch

The tram 28, the historic tram that runs through Alfama, is a useful transport route and a tourist attraction in itself. In December it's slightly less hellishly crowded than in summer, but it still fills up fast. If you're using it for transport rather than the experience, the local buses covering the same routes are faster and less overcrowded.

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