Portugal is one of the easiest places in Europe to see in the New Year: short flights from most UK airports, mild winter weather compared with the rest of Europe, and three very different celebrations to choose from. Here is what to expect in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira, and how to time your visa so you’re not watching the fireworks on your phone in the UK.
Lisbon: a party on the river
Lisbon’s biggest celebration usually takes place at Praça do Comércio, the huge riverside square at the bottom of the Baixa. Expect live music through the evening and fireworks over the Tagus at midnight. It’s free and gets very crowded, so arrive early and travel light.
If you’d rather avoid the crush, the city’s miradouros (viewpoints) such as São Pedro de Alcântara or Senhora do Monte give views across the rooftops, although the fireworks may be partly hidden depending on where you stand. The riverfront towards Cais do Sodré is another option.
On New Year’s Day, Lisbon is quiet and many shops are closed, which makes it a good morning for a slow walk through Alfama or a tram ride up the hills.
Tip: restaurants with a New Year’s Eve dinner often run set menus and fill up weeks in advance. Book early, and check whether a deposit is needed.
Porto: the countdown on the Avenida
Porto’s main party usually happens on Avenida dos Aliados, the grand avenue in front of the city hall, with live concerts and fireworks at midnight. It has a more local, neighbourhood feel than Lisbon’s.
Spend the days before exploring the Ribeira waterfront, crossing the Dom Luís I bridge to the port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, and warming up with a francesinha, Porto’s famously heavy sandwich. Winter is low season, so many port lodges are quieter, but check opening times over the holidays.
Madeira: the big one
If you want the most spectacular fireworks, go to Funchal in Madeira. The display over the bay is one of the best-known New Year’s Eve shows in Europe, and cruise ships often gather offshore to watch. The whole amphitheatre of hills around the city lights up at once.
Madeira’s Christmas season starts in early December, with lights across the city centre and festive stalls. The island is popular at this time of year, so flights and hotels book up well in advance. If you’re thinking of going, booking soon is the best way to get a choice of rooms.
Portuguese New Year traditions
- Twelve raisins: at midnight many Portuguese eat twelve raisins, one for each chime of the clock, making a wish with each one.
- A glass of espumante: Portuguese sparkling wine is the usual toast.
- Bolo Rei: the “king cake”, full of candied fruit, is eaten from Christmas until early January.
What the weather is like
Winter in Portugal is mild by northern European standards, but it isn’t beach weather. Lisbon and Porto can be cool and wet, and evenings by the river are chilly, so bring a warm layer and a waterproof. Madeira is usually the warmest of the three. Check the forecast before you pack.
A sample 4-day trip
- Day 1 (29 December): arrive in Lisbon, walk through the Baixa and Chiado.
- Day 2: Belém in the morning, Alfama and a fado dinner in the evening.
- Day 3 (31 December): a relaxed day trip to Sintra or Cascais, then back for the riverside countdown.
- Day 4 (1 January): slow morning, a last pastel de nata and home.
You could swap Lisbon for Porto or Madeira with the same structure. For more ideas, see our top things to do in Lisbon.
Visa planning: book now for New Year
If you live in the UK on a non-EU passport, you’ll usually need a Schengen visa to travel to Portugal. A few things to know before you book flights:
- Apply early. You can apply up to six months before travel and no later than 15 calendar days before. Decisions usually take around 15 calendar days but can take up to 45, and the run-up to Christmas is one of the busiest times at UK visa centres. For a New Year trip, aim to have your appointment in November.
- Apply to Portugal if it’s your main destination. If you’re combining Portugal with Spain or another country, apply to the country where you’ll spend the most nights, or the first one you enter if it’s equal. Our checker will tell you.
- Check your passport and UK visa. Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years, be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen Area and have two blank pages. Your UK permission to stay should usually be valid well beyond your return date.
- Get the right insurance. You need travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover, valid across the Schengen Area for your whole trip.
- Know the fees. The visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 11; children under 6 are free. A visa centre service fee is added. See our visa fees page.
Our Portugal documents checklist lists everything you need to bring.
Ready to go?
We find the earliest available Portugal visa appointment and check your documents before you go, so you can concentrate on choosing between Lisbon, Porto and Funchal. Visit our Portugal visa page or start your application today.
