This Christmas season, my family decided to try something new - a 2 night stopover in Lisbon with TAP airlines. Typically we hustle over to Spain to get our Spanish apartment ready for incoming guests from all over, but this year we're taking a few days to enjoy a new culture.

While I haven't been to Portugal since my 20's, memories and research serve me well enough to get this post published early so that you too may enjoy the rewarding benefits of well-researched travel (from your favorite travel blogger). I'll be sure to update this with on the ground photos and experiences before Christmas after I've road tested these sites myself in December.

For now, here's my first hand research and blueprint on how to build the perfect 2 day itinerary in Lisbon, especially during the Christmas season. Use this as a roadmap to start planning!

Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For information on how this may impact your privacy rights, please consult my privacy policy. Thanks to my parents for these great images of Lisbon from September 2024!

Where to Stay in Lisbon for 2 Nights

For ultimate Portugal vibes (think blue and white tiled interiors), we chose to stay at Lisbon Calling.

Operating like a come and go guesthouse versus a hotel, the accommodations offer a shared living space and kitchen, and some seriously interesting rooms.

My husband, daughter and I got the best room in the house - the 'family room', often referred to as the 'art room'. It's perfectly adorned for a short stay in Lisbon, with clever antique touches highlighting the historic properties of the building.

Stay for a prime location just 2 minutes walk from the Time Out Market, and a short 10 minute (flat!) stroll towards Rua Augusta shops and restaurants.

Lisbon Christmas Markets, Lights and Festivities

Wonderland Lisboa

Similar to downtown London's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, this is a free to enter attraction with rides, food trucks, and more festive surprises.

Rossio Christmas Market

Praça Dom Pedro IV (Rossio Square) is a central plaza in Lisbon often boasting a Christmas market - perfect for grabbing last minute essentials for under the tree, or to enjoy people watching and a warm drink.

Praça do Comércio

This waterfront plaza with a giant Christmas tree is a hot spot for evening strolls and light displays!

Rua Augusta Christmas Lights Displays

This shopping lane is a main artery in Lisbon for pedestrians, tourists, musicians, and more. Enjoy the festive lights and bustle of shoppers in the Christmas season.

Your 2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary

If you enjoy shopping, wandering, and eating, then this is the perfect relaxed itinerary for you.

Day 1 in Lisbon at Christmas Time

• Day 1 Origin: Airport > Lisbon Calling Guesthouse (Get a pre-arranged airport taxi)

  Attempt to check in, drop bags, etc, depending on your arrival time (usually early from the US).

• Stop 1: Time Out Market Lisboa

  Just a 2 minute walk away, grab your morning pick me up - coffee, a pastry, and take in the morning market buzz.

• Stop 2: Rua Augusta

  Just a 10 minute flat walk, browse the busy pedestrian area for shopping and find a long lingering lunch to enjoy. You'll want to regroup at your hotel (at least we always do), and then head back out later for Christmas lights and the Lisbon Christmas market at Rossio Square!

• Stop 3: Praça Dom Pedro IV / Rossio Square (Rossio Christmas Market) - 15 min walk from hotel! Enjoy snacks and tapas and delight in the Christmas lights!

Day 2 in Lisbon at Christmas Time

• Start: Make your way to Chiado for some shopping. Take the Elevador da Bica at the lower station (just a minute from the hotel) and over to the Funicular for a fun 5 minute ride up the hill.

• Stop 1: Chiado neighborhood for shopping and boutiques

• Stop 2: Take a vintage tram ride (24E) towards Rato for an enjoyable mid day Winter Wonderland at Wonderland Lisboa. Entry is free!

• Stop 3: After a regroup and a moderate 25 min downhill walk back to the guesthouse, the evening calls for Port Wine Tasting at Taylor's before dinner and fado! (15 minute walk along the waterfront)

• Stop 4: Fado at Fado na Morgadinha (2 minute walk from Taylor's)

• Stop 5: Photos and Christmas lights along the waterfront at Praça do Comércio (10 min walk from dinner/Fado). Just 7 minutes back to the hotel and call it a night!

Are you looking for more of a basilicas and cathedrals type of trip? See all the top sites in Lisbon on a private Tuk Tuk tour with a local!

Practical Notes for Your Itinerary

Getting Around Lisbon in Winter

Many first time visitors to Lisbon may not realize that, much like Cagliari in Sardinia, the city is a multi-layer maze of stairwells and steep inclines. I wanted to build an itinerary for my family that wouldn't burn us out after an overnight flight, so this plan keeps you on pretty flat walking routes the whole time, with the added fun of a tram or funicular too!

Note that I've heard many of the vintage trams suffer long lines in peak tourist season, so have a plan B up your sleeve!

Booking a Tuk Tuk ride like the one mentioned above is actually a really clever way to combat this - especially if you have mobility issues!

Lisbon in December: What to Pack and Note

Lisbon is cool and wet in December, but not so cold that you need to bring out all your winter gear just yet. Prepare for waterproof layers that keep you warm and dry for temps ranging between the 40s and 50s.

Consult my tips on packing for a Christmas market cruise in Europe for ideas on festive accessories and practical advice.

TAP Airlines Stopover Program Details

Since I mentioned it in the beginning, be sure to read about stopover programs to enjoy this itinerary for yourself, too!

It's as simple as researching the flights you want, and then adding on a multi-city itinerary to your flight search. Once you've narrowed down routes and times, go to TAP's website and click the 'I want a stopover' button to build it out for free. They don't offer free hotel stays or attraction tickets, but you can get discounts.

Now, let's get into the details:

Christmas Foods in Portugal

Pastel de Nata isn't the only food you have to try in Portugal! Go for sardines, bacalau (cod fish), fresh seafood, pork sandwiches, and more!

Lunch in a Traditional Tasca

Lunch is typically between 12 and 3. Try these local favorites near Rua Augusta!

• A Merendinha do Arco Bandeira

• A Provinciana

Get tapas at O Vinhaça Tapas & Vinhos for local flavor in a similar environment as the cozy authentic tascas.

Time Out Market During the Holidays

Go for coffee, pastries, or just to wander during the morning hours before the midday crowds appear. You might see bolo-rei for sale, a traditional king cake served throughout Spain and Portugal on the holidays (especially Three Kings' Day).

Visit on the Ultimate Portuguese Food Tour, which also includes a stop for bifana (a traditional pork sandwich) at a locals joint Anthony Bourdain heralds as the best.

Taste Port Wine at Taylors

To me, this is kind of a classic Portugal experience. Yes, port wine is from Porto, not Lisbon, but while in Lisbon - why not make a special venture to try some? Taylor's is one of the world's most famous brands globally, so for about $20 it is worth a formal sit down to taste and compare the varieties!

Optionally, you can seek out shops that sell and sample sour cherry liqueur called ginjinha. Below, here's a very young me sampling it in chocolate cups in Obidos, Portugal.

Lisbon Experiences and Culture

Trams and Funiculars in Lisbon

The vintage trams in Lisbon are iconic, and for good reason. Not only are they functional for getting up the steep stairs and inclines of the city, but the aesthetics for retro-style travel can't be beat.

Take the Elevador da Bica to Chiado for shopping, and make your way to the Wonderland Lisboa fair via Tram24E (a vintage tram ride). The route travels from Praça Luís de Camões (Chiado) to Rato. Walk the 5 minutes to Parque Eduardo VII for the Wonderland fair!

Family-friendly Fado in Lisbon

Fado to Lisbon is like Flamenco to Seville. Fado is Lisbon's vocal show that reminds me of a Zarzuela from Madrid or Zaragoza's Jota (since I can only really compare it to my knowledge of Spain's culture). Soulful, almost a blend of spoken word poetry and gut-wrenching ballads, it's a moving and gorgeous art form to witness.

My family chose Fado na Morgadinha for our fado experience, namely due to its location near Taylor's wine room, and it's early opening hour. The cozy venue is an authentic eatery with spontaneous fado performances throughout the evening as you dine.

If you'd rather watch and listen (and not dine), perhaps an intimate fado experience is more for you. They offer port wine at the door, and you relax by candlelight and enjoy in a listening room style experience.

Day Trips from Lisbon Including Sintra Palaces

While you may be tempted to take a day trip to Sintra or coastal areas, like the Farol da Guia lighthouse below, with only 2 days in Lisbon it is advised to stick to the walking route around the city.

The hard truth is, on a map Sintra seems really close (and it is - only about 20 miles). But, with about an hour on the metro each way that is just the start of the long endurance day.

Factor in 2 hours of transit, epic steep hills, lines, and palace hopping, you should expect a full 8 to 10 hour event.

For me? I prefer easy-going and relaxed. Save Sintra for another trip when you have more time!

Shopping in Lisbon

Where to Shop in Lisbon

• Rua Augusta

• Chiado Neighborhood

Don't forget the Christmas markets!

What to Buy in Lisbon

Cork products are extremely common, as well as the iconic Galo de Barcelos (Rooster of Barcelos). The chicken or rooster image is Portugal's famous folklore symbol of faith, justice, and good luck. Bring it home on a tablecloth, dish towel, placemat, wallet...whatever suits your tastes!!

You will also encounter a lot of cherry liquer, and port products.

Check back by saving this post or pinning for later, so I can get you some more intel and cozy Christmas shots of the city lights at night. Stay tuned!