It’s that time of the year. December comes, the days get shorter, colder and people start to get the feeling that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (yeah, we know, you’re singing it in your head now). The mood is on and everyone dreams about a snowy but cozy Christmas while strolling around a Christmas market. This tradition started around the 14th and 15th centuries in Southern Germany and first spread into Austria and Switzerland and then, more recently, all over the world. Every little place has its own Christmas market now. Porto is no exception.
Who doesn’t love to walk in the middle of warm glowing lights, wearing a warm beanie and a scarf while holding a cup of mulled wine? Mulled wine is the traditional drink of this season and you can find it elsewhere. It is know by other names, like glogg in the Nordic countries or glühwein in the German speaking world. Though it sounds like glue, it doesn’t make you get stuck to anything apart the drink itself. It’s so delicious and comfy that makes you feel like having some more. In Portugal we know it as vinho quente (hot wine) and you find it mainly in the northern regions. The concept is the same: red wine, spices like cinnamon and cloves, sugar and orange juice. Some recepies include honey and others port instead of wine.
This tradition has reached Portugal as well and there are many magical places for you to feel the Christmas mood. Let’s stroll around some of our favourite Christmas markets.
1. Cordoaria
30 Nov – 6 Jan
Jardim da Cordoaria
Mon-Thu: 11h00 – 21h00
Fri: 10h00 – 21h00
Sat-Sun: 10h00 – 20h00
Our favourite Chirstmas market in Porto. By far the most christmassy and the most complete. The huts are well ornated, lights are glowing on the trees and also above you and a lot of options for you to buy jewels, wine, handmade goods, food, you name it. Get a cup of mulled wine, stroll around or just sit on one of the many seats available. If you feel adventurous you may try the ice rink for free, if not there’s a caroussel nearby and a hut where on certain days children can take pictures with Santa Claus. It gets busier by the end of the day.
2. Batalha
29 Nov – 29 Dec
Praça da Batalha
Mon-Thu: 10h00 – 20h00
Fri-Sat: 10h00 – 21h00 | 24 dez.: 10h00 – 17h00
Until 29 Dec (closed on the 25th)
Our second favourite in Porto. Central, with a lot of local goods and, of course, mulled wine. It’s just by the main pedestrian street, Santa Catarina, so you can combine shopping with a visit to the Alegria Market in Batalha to complement it.
3. Bolhão
14 – 16 Dec
Mercado do Bolhão
It last only for one weekend, on the upper floor of the market. The market gets christmassy itself by this time of the year, as you can tell by the photo, but upstairs you’ll get a little bit more of the Christmas feeling.
4. WOW – World of Wine
23 Nov – 7 Jan
World of Wine – Gaia
Mon-Sun: 10h00 – 22h00
If you’re across the river, on the south side, you might want to combine a visit to a Port wine cellar with this. The World of Wine is actually part of the same group as Taylor’s, so it actually makes sense. Our favourite Christmas tree all around is located here. And, and as the locals say, in Gaia you have the best views over Porto.
5. Santa Maria da Feira
23 Nov – 5 Jan
Rossio – Santa Maria da Feira
Though not located in Porto, this is probably the one where you’ll feel more like Christmas. It’s just magical. Feira has a lot of tradition on organizing big events and this one is second to none. It’s in the beatiful historic center of the city with a medieval castle protecting the place on top, so you won’t get more picturesque than this. In the castle’s gardens there’s also a festival for children called Perlim which you should visit, even if you don’t have kids. It’s only a 20 minutes drive from Porto and it’s more than worth the drive.
6. Vila do Conde
30 Nov – 5 Jan
Jardim Júlio Graça – Vila do Conde
Mon-Thu: 14h00 – 19h00
Fri-Sat: 10h00 – 21h00 | 24 dez.: 10h00 – 17h00
Until 29 Dec (closed on the 25th)
Vila do Conde is one of our favourite small cities around Porto. The historic center is stunning, easy to explore and next to it you have a nice Christmas market located in a long avenue full of trees. Nearby you’ll find the best Christmas shop in the country. From Porto is only 45 minutes by metro.
7. Águeda
18 Nov – 8 Jan
Largo 1º de Maio
Águeda
Did you know that the biggest Santa Claus is not that far from Porto? Despite its size you can’t see it from there, so you might consider a short drive of around 1 hour to witness it. It’s more than impressive and people travel from all over to see it. Just next to you, there’s the smallest Santa in the world, which is so small than you need to look through lenses to see it. Huts, lights glowing everywhere, caroussels, food, drinks, here you can find anything. The pedestrian streets downtown are covered by the typical umbrellas that made Águeda famous, with the plus that by this time of the year they are also glowing. It gets very busy on weekends, so weekdays are the best option. Just get the A1 and take the exit to Águeda, by Aveiro.
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