GOING OUT FOR DINNER?
Dinner at Penalva da Graca
WANT TO GO FOR A SWIM?
A busy day during the high season.
WE LOVE RIDING THE TRAM 28
Lisbon's popular Tram 28 is only 3 minutes from Tins Lisbon. Here is all you need to know.
Lisbon Sparkles: Why Christmas in the City (and from Tings Lisbon in Graça) is the Perfect Festive Getaway
Lisbon transforms into a dazzling wonderland every Christmas, making the city a perfect festive destination for travelers seeking lights, bustling markets, and old-world ambiance—all easily explored on foot from Tings Lisbon in Graça. The city’s heart comes alive with spectacular illuminations, magical walks, and vibrant local flavor.
Thomas
Traveller
Lisbon Lights: The City Illuminated
On November 22, one of Europe’s longest displays of festive lights is switched on, stretching across central neighborhoods and main avenues. Stunning installations fill Praça do Comércio, Baixa, Chiado, and Avenida da Liberdade, with intricate decorations winding through historic streets like Rua Augusta and Rua Garrett. The city’s iconic Christmas tree rises from Praça do Comércio, while special shows and music bring locals and visitors together for the opening celebration. Wandering from Graça, you’ll pass through São Vicente and Alfama’s narrow lanes, where twinkling lights and cozy cafés add intimate charm to the festive walks.
Christmas Markets: Festive Encounters on Foot
Lisbon’s Christmas markets are steeped in tradition and offer unique experiences just steps from Graça. The Rossio Christmas Market runs from November 14 to December 21 at Praça Dom Pedro IV, featuring wooden chalets with crafts, roasted chestnuts, and local treats. Wonderland Lisboa at Parque Eduardo VII combines classic holiday stalls with fun ice skating and family activities, opening from November 28 to January 4. Campo Pequeno hosts its vintage, handmade-focused market across two weekends, while Mercado de Natal Alvalade offers neighborhood charm and festive sweets from December 4 to 17.
All major markets are walkable from Tings Lisbon, making it easy for guests to enjoy the best Lisbon has to offer without needing transport.
A Graça Christmas: Local Charm, City Connectio
Tings Lisbon, perched above the city in Graça, offers guests quiet retreat and immediate access to Lisbon’s festive pulse. The neighborhood’s viewpoints—Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen—let you gaze out over the twinkling cityscape. Local cafés and public squares in Graça and São Vicente embrace the season with cozy décor and occasional neighborhood concerts. Strolling downhill, you join the city’s brightest festivities, returning each night to Graça’s authentic Lisbon charm.
Why Tings Lisbon is the Ideal Festive Base
After more Christmases than I can count—all over the world, from the Himalayas to tropical beaches in Asia, from international cosmopolitan cities to the chaotic buzz of developing countries—and 15 years living right here in Lisbon’s Graça, it’s pretty obvious to me: for Christmas lovers, Lisbon just does Christmas better, in every way.
All the best bits—lights, markets, music, friendly chaos—are genuinely right outside your front door, and you don’t have to play tourist or squeeze through crowds to get there.
For Christmas ignorants like myself, Graça is perfect. The vibe here is laid-back, local, and no-nonsense. And at the same time, you’re never more than a quick stroll away from all the big city sparkle.
Once you’ve done Christmas here, those picture-perfect holidays elsewhere start to look almost… boring.
Lisbon’s mix of good food, music, and messy, glowing streets isn’t just festive—it’s real, and honestly, that’s what keeps me hooked year after year.
Thomas
