Easter in Lisbon
Experience Holy Week & Portuguese Spring Traditions
Discover Lisbon's unique Easter celebrations combining deep Catholic traditions with vibrant spring festivities. From solemn Holy Week processions to joyful family gatherings and traditional Portuguese Easter treats.
What Is Easter in Portugal?
Easter (Páscoa) is one of Portugal's most important religious and cultural celebrations, combining centuries-old Catholic traditions with vibrant family customs. The celebrations span Holy Week (Semana Santa), with solemn processions, traditional foods, and joyful family gatherings. Good Friday is a public holiday marked by processions in historic neighborhoods like Alfama, while Easter Sunday centers on the cherished family lunch featuring roast lamb and Folar da Páscoa. With mild spring weather (18-22°C) and blooming gardens, it's one of the best times to visit Lisbon.
Easter Religious Celebrations
Good Friday & Easter Sunday in Lisbon
Easter in Lisbon is marked by two key religious moments: the solemn Good Friday processions and the joyful Easter Sunday celebrations. These are the heart of the Portuguese Easter experience.
Sexta-feira Santa
The most solemn day of Holy Week. Via Sacra (Way of the Cross) processions in traditional neighborhoods, particularly Alfama. Sé Cathedral hosts the main Good Friday service. Many businesses closed.
Domingo de Páscoa
Joyful celebration of resurrection. Special Easter mass at churches across Lisbon. Families gather for traditional Easter lunch featuring lamb, Folar da Páscoa, and chocolate eggs.
Traditional Portuguese Easter Food
Culinary Traditions of Páscoa
Portuguese Easter cuisine is rich with symbolic foods and regional specialties, blending religious tradition with springtime celebration.
The quintessential Portuguese Easter bread, varying by region. In central Portugal, it's a sweet bread with hard-boiled eggs baked inside. Northern versions are savory with meats. Essential Easter tradition.
Pastelarias and bakeries across Lisbon
Traditional Easter Sunday main course. Roasted lamb seasoned with garlic, herbs, and white wine. Symbolizes Christ as the Lamb of God.
Traditional Portuguese restaurants
Colorful sugar-coated almonds in pastel shades. Traditional Easter treat symbolizing new life and fertility. Given as gifts and used as decorations.
All pastelarias and confeitarias
Extremely light, moist sponge cake traditional at Easter. The center remains deliberately undercooked, creating a creamy texture. Regional specialty from Ovar, popular throughout Portugal.
Specialty shops and high-end pastelarias
Delicate wafer shells filled with sweet egg yolk cream. Traditional Portuguese convent sweet, especially popular at Easter.
Specialty confectionery shops
While not traditionally Portuguese, chocolate eggs have become popular, especially for children. High-quality artisanal versions available at Lisbon chocolatiers.
Chocolatarias and supermarkets
Where to Have Easter Lunch
Easter Sunday lunch is a major family occasion in Portugal. Restaurants offering traditional Easter menus should be booked 2-3 weeks in advance.
Excellent seafood, more casual Easter dining. Famous for fresh shellfish and traditional Portuguese seafood dishes.
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José Avillez's casual restaurant with Portuguese classics. Modern take on traditional dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.
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Family-run traditional Portuguese restaurant. Known for excellent roast lamb and authentic Portuguese Easter specialties.
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Stunning Moorish palace serving traditional Alentejo cuisine. An architectural masterpiece with authentic Portuguese Easter flavors and generous portions.
Visit WebsiteLisbon Weather in Spring & What to Pack
Perfect Time to Visit
Easter falls during Lisbon's delightful spring season. Expect mild, pleasant weather with average temperatures of 18-20°C (64-68°F), blooming flowers, and longer days. One of the best times to visit Lisbon.
Temperature
Daily highs: 18-22°C (64-72°F), Evening lows: 12-15°C (54-59°F)
Conditions
Generally sunny with occasional spring showers. 6-8 hours of sunshine daily.
Crowds
Moderate tourist levels – busy but not overwhelming like summer
Nature
Jacaranda trees beginning to bloom, parks lush and green, perfect for outdoor activities
- •Light layers – t-shirts with a cardigan or light jacket
- •Comfortable walking shoes (essential for Lisbon's hills and cobblestones)
- •Light rain jacket or umbrella for occasional showers
- •Sunglasses and sunscreen (spring sun can be strong)
- •Evening wear slightly warmer (temperatures drop after sunset)
- •Hat for sunny days
- •Day bag for sightseeing
Easter Activities for Families
Kid-Friendly Easter Fun
Lisbon offers numerous family-friendly activities perfect for Easter week, combining cultural experiences with outdoor spring enjoyment.
Europe's largest indoor aquarium often has special Easter activities and workshops for children. Perfect rainy day option with incredible marine life exhibits.
Beautiful park with playground, duck pond, and peaceful gardens. Perfect for Easter picnics and letting children play. Often has local families enjoying spring weather.
Interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits children love. Educational and entertaining, often features special spring programming.
Historic yellow tram journey through Lisbon's most charming neighborhoods. Kids love the vintage trams, and it's a great way to see the city. Go early morning to avoid crowds.
Medieval castle with spectacular views. Children enjoy exploring the ramparts, peacocks roaming the grounds, and the castle's interactive museum.
Modern waterfront area with cable car, riverside walks, gardens, and the Vasco da Gama shopping center. Great for families wanting contemporary Lisbon.
Best Neighborhoods to Experience Easter in Lisbon
Where to Stay & Explore
Highlights: Sé Cathedral, traditional processions, local fado houses, authentic Easter atmosphere
Highlights: Central location, great restaurants, shops, easy transportation access
Highlights: Jerónimos Monastery Easter mass, monuments, riverside parks, pastéis de nata
Highlights: Beautiful gardens, high-end dining, central yet peaceful, local markets
Easter Day Trips from Lisbon
Explore Beyond the Capital
Spring weather and Easter break make perfect timing for day trips to nearby attractions. Public transportation or car rentals make these easily accessible.
Fairytale palaces and castles nestled in lush mountains. Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Moorish Castle are spectacular in spring bloom. Essential Lisbon day trip any time of year.
Elegant coastal towns with beautiful beaches, seaside promenades, and charming historic centers. Perfect spring day by the sea with fresh seafood lunch.
Medieval walled town famous for its chocolate festival (often coincides with Easter). Charming cobbled streets, castle walls you can walk, and traditional Portuguese atmosphere.
Magnificent Mafra Palace and Basilica – one of Portugal's most impressive baroque monuments. Beautiful Easter services in the spectacular basilica.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Easter 2026 in Portugal?
Easter Sunday 2026 falls on April 5th. Holy Week runs from March 29 (Palm Sunday) to April 5 (Easter Sunday). Good Friday (April 3) is a public holiday in Portugal.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Lisbon?
Yes, Good Friday (Sexta-feira Santa) is a national public holiday in Portugal. Most businesses and shops close, and solemn processions take place in traditional neighborhoods like Alfama.
What is traditional Portuguese Easter food?
Traditional Portuguese Easter foods include Folar da Páscoa (Easter bread with eggs), Borrego Assado (roast lamb), Amêndoas de Páscoa (sugar-coated almonds), Pão-de-Ló de Ovar (sponge cake), and Ovos Moles de Aveiro (egg yolk sweets in wafer shells).
What is the weather like in Lisbon at Easter?
Lisbon enjoys mild spring weather at Easter with average temperatures of 18-22°C (64-72°F), generally sunny skies with occasional showers, and 6-8 hours of sunshine daily. It's one of the best times to visit.
Where can I see Easter processions in Lisbon?
The main Easter processions take place on Good Friday in the Alfama neighborhood and around Sé Cathedral. The Via Sacra (Way of the Cross) procession through Alfama's narrow streets is the most traditional and atmospheric.
What are the best day trips from Lisbon during Easter?
Popular Easter day trips include Sintra (30 min by train, fairytale palaces), Cascais & Estoril (40 min, coastal towns), Óbidos (1 hour, medieval walled town with chocolate festival), and Mafra (45 min, magnificent baroque palace with Easter services).