10 Things to Do in Lisbon at Holy Week

Lisbon is one of the most diverse and interesting cities in Europe and has undoubtedly been a favourite tourist destination for Spaniards for decades. At the same time, some of the best things to do in Lisbon take place during Holy Week.

So, I recommend that you continue reading this post I have prepared for you, as it will tell you about the activities you can do if you decide to spend part of Holy Week in the Portuguese capital. What's more, this information will help you plan your trip better, making it much easier to enjoy your holiday.

One of the characteristics of Holy Week in Lisbon is that it is not as common to see processions throughout the city as it is in other cities on the Iberian Peninsula. However, that does not mean that there are no important religious traditions during this week, and one of them is the famous Easter Day Mass on Easter Sunday morning.

Most of the Catholic and Orthodox churches in the city will have their own versions of this religious event, but one of the most important and noteworthy is the one that takes place at the Lisbon Cathedral.

The site itself is notable for being the oldest church in the city, as well as for having survived various modifications throughout its history and multiple earthquakes. Its strategic location in the city centre is another important factor to consider when planning your visit during Holy Week. You could easily attend Easter Mass and then enjoy a ride on one of Lisbon's best tourist buses.

This is highly recommended, given that traffic during this period is at its lowest for the whole week, as it is a public holiday when many local families decide to stay at home. You should also know that the location of this cathedral in the Alfama district will help you connect your Easter Sunday with the religious past of one of the oldest areas of the city.

On the other hand, Lisbon is a city full of interesting churches, many of which are worth visiting regardless of whether you are religious or not. One of these places is the Jerónimos Monastery, a building that once belonged to the Catholic Church and now houses the city's maritime and archaeological museum.

The architectural style of this monastery is Manueline, and it is so significant to Portuguese history and Western culture that it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This site is also known for its proximity to the famous Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, which together symbolise the golden age of Portuguese exploration that played a fundamental role in connecting Europe by sea with the rest of the world.

The fact that this building was constructed for the religious order of St. Jerome and is strategically located within the Belém neighbourhood makes it a must-see during Holy Week. It is also one of the best things to do during Christmas in Lisbon, as this area has all the tourist services you need for this special time of year.

One of the highlights of Holy Week in Lisbon and throughout Portugal is that the party in bars and nightclubs lasts from mid-Holy Wednesday until Easter Sunday night. This is because this week is the first opportunity of the year for many Spanish and Portuguese university students to enjoy the good weather on a long weekend.

So, regardless of your age or the type of trip you want to have, it is still advisable to go out for a couple of drinks in one of Lisbon's nightlife areas. Barrio Alto is the favourite area for all kinds of experiences, as you will find everything from elegant restaurants to nightclubs that stay open until after dawn. The Santa Catalina area, and specifically the surroundings of its viewpoint, are another spot not to be missed on your Holy Week nightlife agenda.

For an industrial and alternative night out, there is also Doças de Alcántara, an ideal place for those who are a little further away from the centre of Lisbon, probably staying near the 25 de Abril Bridge.

In any case, going out for dinner and a few drinks is one of the best things to do in Lisbon at night, and Holy Week is one of the best times of the year to experience the lifestyle that defines this city after sunset.

As the influx of tourists during Holy Week in Lisbon is so significant, it is logical to understand that the city's art and culture scene takes advantage of this to extend the opening hours of most museums so that more people can see their permanent collections. In fact, it is quite common for several of the city's art and history museums to have temporary exhibitions prepared during Holy Week because more people will be visiting these places.

There are countless museums that are worth visiting, but among them, the Berardo Collection Museum stands out, with several permanent exhibitions that are very representative of modern and contemporary Portuguese art. There is also the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, known by its acronym MAAT. The latter is distinguished by the impressive structure of its headquarters, which was inaugurated in 2016. It is also iconic for being located right next to the Electricity Museum, which is housed in an old steam factory in the Belém neighbourhood.

So, if the length of your visit in the middle of Holy Week allows you to enjoy the city's museums, then you cannot miss this opportunity. Especially knowing that these cultural institutions are some of the best things to do in the centre of Lisbon, as well as in the neighbourhoods closest to this part of the city.

Easter Sunday is usually a very quiet day in Lisbon because local families tend to take advantage of this public holiday to stay at home or enjoy the city's free public spaces. It is also common for many people to take the opportunity to visit places they don't know within the city, which is why one of the favourite things to do on Easter Sunday is to visit the Lisbon Oceanarium.

This site is nothing less than the city's aquarium and is distinguished by being a fairly modern place located on the banks of the Tagus River, with ocean habitats that allow them to care for sharks, penguins and tropical fish. This aquarium is located in the northern part of Lisbon, so spending Sunday there is also an excellent way to get to know the residential neighbourhoods in this part of the city.

In fact, this aquarium, which is the second largest in Europe, is one of the best things to do in Lisbon in winter. This is because it is an excellent way to escape the rather low temperatures at this time of year. So it is a good alternative form of entertainment if your Easter holiday happens to be cloudier than expected.

Fado is a Portuguese musical genre characterised by its urban folk songs that speak of melancholy, nostalgia and the everyday experience of growing up in humble, industrial neighbourhoods. It has significant cultural importance for Lisbon because historians believe it originated in the neighbourhoods surrounding the port. Today, it is one of the city's main tourist attractions, as well as being recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Specifically, Holy Week is a time when fado concerts are very popular in the city's traditional bars due to the large influx of tourists during these spring days, just as happens during the summer high season. So, an excellent way to familiarise yourself with the history of this city during such a unique and reflective time as Holy Week is to attend some of Lisbon's fado concerts.

My recommendation is to go for one of the options that includes dinner. This is especially true because you will also have the opportunity to sample typical Portuguese dishes while enjoying music that addresses themes closely related to the frustration or religious appreciation that can be associated with Holy Week.

Lent and its restrictions on meat consumption have led to the creation of recipes characteristic of this time of year in Lisbon over the centuries, which tend to captivate tourists who come to the city in search of fish and seafood. For your convenience, throughout the week you can enjoy these representative dishes, most of which feature cod as the main ingredient, as it is the favourite food in the culinary world of Portugal.

Cataplana is another typical recipe made with fish and seafood that defines Holy Week and the preceding months that form part of Lent. Polvo à Lageiro is another gastronomic treasure that you should know about. It basically consists of octopus that is first boiled and then baked with potatoes. It is then seasoned with spices, olive oil and lots of coriander.

You should know that grilled sardines are also part of the typical Holy Week meals, both in Lisbon and Porto. In any case, the best gastronomic tours of Lisbon can be an excellent alternative for you to return home knowing most of the characteristic flavours of Holy Week in the Portuguese capital.

Specifically, during Holy Week, one of the city's famous open-air markets has one of its most diverse and interesting editions due to the demand generated by the influx of tourists during this week. I am talking about the Feira da Ladra, which is basically an antiques and second-hand clothing market that stretches along the Campo de Santa Clara between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The event takes place on most Saturdays throughout the year, and specifically on Holy Saturday, the range of products on offer doubles, as this is a time when people are very interested in buying decorative antiques for their homes. It is also a very touristy time of year, when the city's own residents take advantage of the public holiday to enjoy these special places that their city has to offer.

So, taking a stroll around this part of the capital is something you shouldn't miss on your four-day trip to Lisbon, although it will only be possible if your visit coincides with the last days of Holy Week, as it is a Saturday market. Bear in mind that the proximity of this urban market to the National Pantheon and Santa Apolónia train station is something you should take advantage of if you are interested in seeing as much as possible of the most beautiful areas of Lisbon.

The Portuguese capital is full of public parks that offer a welcome respite after walking its steep and narrow streets. Tapada das Necessidades is one such place. It is a park located near the Alcântara docks, distinguished by the beauty of its landscapes and the excellent view it offers of the Tagus River. Inside the park, there is a famous duck pond and a cactus garden. This place is even unknown to many locals.

So this place with its unique beauty can be an excellent alternative for entertainment during your visit to Lisbon during Holy Week. Especially because it is located in a safe area close to tourist attractions and allows you to rest from long walks while surrounded by nature.

In fact, a plan like this is one of the best things to do in Lisbon with children. This is because it is a space where the little ones can run freely and have fun before continuing with the tourist itinerary to discover the museums and historical heritage of one of the most captivating cities in Europe.

If your trip to Lisbon during Holy Week is long enough to allow for a day trip outside the city, then you should take advantage of the opportunity to visit one of the two most important places in the history of Portuguese Catholicism.

Braga

Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and is located in the north of the country. On a 10-hour excursion, you will have the opportunity to visit the different churches in this city, which is known within Portugal as the religious capital of the country due to its direct history with the expansion of Catholicism from several centuries before the medieval period.

Fátima

Fátima is a small town that is often a pilgrimage destination during Holy Week because of the famous Sanctuary of Fátima, which is dedicated to this virgin of Portuguese Catholicism. There are different ways to get from Lisbon to Fátima, but a guided excursion is the best option because it will allow you to visit the towns closest to this place.