Portugal’s public holidays shape the rhythm of the year, influencing travel demand, opening hours, and local celebrations across the country. For international travelers, understanding when Portugal slows down or comes alive helps with smarter planning, especially around long weekends and bridge days (pontes).
Below is the official, nationwide public holiday calendar for Portugal in 2026, followed by practical travel insights.
Portugal Public Holidays 2026
| HOLIDAY | DATE | DAY |
| New Year’s Day (Ano Novo) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday (Sexta-feira Santa) | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Sunday (Domingo de Páscoa) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade) | 25 April | Saturday |
| Labour Day (Dia do Trabalhador) | 1 May | Friday |
| Corpus Christi (Corpo de Deus) | 4 June | Thursday |
| Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas) | 10 June | Wednesday |
| Assumption Day (Assunção de Nossa Senhora) | 15 August | Saturday |
| Republic Day (Implantação da República) | 5 October | Monday |
| All Saints’ Day (Dia de Todos os Santos) | 1 November | Sunday |
| Restoration of Independence (Restauração da Independência) | 1 December | Tuesday |
| Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição) | 8 December | Tuesday |
| Christmas Day (Natal) | 25 December | Friday |
Important Note for Travelers: Not all widely celebrated dates in Portugal are national public holidays. Events such as Carnival (Carnaval) or local saints’ days during Santos Populares are not official nationwide holidays, although they can still affect opening hours and travel patterns in certain cities.
Long Weekends and Bridge Days in Portugal (2026)
In Portugal, locals often create “pontes” (bridge days) by taking a day off between a public holiday and a weekend. While not official holidays, pontes strongly influence domestic travel.
- New Year’s Day (Thursday, 1 January)
A classic bridge-day opportunity. Many residents take Friday off, creating a four-day break and early-year travel surge. - Easter Weekend (Friday–Sunday, 3–5 April)
Although Easter Monday is not a public holiday, this long weekend remains popular for countryside stays and family trips. - Labour Day (Friday, 1 May)
One of the cleanest long weekends of the year. Expect busy roads, fuller trains, and high demand in coastal areas. - Corpus Christi (Thursday, 4 June)
Traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, this holiday is one of the most common ponte opportunities, often resulting in four-day breaks. - Portugal Day (Wednesday, 10 June)
A midweek pause that frequently leads to extended leave, especially at the start of summer. - Republic Day (Monday, 5 October)
A natural three-day weekend, popular for city breaks and wine-region travel. - December holidays (Tuesdays, 1 & 8 December)
When combined with bridge days, these dates often create extended pre-Christmas breaks.
During ponte periods, accommodation prices rise, and availability tightens, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve destinations.
Cultural Highlights Around Public Holidays
Public holidays in Portugal are deeply connected to history and everyday life:
- Freedom Day (25 April) marks the Carnation Revolution, with concerts, exhibitions, and civic celebrations nationwide.
- Portugal Day (10 June) celebrates Portuguese culture, language, and global communities, often accompanied by public ceremonies.
- Religious holidays such as Easter and Corpus Christi bring quieter mornings and traditional meals, especially outside major cities.
For visitors, these dates offer cultural depth rather than full shutdowns.
What’s Open on Public Holidays in Portugal
Portugal remains relatively functional during public holidays, especially in tourist areas:
- Restaurants and cafés: Largely open, often busier than usual
- Shops and supermarkets: Smaller stores stay open; large malls may reduce hours
- Museums and attractions: Many operate on shorter schedules; some close on Christmas Day
- Public transport: Runs on holiday timetables with reduced frequency
Tourist infrastructure remains active, but checking hours in advance is recommended.
Seasonal Travel Guide for Portugal
Public holidays align closely with Portugal’s travel seasons:
- Spring (March–May): Mild weather, Easter travel, and long weekends
- Early summer (June): Festivals, coastal trips, and Portugal Day celebrations
- Peak summer (July–August): Busiest season, especially around Assumption Day
- Autumn (September–October): Warm temperatures with fewer crowds
- Winter (December): Festive city breaks and quieter coastal towns
Late spring and early autumn offer the best balance of weather, availability, and atmosphere.
Staying Connected While Traveling in Portugal
Traveling across Portugal often means navigating historic city centers, coastal roads, and regional rail routes. Reliable mobile data helps with maps, transport schedules, and last-minute bookings.
An Eskimo Portugal eSIM lets travelers stay connected from arrival to departure. Unused data rolls over with each top-up, data can be shared with companions, and new users can try 500 MB of free global data before choosing a plan. Europe and Global options support seamless multi-country travel.
FAQs
Are Portugal’s public holidays nationwide?
Yes. The holidays listed above apply across Portugal.
Is Easter Monday a public holiday in Portugal?
No. Only Good Friday and Easter Sunday are official public holidays.
Do public holidays affect travel services?
Transport and attractions run on holiday schedules, but major disruptions are rare.
Is Portugal busy during public holidays?
Yes, especially during long weekends and bridge periods. Early booking is recommended.
