Public Holidays in Portugal
Statutory public holidays in Portugal, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Portugal at a glance
Portugal’s public holidays follow the Catholic calendar, with Portugal Day on 10 June and the Republic Day on 5 October the national dates. Liberty Day on 25 April is also central.
Several dates move with Easter, and many towns add their own municipal holiday, usually tied to a patron saint.
Portugal public holidays 2026
The dates below come from Portugal’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Valentine's Day | Feb 14Sat | 2026 |
| Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day | Feb 17Tue | 2026 |
| St. Joseph's Day | Mar 19Thu | 2026 |
| Fathers' Day | Mar 19Thu | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| Daylight Saving Time starts | Mar 29Sun | 2026 |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | 2026 |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | 2026 |
| Liberty Day | Apr 25Sat | 2026 |
| Labor Day / May Day | May 1Fri | 2026 |
| Mothers' Day | May 3Sun | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 42 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in Portugal
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Portugal.
Lisbon
A capital of tiled facades, hilltop viewpoints and a riverfront of light.
Porto
A granite city of port wine cellars, iron bridges and a riverside district.
Braga
A city of baroque churches and the sanctuary of Bom Jesus on a hillside.
Coimbra
A hill city holding one of Europe's oldest universities and a baroque library.
Funchal
A terraced Atlantic capital of botanical gardens and a sheltered bay.
Evora
A walled Alentejo city of a Roman temple and whitewashed lanes.
Top attractions in Portugal
The places that draw most visitors to Portugal.
Sintra
A mountain town of romantic palaces, moorish castle ruins and gardens.
Algarve Coast
Golden cliffs, sea caves and sheltered beaches along the south coast.
Douro Valley
Terraced vineyards stepping down to the river, the home of port wine.
Belem Tower
A Manueline riverside fortress, symbol of the age of discoveries.
Madeira Levadas
A network of irrigation channels walking through laurel forest.
Alto Douro Wine Region
The world's oldest demarcated wine region, terraced above the river.
Festivals, food and getting around Portugal
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
-
🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
-
🎉
Valentine's Day
Falls on Feb 14
-
🎉
Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day
Falls on Feb 17
-
🎉
St. Joseph's Day
Falls on Mar 19
-
🎉
Fathers' Day
Falls on Mar 19
-
🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Trains and coaches link the main cities; the Algarve and Douro are easiest with a car, and islands are reached by air or ferry.
Travelling around Portugal’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Portugal tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Portugal's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Portugal public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Portugal have?
Portugal has 42 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Portugal is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Portugal's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Portugal typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Portugal?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Portugal?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.