Portugal, a land of captivating culture, breathtaking scenery, and cherished
traditions, commemorates its heritage through a series of public holidays.
Whether you’re dreaming of a Portuguese vacation, organizing your work
schedule, or simply intrigued by days of celebration, understanding
Portugal’s 2025 public holidays is key.
The 2025 Portuguese calendar features 13 mandatory national holidays, 1
optional holiday, 3 opportunities for delightful long weekends, and 5
extended breaks. Beyond these, regional and municipal holidays add to the
festive atmosphere. From nationwide observances to local celebrations, this
guide offers a complete holiday overview to enrich your year.
How Many National Holidays Does Portugal Have?
Portugal marks 13 days as mandatory national
public holidays for all workers. In addition to these,
optional holidays, like Carnival, and
municipal holidays, which differ by region,
provide further opportunities for time off.
So, while the count of national public holidays in
Portugal stands at 13, the overall number of
holidays can be higher, encompassing regional and
optional days depending on your location.
What Dates Are Portugal’s Public Holidays in 2025?
2025 began on a Wednesday, delivering a public holiday right at the
start. The next nationwide celebration arrives in mid-April with Good Friday.
Here’s a detailed list of Portugal’s public holidays for 2025:
Mandatory National Public Holidays in Portugal
-
1 January: New Year’s Day lands on a Wednesday,
kicking off the year with a day of rest. -
18 April: Good Friday begins the first long weekend,
honoring the death of Jesus Christ. -
20 April: Easter Sunday, a pivotal Christian holiday,
celebrates Christ’s resurrection. -
25 April: Freedom Day, recalling the Carnation
Revolution, falls on a Friday, offering another long weekend escape. -
1 May: Labour Day arrives on a Thursday, a perfect
chance to create a “bridge” holiday. -
10 June: Portugal Day, commemorating Luís de Camões
and Portuguese communities, falls on a Tuesday, ideal for a long weekend. -
19 June: Corpus Christi, a Christian feast
celebrating the Eucharist, is a Thursday holiday each year. -
15 August: Assumption Day will be on a Friday, paving
the way for a delightful long weekend. -
5 October: Republic Day is on a Sunday, a day to
reflect on Portugal’s history. - 1 November: All Saints’ Day lands on a Saturday.
-
1 December: Restoration of Independence Day falls on a
Monday, a welcome start to the week! -
8 December: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception also
graces us on a Monday. -
25 December: Christmas Day, celebrating the birth of
Jesus Christ, falls on a Wednesday, completing the year.
Optional Holidays
-
4 March: Shrove Tuesday (Carnival) is optional. A
great opportunity to take a long weekend.
Municipal Holidays
Municipal holidays are specific to each region, so be sure to check
local dates. Many municipalities celebrate in June, honoring the
popular saints.
-
13 June: Saint Anthony’s Day is marked in Lisbon,
Cascais, Vila Real, Vila Nova de Famalicão, and Aljustrel, among others,
falling on a Friday in 2025. -
24 June: Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Figueira da
Foz, Almada, Tavira, and Castro Marim, celebrate Saint John’s Day on a
Tuesday. -
29 June: Póvoa de Varzim, Sintra, Montijo, Seixal,
Évora, and others honor Saint Peter’s Day on a Sunday.
Making the Most of Portugal’s 2025 Holidays
Plan ahead to maximize your 2025 holidays. Identify long weekends
and optional holidays for short trips or extended breaks. Consider
“bridge” days to elongate weekends. Whether you’re seeking
relaxation at home or adventurous travels, strategic use of holidays
can help you achieve a more balanced year.
Long Weekends
The first long weekend of 2025 spans from
18 April (Friday) to 20 April (Sunday) for Easter.
Another long weekend arrives from
25 April (Friday) to 27 April (Sunday).
If you’re fortunate enough to reside in a municipality celebrating its
holiday on Friday, 13 June, savour the three days (13-15
June) with outdoor activities.
From 15 August (Friday) to 17 August (Sunday), another
long weekend is in store.
December brings more long weekends, from
29 November (Saturday) to 1 December (Monday) and from
6 December (Saturday) to 8 December (Monday).
“Bridge” Days
If you get Carnival granted, you’ll enjoy a
4-day weekend from 1 to 4 March.
On Labour Day (1 May), you will potentially be able to
take Friday, 2 May, off.
Just over a month later, you can also take Monday, 9 June.
Thanks to Corpus Christi on 19 June, you can create a
“bridge” on Friday, 20 June.
What is the biggest holiday in Portugal?
The biggest holiday in Portugal is
Portuguese National Day, also known as
Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas,
celebrated on 10 June.
However, for many Portuguese people, Christmas (25 December)
and Easter (especially Easter Sunday) are usually the
biggest since they have a religious significance.
The 25 April, is known as Freedom Day,
which marks the Carnation Revolution.
While all these holidays are celebrated with great importance,
10 June is a day filled with national pride.
Are shops open in Portugal on public holidays?
In Portugal, whether shops are open on public holidays varies depending
on the shops type and location:
-
Large retailers and shopping centres: May stay open
but may be closed on Christmas or New Year’s Day. - Smaller shops and local businesses: Many shut down.
-
Tourist areas: In tourist locations, businesses are
often open. - Grocery stores: Open for reduced hours.
Always check store hours.
