City guide
Christmas and New Year in Vila Real
In recent years Vila Real has dressed up for Bila Natal, its Christmas programme, each December and seen in the new year with a party in front of the town hall, and many families from Trás-os-Montes come home from abroad for the holidays. This guide covers what usually happens in the city over the holidays and how our two apartments in the city centre fit a holiday stay.
When it happens
In recent years Bila Natal has opened at the beginning of December, when the lights go on, and run until around the second week of January. The council announces the programme each November and it changes from year to year, so check its own announcements before you plan around a particular day.
Portugal has two public holidays in early December, on 1 and 8 December, and many Portuguese families make long weekends of them. The busiest days of the season are Christmas Eve, when families gather for the consoada dinner, and New Year's Eve.
Bila Natal and the nativity trail
A highlight of Bila Natal is the Rota dos Presépios, a trail of nativity scenes through the historic centre. In recent editions they were built by the municipality's parish councils together with council staff, using local materials such as schist, granite, black clay and linen.
Recent programmes have also had a Christmas market and a Santa Claus parade.
New Year's Eve in Praça do Município
In recent years Vila Real has seen in the new year in Praça do Município, in front of the town hall, with the lighting of the traditional New Year's bonfire, the madeiro, a concert, a DJ and fireworks. Entry has been free. Check the council's programme for the year's line-up.
Both our Vila Real apartments are at Porta 116, in the city centre and within walking distance of the square, so you can walk to the party and back.
Coming home for Christmas
If you live abroad and come back to Trás-os-Montes for the holidays, the family house is not always big enough for everyone. Renting a whole apartment in the city gives you your own space, a kitchen to cook for the Christmas Eve dinner, and somewhere quiet to rest between visits.
Both are at Porta 116. One has two bedrooms; the other has free private parking and a washing machine. Both have a full kitchen. For a stay of one to three weeks, send us your dates and we will check availability.
Tips for a winter stay
Winters in Vila Real are cold, with frosty mornings, so bring warm clothes. Both apartments have heating.
Shops, restaurants and some museums close or shorten their hours on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Book a table ahead for those days, or plan to cook in the apartment.
With a free day, the Douro Valley is close by and quiet in winter. Book as soon as you know your dates; you can book directly with us, the owners, with no platform fees.
How far things are from our apartments
| Place | Rua Doutor Roque da Silveira |
|---|---|
| Sé de Vila Real | 0.3 km |
| Vila Real Municipal Market | 0.3 km |
| Vila Real Bus Station | 0.6 km |
| Parque Corgo | 0.8 km |
| Solar de Mateus | 2.6 km |
Where to stay: our apartments
Porta 116
Rua Doutor Roque da Silveira 116, 5000-630 Vila Real, Portugal
Porta 116 - Free private parking
Rua Doutor Roque da Silveira 116, 5000-630 Vila Real, Portugal
Staying near a hospital, campus or venue?
Coming up in and around Vila Real
Tiago Correia
Tiago Correia gives a classical guitar concert at the Teatro Municipal de Vila Real, part of the X Ponto de Guitarra festival, with works for eight- and ten-string classical guitars.
Nov 12Xurcho Varela, Olavo Barros e Hugo Sanches
Xurcho Varela, Olavo Barros and Hugo Sanches play an early music concert of viola da gamba, flute and lute at the Teatro Municipal de Vila Real, part of the X ponto de guitarra festival.
Nov 19Xurxo Varela, Olavo Barros e Hugo Sanches
Xurxo Varela, Olavo Barros and Hugo Sanches play a programme of early music for viola da gamba, flute and lute at the Teatro Municipal de Vila Real, as part of the X Ponto de Guitarra festival.
Nov 19Termas de Chaves
One of Portugal's most important thermal spa towns, with springs that rise at 76°C. The therapeutic season runs from February to December. 1.5 hours from Vila Real, 2 hours from Braga.
Feb 2 – Dec 30Ciclo “Ler Pascoaes”
Ciclo “Ler Pascoaes” is a cultural event held in Amarante, in northern Portugal.
Sep 26 – Dec 12Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bila Natal?
Vila Real's Christmas programme. In recent years it has run from the beginning of December to around the second week of January, with Christmas lights, a trail of nativity scenes through the historic centre and a Christmas market.
Where is the New Year's Eve party in Vila Real?
In recent years it has been in Praça do Município, in front of the town hall, with a bonfire, live music and fireworks. Entry has been free.
Can I check in on Christmas Day?
No. We do not check guests in on 25 December. Arriving on 24 or 31 December is fine.
Is there a minimum stay over New Year's Eve?
No. The minimum stay is 1 night all year, New Year's Eve included.
Are the apartments warm enough in winter?
Yes. Both our Vila Real apartments have heating and a full kitchen.
More guides
- Where to stay in Braga
- Braga in 2 days: a weekend itinerary
- A Douro Valley day trip from Vila Real
- Semana Santa in Braga: where to stay for Holy Week
- Christmas and New Year in Braga
- São João in Braga: where to stay for the festival
- Braga Romana: where to stay for the Roman festival
- Easter in Vila Real: Holy Week and the Douro in spring
- June festivals in Vila Real: Santo António and São Pedro
Book directly with the owners
Licensed holiday apartments with WiFi, equipped kitchens, and everything you need. Book directly with us.
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