A Local’s Guide to Buying a Christmas Tree in Porto

As a traveling family, we’ve celebrated Christmas in a few different countries, and it’s always an adventure figuring out where to buy a Christmas tree in a new city and then how to decorate it.

Now that we’ve settled in Porto, Portugal, we’ve got all the details on where to buy a Christmas tree, whether you are looking for a live tree or an artificial one. There are options for trees and ornaments you’ll treasure for years, and for getting a less expensive tree for just a season and then moving on.

In this post, we’ll cover where to get ornaments and Christmas lights as well, from classic white lights and glass ornaments to color themes and inexpensive stores.

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Buying a Christmas Tree

Pine trees are not common in most towns in Northern Portugal; in Porto, you are more likely to see a palm tree than a pine tree. Many people opt for fake trees, so there are limited options for live Christmas Trees.

We will go over options for choosing a live Christmas tree or an artificial one.

Check out our article on celebrating Christmas in Porto.

Live Christmas Trees

Many smaller nurseries will carry a few live trees, but from our experience, these are usually three feet or under, and a bit scraggly compared to the bushy Christmas trees we are used to from US tree farms.

Below are the best options for finding a nicely shaped, fairly large tree in Porto.

Jardiland

Jardiland is a large nursery and gardening center in Maia (about 12 Km from downtown Porto). They have a great selection of live Christmas trees, some 6 feet and taller. They mostly offer Norwegian Red Spruce and Nordmann Firs, and offer a delivery service. Prices start at 48€ for the smallest tree.

You’ll also find a few artificial options, lights, ornaments, and other decor.

Location: Estrada Nacional, Av. de Dom Mendo, Maia

Flor do Norte

If you are in Porto or Gaia, Flor do Norte may be a great option. This is a large nursery and has a great selection of plants, planters, etc. They carry live Christmas trees, including several varieties of Spruce and Fir. Delivery is available and priced according to your purchase.

Location: Av. João Paulo II 57, Vila Nova de Gaia

Order from MyNatal

You can order a Christmas tree online from mynatal.pt. They offer cut Norway Spruce and Nordmann Firs, as well as potted trees. The cut ones come with a stand made out of a slit log, bark side up, which is quite pretty.

These trees are not meant to be watered (just spritzed lightly). While they estimate a lifespan of 60 days, I would plan to order early and select delivery right before Christmas. They do sell out, so best to plan ahead.

We ordered a tree from MyNatal when we spent Christmas in Lisbon. Their delivery was easy and professional- they carried the tree up the stairs, into our apartment, and set it up for us. They also offer a service to pick up the tree after the holidays.

We were in an Airbnb for the holidays, with limited time to get set up for Christmas, and no idea where to shop. This was a stress-free way to make our apartment festive without worrying about finding a tree or how to get it back to our apartment.

They deliver all over Portugal for no extra charge, and to the islands for an extra fee. Prices start at 55€.

Off the Street

The last, slightly less dependable, but more traditional method to get a live tree in Porto is from a truck on the side of the road. Traditionally, these trucks park on the Circunvalação, between Hôma and Staples, on the Hôma side of the street.

Artificial Christmas Trees

Artificial Christmas trees are very popular in Porto, so you’ll find options at a lot of different price points. Here are a few of the best options.

El Corte Ingles

Eli Corte Ingles is the top of the line, sort of the “Bloomingdale’s” of Spain. Head to floor five (home department) to find their Christmas set-up with decorations and several types of trees on display.

Trees are placed out on the floor with price tags showing the available sizes. Just tell a sales associate which tree you’d like, and they’ll get it for you from the back. You can also order a tree online once you’ve previewed the styles.

We chose our artificial tree from here, and are very pleased with it. It has a very realistic look and doesn’t have a plasticky feel that we found on less expensive trees. We tried many of the options below before settling on this one. Trees start at around 100€, and go up to 400€.

Location: Av. da República 1435, Vila Nova de Gaia

Hôma

This is a large chain store that sells only home goods. During the holidays, they carry one of the largest selections of artificial trees.

Choose from “Wyoming Green” or “Minnesota Christmas Tree with Snow Effect” among others. You can choose a bright green or a darker green, white flocking, or attached pinecones, and even attached LED lights.

The tallest tree offered is 240 cm (about 8 feet). Trees start at 20€.

Location: Many locations, including Matosinhos Retail Park, Av Arquitecto Fernando Távora, or Estr. da Circunvalação 12252, both in Matosinhos. There are also locations near Companhã, in Gaia and Maia.

Leroy Merlin

This store is best described as a mix between Home Depot and Bed, Bath & Beyond. You’ll find toilet seats, gardening supplies, screws, and general home decor.

Around the holidays, they have a large Christmas section (up front), that includes several artificial tree options. They have green trees, “snow-dusted” trees, and trees with red berries. Trees start at around 40€.

Location: Av Arquitecto Fernano Távora (Matosinhos, close to Mar Shopping), or R. Artur Lobão Peixoto, Vila Nova de Gaia.

Ikea

When you need a tree quickly, Ikea can fill the gap. They have one model, the “Vinterfint”, that comes in two sizes- 150 and 180 cm (approx. 5 feet and 6 feet). It’s a narrow tree that works best for smaller spaces.

At Ikea, you can also shop for inexpensive decorations to go with it. Good for a quick setup or a single Christmas. Prices start at 30€.

Location: Mar Shopping Matosinhos, Av. Dr. Óscar Lopes

Loja Número 1

Just spending a single Christmas in Porto, or want a tree that doesn’t try to look realistic? Need a lot of decorations on a budget? Head to this large Euro store (think similar to a dollar store in the US) to shop for inexpensive trees and aisles of bows, ornaments, and other decorations.

Location: Estr. dad Circunvalaçao 13941-75

Online

At all of the above stores, you can see exactly what you are getting and decide if it’s the texture and look that you want.

If you are ready to order without seeing the tree in advance, you can find great options on Beliani.pt, and of course, Amazon.es.

Christmas Ornaments & Lights

Now that you have a tree, you need things to put on it! These are the best places to find Christmas lights, ornaments, wreaths, and other Christmas decorations.

Christmas markets are a great place to look for single ornaments, particularly if you’re looking for something that says Porto or has a city-specific feel. Don’t miss our guide to Porto’s Christmas markets.

As mentioned above, Leroy Merlin and Ikea both offer a selection of inexpensive ornaments and Christmas lights.

In the malls, you will find several stores with ornaments, including Gato Preto and Maisons du Monde. For details, check our full guide to Christmas shopping in Porto.

Bazar Paris

A toy store for most of the year, in November, this store turns into a winter wonderland full of ornaments, nutcrackers, and other Christmas goodies. This is a good place to find sets of Christmas ball ornaments.

Location: R. de Sá da Bandeira 190

Hôma

This home goods store has a large section for ornaments, including toppers and ornament sets, holiday tableware, garlands, and bows. If you’re looking for themed placemats, dinner plates, or serving dishes, this is the best place to go.

They have a large selection of Christmas lights, from icicle style, to traditional, to strings of light “berries”. Choose between cool white, warm white, colored, blue and white, and more.

You’ll also find a large selection of wrapping paper, gift bags, and gift boxes to handle all your Christmas wrapping needs.

Location: Many locations, including Matosinhos Retail Park, Av Arquitecto Fernando Távora, or Estr. da Circunvalação 12252, both in Matosinhos. There are also locations in Gaia and Maia.

El Corte Ingles

This large department store carries Christmas decor in its fifth-floor home (casa) department. You’ll find ornaments, boughs, wreaths, candle holders, and more.

In front of the store, you’ll find a small “Santa’s Village” with food and drink huts and a wooden house dedicated to ornaments and small decor items, especially for Christmas.

You’ll find several varieties of tree toppers here, as well as ornaments arranged by color themes, wreaths, dried greenery, decor for the table, and figurines.

Location: Av. da República 1435, Vila Nova de Gaia

There You Have It

These are the best places in Porto to find a Christmas tree, whether you want a live, potted, or artificial one. We’ve also covered where to buy lights for the tree and Christmas ornaments to make it look festive.

Don’t miss our list of Christmas concerts and events in Porto, and our full guide to Porto’s holiday markets.

We also have all the Porto Christmas traditions you don’t want to miss! Shopping for gifts? Here are our favorite stores for Christmas presents!