One of the oldest cities in the world, Portugal’s charming capital Lisbon is full of fascinating monuments, museums, and monasteries. Spread across seven hills, its steep cobbled streets and atmospheric-old neighborhoods are loads of fun to explore.
Also known for its lively nightlife and fabulous Fado music, it is visited by countless millions each year. While the vast majority head here in summer when the days are hottest, both its sunny spring and autumn months are also lovely times to stop by.
To help you plan your trip, let’s now take a look month-by-month at its climate, crowds, and cultural events. This will help you decide when is best to visit Lisboa based on your budget and what’s going on.
What’s the Weather Like in Lisbon?
Set at the mouth of the Tagus River alongside the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon’s climate is heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream. As such, the coastal city has warm to hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
In July and August, temperatures average 28°C (82°F) with their long days being sunny and a little humid. Aside from sightseeing, people use these hottest months to go sunbathing or swimming at its nearby beaches.
Due to its setting by the ocean, its weather can be a bit windy and change fast, particularly in spring, autumn, and winter. During the latter months, temperatures drop to around 15°C (59°F) with it also raining for 14 days on average.
Best months to visit Lisbon
As the city is pretty packed in summer, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are often considered the best times to visit. A bit cooler but still warm, dry, and sunny, March through May and September and October are great for both sightseeing and being outdoors.
Hotel prices and flights are also more affordable during these periods and its sights, streets, and squares are less clogged. Lots of exciting events take place with all its blooming flowers or colourful trees’ leaves only adding to Lisbon’s beauty.
June, July, and August are when the capital is at its most crowded as the weather is hot, the days are sunny and people have summer holidays. There is a very vibrant feel as all kinds of fun festivals go on and visitors flock to its beaches, museums, and nightlife spots.
Lisbon in January
One of the quietest months tourist-wise, January is also one of the coldest, rainiest times in Lisbon. The weather is often quite unpredictable so wet, cloudy, chilly days (or even weeks!) can be followed by bright blue skies and sunshine. While it’s not a great time to visit Sintra or Cascais, sightseeing should be fine as there are fewer people around.
As Christmas and New Year’s are over, prices are way cheaper with the weather usually still much warmer than most of Northern Europe. If the sun is shining, you can see Belem Tower, Sao Jorge Castle, and Jeronimos Monastery with barely anyone around.
Lisbon in February
While February is just as rainy as January, its days are at least a bit longer and warmer with more tourists visiting as a result. As it is still the off-season though, both its accommodation options and airfares are very reasonable.
Although its skies can be a bit grey and drizzly, you should still have a nice time wandering about its old Alfama District or around the Praca do Comercio. Make sure to layer up though and take an umbrella with you. Lisbon’s colourful carnival celebrations also help to brighten up things a bit.
Lisbon in March
As spring is in the air and the Easter crowds are yet to arrive, March is often a magnificent month to explore Lisbon. Average temperatures rise to 18°C (64°F) with it also raining a lot less. With 7 hours of sunshine and 12 of daylight per day, there’s more than enough time to stroll about all its steep streets and sprawling squares.
Both flights and hotels are still not expensive though as relatively few people visit compared with later in the year. While the weather can turn windy and wet quite quickly, it’s not a bad time to take day trips to historic cities like Evora and Fatima. Lisbon Fashion Week is a huge draw as all the latest looks and trends are modeled on its catwalks.
Lisbon in April
April sees prices shoot up along with the crowds as tons of people head here for the Easter holidays. As the winter rains subside and all the flowers and trees begin to bloom, it’s a lovely time to amble about all its historic, hilly neighborhoods. Some of its main sights and places like Sintra will be pretty busy though.
Other than sampling delicious local dishes at its Fish and Flavours Festival, you can listen to enchanting choirs and classical concerts at The Days of Music in Belem. Besides stopping by its beautiful botanical gardens, the good weather means you can enjoy some sublime views over the city. The Lisbon Half Marathon also goes on if you fancy a challenge!
Lisbon in May
May is even better weatherwise as the days are longer, sunnier, and warmer. With averages hovering around the low 20s (roughly 70°F), plenty of people start to visit its nearby beach towns like Cascais, Setubal, and Sesimbra. Although prices remain higher, they are still much cheaper than the teeming summer months.
Definitely one of the best months to visit, Lisbon in May has a wonderful lively feel without it yet being too busy. Some great events also take place like the IndieLisboa Film Festival and its summer-long series of Out Jazz concerts. As only a little rain falls, you can wander about Lisbon Zoo and peruse the Feira da Ladra flea market without worrying about getting wet.
Lisbon in June
As fun events seem to take place almost every day in June, an excited buzz reigns over the city the entire month. As well as parties and parades for Pride and Portuguese National Day, there is the hugely popular Rock in Rio music festival going on. With average temperatures now hitting 25°C (77°F), you can either sightsee or sunbathe and swim, depending on what you prefer.
Although it is not quite yet peak season, prices are higher and there are large crowds at its main tourist sites and museums. Colourful decorations, concerts, and street parties are also held over the first two weeks for its traditional Popular Saints’ Festivals. In addition, you can listen to superb chamber music performances at the Festival de Sintra’s picturesque palaces and gardens.
Lisbon in July
Along with August, July is the hottest, busiest month of the year in Lisbon. With 11 hours of sunshine a day, conditions couldn’t be better for lounging on the beach at Cascais or walking along the rocky promontories at Cabo Da Roca. Their sands and trails will be pretty packed, however, as vast crowds descend upon the capital and its scenic surroundings.
As everyone is on holiday, prices for flights and hotels are much more expensive. Queues also form at trendy restaurants and top tourist attractions like Jeronimos Monastery and the Santa Justa Elevator. The sweltering temperatures can also make sightseeing a bit tiring and sticky, particularly when clambering up its steep streets. Lots of cool music festivals are held though such as Super Bock Super Rock, the Sumol Summer Fest, and COOLJAZZ.
Lisbon in August
August is even more crowded and expensive with the whole center of the city thronging with people. More local areas are almost deserted though as most Lisboetas head off on holiday themselves, to either the countryside or the Algarve. Its hotels, restaurants, and museums will be very full as will nearby beaches and towns like Sintra and Estoril.
Although hot and humid, gentle sea breezes and the narrow, shady streets of its historic-old neighborhoods should provide some respite from the sun. Numerous exhibitions and music shows are put on along its riverfront for the Festival dos Oceanos. The Jazz em Agosto and Paredes de Coura festivals also attract loads of music lovers.
Lisbon in September
Once the summer holidays are over and the kids are back in school, September is a calmer, cheaper month to visit Lisbon. While still very popular, the prices for both hotels and flights fall considerably. Averages of 27°C (so 80°F) are still amazing for relaxing on the beach or exploring Sao Jorge Castle and seeing the Cristo Rei Statue.
While the days start to shorten, there are still roughly 9 hours of sunshine to amble about in with the weather remaining mostly dry. At the end of the month, you just have to check out the Santa Casa Alfama Festival. For two days, the fabulous sound of Fado rings out around the already atmospheric neighborhood, with many of the nation’s top singers performing.
Lisbon in October
Along with spring and September, October is one of the best months of the year to visit the cool capital. With fewer people around, you can admire both Belem Tower and its Monument to the Discoveries before heading to enjoy Bairro Alto’s lively nightlife scene. It does start to rain a bit more though with only a couple of days being suitable for the beach.
Before the weather worsens, it’s not a bad time to take day trips to popular destinations like Sintra, Obidos, and Alcobaca. Back in Lisbon, the Museum Gulbenkian and Time Out Market should also be less crowded. Other than seeing all its main tourist sights, you can take part in the Lisbon Marathon or watch screenings for the DocLisboa Film Festival.
Lisbon in November
While average temperatures of 18°C (64°F) are really not all that bad, the number of people visiting Lisbon drops dramatically in November. It is one of the rainiest months though with there now also being just 5 hours of sunshine and 10 of daylight a day. As such, you’ll want to take a light jacket and umbrella around with you when sightseeing.
The lower prices and crowds make it a decent enough month to visit, though its 13 days of rain can make clambering up slippy cobbled streets quite challenging. Aside from spending time in Ajuda National Palace or the Museu Coleção Berardo, visitors can watch all the latest releases at the Lisboa Film Festival. Its Web Summit also attracts all the world’s largest tech companies and leading speakers to town.
Lisbon in December
Although it is one of the coldest, wettest, darkest months of the year in Lisbon, December is still much better here than most of the rest of Europe. While quite rainy, mild temperatures mean you can see its sights and museums without having to wear a huge coat. Lovely lights and Christmas decorations are also strung up about its main streets and squares.
While prices rise around the holidays, hotels and flights are still much more affordable than in the summer months. Besides exploring its Christmas markets, you can spend time indoors at its National Azulejo Museum or Fado Museum. Spectacular fireworks displays and music shows are also held at Praca do Comercio and Parque das Nacoes for New Year’s Eve.
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