Best time to visit · Lisbon · Portugal
The best time to visit Lisbon
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Quick answer
The best times to visit Lisbon are March to May and September to October, when it is warm and sunny without the peak summer heat and crowds. June is festive and busy with the Santo António celebrations; July and August are hot and good for beaches; winter is mild, rainy at times and the lowest-priced season.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March and November
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 15°C (59°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Seasons
Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry, sunny summers. Atlantic breezes usually keep summer evenings comfortable, though heatwaves can push temperatures well above 35°C.
March–May
Spring
Warm, sunny days, blooming jacaranda by late May and comfortable hill walking, with Easter and 25 April bringing busy weekends.
June–August
Summer
Hot, dry and the busiest season, with June street festivals, beach days on the Cascais line and the highest hotel prices.
September–November
Autumn
Warm sea in September, pleasant October days and the first rains in November, when prices drop.
December–February
Winter
Mild and green with rainy spells; uncrowded sights, Christmas lights in the Baixa and the lowest hotel rates.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C | 8°C | 10 | 15°C | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 16°C | 9°C | 9 | 14°C | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 19°C | 10°C | 8 | 15°C | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 20°C | 11°C | 9 | 15°C | 13.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 23°C | 13°C | 6 | 16°C | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 26°C | 16°C | 2 | 17°C | 14.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| July | 28°C | 18°C | 1 | 18°C | 14.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 29°C | 18°C | 1 | 19°C | 13.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 27°C | 17°C | 3 | 19°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 23°C | 15°C | 8 | 18°C | 11.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 18°C | 11°C | 9 | 17°C | 10 h | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 15°C | 9°C | 10 | 16°C | 9.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Carnival — parades in nearby towns such as Torres Vedras (February or March, depending on Easter) |
| March | Lisbon Half Marathon (usually March) |
| April | Freedom Day — Carnation Revolution anniversary parade on Avenida da Liberdade (25 April); IndieLisboa film festival (usually late April to May) |
| May | Lisbon Book Fair in Parque Eduardo VII (usually late May into June) |
| June | Santo António festivities — marches on Avenida da Liberdade and street parties in Alfama (night of 12–13 June); Festas de Lisboa — concerts and arraiais throughout June |
| July | NOS Alive music festival in Algés (usually July) |
| August | Jazz em Agosto at the Gulbenkian (usually August) |
| October | Lisbon Marathon (usually October); Doclisboa documentary film festival (usually October) |
| November | São Martinho — roasted chestnuts and new wine (around 11 November); Web Summit tech conference fills hotels (usually November) |
| December | Christmas lights and markets in the Baixa (December); New Year's Eve fireworks at Praça do Comércio (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February and November, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Lisbon?
The best times to visit Lisbon are March to May and September to October, when it is warm and sunny without the peak summer heat and crowds. June is festive and busy with the Santo António celebrations; July and August are hot and good for beaches; winter is mild, rainy at times and the lowest-priced season.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Lisbon?
Usually in January–February and November. Mild by northern European standards, with sunny spells between Atlantic rain fronts; quiet sights and low hotel prices.
+What is the rainiest month in Lisbon?
January, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Lisbon get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 29°C (84°F) and lows of 18°C (64°F).