Month guide · Lisbon · Portugal
Lisbon in May
What May is really like in Lisbon: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin de Lusenet from Heemskerk, Netherlands, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Lisbon. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 14.3 hours of daylight. Warm, sunny and still comfortable — one of the best months to visit before summer crowds peak.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Lisbon: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with April (20°C (68°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:24
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:41
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Sea
- 16°C (61°F)
Spring (March–May). Warm, sunny days, blooming jacaranda by late May and comfortable hill walking, with Easter and 25 April bringing busy weekends.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Lisbon Book Fair in Parque Eduardo VII (usually late May into June)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Castle · Alfama
São Jorge Castle
Go late afternoon for the light on the city, and take bus 737 or a taxi up if the climb through Alfama is too steep.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Alfama
Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia
A walk down from the castle passes the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, with its tiled walls and bougainvillea, and the Portas do Sol terrace, then descends through stairways and alleys to the fortress-like Sé, Lisbon's 12th-century cathedral.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Views
.jpg){kind=link}
Experience · Graça
Tram 28
Board at the Martim Moniz or Campo de Ourique terminus early in the morning for a seat, and keep valuables zipped away: the route is notorious for pickpockets.
- Time needed
- 40–50 minutes end to end
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- Photo spot
Landmark · Baixa
Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch
The royal palace stood here until the 1755 earthquake; its replacement is a vast arcaded square opening onto the Tagus, with the equestrian statue of King José I and the Cais das Colunas steps leading into the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 13°C and 6 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Lisbon?
One of the best months to visit Lisbon, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April, June and September–October. Compare every month.
Lisbon in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Lisbon?
It is one of the best months to visit Lisbon. Warm, sunny and still comfortable — one of the best months to visit before summer crowds peak.
+How warm is Lisbon in May?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lisbon in May?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.