Season guide · Lisbon · Portugal
Lisbon in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Warm, sunny days, blooming jacaranda by late May and comfortable hill walking, with Easter and 25 April bringing busy weekends. Expect highs up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F), with about 23 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 10°C (50°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 23
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F) to 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 19°C (66°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 8 | 11.8 h | 3/5 |
| April | 20°C (68°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 | 13.2 h | 4/5 |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 6 | 14.3 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 21°C (70°F) against a yearly 22°C (72°F), and 23 of the year's roughly 76 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Lisbon Half Marathon (usually March)
- April: Freedom Day — Carnation Revolution anniversary parade on Avenida da Liberdade (25 April)
- April: IndieLisboa film festival (usually late April to May)
- May: Lisbon Book Fair in Parque Eduardo VII (usually late May into June)
Make the most of the weather
Landmark · Belém
Belém Tower
Built between 1514 and 1519 to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbour, this small Manueline fortress stands at the river's edge decorated with stone ropes, crosses of the Order of Christ and a carved rhinoceros.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
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
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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
Day trips in spring
- Sintra (About 40 minutes by train) — Sintra's wooded hills hide the brightly painted Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, the mystical gardens and initiation well of Quinta da Regaleira and the Monserrate palace.
- Cascais and Estoril (About 40 minutes by train) — The coastal line runs past beaches to the old fishing town of Cascais, with sandy coves, a marina, the Boca do Inferno sea cliffs and the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego museum.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Lisbon?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Warm, sunny days, blooming jacaranda by late May and comfortable hill walking, with Easter and 25 April bringing busy weekends.
+What is the weather like in Lisbon in spring?
Highs of up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F), with about 23 rainy days over the season.