Find out about Lisbon climate and weather by month and start planning your trip to this enchanting Portuguese city. We’ve put together an overview of all the weather information, month by month.
Lisbon’s temperatures month by month
Overall, Lisbon’s average annual temperatures are in the range of 18 ºC. Lisbon’s climate is considered temperate, with short, long winters and very hot summers. See the graph below for the city’s temperature by month:
1. What is summer like in Lisbon?
The summer season begins on June 21 and lasts until September 20. The most intense summer month is August, with temperatures ranging from 16 ºC to 31 ºC. Unfortunately, however, it is becoming increasingly common for these temperatures to exceed 35 ºC, along with a rise in the thermal sensation.
On a positive note, the days are quite long in summer, which is great for walking around and seeing more of the city’s sights. On some days, you’ll see the sun out until 9pm.
- Rainfall: between July and August, the incidence of rainfall is the lowest of the year, making it ideal for walking in the open air – however, it’s worth remembering that this is the period with the most tourists on the streets of Lisbon.
- What to pack? Opt for light clothing, such as dresses, skirts, shorts and hats. But don’t forget to pack at least one coat. This is because it can be very windy in Portuguese summers. The same goes for shoes: take sandals and, at the same time, sneakers and comfortable shoes for walking around all day.
- Pay attention to prices and queues: everything is more expensive at this time of year, as Portugal receives a large number of tourists.
- The beaches in summer: summer is a great time to visit the beaches near Lisbon. The ones we like best and recommend you visit are Praia da Figueirinha (west of Setúbal), Praia de Carcavelos, and the beaches of Cascais, which can be reached in half an hour by train. An interesting fact is that, even in summer, the sea is cooler.
- Admire the sunset from the viewpoints: this is the perfect season to visit one of Lisbon’s MANY viewpoints, as the clear skies provide an unforgettable view of the city. Our favorite viewpoints are Miradouro da Santa Luzia and Senhora do Monte, in the Graça area.
- Nightlife in Lisbon: the bars and clubs in the Portuguese capital are also buzzing at this time of year, as this is when there are the most tourists in the city – especially in August. We’ve already told you more about the best places to go out at night in Lisbon, click here.
- Summer festivals in Lisbon: this is the season with the most festivals! For example, for those who like electronic music, pop and rap, there are the Meo, Sudoeste and NOS Alive festivals, which host international acts. For those who prefer jazz, there’s also Outjazz, a music festival in the parks. Our recommendation for those who like concerts is Monsanto Open Air, which takes place in Monsanto Park.
- Festa dos Santos Populares: being a mostly Catholic country, the Portuguese start celebrating the Festa dos Santos Populares on June 12. The festival is very lively, with decorated streets, neighborhoods full of festivities (Alfama, Graça and Mouraria are the liveliest), as well as music, drinks and food served under the open sky – super cool, isn’t it?
Important tip: Lisbon is a city that has many museums, attractions and tours. Always buy the tickets in advance. We always buy everything on this website that has the best price.
2. What’s the fall weather like in Lisbon?
Portuguese fall begins on September 21 and lasts until December 20. Unlike the summer, this is one of the rainiest seasons of the year, especially in November and December, and with intense winds. At this time, the temperature ranges from 8 ºC to 22 ºC.
- What to pack? We recommend t-shirts, pants, shorts and maybe even swimwear. Try to pack a raincoat and non-fabric shoes too.
- What can you enjoy about the city this season? There’s quite a list: with the weather cooling down, you can start by going to wineries and tasting wine. If you want to go outdoors, we recommend planning for days without rain – weather apps are a great ally at this time of year. One of the great things about this time of year is that you can focus on sightseeing in closed places, such as Lisbon’s museums, which will be emptier and have shorter queues during the low season.
- Extra tip: if you choose to visit Lisbon in the fall, be sure to try the roasted chestnuts sold on street carts. As well as being delicious, it’s a tradition on colder days.
3. What is the winter weather like in Lisbon?
Lisbon’s winter starts on December 21 and lasts until March 20. The season is not as harsh in Portugal, with January being the coldest month, with a minimum temperature of 6 ºC – and a maximum of 16 ºC.
The months of the season are marked by a lot of rain and wind, which increases the sensation of cold. So remember to travel with thick coats and warm clothes.
- What to pack? We recommend heavy coats, woolen clothes and shoes that protect against the cold. Also remember to keep your feet dry and wear quality gloves, scarves and hats. Another alternative is to buy clothes in Portugal, taking advantage of the fact that the offer and prices are usually better – after Christmas, there are big promotions in the shopping malls.
- What to enjoy in the country? Our tip for you is that, if you can, take a day to go to Serra da Estrela, in the north of Portugal. There you can see the snow and go skiing, as well as taste the authentic, delicious and award-winning Serra da Estrela cheese. Taking advantage of the tips for the fall, it’s also worth investing in visits to indoor places. Just don’t forget that, at this time of year, most of these places have shorter opening hours.
- Our extra tip: don’t miss out on the traditional roasted chestnuts that are sold on street carts during the winter. Other typical seasonal dishes are Portuguese stew, Alentejo açorda, octopus rice and the delicious codfish cakes with tomato rice.
- Ice rinks: it’s quite common to see ice rinks in Portugal at Christmas time! You’ll probably find some in Parque Eduardo VII and the UBBO shopping center. But other rinks are also springing up in the Cascais and Almada regions.
4. What is the spring weather like in Lisbon?
This is one of the most beautiful times of the year: in spring, the city blooms and the weather becomes milder and sunnier. The season begins on March 21 and lasts until June 20, with the temperature gradually rising with the arrival of summer, reaching 28 ºC.
Spring is considered the best time to visit the Portuguese capital: the heat is bearable and it’s not high season. It’s the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll around the city.
- What to pack? The great thing is that you can pack everything: t-shirts, pants, shorts, light and medium jackets. The strong sun is not a problem at this time of year, nor is the rain. So just balance your suitcase for the heat/cold that can alternate throughout the days.
- What to enjoy? Our first recommendation is the parks. There are many parks open in Lisbon. So take the opportunity to walk the streets, admire the colors of the city and enjoy the weather. And you can enjoy good days at the beach, just like in summer.
- Extra tip: for those who suffer from rhinitis and other respiratory problems, it’s worth paying attention to the amount of pollen in the air, which tends to be high at this time of year.
Save money on your trip to Lisbon:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Lisbon cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Lisbon tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Lisbon. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
