Lisbon Holiday Weather Overview
Lisbon, Portugal's capital city, stands on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Lisbon is not only among the few cities in Western Europe located on an ocean, it is also one of the continent's sunniest and warmest cities.
Things to do and see in Lisbon
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and predates most other European capitals by centuries. It's also a major hub for the arts, and is a popular destination for visitors to Portugal.
However, location and Lisbon weather are just two of the many things which draw tourists to the city. Modern buildings are far outnumbered by structures which have stood in the city for centuries, some of which even survived Lisbon's devastating 1755 earthquake. Sidewalk art and outdoor cafés line Lisbon's streets, and a unique elevator connects the city's upper and lower parts.
Lisbon's skyline can best be seen from the top of the 100m Cristo Rei statue, often compared to Rio de Janeiro's famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Much of Lisbon's lively nightlife is located in the Bairro Alto neighbourhood, while the historic Belem quarter is where several legendary Portuguese explorers set sail for the New World.
Watched over by the Moorish Castelo de Sao Jorge, visitors to Lisbon can explore the quirks of the old city, soak up the delights of some cosmopolitan nightlife, or visit world class art collections in the Museu Gulbenkian.
There are many cultural events held in Lisbon, but some of the most popular include the various film festivals the city is known for. If you're visiting Lisbon in the spring, check out the Indie Film Festival, held annually at the end of April. At the other end of the seasons, the MotelX International Horror Film Festival takes place in September - but whatever chills you get from the films won't be replicated in the streets, as Lisbon is usually still very pleasantly warm at this time of year.
When is the best month to visit Lisbon?
Summer may be Lisbon's warmest and driest season, but it is also the city's busiest tourist season. Fewer tourists, cheaper prices, and mild Lisbon weather can all be found between late September and early October, but early spring is another pleasant time of year to visit. Even winter visitors, however, are bound to enjoy some of the 3,300 hours of sunshine Lisbon enjoys each year. Lisbon airfare and accommodation prices both rise dramatically during the city's Carnaval, which occurs during February or March.
Climate in Lisbon
Lisbon does not have an extreme climate, so the city is comfortable to visit at any time of the year. The hot summers of south Eastern Europe are cooled in Lisbon thanks to the prevailing breezes from the Atlantic; winters are mild and relatively dry, with temperatures rarely falling below 15°C in the day time.
Summer in Lisbon
In July and August, temperatures in Lisbon average out at around 26-27°C, so although you'll want to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and loose clothing, it's not too hot for exploring and enjoying all that the city has to offer.
Be aware, however, that many local people vacate the city during August to head off on their own holidays, so this can leave it feeling rather fake and touristy at times, not to mention more expensive than at other times of the year.
Winter and Autumn in Lisbon
If you're visiting Lisbon in the winter, between November and March, take an umbrella. There's never a huge amount of rain, but you're quite likely to experience some rain. The winter months get around 3-4 inches of rain each, but it's widespread, so in January, for instance, it can rain briefly on as many as 15 days of the month.
During the winter and autumn, take a cardigan or light jacket too, for the chillier nights. It's not unknown for temperatures to fall below freezing overnight in Lisbon, but it is rare.
Spring in Lisbon
Spring can be one of the nicest times to visit Lisbon. In April and May the flowers begin to bloom, and the temperature climbs nicely, but not overwhelmingly. Lisbon is not yet at the peak of its tourist season, so you'll find fewer crowds and a more authentic experience.
What to pack and wear in Lisbon?
Swimsuits and light casual clothing are the most recommended articles of clothing to bring during a Lisbon summer holiday, which will likely include visits to some of Lisbon's nearby beaches. Although heavy winter clothing is unnecessary during Lisbon's coldest months, weather in Lisbon at this time means visitors should bring rain coats, umbrellas, and light jackets to protect themselves against frequent downpours and strong winds.
Best months to visit Lisbon?
June and May are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Lisbon. The weather averages gathered from Lisbon weather forecast and Lisbon weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 24°c and average of 274.3333 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Lisbon?
February and January are the coldest months with temperature at around 9°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Lisbon?
December and November receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 87.79mm.
Travelling to Lisbon? Check out our Weather averages of Lisbon to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Lisbon section.