Lisboa (Lisbon) is Portugal's sun-drenched capital, a city of seven hills overlooking the wide mouth of the Tagus River where it meets the Atlantic. One of Europe's oldest and most atmospheric capitals, Lisbon blends Moorish alleyways, Manueline monasteries, baroque palaces, and cutting-edge contemporary culture into a tapestry of faded grandeur and vibrant renewal. The city's golden Age of Discoveries legacy is visible in every azulejo-tiled facade, and audible in the mournful strains of fado drifting from Alfama's cobbled lanes.
Lisbon enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate (Köppen classification Csa) with over 2,800 hours of sunshine annually, making it Europe's sunniest capital. Summers are hot and dry (June–September), with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C in July and August. Winters are mild and damp (November–February), with temperatures rarely dropping below 8°C. The Atlantic influence moderates extreme heat and occasionally brings storms in autumn and winter. Spring (March–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer ideal conditions with warm temperatures, minimal rain, and fewer crowds than the peak summer months.
Best time to visit
Best: March–June, September–October
Avoid: August (peak summer heat, maximum crowds, highest prices); January–February (wettest months, some closures)
Peak Season: July–August
Notes: May is widely considered the finest month to visit: wildflowers carpet Sintra's hills, temperatures are comfortable for walking, and the city is alive but not overwhelmed by tourists. September and October offer warm sea temperatures (around 20°C/68°F) at the Atlantic beaches, significantly thinner crowds, and lower hotel rates. June is popular for the Festas de Lisboa festivities around Santo António (June 12–13).
Items:
- Month
- January
- Temp high
- 15°C/59°F
- Temp low
- 8°C/46°F
- Rainfall
- ~75mm
- Crowd
- Very Low
- Notes
- Quiet and affordable. Good for museums and the National Tile Museum. Some rain, but bright days occur. The Alentejo sees almond blossoms.
- Month
- February
- Temp high
- 16°C/61°F
- Temp low
- 9°C/48°F
- Rainfall
- ~65mm
- Crowd
- Very Low
- Notes
- Pre-spring quietude. Low accommodation prices. Occasional warm spells with 18°C and blue skies.
- Month
- March
- Temp high
- 18°C/64°F
- Temp low
- 11°C/52°F
- Rainfall
- ~45mm
- Crowd
- Low–Medium
- Notes
- Season begins to wake up. Comfortable walking temperatures. Sintra looks beautiful with spring greenery.
- Month
- April
- Temp high
- 20°C/68°F
- Temp low
- 12°C/54°F
- Rainfall
- ~45mm
- Crowd
- Medium
- Notes
- Easter weekend sees a significant visitor spike. Spring flowers throughout city parks and Sintra forests.
- Month
- May
- Temp high
- 23°C/73°F
- Temp low
- 14°C/57°F
- Rainfall
- ~30mm
- Crowd
- Medium–High
- Notes
- Arguably Lisbon's finest month. Long days, warm and sunny, lively city atmosphere, manageable crowds.
- Month
- June
- Temp high
- 27°C/81°F
- Temp low
- 17°C/63°F
- Rainfall
- ~15mm
- Crowd
- High
- Notes
- Festas de Lisboa around June 12–13 make the city exceptionally lively. Hot and sunny; outdoor dining ideal.
- Month
- July
- Temp high
- 29°C/84°F
- Temp low
- 19°C/66°F
- Rainfall
- ~5mm
- Crowd
- Very High
- Notes
- Peak summer. Hot and dry. Atlantic beaches busiest. Book all accommodation and major attractions in advance.
- Month
- August
- Temp high
- 30°C/86°F
- Temp low
- 19°C/66°F
- Rainfall
- ~5mm
- Crowd
- Very High
- Notes
- Hottest and most crowded month. Highest prices. Early morning sightseeing strongly advised; afternoons are very hot.
- Month
- September
- Temp high
- 27°C/81°F
- Temp low
- 18°C/64°F
- Rainfall
- ~25mm
- Crowd
- High
- Notes
- Excellent month. Warm sea temperatures for beach days. Crowds thinning after mid-September. Harvest festivals in wine regions.
- Month
- October
- Temp high
- 22°C/72°F
- Temp low
- 15°C/59°F
- Rainfall
- ~55mm
- Crowd
- Medium
- Notes
- Very pleasant. Occasional showers but many fine days. Great for hiking in Sintra and Arrábida. Lower prices.
- Month
- November
- Temp high
- 17°C/63°F
- Temp low
- 11°C/52°F
- Rainfall
- ~85mm
- Crowd
- Low
- Notes
- Wetter season begins. Good for culture, museums, and food. Roasted chestnut vendors appear on the streets.
- Month
- December
- Temp high
- 15°C/59°F
- Temp low
- 9°C/48°F
- Rainfall
- ~75mm
- Crowd
- Low–Medium
- Notes
- Christmas lights and markets add festive cheer. Mild temperatures for winter. New Year's Eve fireworks over the Tagus are spectacular.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
Items
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Items
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- January–February
- Level
- Very Low
- Description
- Quietest period. Monuments and museums virtually tourist-free. Very affordable.
- Period
- March–April
- Level
- Low–Medium
- Description
- Growing. Easter week spikes noticeably; outside Easter, still pleasantly uncrowded.
- Period
- May
- Level
- Medium
- Description
- Increasing visitor numbers but still manageable. High season approaching.
- Period
- June
- Level
- High
- Description
- Festas de Lisboa (mid-June) fills the city. Accommodation books up quickly around June 12–13.
- Period
- July–August
- Level
- Peak
- Description
- Maximum crowds. Tram 28 is standing-room only. Jerónimos Monastery queues can reach 90 minutes without pre-booking.
- Period
- September–mid-October
- Level
- Medium–High
- Description
- Still busy but noticeably less intense than August. One of the best periods overall.
- Period
- Late October–November
- Level
- Low–Medium
- Description
- Crowd levels drop markedly. Good availability and moderate prices.
- Period
- December
- Level
- Low–Medium
- Description
- Quiet except around Christmas and New Year's Eve, which sees increased visitors.
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Lisbon's most beloved popular festival, honouring the city's patron saint António de Lisboa (St. Anthony of Padua). Every neighbourhood holds an arraial with grilled sardines, wine, music, and dancing. The official Marcha Popular parade on Avenida da Liberdade is a spectacular procession of local district groups in traditional costume.
Street festivals continuing the Santos Populares tradition across the city into late June, though less central to Lisbon than to Porto.
One of Europe's largest music festivals, held at Parque da Bela Vista with international headline acts. Draws very large crowds to the city.
Major international music festival at Passeio Marítimo de Algés (western Lisbon), featuring rock, pop, and electronic headliners.
Lisbon's LGBTQ+ Pride festival in Parque Eduardo VII, one of the largest in Iberia, with concerts, markets, and a parade.
The Maratona de Lisboa runs through the city's most scenic areas, including Belém and the Tagus riverside. Road closures affect transport around the route.
Europe's largest technology conference, held at the Altice Arena in Parque das Nações, draws 70,000+ visitors and significantly affects hotel availability and prices in early November.
Markets appear in Praça do Comércio, Rossio, and Príncipe Real. The city is beautifully decorated with lights along Avenida da Liberdade.
Free public celebrations and fireworks over the Tagus River, with the best views from the waterfront at Praça do Comércio and Belém. One of Europe's finest public New Year spectacles.