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Sunny weather in Lisbon in April and amazing events
April showers bring May flowers might be a common expression where you live, and the weather in April in Lisbon is no different. Although there will be plenty of sunny days, you can also expect some rain.
April is still the low season in the city. There will be fewer crowds, and you can enjoy cheaper accommodations than in the high season.
Since moving to Lisbon, the autumn, winter, and spring seasons have become my favourites. It’s not too cold, the sun shines often, and the days are getting longer. And the flowers will also slowly start to bloom!
In this travel guide, I will highlight some benefits of travelling to Lisbon in April and share some fun events and day trips from the capital!
April Lisbon weather
The temperatures in slowly start to rise. You can still expect some colder days at the beginning of the month, but closer to May, you’ll mostly be wearing dresses, shorts and t-shirts! The average temperature in Lisbon in April is 14 °C degrees (57.2 °F).
You can expect an average low temperature of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and an average high of 19 °C (66.2 °F)degrees. But there are probably also some days with temperatures up to 25 °C (77 °F).
In the evening, the temperature drops to around 11 °C (51.8 °F), and in the early morning, it can be chilly, too. The sea temperature is around 16 °C (60.8 °F), and with sunny weather, you can already visit the Lisbon beaches! If you decide to visit Sintra and the coast near Lisbon, you can expect colder temperatures, too.
Tip!
For the current weather forecast, check the IPMA website.
How rainy is Portugal in April?
In the last few years, I’ve noticed that Lisbon is colder at the beginning of April and might rain a bit more. However, the weather data is constantly changing, and we’ve also had beach days in March! The average rainfall in April is 12 days, with 68.1 mm of rain.
Daylight hours, sunrise and sunset
At the end of March, daylight savings begins, and summer begins. The days become longer in April. At the beginning of April, the sun rises at 7:20 AM and sets around 8 PM. Towards the end of the month, the sunrise is at 6:40 AM, and the sunset is at 8:30 PM. The average sunshine is 8 hours per day.
What to wear in April?
With the unpredictable weather in April in Lisbon, it’s best to pack layers for the city break. To save space in your suitcase, you can wear a light jacket or a jumper on the plane. These will come in handy on colder days. However, you should also bring short-sleeved tops, shorts, dresses, and sunglasses.
If it rains, good, sturdy shoes are advised, as the Portuguese pavement can be very slippery (unfortunately, I’m speaking from experience and have fallen more than once). Remember to also bring swimwear and sun protection when visiting the beaches near Lisbon.
Things to do with the sunny April weather
I’ve selected some tips for sunshine and rainy days, but there is a lot more to do in Lisbon. These ideas should give you some ideas of things to do in April so you can create your own amazing itinerary.
Visit the Lisbon parks!
With the warmer temperatures in April, it’s time to explore the many parks in the city! The flowers start blooming towards the end of the month and peak in May and June (depending on the trees and flowers). The bougainvillaea is one of the first to appear, and it blooms all across the summer season.
Parque Eduardo VII is the largest park in downtown Lisbon. If you like hiking, I recommend the enormous Parque Florestal de Monsanto. Jardim da Estrela is fun with kids as there is a large playground, and Jardim do Torel is a lovely park with a view.
🌴 Here are some of my favourite parks:
- Estufa Fria
- Botanical Gardens in Lisbon
- Tropical Botanical Gardens in Belém
- Garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Tip: Book a Photoshoot
Book a photoshoot with me in Lisbon with the beautiful flowers in the background! I love photographing in Alfama, downtown Lisbon, Bairro Alto and Belém, and photoshoots are available throughout the city. Contact me for availability, or check this article for more information about what to expect.
Discover the city by tuk-tuk
One of the easiest ways to tackle the Lisbon hills is by booking a tuk-tuk tour. In a very short time, you can zigzag your way through the city and see a lot! The tour guides are also very knowledgeable, and you’ll hear plenty of stories about Lisbon’s history and monuments. You can make a mental note and visit the monuments from the inside at a later stage.
You can book a tuk-tuk tour on the street (you will be asked a lot), but it’s better to book in advance online for the best prices (and no surprises).
🛺 Here are some of my favourite routes:
See the museums on a rainy day
There might be some stormy days in Lisbon, so it’s wise to have a plan B in case it rains. Thankfully, there are plenty of things to do with rain, and one option is to visit the museums. My favourites are MAAT and the Gulbenkian Museum.
MAAT has new exhibitions every few months, and your tickets include a visit to the former power station. The exhibitions at the Gulbenkian Museum are very diverse, and they also have temporary exhibitions.
Other favourites are the National Tile Museum, the National Coach Museum, the MUDE Design Museum, and the Quake Museum (all about the 1755 earthquake). Quake is very interactive and fun for older children. The 3D Fun Museum is suitable for all ages.
A day at the beach
April is a wonderful month to visit the Lisbon beaches! With sunny weather, you can board the Cais de Sodré train and travel towards Cascais. There are some beaches in Cascais, but you can exit the train earlier and discover beaches such as Praia de Paço de Arcos, Praia da Torre, Praia de Carcavelos, and Praia de São Pedro do Estoril.
Near Cascais, you can visit the much-loved Praia do Guincho (especially loved by surfers) or explore the other beaches along the Sintra Coast. One of my favourites is Ursa Beach, which is so wild! There are also some beautiful hiking trails nearby that offer stunning views!
If you prefer the beaches further towards the Atlantic coast, you can visit Costa da Caparica. These beaches are also popular for surfing, but it can be very windy here. As you can see, there are many outdoor activities to choose from!
Enjoy the sunset from the Tagus River
After a day filled with sights, it’s time to relax. And what better way than to embark on a sailboat in Belém and enjoy a Tagus River Cruise during sunset? Most boat tours last 2 hours, and you’ll receive a welcome drink on board.
You’ll sail along the riverside towards Alfama and return on the south banks of the river. It’s one of my favourite Lisbon experiences, and I tend to book a cruise once a year!
⛵️ Book your boat tour ⛵️
Lisbon attractions that require upfront bookings in April
Although April in Lisbon is still the low season, it is getting busier, and some sights are always well-visited. I created an easy list of attractions for you so you know what you can plan and book ahead.
- The Jerónimos Monastery – getting busy from April onwards
- The Belém Tower – skip the ticket queue
- Pena Palace in Sintra (requires a timeslot)
- Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra (requires a timeslot)
April in Lisbon events
Italian Film Festival’26
This year, the Italian Film Festival ’26 will be held from April 9th to 19th. It’s one of the country’s most popular film festivals and is perfect for those who love Italian culture. The festival will include music, literature, art, and gastronomic events.
Sónar Lisboa
Sónar is all about music, innovation, and creativity. They will be back in April 2027!
Easter holidays
Of course, Easter falls in April and is a national holiday in Portugal. You might expect some closures on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Many monuments are closed or have different opening times, so it’s important to check this upfront. Easter in 2026 is between April 3rd and 6th.
I recommend visiting Óbidos during the Holy Week if you’d like to join the celebrations. There will be a Eucharistic Procession on Easter Sunday, and the streets will be decorated with palm leaves and other plants. Óbidos is a colourful town, and with the many seasonal flowers, it’s even prettier!
Freedom Day
One of the most important events is April 25th. The Carnation Revolution happened on April 25th 1974 (25 de Abril), and it celebrates the bloodless military coup against the Estado Novo regime. In 2024, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of democracy in Portugal, and celebrations are held nationwide each year.
Day trips from Lisbon
If you stay three days or more in Lisbon, you’ll also have time to explore some amazing places near the capital. I’ve compiled a list of possible day trips from the city to get you started.
Sintra
Sintra is an incredible place to discover nearby Lisbon, and many tourists visit year-round. Sintra is mostly known for its palaces and Moorish Castle, and Sintra Town is super charming. You can visit the beautiful Palace of Pena, which is high on top of the Sintra Mountains, or discover the beautiful gardens of Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace.
If you prefer exploring hidden gems, I can recommend Biester Palace, the Convent of the Capuchos, and Villa Sassetti. With warm weather, you can also explore coastal towns such as Praia das Maçãs and Azenhas do Mar.
You can reach Sintra easily by train or Uber and don’t need to rent a car. But if you want to see the coast, a car is easiest. So unless you stay in Sintra overnight or longer, I suggest arranging a day trip (or private) with a guide. They can show you one or two palaces, Cabo da Roca (the most western point of mainland Europe), and a coastal town.
Berlengas Islands
Last April, we embarked on an incredible adventure. We spent a night on an inhabited island—well, apart from the fishermen, that is. The Berlengas archipelago is just off the coast of Peniche, and it was an incredible experience!
You can enjoy a day trip to the island from Lisbon and spend a few hours in nature before returning to Lisbon on the same day. There are some hiking trails, and one of the highlights is visiting the fort.
You can also embark on a smaller boat and enjoy a cave tour or step onboard in Peniche. We decided to stay a night in the only B&B on the island, and we were the first and only guests in April!
Here is the caveat: the weather in April in Portugal can be changeable. With bad wind, the boats might be cancelled, so there is a chance that your trip falls into the water. If you want to be sure of the trip, it’s best to go in summer, but in the peak season, you will not be the only one here.
April was particularly pleasant, as there were not many day tourists either. Once the last boat left, we had a great time hiking, and it became one of my favourite destinations in Portugal. The following morning, there was a little rain, but it was still warm enough to swim!
Évora
Another great place is Évora, which is much easier to get to! You can take a train from Lisboa Oriente and reach the UNESCO city in under two hours. Highlights are the Roman Temple, Évora Cathedral (you can climb the roof), and Palácio de Dom Manuel with its gardens. The Bones Chapel Capela dos Ossos is another must-see.
Évora is located in the Alentejo Region, which is known for its fantastic wines and cork trees. If you rent a car, you can visit a vineyard or stay the weekend and book a wine hotel!
There are also many fabulous day excursions from Lisbon. Some include a wine tasting, seeing the old megaliths, and a visit to Monsaraz.
🍷 Here are some fantastic options:
Hotels in Lisbon
Lisbon has many incredible hotels, and the downtown area is especially popular because it’s close to all the tourist attractions. You can book a hotel in Bairro Alto, Chiado, Alfama, or near Avenida da Liberdade. Use the map below to find accommodations in these areas, but I’ve also highlighted three amazing hotels in Lisbon.
📍Lisbon on a budget, but in style: Lisb’on Hostel is located in a former baroque palace in the Chiado District. There is a communal kitchen, dining area, and 6-10 bed dorm rooms. There is even a garden with hammocks and beanbags and an in-house bar.
📍A mid-range gem: The Be Poet Baixa Hotel is located in the heart of Baixa, walking distance from many major Lisbon sights. Breakfast is available in the mornings, and there is also an on-site restaurant.
📍 A 5-star hotel experience: The Lumiares Hotel & Spa—Small Luxury Hotels Of The World is perfect for a luxury stay in Lisbon. The hotel is located in Bairro Alto, and from the roof, you can enjoy some of the best views over Lisbon! The 5-star boutique hotel has incredible wellness facilities for a relaxing holiday.
FAQ
Is April a good time to visit Lisbon?
April is a very pleasant month to visit Lisbon. The temperatures are warm overall, with an average of 14 °C during the day. There are not that many tourists yet, and it’s a lovely destination in spring with blooming flowers.
Can you go to the beach in Lisbon in April?
You sure can! It might rain in April, but there will be plenty of sunny days. Explore the beach near Lisbon, or venture out to the Atlantic coast.
Can you sunbathe in Lisbon in April?
You can! There is a lot of sunshine in April, so remember to bring your swimsuit and sun protection. It’s a nice time of year to visit a rooftop bar or enjoy lunch outside. But you can also plan a day at the beach!
Do you consider an April visit?
April is a great month to visit the capital, and you’ll enjoy good, warm weather overall. There might be a wet day here and there, and in the evenings, it will be a bit cooler. But the best thing about April is that it is not yet so busy with tourists. This means fewer queues at attractions and better prices.
If you prefer to travel off-season, Lisbon is a great place in spring. And you can enjoy many incredible day trips from the city, too! The weather in Portugal is very diverse, so if you plan trips to Porto, the Algarve, Madeira, and the Azores in April, the temperatures might be very different, so please check this beforehand.
Check out the other months and seasons in Lisbon Portugal
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