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13 incredible things to do in Lisbon in spring!
Spring is a fantastic season to visit Lisbon. The sun is shining, and it’s time for spring activities in the Portuguese capital! It’s also time for the flowers to bloom, and the best place to enjoy this is in the many parks in Lisbon. Let’s find the jacarandá trees and discover some amazing things to do in spring in Lisbon.
What to expect in Lisbon in spring?
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13 things to do in Lisbon in spring
Hurrah! The sunny days are around the corner! And that means Lisbon is slowly changing into one of the most colourful cities in Europe. The many parks, trees and flowers transform the city into a vibrant and picturesque decor. Let’s look at where you can find the most blossoms during spring in Lisbon!
1. Book a photo shoot with the blossom
With many more trees and flowers blossoming in Lisbon’s streets, the city has become a fabulous place to take pictures every year. During a private photo shoot, you can set your preferred times and locations to be photographed with these colourful backdrops.
A photo walk with me is a great souvenir of your holiday in Portugal. Couples, solo travellers and families are more than welcome! I’d love to show you the loveliest corners of the city and capture you on camera. For more information, please check the available photo shoot options.
2. Where to spot the jacarandás in Lisbon?
Jacarandás are beautiful trees with purple flowers. In spring, you’ll see them all over town and their branches are like a purple canopy. The jacarandás originated in Brazil, India, and Africa and were brought back to Portugal during colonial times. They were planted in Jardim Botânico d’Ajuda by Felix Avelar Brotero, who brought the trees back from Brazil.
The Jacaranda Mimosifolia is one of the most beautiful trees blooming in the Portuguese capital. It will bloom around the end of May, and the blossom lasts for about three weeks to one month. But where do you go to see it?
When you visit the flea market Feira da Ladra in Alfama, you’ll discover some jacarandás in the Botto Machado Garden next to the market. You’ll also enjoy purple beauty at Rossio Square, Parque Eduardo VII and the nearby Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca. Or visit Rua Almirante Barroso and Av. Dom Carlos I, to take some pics of these beautiful flowers.
Belém is another spot where plenty of jacarandás are blooming. You can even frame the Belém Tower surrounded by flowers from Av. da Torre de Belém! Other places include Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Avenida das Descobertas, Avenida 24 de Julho, Largo do Carmo (next to the Carmo Convent), Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara, and Largo de Rato.
3. Visit a botanical garden
Lisbon has two beautiful botanical gardens: one in Belém and one in Príncipe Real. Jardim Botânico de Lisboa consists of exotic plants and over 30 varieties of palms! The magnolia trees and many other species will bloom, and you can combine your visit with the National Museum of History and Science next door.
The Tropical Botanic Garden in Belém contains many plants, flowers and trees from former Portuguese colonies. Both gardens are little oases of peace in the bustling city centre. You’ll pay an entrance fee to see the botanic gardens.
Lisboa has many more parks and gardens, many of which are free to see. Examples are Parque Eduardo VII and the Garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
4. Discover the Bougainvilleas in Lisbon
Another favourite is the bougainvillaea. They flower from spring to autumn and come in all sorts of colours! Red, white, purple, yellow… you name it! One of the most remarkable places to see them is Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama.
Philibert de Commerson found the plant in Brazil and gave it to Napoleon’s first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais. However, the plant was named after Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. Bougainvillaea grows all over Southern Europe, including Portugal. It makes a fantastic backdrop for pictures!
Besides Miradouro de Santa Luzia, you’ll discover bougainvillaeas all over town. For example, one of the most stunning scenes is at Chafariz d’El-Rei, a gorgeous hotel in Alfama! This neighbourhood boasts many bougainvillaeas, so go for a walk and discover these spectacular scenes.
5. A bike ride along the Tagus River
Nothing beats the sun on your face and the wind in your hair! One of my favourite things to do in Lisbon when the sun is shining is cycling along the River Tagus! Although it is a hilly city, there are flat routes to enjoy!
A bike tour is an excellent opportunity to learn more about its history, and you can see a lot along the way! Baja Bikes offers a fantastic bicycle tour along the water, but other companies also provide electric bikes for sightseeing on the tallest hills!
6. A boat ride on the River Tagus
Do you want to enjoy the Tagus River with less effort? Step onboard for a fantastic sunset cruise! And you don’t have to wait for the sun to go down. There are also many day trips on a boat, which are great because of the warm weather. You get to see the city from another perspective and enjoy the sea breeze.
You’ll sail along the famous Ponte 25 April Bridge and see the Cristo Rei statue in Almada. But there are also options to sail further out and enjoy a boat trip at sea. You might even spot some dolphins! These boat trips are amazing for kids, too, and they love a ride with the HIPPOTrip! Party people might enjoy a catamaran trip with a DJ onboard.
7. Visit the outdoor markets
Discovering markets when travelling is one of my favourite things to do, and Lisbon has many of them! If you’re in the city on a Tuesday or Saturday, you can visit the famous flea market, Feira da Ladra. You’ll see antiques, vintage clothes, and a great selection of souvenirs! The vibe is great, with plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby.
Another favourite market is the LX Factory. This former industrial complex has been transformed into one of the hippest places in town! It’s a great place to rest, enjoy a coffee, or discover the many restaurants.
Tip: Visit 8 Marvila for another unique market experience. It’s one of the newest cool markets in Lisbon! Food markets like Time Out Market are indoors but great spots to grab lunch. Check more Lisbon markets, including their locations, in this post!
8. Walking tour in Alfama
Spring is also ideal for walking tours in Lisbon, especially if it is your first visit! The guides know a ton about the city, and you can see some of its oldest parts of Lisboa.
Alfama is a favourite neighbourhood for many thanks to its cobbled streets and colourful flowers. I do most of my photoshoots here, too, as it’s so picturesque! Often, you’ll see the Moorish quarter of Mouraria and learn about Fado. Or book a walk and a food tour in one! It’s a lovely way to experience Portuguese cuisine.
9. Celebrate Festas dos Santos Populares
Festas dos Santos Populares is celebrated all over Portugal, and in the capital, it’s known as Festas da Lisboa. It’s an annual festival that happens each year in June. You can join the celebrations for free, but you’ll soon stand with a beer in your hands! You’ll see smoked sardines and chorizo on the grill and hear Pimba music from every corner!
Festas dos Santos Populares is often called the sardine festival, and the most important days for Saint Anthony’s Day in Lisbon are June 12th and 13th. There will be a parade, the Casamentos de Santo António (Weddings of St Anthony), and a lot of dancing! Most parties are in Alfama and around the Bica Funicular.
10. Sunset at Lisbon Castle
Castelo de São Jorge is located on a hill in Alfama. One of my favorite things to do in spring and summer is to watch the sun go down from the castle walls. Most people come to Lisbon Castle during the day, and it gets a lot quieter in the evening. It’s open until 9 PM, and the view over the city is stunning!
Castelo de São Jorge is also an incredible place to visit with children. The enormous walls are a great adventure to walk on, but a large group of peacocks also lives here. They often sit in the trees and walk past you when you least expect it.
11. Find all miradouros
Speaking of viewpoints… there are many of them in the city! Spring is a great time to climb some hills and enjoy the spectacular views. Miradouro da Graça, Miradouro de Santa Catarina, and Miradouro de Santa Luzia are some of the most famous, and musicians often play some tunes. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is the highest one of all.
If you prefer a more local experience, find miradouros like Miradouro do Monte Agudo or Torel Park. They are also fantastic places to see the sun go down! The best things come for free, right?
12. A day trip to Sintra
When time permits, visiting Sintra is highly recommended! Sintra is only 40 minutes away by train, and the town and nature park are famous for their palaces and castles. Quinta da Regaleira has a stunning palace and magical gardens! Pena Palace is the former royal summer residence, and the colourful palace sits high on a hill overlooking the Sintra Mountains.
Explore lesser-known palaces like Biester Palace or Monserrate Palace and Park. Here, you can enjoy a stroll in the garden filled with tropical plants and flowers. Sintra is also great for exploring the hiking trails. Some are in the woods, and others along the coast around Praia da Ursa. Sintra is a place not to miss!
🏰 Some palaces have timeslots, and some are a little busier. It’s therefore recommended to buy tickets ahead of time for:
13. Go to the beach
With these pleasant temperatures and sunny days, a trip to the beach is one of the best things to do! Between Lisbon and Cascais there are some fantastic beaches to visit. Examples are Praia de Santo Amaro, Praia de Carcavelos, Praia de São Pedro do Estoril, and Praia do Tamariz.
Cascais beaches include Praia da Ribeira de Cascais, for example. If you love surfing, Praia do Guincho is the place to be.
The Sintra coast also has some incredible beaches. Praia da Ursa, Praia da Adraga, and Praia das Maçãs are some favourites. You can combine these beaches with a visit to the coastal town Azenhas do Mar. You can explore the Costa da Caparica on the south side of the Tagus River.
The weather in Lisbon in the spring season
From April onwards, the city has fewer rainy days, and the temperatures rise. The country is waking up from a winter sleep, and nature is blooming. April can still be chilly, but the warm days in May are the perfect time to visit Lisbon.
The average temperature rises from 16°C (61°F) in February to 18°C (64°F) in April, 20°C (68°F) in April, and 25°C (77°F) by the end of June. Many people love visiting Lisbon in May or June. However, June can be a bit busier with the Festas dos Santos Populares festivities.
Overall, it is sunny in the spring season. If it happens to rain, there is still a lot to do! The Algarve is an excellent destination for a beach holiday in Portugal. In the north, it usually stays a bit cooler. The country is diverse in terms of climate, but spring is a great season to visit the cities as it’s not too warm yet.
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
FAQ
When do the jacaranda trees bloom in Lisbon?
The jacaranda trees usually blossom from the end of May for 3 to 4 weeks.
What is the best season to visit Lisbon?
Spring and fall are great seasons to visit Portugal. The weather is pleasant, and it doesn’t rain a lot. July and August are the hottest months. Winter is quieter, and the prices are lower.
What is the weather like in Lisbon in spring?
From March onwards, the temperatures rise, and there is less rain. The average temperature is between 20°C and 25°C (68-77°F), and spring in Lisbon is a colourful season with all the blossoms.
Conclusion
Lisbon in spring is a colourful time of year with tons of blossoms, from bougainvillaeas to purple jacarandás and many other beautiful species. The weather is lovely, and the days are not too warm. The beaches slowly fill up, and the nights are getting longer. I hope this article will help you find all the stunning blossom locations and that you will enjoy some of the amazing spring activities in the city. Will you visit Lisbon this spring?
Check out the other months and seasons in Lisbon Portugal
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