google-site-verification: google9f3eb14845093e9b.html
Lisbon in winter

Lisbon in winter: A seasonal guide with the best activities and tours

Sure, it is colder in Lisbon in winter, but there is still a lot to do in the Portuguese capital! With plenty of sunny days, Christmas markets, and gorgeous museums, you wonโ€™t be bored for one minute! Letโ€™s look at what you can do in winter in Lisbon.

Discover Portugal is fully reader-supported. For that reason, this article contains some affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase through links on this page at no additional cost to you. All revenue is used to keep this website free and updated. I only recommend products or services that I would use myself. You’ll be able to read the full disclaimer here. Thanks for your support!

Table of Contents

The weather in Lisbon in winter

How cold does it get in Lisbon? Depending on where you’re from, it doesn’t get too cold, and it’s warm throughout the year. The weather in Lisbon is mild, and it’s a great time to visit the Portuguese capital. It’s not so busy, prices are lower, and there are plenty of sunny days. Does it snow in Lisbon? It won’t! The only place where you can expect snow in Portugal is the mountain range Serra da Estrella in northern Portugal. So overall, Lisbon is a lovely place to visit in winter.

The average temperature in Lisbon in winter is between 15 and 16 ยฐC (59-61ยฐF), and at nighttime, between 8 and 10 ยฐC (46.4-50ยฐF). In late November, the temperature starts to drop. The coldest month is usually January; from March onwards, the temperatures will begin to rise again.

What to wear in Portugal in winter

To say the weather is unpredictable in winter is an understatement. Some days it rains, and on some sunny days, you can walk around in a t-shirt. The answer? Layers! And plenty of them. If youโ€™re cold-sensitive, you might want to dress up in full winter gear, but often a hat and gloves arenโ€™t needed. A word of warning though: many houses donโ€™t have heating. But saying that, the hotels are usually fully equipped and inside, itโ€™s nice and toasty!

A good rain jacket and hiking shoes might come in handy. Especially when it rains, the streets of Lisbon can get very slippery. And there is nothing worse than getting cold from the rain. On many days, however, you can walk around in a t-shirt, light jacket, or jumper. Donโ€™t forget to bring your sunglasses!

Things to do in Lisbon in winter

Thankfully, there is plenty to do in the winter in Lisbon. You can visit a museum, enjoy the famous sights in Lisbon, or enjoy a relaxing day in a spa. The colder weather is also perfect for hiking! Monsanto park and Sintra are gorgeous places to explore. Visiting the palaces in Sintra in winter is also fantastic. The queues are gone, and the green, lush landscape invites you for long walks. Bonus tip: It’s big wave season in Nazarรฉ. It’s the best time to check the surfers doing their tricks on these massive waves! Check this post before you go to ensure you can view the magical big waves in Nazarรฉ

The best activities to stay warm indoors

There are plenty of sights to visit in Lisbon and many indoor activities. And the best thing is, there are no crowds! Check the below list to fill out your Lisbon itinerary!

โœ“ Discover the history of the Pantheon โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Visit the Jerรณnimos Monastery in Belรฉm โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Admire the tiles in Sรฃo Vicente de Fora โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Try pastel de Nata at Pastรฉis de Belรฉm
โœ“ Climb up Belรฉm Tower โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Ride an old tram
โœ“ Visit the oldest church in Lisbon, Sรฉ de Lisboa โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Discover colourful fish at aquarium Oceanรกrio de Lisboa โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Go shopping! Centro Colombo, LX Factory, Centro Vasco da Gama, Freeport Outlet, and the Strada Outlet are great places to visit
โœ“ Eat at Time Out Market
โœ“ Visit the oldest bookshop in the world! Itโ€™s Livraria Bertrand in Chiado
โœ“ Visit Estรกdio da Luz, the stadium of Benfica
โœ“ Admire Ajuda Palace

Is it raining in Lisbon?

Check these tips for a rainy day!

Enjoy the winter sun in Lisbon

On sunny days you can head out and enjoy some outdoor activities! Go on a long beach walk at Costa da Caparica to get some fresh air. Or visit the many sights in the city.

A favourite neighbourhood for people to explore is Alfama, and you can visit many sights in the old part of town! Itโ€™s the home of Lisbon Castle Sรฃo Jorge, stunning viewpoints, Sรฃo Vincente de Fora, the flea market Feira da Ladra, and the Pantheon. You can finish the day with a Fado show in the many Fado houses youโ€™ll find in Alfama. And a visit to the Fado Museum should not be missed!

Other places to discover are:

โœ“ Admire the view from Arco da Rua Augusta
โœ“ All sights in Belรฉm
โœ“ Ride the Santa Justa Lift
โœ“ Discover Lisbonโ€™s viewpoints such as Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Miradouro da Graรงa, and Miradouro de Santa Luzia

The best tours in Lisbon in winter

Tourism doesnโ€™t stop in winter, and there are still plenty of tours to book. Some are even specific to the season! The best tours in Lisbon in winter are:

โœ“ Enjoy theย Paparazzi Tour, have your pictures taken in Lisbon

โœ“ Aย day trip to Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo de Roca

โœ“ย Food and wine tour

โœ“ย Sightseeing tour by tuk-tuk

โœ“ Learn how toย make Pastel de Nata

โœ“ Discover the Christmas Lights by tuk-tuk

Museum tips in Lisbon

It hardly ever rains the whole day, but the winter months are perfect for a museum visit. But what are the best museums in Lisbon? There is something for every interest!

โœ“ MAAT โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Berardo Collection โ€”> Read more
โœ“ National Coach Museum
โœ“ Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
โœ“ Money Museum
โœ“ Museu da Marioneta
โœ“ Tile Museum Lisbon โ€”> Read more
โœ“ Popular Art Museum โ€”> Read more
โœ“ National Museum of Ancient Art
โœ“ Frida Kahlo, The Life of an Icon Exhibition
โœ“ Lisbon: Immersivus Gallery Lisboa Experience

Christmas in Lisbon

Nothing beats a cosy Christmas market, and Lisbon has plenty of them! You can visit Rossio square and Praรงa da Figueira in the city centre to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. Beautiful decorations and lights can be discovered at the shopping mall Armazรฉns do Chiado and Praรงa Luรญs de Camรตes. And donโ€™t forget to admire the massive Christmas Tree on Praรงa do Comรฉrcio. And Wonderland Lisboa at Parque Eduardo VII is a must-see for all ages.

If you have the time, you can make a day trip or stay overnight in the quaint town of ร“bidos. Every year this walled town turns into a winter wonderland full of activities and fairy tale decorations. To read more about Christmas in Lisbon, check the link here.

New Years Eve in Lisbon


Put your dancing shoes on and visit one of the many clubs in the Portuguese capital! Are clubs not your thing? Then there are plenty of places to enjoy your night in Lisbon. There are many free events, and some youโ€™ll have to pay for. Be aware you might need to pre-book your ticket!

Some unique experiences are:

โœ“ Celebrate New Year’s Eve on a boat!
โœ“ A Pub Crawl in Lisbon
โœ“ See a Fado Show

Where to stay in Lisbon

The best part about travelling to Lisbon in winter is that the prices are a lot cheaper! Finding a gorgeous hotel on a budget will be much easier! Check the hotels available below for your unforgettable winter visit to Lisbon!

Booking.com

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to do in Lisbon in winter! With such a mild climate, the city is a beautiful place to stay in. Plus is an excellent place to escape the winter if youโ€™re not into snow and cold! And as a bonus, the Portuguese capital is a lot quieter, and prices are lower compared to the high season. Check out this complete list of the best tours in Lisbon, Portugal, for any weather condition!

Written by Marga

Written by Marga

Content creator, travel writer and photographer

Share :

Pinterest
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook

I’m Marga, the blogger and photographer behind this site! I live in Lisbon, and I’m a cat-mum to 13-year-old Savage. I love coffee, cheese, a good book and exploring this beautiful country. I write about Lisbon and the rest of Portugal, and I hope this website will help as an inspiration for your holiday.

18 Responses

  1. I LOVED Lisbon in the summer, but it actually looks more fun in the winter! Would definitely like to visit the city without the crowds๐Ÿ˜Š

  2. I loved this article! Lisbon is definitely somewhere I would love to visit. It looks so pretty at Christmas and I would love to go and learn how to make my own pastels de Nata!

  3. I’ve never been to Lisbon so I definitely didn’t know there was so much to do even in the winter! It seems like there is no shortage of activities or sunshine too. I’ll definitely be keeping your tips in mind when I plan a trip!

  4. I had no idea that the climate in Lisbon during the Winter was so mild! It’s the perfect hiking weather and I would be in my glory. The Christmas Markets also sound magical.

  5. This is so interesting! Lisbon has always been on my bucket list but I’ve always thought visiting during summer. The atmosphere at Christmas looks amazing, you’ve captured that very well through your amazing photos! Thank you so much for sharing!

  6. Never considered Lisbon as a winter destination, but with the mild winters that the city gets, the vast array of activities one can do during winter and the pretty Christmas markets does make Lisbon a place to be in Winter.

  7. You provide such interesting and helpful information. I haven’t been to Portugal, but I will be back to use your tips to plan a vacation on day. Thank you!

  8. We almost booked our first trip to Lisbon in the winter. And then we had a bit of a detour in our travel plans for the coming months. But we have always wanted to enjoy the milder winters in Lisbon and escape the Canadian cold. It would be great to enjoy some of the great inside spots that we tend to miss when we visit. But I would love those views of crashing waves. We definitely will plan to visit Lisbon in winter.

  9. Great Lisbon winter guide with so many ideas on fun things to do. I want to visit in the winter and see surfers surf the massive waves in Nazarรฉ! Your pictures are beautiful!

  10. I love the look of Lisbon in winter! I don’t mind if it’s slightly cold, and all those Christmas lights look beeeautiful! I feel like I’d prefer this to a super busy (and expensive) summer holiday!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *