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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 °C (59-61°F), and at nighttime, between 8 and 10 °C (46.4-50°F). 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 you’re cold-sensitive, you might want to dress up in full winter gear, but often a hat and gloves aren’t needed. A word of warning though: many houses don’t have heating. But saying that, the hotels are usually fully equipped and inside, it’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. Don’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 Nazaré. 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 Nazaré
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!
✓ Discover the history of the Pantheon —> Read more
✓ Visit the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém —> Read more
✓ Admire the tiles in São Vicente de Fora —> Read more
✓ Try pastel de Nata at Pastéis de Belém
✓ Climb up Belém Tower —> Read more
✓ Ride an old tram
✓ Visit the oldest church in Lisbon, Sé de Lisboa —> Read more
✓ Discover colourful fish at aquarium Oceanário de Lisboa —> Read more
✓ Go shopping! Centro Colombo, LX Factory, Centro Vasco da Gama, Freeport Outlet, and the Strada Outlet are great places to visit
✓ Eat at Time Out Market
✓ Visit the oldest bookshop in the world! It’s Livraria Bertrand in Chiado
✓ Visit Estádio da Luz, the stadium of Benfica
✓ Admire Ajuda Palace
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! It’s the home of Lisbon Castle São Jorge, stunning viewpoints, São 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 you’ll find in Alfama. And a visit to the Fado Museum should not be missed!
Other places to discover are:
✓ Admire the view from Arco da Rua Augusta
✓ All sights in Belém
✓ Ride the Santa Justa Lift
✓ Discover Lisbon’s viewpoints such as Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Miradouro da Graça, and Miradouro de Santa Luzia
The best tours in Lisbon in winter
Tourism doesn’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:
✓ Enjoy the Paparazzi Tour, have your pictures taken in Lisbon
✓ A day trip to Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo de Roca
✓ Learn how to make Pastel de Nata
✓ 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!
✓ MAAT —> Read more
✓ Berardo Collection —> Read more
✓ National Coach Museum
✓ Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
✓ Money Museum
✓ Museu da Marioneta
✓ Tile Museum Lisbon —> Read more
✓ Popular Art Museum —> Read more
✓ National Museum of Ancient Art
✓ Frida Kahlo, The Life of an Icon Exhibition
✓ 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 Praça da Figueira in the city centre to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. Beautiful decorations and lights can be discovered at the shopping mall Armazéns do Chiado and Praça Luís de Camões. And don’t forget to admire the massive Christmas Tree on Praça do Comércio. 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 Óbidos. 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 you’ll have to pay for. Be aware you might need to pre-book your ticket!
Some unique experiences are:
✓ Celebrate New Year’s Eve on a boat!
✓ A Pub Crawl in Lisbon
✓ 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!
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 you’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
Content creator, travel writer and photographer
18 Responses
I wish I can visit Lisbon one day! Looks so beautiful and many things to do!
http://www.LinhyBanh.com
I LOVED Lisbon in the summer, but it actually looks more fun in the winter! Would definitely like to visit the city without the crowds😊
Libson looks beautiful in the winter! I love all the Christmas decorations. It looks so festive.
What an excellent guide! I’m from Portugal and you listed some of the very best things to do as a tourist!
Great tips! We are going to Lisbon in June , a winter visit sounds really nice !
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!
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!
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.
I’ve always wanted to visit Lisbon! Now I definitely will! Sounds magical in the winter ✨
Libson in winter looks beautiful, definitely going to look at going for next year! Those waves look incredible.
I’ve never thought of Lisbon as a winter destination but it seems like there is still a lot to see and do even in the winter 🙂
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!
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.
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!
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.
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 Nazaré! Your pictures are beautiful!
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!
The more I see about Portugal the more I want to visit! I love that they decorate so beautifully for the winter. Thank you for sharing!