20 amazing things to do on a rainy day in Lisbon!

It would be typical… You travel to one of the sunniest countries in Europe, and you happen to visit on a gloomy, wet day… But don’t worry, your trip isn’t ruined!

With an average of 300 sunny days a year, Lisbon is far from a rainy city. But especially between October and April, the skies open a little more often than in summer. 

Although it rarely rains all day long, there are still many things to do with rain in Lisbon, and there are plenty of indoor activities in the city. Just wear good shoes, as you might slide everywhere on the cobblestones!

I’ve lived in Lisbon for several years, and have spent more than a few afternoons dodging puddles while finding the city’s cosiest corners and underrated indoor gems. I love a good spa or cosy bookstore!

I’ve collected 20 things to do on a rainy day in Lisbon. Fun activities for kids as well as adults! So, grab an umbrella (and maybe a pastel de nata or two). There’s still a lot to love on Lisbon’s drizzlier days!

What to do in Lisbon on a rainy day?

The sun can’t always shine, but thankfully, you won’t have to hide in your room all day or leave Lisbon. There are plenty of things to do in Lisbon when it rains. Especially during the winter months, you can expect some wet days in the city.

Just be careful when heading out, as the roads can get very slippery. As much as the Portuguese cobblestones in the narrow streets look nice, the so-called calçada portuguesa also gets slippery.

So get an umbrella or grab a taxi, and let’s head out to the city centre! But what do you do in Lisbon when it rains? Let’s have a look!

4. Jerónimos Monastery

When you’re in Belém, you cannot miss visiting the Jerónimos Monastery! You’ll learn more about the Portuguese Gothic Manueline style of the former monastery, and you can visit the church.

The church is open to the public, and here you’ll find the tombs of Luís de Camões, the writer Fernando Pessoa, and the explorer Vasco da Gama. 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site can be very busy, so purchasing an online ticket in advance is an excellent idea if you don’t have the Lisboa Card.

The Jerónimos Monastery is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. On Sundays, the church opens a little later. If there is a queue for the entrance, there is no shelter from the wet weather, so bring an umbrella.

5. Pastéis de Belém

Did you know there is a link between the famous Pastéis de Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery? If you just came from the monastery, you may already know! The famous custards originate from the monastery, and it was the monks who made them!

You’ll enjoy a cold drink, a warming coffee, and famous custard tarts. The menu contains many other delicious snacks such as bolo de arroz, mil folhas, rissóis, pastéis de bacalhau, and coxas da galinha.

6. Join a pastel de nata baking class

Even better, take a pastel de nata baking class! Learn how to make custard cakes from scratch to enjoy some Portuguese treats even when you return from your holiday! Workshops usually last around 2 hours, and you’ll learn more about Portuguese gastronomy and culture.

8. Visit Oceanário de Lisboa

One of the favourite places to visit on a rainy day in Lisbon is the Oceanário de Lisboa, an aquarium close to Parque das Nações and Esplanada Dom Carlos. The main tank in the aquarium holds a whopping 5 million litres of seawater, and you’ll see colourful fish, jellyfish, amphibians, and plants up close.

The sea otters and penguins put on a show, making it an educational day about marine life for all ages. Therefore, buying an online ticket for Oceanário de Lisboa is highly recommended as it can get busy here, especially on a wet day.

Children between 0 and 2 can visit the aquarium for free. The ticket price for children between 3 and 12 years old is available from €18.00, while adults pay from €29.00 upwards. The Oceanário de Lisboa is open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM, with the last admission at 7 PM.

9. Pavilhão do Conhecimento 

Let’s stay a little longer at Parque das Nações, as you can also visit the Pavilhão do Conhecimento or the Pavilion of Knowledge around the corner. It’s a scientific and technological space where you can view exhibitions, participate in workshops, and tackle challenges.

This place of innovation and creativity is fantastic for families! Depending on your age, tickets cost between € 10 and € 15. Family tickets are available for € 35,00, and children under 3 have free admission.

10. The best museums with rain in Lisbon

Rainy days are fantastic for museum lovers! Especially in Belém, you’ll find a wide range of world-renowned museums. Examples include the Museu de Arte Contemporânea MAC/CCB, Quake, the National Coach Museum, and MAAT, all of which are easily accessible by public transportation.

The Popular Art Museum, the National Museum of Archaeology, the Navy Planetarium, Belém Palace, and the Bom Sucesso Fortress are smaller but no less exciting museums. Let’s take a closer look at some of Lisbon’s fascinating museums.

Museu de Arte Contemporânea MAC/CCB

Museu de Arte Contemporânea MAC/CCB (formerly Museu Coleção Berardo) is one of the best art museums in Belém. Its collection consists of works by prominent Portuguese and international artists. It is a wonderful museum in a modern building. Inside, you will discover art galleries with modern and contemporary art.

Museu Nacional dos Coches

The National Coach Museum, or Museu Nacional dos Coches, houses an impressive collection of coaches spanning several centuries. Many of these coaches were used by the Portuguese monarchy.

You can visit two buildings: the National Coach Museum and the Old Royal Riding School. Both buildings are within walking distance of each other.

MAAT

Another museum featuring modern art in Belém is MAAT. This museum features numerous temporary exhibits, so be sure to check the current calendar before visiting. The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is located in a stunning modern building and partially in the repurposed power station Central Tejo.

Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

The Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is a favourite of many. You can easily reach the museum by taking the blue and red metro lines, and it is located close to the São Sebastião metro station, within a beautiful park. You’ll enjoy a Western and Eastern art collection, and temporary exhibits are on display.

The main Gulbenkian Museum is currently closed, but the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM) is open, and well worth it!

The National Tile Museum

The Azulejo Museum is a must-see for anyone who loves azulejo tiles. The museum offers visitors an incredible display of tiles from throughout the centuries. The tile museum contains not only colourful tiles, but also the Madre de Deus convent, where the museum is located. A must-see when you like decorative arts!

The Fado Museum

Another fascinating museum is the Fado Museum in Alfama. Here, you will learn everything about traditional Portuguese music and the instruments. Listen to beautiful songs, discover the history and discover educational exhibits.

Afterwards, you can join a Fado show in Alfama. A Fado show is often combined with dinner, so it’s a great spot to finish your wet day in Lisbon and make it your final stop!

Other museums of interest

In the rest of Lisbon, you’ll find even more museums! Art lovers will enjoy the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Museu do Oriente, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, and the Museu do Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, located on Largo da Ajuda, as well as the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum.

Museums with special interests are the Pharmaceutical Museum, the Money Museum, and Museu da Água. Or discover a 2500-year-old history at the Núcleo Arqueológico da Rua dos Correeiros, where you can even discover Roman mosaics (by appointment only). Lisbon Quake is fantastic for learning more about the 1755 earthquake.

Do you travel with kids? The 3D Fun Art Museum is the best! You’ll easily spend a few hours taking fun pictures here.

Or visit the escape rooms to keep them busy! There are several escape rooms in the city, so you can pick one that suits all ages. You might start wishing for a few days of rain to visit all the attractions, as this list isn’t even complete! Lisbon on a rainy day is far from boring!

11. Go Bowling!

Can’t sit still, and you want to go bowling? Can you keep the ball out of the gutter and throw a strike? You can rent a lane for a couple of hours in a few places. An example is the Colombo Shopping Mall, which has a giant bowling alley, arcade hall and lounge bar.

Afterwards, you can hit the shops, grab dinner, or watch a movie. Centro Colombo is located on the Blue Line at the metro station exit, Colégio Militar/Luz.

12. Watch a movie

Watching a movie is another great way to spend the day! If you’re already in the shopping mall Centro Colombo, you can visit the cinema on the 3rd floor. You can book your tickets online at Cinemas NOS or at the cinema itself. This cinema also has an IMAX! 

You can visit UCI El at El Corte Inglés, closer to the city centre. It’s also located on the Blue Line, and you exit the metro station at São Sebastião station.

Are Arthouse films more your thing? Then a visit to the Cinemateca should not be missed. Besides watching movies, you can also visit the Cinema Museum here!

13. Shop till you drop on a rainy day in Lisbon

One last thing you can do at Centro Colombo is go shopping! Here, you’ll find the most high-street shops and some luxury brands. Another favourite mall is located at Parque das Nações. Centro Vasco da Gama is located next to Oriente train station and has various high-street shops.

If you want to stay in the city centre on a rainy day in Lisbon, you can visit Armazéns do Chiado. It’s a small shopping mall with 55 shops and 15 restaurants. You’ll find more shops in this area, so be sure to bring an umbrella to stay dry!

Technically, it’s not indoors, but the LX Factory is another excellent place to shop. Aside from walking from shop to shop, you’ll stay dry! Campo de Ourique Market in the city centre is fabulous if you’re looking for a bite to eat. Mercado de Campo de Ourique is a bit like Time Out Market, but at Campo de Ourique, you’ll see fewer tourists and more locals.

Or visit the nearby Campo Pequeno Shopping Mall in an iconic building. There are more than 80 shops, 20 restaurants, and a cinema. Amoreiras Shopping Centre is very close to Marquês de Pombal and offers more shops.

If you’re looking for luxury brands, Avenida de Liberdade is typically the place to be. However, staying dry in the rain on this beautiful street is hard. A great solution is to visit the Strada Outlet, located outside the city centre. As you can see, there are a bunch of shopping malls to visit in Lisbon!

You’ll discover all national and international brands with up to 70% discount! Other favourite shopping spots include Amoreiras Plaza, El Corte Inglés, Atrium Saldanha, Freeport Fashion Outlet, and Almada Fórum, located on the other side of the River Tagus.

14. A rainy day in Lisbon by tram

If you still want to see something of Lisbon but stay dry, you can take a ride on an iconic tram! Tram 28 is the most famous of all, as it follows a gorgeous route through the windy streets of Alfama.

Tram 12 follows a similar course, and Tram 15 to Belém often runs with the historical tram. Please note that even these old trams are a mode of transport for locals. Tram 28 gets so busy that you, A, must often wait a long time to board, and B, it’s a paradise of pickpockets.

For that reason, the Historic Hills Tram Tour is recommended, and you’ll see many famous sights! You’ll travel through Lisbon on a historic tram. You’ll discover all the top districts, including Baixa, Graça, Alfama, and Estrela, and a loop takes around 1.5 hours.

An audio guide is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish.

15. Time Out Market

When it’s time to eat, visiting Time Out Market, located near Cais de Sodré, is a nice option. The food court contains 26 restaurants, 8 bars, and some shops. You will enjoy it here if you’re craving a hamburger, sushi, steak, or a traditional meal!

Some favourites are Manteigaria for pastéis de nata, Croqueteria, Marlene Vieira, and Manteigaria Silva. On a rainy day in Lisbon, this is the perfect place to warm up and eat some of the best meals you’ll find in Portugal! Bom appetite!

Tips & Tricks

• You can also visit Mercado da Ribeira’s traditional market when you’re up early. Local produce is for sale between 6 AM and 2 PM.
• Book a food and wine tour and learn more about the Portuguese kitchen!
• Join a cooking class and learn how to make your own Portuguese dishes!

Do you want to visit more markets? → Read the full story

16. Visit a bookshop

There is no lack of bookshops in Lisbon, and with a history of famous writers and poets like Fernando Pêssoa, Luís de Camões, and José Saramago, it comes as no surprise. What might be a surprise is that the oldest operating bookshop in the world is located in the heart of Lisbon.

Livraria Bertrand in Chiado has been selling books since 1732, and it continues to do so today. When you purchase a book, your book will even receive a stamp!

Other fabulous bookshops in town include Ler Devagar at the LX Factory, Menina e Moça, which transforms into a vibrant bar at night, and Palavra de Viajante, which boasts a fantastic selection of travel books.

Is your Portuguese a bit rusty? Then Bookshop Bivar will be your best friend, as all the books are in English!

17. Enjoy a night of Fado

There is no better way than to enjoy a night of Fado to complete your day. Most Fado houses are in Alfama, Moreira and Bairro Alto. And while listening to famous Portuguese songs, you’ll enjoy a fabulous traditional meal with excellent regional wines.

Some recommended Fado houses are Bohemia LX, Clube de Fado, and A Baiuca. Or book this fantastic experience below!

18. Book a massage

Instead of doing many things, it’s also nice to take a break and relax. That makes a rainy day in Lisbon perfect for an hour-long massage or spa treatment! For a fantastic massage, consider visiting EcoMassage, which has two locations: Rua dos Franqueiros and Rua Aurea.

They offer a wide range of massages, such as hot stone massage, therapeutic massage, Ayurvedic massage, and Chi Nei Tsang massage. Classic relaxation massages and couples massages are also available.

19. The ultimate spa experience in Lisbon with rain

There are some beautiful places to visit for the ultimate spa treatment. In addition to massages, you can enjoy salt baths and a variety of body and facial treatments. Corinthia Lisbon and the Four Seasons offer excellent facilities for those who wish to combine treatments with swimming pools and saunas.

20. A rainy day in your hotel

Do you prefer to hide for a day in a stunning hotel in Lisbon on a rainy day? Then you’re in for a treat! Also, when you venture out and return to your hotel, it’s fabulous to feel at home away from home.

Check the offers below and book your dream spot in the capital! Even better, book a hotel with a sauna, spa, or indoor pool and take some time to relax! This sounds like the perfect way to end a wet day in the city!

Which Lisbon rainy day activities will you try?

As you can see, staying indoors on a rainy day in Lisbon is no excuse. Sure, it’s certainly nice to cuddle up in bed and snuggle under a fluffy duvet. But before doing so, you can still enjoy many fantastic sights in Lisbon. When it really is time to turn off the lights, you can stay in one of the fabulous hotels above.

In winter, it might rain a little more often in Lisbon. Especially from October until April, there might be more showers. January is one of the wettest months. And maybe you’ll be in the city during the holidays! If you need tips for your Christmas trip to Lisbon, check this article, which offers plenty of suggestions! Enjoy the winter in Lisbon with plenty of activities.