Quick Answer
The best times to visit Lisbon are April to June and September to October. Spring offers warm days around 21-24°C, blooming jacaranda trees, and festivals. Early autumn brings slightly calmer conditions after the summer crush, with sea temperatures still warm enough for day trips to Cascais. See our Lisbon city guide for what to do when you arrive, and check hotels in Lisbon to compare accommodation across all budgets. We cover this in more detail in Lisbon Long-Stay: Rentals & Costs.
Season Overview
| Month | Avg High | Rain Days | Crowds | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C | 10 | Low | Low |
| February | 16°C | 9 | Low | Low |
| March | 18°C | 8 | Low-Med | Low-Med |
| April | 20°C | 7 | Medium | Medium |
| May | 23°C | 5 | Medium | Medium |
| June | 27°C | 3 | High | High |
| July | 30°C | 1 | Very High | Very High |
| August | 31°C | 1 | Very High | Very High |
| September | 28°C | 4 | High | High |
| October | 23°C | 7 | Medium | Medium |
| November | 18°C | 10 | Low | Low-Med |
| December | 15°C | 10 | Low-Med | Low-Med |
Peak Season: June to August
Lisbon in summer is warm, lively, and expensive. Temperatures regularly hit 35°C in July and August, and on occasional heat-wave days the mercury climbs past 40°C. The city’s rooftop bars, riverfront restaurants, and Alfama viewpoints are packed with visitors from across Europe.
This is also festival season. Festas de Lisboa runs throughout June, with sardine grills, live music, and street dancing in every neighbourhood. The NOS Alive music festival draws major international acts to Algés in July, and the Super Bock Super Rock festival typically falls in July as well.
The downside: queues at the main attractions stretch 1-2 hours without pre-booking. A timed-entry ticket to Jerónimos Monastery or Belém Tower is essential. Accommodation prices can double compared to spring rates, and availability tightens from February onwards. Budget travellers are better served in the shoulder season.
Shoulder Season: April to May and September to October
These four months represent the best balance of weather, cost, and atmosphere. April temperatures reach 19-21°C - warm enough for outdoor dining but not oppressive. The jacaranda trees lining Avenida da Liberdade bloom purple in late April and May, making the city unusually photogenic.
September and October follow a similar logic. The summer crowds have thinned, but daytime temperatures stay between 23-28°C through September and around 20-23°C in October. The Atlantic coast beaches at Cascais and Setúbal remain swimmable through most of October, with sea temperatures around 19-20°C.
Hotel rates in shoulder season typically run 20-30% below July/August prices, and flights from most European cities drop significantly in mid-September. October is excellent for first-time visitors who want to cover the key sights - Sintra, Belém, Alfama - without competing with peak-season crowds.
Off Season: November to March
Lisbon’s winter is mild by northern European standards. Daytime highs rarely fall below 13°C, and snow is essentially unknown in the city. Rain increases from October through January but rarely means all-day downpours - showers tend to be sharp and intermittent.
The real advantage is cost and quiet. A well-located hotel that charges €180 per night in August can drop to €80-100 in January. Museum queues disappear. Locals reclaim the miradouros. The famous yellow trams run without hour-long waits. For travellers who want to experience Lisbon as a functioning city rather than a tourist set piece, November to March delivers exactly that - with the caveat that some outdoor beach-focused activities and boat trips operate on reduced schedules.
Month-by-Month Guide
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C, some rain | Low | Low | Post-Christmas quiet; New Year fireworks hangover; great value |
| February | 16°C, occasional rain | Low | Low | Carnival celebrations; cheapest hotel rates |
| March | 18°C, improving | Low-Med | Low-Med | Spring arriving; fewer tourists; good for walking tours |
| April | 20°C, sunny spells | Medium | Medium | Easter crowds possible; jacaranda starts blooming |
| May | 23°C, mostly sunny | Medium | Medium | Peak jacaranda bloom; Festas de Lisboa approaches |
| June | 27°C, dry | High | High | Festas de Lisboa (all month); NOS Alive late June/July |
| July | 30°C, very dry | Very High | Very High | Peak crowds; NOS Alive; book attractions months ahead |
| August | 31°C, very dry | Very High | Very High | Hottest month; locals leave the city; tourists arrive |
| September | 28°C, warm | High | High | Rock in Rio Lisboa (even years); sea still warm |
| October | 23°C, pleasant | Medium | Medium | Excellent shoulder month; wine harvest in the Alentejo |
| November | 18°C, wetter | Low | Low-Med | City quietens; Lisbon Marathon usually in November |
| December | 15°C, some rain | Low-Med | Low-Med | Christmas lights on Avenida da Liberdade; mild weather |
Key Events and Festivals
- Festas de Lisboa (June): Month-long festival centred on the Feast of Santo António on 12-13 June. Street parties, sardine grills, and marchas processions across Alfama and Mouraria.
- NOS Alive (July): Major outdoor music festival at Passeio Marítimo de Algés. Past headliners have included Radiohead, Billie Eilish, and Arctic Monkeys. Tickets sell out months in advance.
- Super Bock Super Rock (July): Alt-rock and indie festival, usually at Meco beach south of Lisbon or at the city arena.
- Rock in Rio Lisboa (even-numbered years, June): One of the largest music events in Europe, held at Bela Vista Park.
- Lisbon Marathon (November): One of the world’s most scenic marathons, crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge with Tagus river views.
- New Year’s Eve (31 December): Free public fireworks over the Tagus, with the best viewpoints at Praça do Comércio and the Alfama miradouros.
Plan Your Trip
Heading in the depths of winter? Portugal in January and Portugal in February cover rainfall, rates and what is open nationwide.
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