While I am, admittedly, biased as a lover of the city, the best time to visit Lisbon is really any time. The Portuguese capital is a hybrid of activity at all times, with warm temperatures outside even in the winter months, and a seemingly endless list of great hotels and restaurants to visit no matter what month you arrive. Plus, Portuguese warmth and hospitality is a year-round thing, so you can expect a sunny welcome whether it’s July or January.
While the summer months are a great time to enjoy festivities and visit nearby beaches—and therefore the busiest—visiting in winter will mean fewer tourists and an ability to bag a reservation you likely couldn’t during peak months. With the advice of some locals, we look at the best time to visit Lisbon, depending on what you’re looking for.
A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
As someone who has spent June in Lisbon for the past three years, there’s nowhere I’d rather be during this month of plentiful celebrations. Throughout Portugal, locals celebrate various saints in June; in Lisbon, the patron saint Santo Antonio is celebrated on June 13, with a parade the evening before on the 12th. But the celebrations aren’t limited to just these two days; for the whole month of June, people take to the streets to dance, feast on freshly grilled sardines and enjoy the atmosphere. Expect to see streets of the oldest Lisbon neighborhoods (bairros) adorned with red, green, and yellow decorations, streets abuzz with life, and a constant, distinct smell of grilled sardines in the air.
Rui Sanches, founder and CEO of restaurant group Plateform, agrees: “Every time is good to visit Lisbon because it’s sunny most of the time, even in the winter,” he tells Condé Nast Traveller UK. “But I would recommend May and June so you can join the local happiness, celebrating the warm weather and the return of the festive season. The late lunches and dinner parties last all summer.”
If you want to soak up the atmosphere and experience a celebration completely unique to Portugal, immerse yourself in the city throughout June. However, be warned that this is a busy time, and the streets will be full of locals and tourists alike. There’s also a lot of partying happening, so most central hotels will be surrounded by noise; if you need peace and quiet when you travel, this might not be the right time for you.
What months are best in Portugal?
“Definitely May,” says Armando Ribeiro, founding partner and CEO of Portuguese communications agency O Apartamento. “Lisbon Design Week, LISBON by DESIGN, and Arco International Art Fair are all happening, so it’s a great time to immerse yourself in Portuguese art, design, and crafts. Plus it’s great weather to go to the beach!”
And in terms of when not to visit the city? “August can be very crowded, but still, joyful,” says Sanches. Ribeiro agrees: “Lisbon shouldn’t be avoided, but August is not so interesting because a lot of places are closed, plus the local Lisboetas are also out for the summer break.”
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
The beauty of Lisbon is that it can be a three-day break, or a two-week stay. Most choose a long weekend, which is just about enough time to tick off the must-do things in the city: Visit the Castelo de São Jorge, eat a pastel de nata (or five), listen to some fado, pop into the city’s many museums, and—of course—eat in some of the best restaurants in town.
However, if you have longer, it’s well worth a visit to some of the beaches near Lisbon, plus you can take day trips to nearby Sintra and Cascais. Lisbon’s privileged position in the middle of Portugal also means getting to the beautiful beaches of the Algarve or the historic streets of Porto is easy enough via train.
What is the rainy season in Lisbon?
If you’re hoping for good weather, undoubtedly the summer months of June, July, and August will be the most warm and dry. However, the sunshine and warm temperatures tend to last to mid-late October, so a post-summer trip can be a wonderful way to get some last-minute sunshine and avoid the peak summer crowds.
While winter is short in the city, it can certainly be rainy, and the months from November to February and March can see significant rainfall. In recent years, the city has experienced flooding, however a new drainage system is being built in the city to help tackle the effects of intense rainfall.
What are the best things about Lisbon?
“Lisbon’s culture is very diverse,” says Sanches of Plateform. “From the modern MAAT Museum to the old historical monuments and palaces, or the fado houses in the old city, the experience can be a never-ending surprising journey. “And despite of being a vibrant and diverse city, we keep our happy way of living, always open to the new but also celebrating our traditions with family, friends, and new acquaintances.”
Ribeiro of O Apartamento agrees: “Its relaxed pace and its inclusivity are what makes Lisbon special. Plus, I love the Lisbon light—both early morning and end of the day.”
