Best time to visit Lisbon
Best time of year to visit Lisbon
Thinner crowds and balmy weather makes mid-April through May and September through October the best time to visit Lisbon. Late spring means orange blossoms all around. Plus, who can resist a glass (or a bottle?) during the fall wine season? These months have the lowest prices on hotels and flights as well. You can even put your finger on the beach season.
Times between June and August bring in skyrocketing rates and chords of tourists to the city and beaches. Fortunately, summer in Lisbon is almost rainless, which is handy for several festivals like Super Bock Super Rock or Sumol Summer Fest.
Even though temperatures significantly drop from November to February, the winter in Lisbon is relatively warm. Sure enough, you'll need rain gear for your promenades, but that's nothing compared to the expensive rates you’ll avoid.
15 THINGS TO DO IN LISBON (AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 09)
Brunch Electronik
unconfirmedA series of open-air weekend events full of electronic music and activities for both kids and adults
Wine Season
Witness grape harvesting and winemaking in one of Portugal's most famous wine regions
Summer Jazz Concerts
During summer, dozens of jazz concerts take place around the city
Vinho Verde
Light sparkling wines, perfect for summer heat
Sardines Season
Sardine is the most popular fish in Portugal
Festival of Iberian Mask (Festival Internacional da Mascára Ibérica FIMI)
on holdDuring the first weekend of May people in masks and costumes take to the streets of Lisbon to celebrate historical and cultural ties that exist between Spanish and Portuguese regions
Arrábida Nature Park
This area offers a wide selection of activities—hiking, diving, exploring flora and fauna, and local product tasting
Beach Season
There are plenty of places for relaxation in Lisbon surroundings
Tagus River Sunset Cruise
Looking at Lisbon from its waterfront gives you a different perspective
Surfing
Surfers enjoy the vast coasts in Lisbon vicinity
Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica Protected Landscape
Picturesque prehistoric cliffs hang over vast beaches creating an impressive landscape
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
Get familiar with famous Nortada and enjoy great waves
Cycling
A fun, easy, and fast way to explore the city’s highlights
Diving
Reefs, wrecks, deep dives—a lot of opportunities are open to divers in the vicinity of Lisbon
Food Markets
Lisbon is famous for its organic markets and fairs where you can buy food directly from local farms. Discover the taste of Lisbon!
29 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Lisbon Bullfighting
out of rangeTauromaquia in Portugal is no less colorful than Spanish corrida
Rock in Rio Lisboa
unconfirmedOne of the world's biggest music and entertainment festivals
Festas de Lisboa (Festas dos Santos Populares)
out of rangeEvery June the streets of Lisbon are decorated, and the smell of grilled sardines fills the air for a few days
Lisbon Christmas Markets
out of rangeImmerse yourself in Lisbon's festive atmosphere with holiday markets and seasonal attractions
Portugal Carnival de Torres Vedras
out of rangeTraditional drums and bagpipes, large-scale allegorical floats, groups of masked revellers—carnival as it used to be for centuries
Fatima Pilgrimage
out of rangeThe pilgrimage to the most famous place of Marian apparitions
Bacalhau
out of rangeStar of the show on Portugese Christmas dinner tables
The Tall Ship Races Lisboa
overOne of the most impressive sailing events worldwide
Flamingos in the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve
out of rangeEndless flocks of pink flamingos occupy the wetland for the winter season
Meia Maratona de Lisboa or Lisbon Half Marathon
out of rangeTake part in the record-holder half-marathon through one of the 20th longest bridges in the world
Lisbon Book Fair (Feira do Livro de Lisboa)
out of rangeResidents of Lisbon know how to make a large-scale cultural event.
New Year’s Eve in Lisbon
out of rangeCelebrate New Year’s Eve in Lisbon in a colorful way
Magusto
out of rangeA joyful harvest celebration when family and friends gather near the bonfire
Sintra & Sintra-Cascais Nature Park
out of rangeThis fairy-tale town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The serene and picturesque area combines impressive architecture and unique nature
Peixe em Lisboa or Lisbon Fish & Flavours
on holdCreative fish and seafood tasting
LISB-ON
out of rangeThis three-day festival combines electronic music and contemporary culture
Orange Blossom
out of rangeSee picturesque Algrave region when it's covered in orange blossom
ID NoLimits (former Lisboa Dance Festival)
out of rangeThe sounds of electronic music shake the walls of conference rooms
Super Bock Super Rock
out of rangeWorld rock stars gather in Lisbon to take part in one of the biggest European rock festivals
Festival Silêncio
overThe participatory festival celebrates the word integrating it into all forms of contemporary art
Sea Urchins
out of rangeAn unusual Portuguese dish
CCB Summer
out of rangeListen to the jazz music and watch movies in the Centro Cultural de Belém
NOS Alive Festival
out of rangeAn open-air indie, rock, and pop music festival near Lisbon
Birdwatching
out of rangeDuring the migration season, Lisbon and its vicinity turn into a wintering site and migration stop-off point for thousands of birds
Summer Nights at Chiado Museum
out of rangeFree concerts gather people in the Sculpture Garden of the Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado every August
São Silvestre de Lisboa
out of rangeEvery year since 2008 this race occupies the streets of Lisbon
Epiphany Cake (King Cake)
out of rangeA traditional Catholic holiday marked with a crown-shaped cake, dances and singing
Sumol Summer Fest
out of rangeBeach vibes, surfing plus lots of hip-hop and best Portuguese DJs
Winter Food–Caldo Verde
out of rangeA traditional soup is one of the best winter comfort foods of all times
