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Are you planning to head off soon for a trip to the Portuguese capital? Lisbon is an amazing city that can appeal to all types of travelers, no matter what their desires may be. Architecture, art, gastronomy, festive atmosphere, unique discoveries, natural sites... it is simply impossible to be bored during a trip to Lisbon However, depending on the seasons, you will have a different experience here. The climate varies, as does tourist attendance, the most popular activities, and the major cultural events that you can attend and participate in. So, do you want to know when to go to Lisbon? In this post, I will answer all your questions that will help you find the best time to travel to Lisbon!
What's the weather like in Lisbon?
In Lisbon, the weather is really favorable practically all year round. Climatically, there isn't really a period to avoid when visiting the city. Of course, that doesn't mean that all seasons are the same!
The climate in Lisbon is Mediterranean in nature. Winters are mild, and summers are rarely too hot thanks to a breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. Sunshine is exceptional, particularly due to the Azores high, which is present from winter to spring and keeps depressions at bay.
- In spring in Lisbon, the weather is already very pleasant starting in April. The weather is quite dry and the sunshine is truly appreciated, with temperatures regularly exceeding 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This season is one of the best times to visit the city.
- In summer, the climate in Lisbon is simply idyllic. The sun is almost always shining and it is really rare for the temperatures to be too high, which is clearly not the case everywhere in Portugal. From June to September, temperatures usually range between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, a nice breeze blows regularly, and heatwaves are rare.
- In autumn, the weather in Lisbon remains summery at least until early October, after which the temperatures gradually decrease as rainfall becomes more frequent. However, the weather is still very mild, with temperatures often close to 68 degrees Fahrenheit until the end of October. November is the rainiest month of the year in Lisbon.
- In winter, the weather in Lisbon is mild but quite rainy. It's rare for the thermometer to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and it often reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit or more in the heart of the day, even in January, the coldest month of the year. Thanks to the Azores high, it can even happen that the weather is particularly pleasant in the middle of winter
What is the best time to go to Lisbon?
In terms of weather, it is from mid-spring through summer that you can enjoy the best conditions for a stay in Lisbon. Between May and September, the weather conditions are exceptional. The days are long, and even at night you will always find something to do in Lisbon. Additionally, unlike other major European capitals, Lisbon is a city where you can discover major sites while escaping the crowds, even in the height of summer.
Early spring and autumn are also very favorable times to travel to the Portuguese capital, especially if you want to avoid the peak tourist periods.
Tourist Seasons in Lisbon
Sometimes, the best time to discover a city is when you have the most tranquility to visit many attractions. Here are the different tourist seasons in Lisbon:
- The high tourist season runs from July to October, with a peak in attendance in July and August.
- The mid tourist season takes place in April, May, and June.
- The low tourist season extends from November to March. January and February are the months when Lisbon welcomes the fewest visitors. Additionally, the flight from Paris to Lisbon is generally particularly affordable during this season You can find good fares on Bourse des Vols, for example, a flight comparison site that allows you to compare prices among different airlines based on your travel dates. Generally, this allows for savings by finding the most suitable airline for your flight.
What periods should be avoided when visiting Lisbon?
If you don't have much choice about when you are going to visit Lisbon, don't worry. To put it simply, there aren't really any times to strongly discourage visiting the Portuguese capital, and at any time you can truly enjoy your stay and make the most of your discoveries without being too bothered by the weather, the crowds, or the price of activities
If you are unsure when to go to Lisbon, some periods are still less favored than others:
- If you want to enjoy rather favorable or even clearly sunny weather, January is probably the only month to avoid.
- Regarding festive events, January and April are the two months when the cultural calendar is the least busy in Lisbon.
- If you want to travel outside of the very high tourist season and enjoy a little more peace to discover the city, especially avoid the months of July and August.
- If you want to travel to Lisbon at the best prices, it's also outside of the high tourist season that you should travel. Airfare and hotel rates are significantly higher during the months of July and August.
When to go to Lisbon to attend local events?
- In February and March, several carnivals are organized in Lisbon, including the Bairro Alto one, the Carnaval Baque Virado, and the Carnaval Columbia Clandestina.
- In March and October, Moda Lisboa, Lisbon's semestrial fashion week, takes place.
- In May, you can discover the international contemporary art fair Arco Lisboa or the Iberian Mask Festival, a traditional event celebrating the historical and cultural links between Spanish and Portuguese regions.
- In June, the Festas dos Santos Populares celebrate the patron saints of the city in various neighborhoods of Lisbon.
- In June, the festival season is in full swing You will notably be able to attend the Rock in Rio Lisboa Festival, the Arraial Lisboa Pride, the Almada Theater Festival, or even the Lisbon Tango Festival.
- On June 10, the Portuguese celebrate the country's national holiday, a public holiday on which a grand parade is organized in the capital.
- In July, for three days, you can attend Nos Alive, one of the best music festivals in Portugal!
- In August, you can enjoy outdoor jazz concerts at the Jazz em Agosto festival, as well as the Lisboa Na Rua festival, during which numerous concerts and performances of music, dance, magic, and theater are scheduled outdoors in the squares and parks of the city.
- In October, you can watch or even participate in the Lisbon Marathon, considered one of the most beautiful courses in the world, starting from Cascais and ending at Praça do Comércio.
We have reached the end of this article I hope you enjoyed it and now have an idea of when to visit Lisbon. If you plan to visit the city for a few days but don't know where to stay in Lisbon, I invite you to read my article on the subject to find the best options!