Best time to visit Lisbon

The best time to visit Lisbon for hot-weather activities is from mid-July to early-September, and for general outdoor activies – such as walking and hiking – the best time is during spring and autumn.

However, anytime is good to visit Lisbon: the region sees little rainfall and lots of sunny days throughout the year, including winter.


Lisbon weather

Lisbon has a temperate climate, with mild, wet winters and sunny, warm summers.

Winter, from December to February, is mild with sunny days alternating with wet and windy days.

Spring, from March to May, is generally mild and sunny.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is warm and sunny. The peak holiday season on Lisbon is July and August, which are also the hottest months of the year, with an average high temperature of 28°C (82°F).

Autumn, from September to November, is initially warm and sunny, turning cooler and wet by November.

Lisbon is located at the mouth of the Tagus River, which widens into a bay (the Sea of Straw), on the Atlantic coast of Portugal.


What is the best month to visit Lisbon?
June through September are the best months to visit Lisbon – the climate is perfect with hot, sunny weather and little to no rainfall.

July and August are especially popular, since this is the peak tourist season in Lisbon.

To avoid the crowds, higher prices and extreme heat of summer, the months of May and October are also good for a range of outdoor activities.

Which is the hottest month in Lisbon?
The hottest time month in Lisbon is usually August, with an average daily high temperature of 28°C (82°F), moderate heat and humidity and a low of 19°C (66°F).

However, on the warmest days of the month, the temperature may climb to around 35°C (95°F).

The warm season lasts from mid-June to late-September, with an average daily high temperature above 25°C (77°F).

Which is the coldest month in Lisbon?
The coldest month of the year in Lisbon is January, with an average high of 15°C (59°F) and a low of 8°C (46°F).

The cool season lasts from mid-November to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature below 18°C (64°F).

Which is the sunniest month in Lisbon?
The sunniest time of year in Lisbon is usually August with an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day; that's on average 82% of daylight hours.

When is the sea warmest in Lisbon?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Lisbon in August when the water temperature reaches 20°C (68°F), which is still cool for swimming.

The sea is generally too cold for swimming at any time of the year in Lisbon.

Which month has the most rain in Lisbon?
November is usually the wettest month in Lisbon with 135mm (5in) of rainfall on average, distributed across 10 days.

The rainy season lasts from late-September to mid-May, with a greater than 15% chance of any given day being a wet day.

The drier season lasts from mid-May to late-September. The months of July and August usually receive little or no rainfall.

Which is the windiest month in Lisbon?
The windiest month of the year in Lisbon is December, with an average hourly wind speed of 19 kilometres per hour (12 mph; 10 knots).

The windy part of the year lasts from early-November through May, with average wind speeds of more than 17 kilometres per hour (10.6 mph; 9 knots).

The less-windy time of year lasts from June through to late-October. The calmest month of the year in Lisbon is September, with an average hourly wind speed of 16 kilometres per hour (10 mph; 8.6 knots).

The predominant average hourly wind direction varies throughout the year in Lisbon.


Lisbon Weather Averages

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average high temperature (°C)
15 16 18 20 22 26 28 28 26 22 18 15
Average low temperature (°C)
9 9 11 12 14 17 18 19 17 15 12 9
Average daily sunshine (hrs)
4 5 6 8 9 10 11 11 8 7 5 4
Average daily daylight (hrs)
10 11 12 13 14 14 14 13 12 11 10 9
Comfort level
No heat & humidity No heat & humidity No heat & humidity No heat & humidity Low heat & humidity icon Low heat & humidity icon Moderately hot icon Moderately hot icon Low heat & humidity icon Low heat & humidity icon No heat & humidity No heat & humidity
Average relative humidity (%)
82 78 73 71 67 64 62 62 66 74 80 84
UV Index (max)
2 3 5 6 8 9 9 8 6 4 3 2
Average days of rainfall (≥1mm)
10 8 8 8 5 2 - 1 4 9 10 10
Average monthly rainfall (mm)
110 80 75 70 60 15 - 5 40 115 135 105
Average wind speed (km/h)
18 18 18 18 18 18 18 17 16 16 18 19
Average sea temperature (°C)
15 15 15 15 16 18 18 19 19 18 17 16
Lisbon, Portugal

Holiday seasons

High season: From July through August; advance bookings are generally necessary at the top hotels.

Low season: Spring and autumn is a good time to visit as the weather is generally warm and the crowds have gone home. Low season travel brings great hotel deals with savings of up to 70 per cent at many hotels.


Source: Meteorological data for Lisbon is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) from the closest weather stations: Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), also known as Lisbon Airport or Portela Airport, located 7km (4mi) north of Lisbon, and Montijo Air Base, located 9km (5mi) east of Lisbon.

Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.


More about Portugal…


Latest update: Lisbon weather guide: 12 May, 2024


Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.



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