Lisbon enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. The city is renowned for its abundant sunshine, moderate temperatures, and cooling Atlantic breezes. Seasonal changes are gentle, making Lisbon a pleasant year-round destination for both cultural exploration and outdoor activities, with spring and autumn offering especially comfortable weather.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Lisbon’s climate is distinctly Mediterranean, marked by mild winters and hot, dry summers. Winters (December to February) see average daytime temperatures between 14°C and 16°C, with nights rarely dropping below 8°C. Rainfall peaks from November to February, with November and December being the wettest months. Snow is virtually unknown in Lisbon, and freezing temperatures are rare. Despite the rain, winter days often feature sunny intervals, and strong Atlantic winds are more frequent in this season.
Summers (June to August) are warm and sunny, with average highs of 26°C to 29°C, though heatwaves can occasionally push temperatures above 35°C. Rain is scarce in summer, and the city enjoys up to 11 hours of sunshine per day. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are transitional seasons, offering mild temperatures (17°C to 23°C) and moderate rainfall, especially in autumn. Sunshine is abundant, with Lisbon averaging around 2,800 hours per year, making it one of Europe’s sunniest capitals. The Atlantic Ocean keeps the climate moderate, and sea breezes help cool the hottest days, though the ocean itself remains cool for swimming, peaking around 20°C in late summer.
Lisbon’s hilly terrain and proximity to the Atlantic create microclimates, with coastal areas often feeling cooler and windier. The city’s weather is generally stable, but occasional strong winds can occur, especially in winter and spring. Overall, Lisbon’s climate supports outdoor living and a vibrant café culture, with comfortable conditions for sightseeing, hiking, and beach activities for much of the year.
| Average climate data for Lisbon, Portugal | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 15 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 101 | 85 | 54 | 68 | 54 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 33 | 100 | 126 | 129 | 775 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 112 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
The best time to visit Lisbon is during spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October), when temperatures are comfortably warm (18°C to 25°C), rainfall is low, and the city is less crowded. These periods are perfect for exploring Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods, enjoying outdoor events, and relaxing at nearby beaches.
The least favourable time to visit is late autumn and winter (November to February), when rain is most frequent and days are shorter, though temperatures remain mild. While sightseeing is still possible, outdoor activities may be limited by wet weather, and the Atlantic winds can make it feel cooler, especially near the coast.
Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, moderate temperatures, and cooling Atlantic breezes, making it a pleasant destination throughout the year.
The best weather is typically in spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October), when temperatures are warm but not too hot, rainfall is low, and the city is less crowded than in peak summer.
Summer temperatures in Lisbon usually range from 26°C to 29°C, but heatwaves can occasionally push temperatures above 35°C. Despite the heat, the Atlantic breeze often provides some relief, especially in coastal areas.
Lisbon receives most of its rainfall from November to February, with November and December being the wettest months. Summers are very dry, while spring and autumn see moderate rainfall. Overall, the city averages about 750–800 mm of rain annually.
Yes, Lisbon remains relatively sunny even in winter, with around 5–6 hours of sunshine per day. While rain is more frequent, many days still feature bright, clear skies compared to other European capitals.
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer, and bring layers, a rain jacket, and waterproof shoes for winter or autumn. Comfortable walking shoes are essential due to Lisbon’s hilly streets.
The Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon is cool even in summer, with sea temperatures peaking around 20°C in August and September. Swimming is possible, but the water may feel chilly compared to Mediterranean destinations.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (28.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (14.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 21.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (18.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (8.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.5 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is September (19.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (15.1 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 17.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (128.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (4.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 775 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (14 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (1.9 days). Over the whole year there are 111.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 9). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.4.
