When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
The Portuguese capital has a reputation as a budget traveler’s paradise — and with good reason. So it’s hardly surprising that Lisbon ranks among our favorite cheapo destinations. We’ve shared tips about finding a low-cost hotel room and where to find cheap eats, but when is the best time to visit Lisbon if you’re traveling on a budget?
The off-season is the best deal (think late January and all of February when the weather is too drizzly for folks chasing the sun on winter trips). On the other hand, fall and spring have the best combination of travel variables like decent weather, excellent prices, and minimum crowds. (This “shoulder season” is our favorite for traveling throughout Europe, as we discuss here.)
But what about the high season? Should you avoid it at all cost? Not necessarily. It’ll cost you substantially more but Lisbon is still so much cheaper than destinations elsewhere in Europe. So it may be worth the investment, particularly for folks who want to combine their sightseeing with sun worshipping or major local events and festivals.
More tips for Lisbon:
• Our favorite best budget hotels in Lisbon
• Fun and free things to do in Lisbon
• How to spend 2 days in Lisbon on a budget
The best time to visit Lisbon
So what do we recommend? Read on for reasons why and why not to visit Lisbon during each season, and then make a decision based on your personal priorities and budget.
Go when it’s cheapest: Lisbon in winter
We’re going to go out on a limb here and claim winter as our favorite time of year to visit Lisbon. Sure, the weather can be chilly and rainy occasionally, but a little wet and cold never stopped a determined Cheapo! Besides, as winters in Europe go, Lisbon’s is generally mild (with daytime temps in the 50s on average), and it’s a city that easily retains its charm, even under drizzle and cloud cover.
Travel plans around the Christmas holidays may cost you slightly more than the rest of the winter, but as Lisbon isn’t a popular holiday market destination, they’re still likely to be more affordable as compared to Munich or Budapest. But from mid-January through mid-March, accommodations, and flights are as cheap as they’ll be all year long, and there are virtually no crowds at monuments around town. Bring a lightweight coat and an umbrella and you’re golden.
Go when the flowers bloom: Lisbon in spring
This is the time of year when most other travelers will claim it’s best to visit Lisbon. And they’re not wrong about the city’s appeal. The combination of blooming flowers, sunnier skies, and warmer temps (think 60s and 70s) without the masses make Lisbon a lovely choice for a spring holiday. Of course, if you choose to plan your visit around Easter Week, be ready to brave crowds and higher prices, as travelers from around Europe tend to take time off around these dates.
That said, if you’re interested in the pomp and circumstance of Portugal’s traditional processions, it may be worth dealing with higher prices and adding a couple of days in Braga (3.5 hours from Lisbon) to your itinerary to get an eyeful of the faithful in traditional grab hefting around massive religious relics. Just be sure to book many months in advance.
Go when it’s sunny: Lisbon in summer
Summers in Lisbon can be scorching (slather on a high SPF — the sun can be intense), but the long hours of dependable sunlight make for uninterrupted exploring. It’s also perfect weather for folks who want to head to nearby fishing villages like Cascais for swimming or surfing.
Related: Lisbon Day Trips: Exploring Sintra, Cascais, and Coimbra
For minimum crowds and lower room rates, try earlier in the summer, as August is a popular vacation month throughout Europe. And if you’re committed to summer in Lisbon, book far in advance to save a few euros. If celebrating in the streets with locals sounds like your type of vacation, visit around June 13th, when Lisbon hosts a massive citywide party for its patron saint, Saint Anthony.
Visit Lisbon in the fall with more clouds in the sky but fewer crowds in the streets. Photo: donchili
Go when it’s less crowded: Lisbon in fall
After winter, fall is our second favorite time of year to spend some time in Lisbon for less. Like spring, it’s a shoulder season, and the weather is slightly more unpredictable than in summer. But Cheapos will be happy because prices are low, the weather is still pretty reliably warm and sunny, and the crowds are smaller in comparison to the summer months.
Late in the season, there’s a slight uptick in visitors for Thanksgiving holidays, but even then, prices and occupancy are reasonable. Just be warned that on average, November is the rainiest month in the city. So pack water-resistant shoes and a hooded jacket — wet feet can make exploring on foot pretty unpleasant.
Lisbon hotel advice for any season
• Our top 20 hotels in Lisbon
• Lisbon hotels under $100 per night
• Lisbon budget accommodations: 5 cheapo picks
Have you been to Lisbon? When’s your favorite time to visit the Portuguese capital? Share in the comment section below.
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How would you compare the prices with Eastern Europe particularly the south east ?