Greetings from
Lisbon
Portugal
Atlantic light, steep streets and a long shoulder season
Lisbon works almost year-round. The sweet spot is spring and autumn, when it is warm enough for the miradouros and the beaches at Cascais without August's heat and prices.
Our verdict
Late September to mid-October is the best-value window: warm sea, thinning crowds and a sharp drop in prices from August. May is the runner-up if you want spring light and don't mind cooler water.
Is it a good time to go?
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Add your dates, or pick a school holiday, to see whether Lisbon is in busy, sweet-spot or quiet season then, and whether your dates hit a UK school holiday.
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Lisbon through the year
Tap a month for the detail
Tap a month to see what it’s like in Lisbon.
Temperatures: ten-year averages from the Lisboa / Geof weather station (0.9 km away), via Meteostat, 2016–2026. Rain: Lisboa / Geof station via Meteostat, 2016–2026.
How the year plays out
Seasons explained
Lisbon's climate is Atlantic rather than Mediterranean: summers are hot but tempered by sea breezes, winters are mild and wet rather than cold. Peak season runs June to August, when the city fills for the Santo António festivities in mid-June and the school-holiday rush that follows. Hotel rates and flight prices from the UK climb steadily through July and top out in August.
The two shoulder windows are the real story. April to early June brings warm, dry days, jacaranda in bloom and a sea that is just about swimmable by late May. September and October are arguably better still: the Atlantic is at its warmest, the crowds thin sharply after the first week of September, and prices drop well before the weather does. November to March is off-season. Expect rain in bursts, but also the year's lowest fares, quiet museums and a city that feels lived-in rather than visited.
For UK families
Lisbon in the school holidays
October half term is Lisbon's strongest school-holiday window for UK families: daytime highs are still in the low twenties, the sea is warmer than in June, and although half-term flights carry a premium, the city's own demand has eased. Easter is a good second choice, with mild weather and Lisbon's Holy Week processions, though Easter weekend itself lifts hotel rates. The summer holidays coincide with Lisbon's peak; if you must go in August, look at the Cascais and Sintra coast rather than the city centre. February half term is quiet and cheap but expect showers.
Pick a school holiday in the date checker at the top of the page to see the exact term dates and typical premium for your region.
Quick answers
Frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Late September to mid-October is the best-value window: warm sea, thinning crowds and a sharp drop in prices from August. May is the runner-up if you want spring light and don't mind cooler water.
When is Lisbon most expensive?
Our price index puts June to August at the top of the year for Lisbon. The cheapest months on the same index are January, February and November. The month-by-month view above shows the full picture, with UK school holidays marked.
Is Lisbon a good choice for the UK school holidays?
October half term is Lisbon's strongest school-holiday window for UK families: daytime highs are still in the low twenties, the sea is warmer than in June, and although half-term flights carry a premium, the city's own demand has eased. Easter is a good second choice, with mild weather and Lisbon's Holy Week processions, though Easter weekend itself lifts hotel rates. The summer holidays coincide with Lisbon's peak; if you must go in August, look at the Cascais and Sintra coast rather than the city centre. February half term is quiet and cheap but expect showers.
Does it rain a lot in Lisbon?
On average, Lisbon sees the fewest rainy days in July (around 0 days with rain) and the most in November (around 9 days). The month-by-month view above shows every month, and our data sources page explains how this is measured.
Are there festivals or events that affect prices in Lisbon?
Yes — Lisbon hosts Festas de Lisboa (Santo Antonio) in June, which can push prices above the usual seasonal pattern that month. Exact dates vary by year; check the month-by-month view above and confirm against the event's own listing before booking.
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