Lisbon, Portugal: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

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Traveling to Lisbon, Portugal? Lisbon is a beautiful city with a rich history and architecture.

The city merits several days, in order to see all of the sites and take in the cultural experiences.

If you're planning to go to Lisbon, this article contains some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.

When to go to Lisbon, Portugal

Based on the climate and weather in Lisbon, the best time to go is July. This coincides with the Sumol Summer fest, a giant summer party at Ericiera, as well as the Nos Alive rock festival, that draws famous musicians and huge crowds.

Another good month is June, when the Fiesta de Lisboa occurs. See below for details.

Important essentials for Lisbon, Portugal

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Lisbon, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 ESSENTIALS

Other health necessities


  • Emergency water purifier

    Some rural areas may have unreliable tap water, so it's important to have an emergency water purifier like this one.


  • Travel first aid kit

    This one is a great value.


  • Emergency rapid COVID-19 test

    U.S. residents can get them free here. Otherwise, you can buy them here.


  • Emergency motion sickness relief

Don't forget these

 

Activities for Lisbon, Portugal

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Lisbon.

Lisbon has several world-renowned art museums, including the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. If you go to an art museum, wear appropriate museum clothing, and be prepared for walking.

Much of what you will do in Lisbon is walk the city. There are so many neighborhoods to stroll through, including Alfama, Chiado, Barrio Alto and more. There are also cafes, bars, and clubs around every corner. So you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.

The Ocenarium is one of the largest aquariums in the region. It boasts 8,000 creatures, and has some pretty cool tours, such as a sleepover with sharks. If you go to the Ocenarium, take:

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (or the Monastery of St. Jerome) is a must-see, but remember that it is still religious full of worshipers. Wear respectful clothing such as the following:

Other sites that you can't miss in Lisbon are the giant football (soccer) stadium, Estadio do Sport Lisboa, and the Panteao Nacional (the national pantheon), which took over 400 years to build and has beautiful views of the city.

We recommend these top tours in and around Lisbon.


  • Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio)

    This is the former location of Lisbon's Royal Palace. This is a beautifully restored area that is not to be missed.

    Check out the tour options


  • Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)

    This is a nearly 1000 year old cathedral that you will see on many tours of the city.

    Check out the tour options


  • Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George's Castle)

    This is a can't-miss castle which evokes the historical beauty of a bygone era. Pair it with a tour of the fairy tale village of Sintra.

    Check out the tour options


  • Alfama

    This is a great place to do a walking tour or even a food tour. With a guide, you will get a true feel of the significance of the district.

    Check out the tour options


  • Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena)

    The can't miss part of Sintra, which you can see on a castle tour paired with the Castelo de Sao Jorge or on its own. The town seems like it came out of a fairytale, and should not be missed.

    Check out the tour options

 

 

What to wear/what to pack for Lisbon, Portugal by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

If you go to Lisbon in January, you will notice that it is crisp and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the high 50s F (mid 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

February

February in Lisbon is relatively cool and somewhat rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 40s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about half of the time. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 60% to 70% range on average.

What to wear/what to pack:

March

March in Lisbon is chilly and somewhat rainy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 60s F (high 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

April

If you vacation in Lisbon during April, you might notice that it is mild and somewhat rainy. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 60s F (high 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 50s F (low 10s C). Humidity is generally between 60 and 70% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

May

In May, Lisbon is balmy and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the low 70s F (low 20s C) and about half of the time jump into the low 70s F (low 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the 50s F (low 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Lisbon, with several of the days of the month having rain. In May, humidity reaches as high as 60%.

What to wear/what to pack:

June

If you are traveling to Lisbon in June, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature and dry with little rain. Expect it to rain about a third of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

July

July for Lisbon is extremely warm and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains sometimes.

What to wear/what to pack:

August

August is extremely warm and dry with little rain. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains once in a while.

What to wear/what to pack:

September

If you vacation in Lisbon during September, you will probably see that it is a perfect temperature. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 60s F (high 10s C). Humidity is generally between 50 and 60% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about a third of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

October

If you go to Lisbon in October, you will notice that it is mild and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the low 70s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

November

In November, Lisbon is crisp and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the 60s F (high 10s C) range. At night, lows are in the low 50s F (low 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Lisbon, with several of the days of the month having rain. In November, humidity reaches as high as 80%.

What to wear/what to pack:

December

December here can be chilly and very rainy. Temperatures average in the high 50s F (mid 10s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

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