Lisbon weather by month

When to go to Lisbon

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: July, August. November is the wettest month (84 mm, about 10 rainy days) and July the driest (2 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 19.2°C and coolest in February at 14.0°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS, 6 km from Lisbon) takes roughly 2 h 42 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Lisbon.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Lisbon between 1991 and 2020 reached 41.5°C on 4 August 2018; the coldest fell to 1.5°C on 20 January 2017. In August one day in ten tops 31.2°C and about 18% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 5.7°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was January 1996 with 330 mm, against a January average of 68 mm.

Spring: comfortable walking weather, with showers still possible

March brings average daytime temperatures of 17°C, rising to 18°C in April and 21°C in May. That makes spring a sensible choice if walking is the priority rather than swimming. March and April each average 8 rain days, so keep a waterproof handy and leave room to rearrange outdoor plans. May is the warmer, somewhat drier option, with 6 rain days and 8 hours of sunshine. Even then, average nights of 14°C favour a light jacket over summer clothing alone. The sea warms from 14°C in March to 17°C in May, but remains chilly. Choose May for the best spring balance of warmth, sunshine and fewer wet days.

Summer into September: the strongest spell for outdoor plans

June is warm without the highest summer averages: days reach 24°C, with just 2 rain days. July and August are the driest choices, each averaging 1 rain day, while daytime temperatures rise from 26°C to 27°C. July also has the most sunshine, at 11 hours, so shade breaks and sun protection matter for long days outside. August is the hottest month, though these averages are not a ceiling on afternoon heat. September remains a strong option, with 25°C days and 18°C nights, but rain becomes more likely. For swimming, temper expectations: the sea averages 18°C in June and 19°C from July through September, so warm air does not mean warm water.

Autumn and winter: mild afternoons, wetter and cooler spells

October still offers average days of 21°C and nights of 16°C, but its 9 rain days make it less dependable for an outdoor-focused holiday than September. November drops to 17°C by day and has 10 rain days, making flexible plans more useful than a packed outdoor schedule. December, January and February all average 14°C during the day: mild enough for walking in suitable layers, not for expecting summer warmth. Nights average 10°C in December and 9°C in January and February, so bring a warmer jacket. December has just 4 hours of sunshine, while February averages fewer rain days than December or January. Winter suits travellers who can work around showers and cool evenings.