Weather in Lisbon in March

How March compares

March is the 9th warmest month of the year in Lisbon and ranks 80th of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within Portugal it is 12th of 13 (Portugal in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Lisbon is 6.2°C warmer by day and 7.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Lisbon peaks at 16.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 20.9°C or more. Roughly 1 in 333 days top 25°C. Nights average 10.8°C; one night in ten drops to 8.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 26.4°C (2002-03-23) and the coldest night 2.2°C (2005-03-01).

Rain in March

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 53 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 2013 with 173 mm, the driest 1997 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in March

The sea averages 14.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 13.7°C to 15.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (19.2°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:48 and sets about 18:43 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 50%.

Is March a good time to visit Lisbon?

March is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Lisbon on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Mild afternoons, cool evenings

March feels noticeably milder than London, with Lisbon's average daytime high 6.2°C higher. That makes walking around more appealing, but it is still jacket weather rather than reliable short-sleeve weather. The warmest days can reach around 21°C, so removable layers are more useful than a heavy outfit you cannot adjust. After dark, the average low of about 11°C makes a jumper and light jacket sensible for an evening out. Colder nights can drop to around 9°C or below, so do not pack only for the afternoon forecast. This month suits travellers who prefer being active in mild conditions rather than planning their day around heat.

Plan for rain, not beach weather

Rain is the main compromise: about 8 days have measurable rainfall, so keep your outdoor plans flexible and bring a waterproof jacket. That does not mean the whole month is grey. Average sunshine is about 5.9 hours a day within 11.7 hours of daylight, giving you scope for time outside without assuming every afternoon will be dry. Shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet conditions will be more useful than beachwear. The sea averages 14.4°C, which is cold rather than merely bracing; swimming should not be the reason to choose March. If your priority is mild weather for exploring on foot, the trade-off is reasonable, provided rain would not spoil the trip.