While I am, admittedly, biased as a lover of the city, the best time to visit Lisbon is really any time. The Portuguese capital is a hybrid of activity at all times, with warm temperatures outside even in the winter months, and a seemingly endless list of great hotels and restaurants to visit no matter what month you arrive. Plus, Portuguese warmth and hospitality is a year-round thing, so you can expect a sunny welcome whether it’s July or January.
While the summer months are a great time to enjoy festivities and visit nearby beaches—and therefore the busiest—visiting in winter will mean fewer tourists and an ability to bag a reservation you likely couldn’t during peak months. With the advice of some locals, we look at the best time to visit Lisbon, depending on what you’re looking for.
A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
As someone who has spent June in Lisbon for the past three years, there’s nowhere I’d rather be during this month of plentiful celebrations. Throughout Portugal, locals celebrate various saints in June; in Lisbon, the patron saint Santo Antonio is celebrated on June 13, with a parade the evening before on the 12th. But the celebrations aren’t limited to just these two days; for the whole month of June, people take to the streets to dance, feast on freshly grilled sardines and enjoy the atmosphere. Expect to see streets of the oldest Lisbon neighborhoods (bairros) adorned with red, green, and yellow decorations, streets abuzz with life, and a constant, distinct smell of grilled sardines in the air.
Rui Sanches, founder and CEO of restaurant group Plateform, agrees: “Every time is good to visit Lisbon because it’s sunny most of the time, even in the winter,” he tells Condé Nast Traveller UK. “But I would recommend May and June so you can join the local happiness, celebrating the warm weather and the return of the festive season. The late lunches and dinner parties last all summer.”
If you want to soak up the atmosphere and experience a celebration completely unique to Portugal, immerse yourself in the city throughout June. However, be warned that this is a busy time, and the streets will be full of locals and tourists alike. There’s also a lot of partying happening, so most central hotels will be surrounded by noise; if you need peace and quiet when you travel, this might not be the right time for you.
What months are best in Portugal?
“Definitely May,” says Armando Ribeiro, founding partner and CEO of Portuguese communications agency O Apartamento. “Lisbon Design Week, LISBON by DESIGN, and Arco International Art Fair are all happening, so it’s a great time to immerse yourself in Portuguese art, design, and crafts. Plus it’s great weather to go to the beach!”
