Lisbon in Winter: Weather, Christmas and What to Do

Lisbon in winter is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets: mild, often sunny days, Christmas lights, roasted chestnuts on every corner, cosy fado taverns, no queues and much lower hotel prices. It does rain, so pack a raincoat, but there are plenty of bright days to enjoy the viewpoints. Here’s what to expect.

Quick answer: from December to February, expect days of about 14–17°C and nights of 6–9°C, with rain on some days (December and January are wettest). Enjoy the Christmas lights and Wonderland fair (late November to early January), New Year’s Eve on Praça do Comércio, museums, food and fado. Hotels are often half their summer price.

The weather

• Days: often 14–17°C, warm in the sun but cool in the wind.
• Nights: 6–9°C, and many buildings have little heating, so check your hotel has it.
• Rain: comes in spells, often followed by bright, clear days. February tends to be drier.
• Light: the low winter sun makes Lisbon’s colours glow. Great for photos.

Winter highlights

• Christmas lights: a giant tree on Praça do Comércio and lights across Baixa, Chiado and Avenida da Liberdade from late November.
• Wonderland Lisboa: the Christmas fair in Parque Eduardo VII with a Ferris wheel, ice rink and stalls, usually late November to early January. Free entry.
• New Year’s Eve: a free concert and fireworks over the river at Praça do Comércio (in 2025/26 with a drone show).
• Carnival: in February (9 February 2027 is Carnival Tuesday), with parades nearby in Torres Vedras.
• Roasted chestnuts: smoky street carts sell paper cones of castanhas assadas. Pair them with a ginjinha.

More festive ideas: Christmas in Portugal.

Best things to do in winter

• Museums: the reopened Gulbenkian, the MAAT, the Coach Museum. See Lisbon on a rainy day.
• The Oceanário: great for families on a wet day. See Parque das Nações.
• Fado: cosy taverns are at their best in winter. See fado in Lisbon.
• Food: hearty stews, cozido, bacalhau and warming soups. See what to eat in Portugal.
• Viewpoints on sunny days: fewer crowds and clear air. See the best Lisbon viewpoints.
• Sintra: misty and magical, with far fewer visitors. See Sintra in one day.

What to pack

• A warm jacket, layers and a waterproof (umbrellas struggle in the river wind).
• Shoes with grip: the cobbles get very slippery when wet.
• Something warm to sleep in, as rooms can be chilly.

Prices and crowds

Outside Christmas and New Year, winter is low season: hotel rates drop sharply, there are no queues at the big sights, and restaurants are full of locals. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are busy, so book early. See where to stay in Lisbon and hotels with a heated indoor pool.

More: Portugal in winter and the Algarve in winter.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.