Lisbon on a Rainy Day: 20 Things to Do Indoors

Lisbon gets over 2,800 hours of sunshine a year, but when it rains, it really rains, usually between November and March. The good news: the city has world-class museums, a huge aquarium, cosy cafes and food halls to fill a wet day. Here are the best things to do in Lisbon when it rains, with 2026 prices and what’s currently closed.

Quick answer: head to the Oceanário (€25), the newly reopened Gulbenkian Museum, the MAAT (€11) or the Time Out Market. With kids, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento science centre. Take a cooking class or a fado show. Note: the National Tile Museum and the National Museum of Ancient Art are closed for renovation in 2026.

Museums

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

One of Europe’s great private art collections, from ancient Egypt to Lalique jewellery, which reopened in July 2026 after an 18-month renovation. Next door, the CAM (Modern Art Centre, €12) reopened in 2024 in a stunning new building. Free on Sunday afternoons and for under-18s; closed Tuesdays. If the rain stops, the gardens are free and lovely.

MAAT

The wave-shaped art, architecture and technology museum by the river in Belém, plus the old power station next door. €11, closed Tuesdays.

Museum of the Coaches

The world’s finest collection of royal carriages, gilded and spectacular. €15. (The old Royal Riding School part is closed for works.)

Jerónimos Monastery

The church is free and the cloister (€18) is covered, so it works on a wet day.

Museu do Fado

The story of fado, with lots of recordings to listen to, in Alfama. €5.

MUDE

The design and fashion museum in a former bank on Rua Augusta, reopened in 2024 after a long renovation, with a great rooftop.

Palácio Nacional da Ajuda

A grand royal palace with lavish rooms, much quieter than the city-centre sights. €15.

Closed in 2026

The National Tile Museum and the National Museum of Ancient Art are closed for major renovation works, with reopening expected sometime in 2026 or later. Check their websites before you go.

With kids

• Oceanário de Lisboa: one of Europe’s best aquariums, with a giant central tank, sea otters and penguins. €25 adults, €15 ages 3–12. Open 10am to 8pm. Buy online to skip the queue. See tickets.
• Pavilhão do Conhecimento: a hands-on science centre next door. €11 adults.
• Shopping centres: Vasco da Gama (next to the Oceanário), Colombo and Amoreiras have play areas and food courts.

More in Lisbon with kids.

Food and drink

• Time Out Market: dozens of stalls under one roof. See Lisbon food markets.
• Cooking class: learn to make pastel de nata or a Portuguese feast. See cooking classes.
• Food tour: most go ahead in the rain, with plenty of time indoors. See food tours.
• A long lunch in a traditional tasca, or coffee and cake in a historic café like A Brasileira in Chiado.
• Port tasting at a wine bar. Perfect on a grey afternoon.

Other indoor ideas

• LX Factory: covered shops, cafes and the Ler Devagar bookshop.
• Fado: early evening shows or a fado dinner. See fado in Lisbon.
• Amoreiras 360: a panoramic viewpoint on top of a shopping centre (€5), good when the rain clears.
• Cinema: films are shown in their original language with Portuguese subtitles (except most children’s films, which are dubbed).
• A spa afternoon at one of the city’s hotels.

Rainy day tips

• The cobbles get very slippery when wet. Wear shoes with grip.
• Umbrellas struggle in the wind near the river; a hooded raincoat is better.
• Use the metro and Uber or Bolt (prices rise in the rain). See Lisbon public transport.
• Weather moves fast: mornings of rain often clear by afternoon, so keep a viewpoint on standby.

Visiting in the cooler months? Read Portugal in winter and see the best tours in Lisbon.

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