Tips · Portugal
Lisbon in Spring: March-May Weather, Packing and Plan
March to May is one of Lisbon's most pleasant seasons. Spring normals by month, what to wear, what to book, a short plan, budget and a checklist.
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The short answer: great walking weather, so pack a layer and book ahead
March to May and September to October are the most pleasant times in Lisbon. Across the three spring months, normal highs are 19-23°C and normal lows 11-14°C, good weather for walking the hills and lanes.
There are three things to prepare: a layer for mornings and evenings and shoes with good grip, bookings for the timed entry at Belém Tower and the Sintra palaces, and a check on local conditions such as the lifts and funiculars that are out of service. The day-by-day route is in the 4-day itinerary post, so this post focuses on what to sort out before a spring trip.
How March, April and May compare: normals side by side
The figures below are 1991–2020 normals for Lisboa / Instituto Geofísico station from IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere): average high / average low / monthly rainfall, rounded to whole numbers.
March has highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C, the coolest of the three. April is similar at 20°C by day and 12°C in the morning, and May rises to 23°C by day and 14°C in the morning.
Monthly rainfall is 69 mm in March, 72 mm in April and 58 mm in May. In all three months, pack a folding umbrella or a waterproof layer in case of a rainy day.
- March: 19°C / 11°C / 69 mm
- April: 20°C / 12°C / 72 mm
- May: 23°C / 14°C / 58 mm
What to wear: go by the numbers and local advice
With morning lows of 11-14°C, bring a warm jacket in March and April and a light layer for mornings and evenings in May. Daytime highs of 19-23°C make light layers the easiest approach.
Lisbon's hills are steep and the polished stone pavements (calçada) get slippery, especially in the rain. Comfortable shoes with good grip matter more than any outfit.
Pickpockets are common on Tram 28, at crowded viewpoints and in Baixa. Wear your bag in front and keep your phone deep in a pocket.
- Jacket: a warm one in March-April, a light one for mornings and evenings in May
- Comfortable shoes with good grip
- A folding umbrella or a waterproof layer
- A bag you can wear in front
Check before a spring trip: bookings, closing days and closures
Belém Tower reopened in May 2026 after about a year of restoration. Entry is by 30-minute timed slots, so book ahead, and check official information for closing days. Jerónimos Monastery nearby is closed on Mondays and some public holidays, and several other national monuments also close on Mondays.
Since the Glória funicular accident in September 2025, several historic lifts and funiculars, including the Santa Justa Lift, have been out of service. Check Carris official information for any reopening, and walk or use the metro and buses for the hills.
The Santo António festivities are in June. Check the official information before you go for spring events and seasonal opening hours, and check official info around Easter, when it can get busy.
- Belém Tower: 30-minute timed slots, book ahead
- Pena Palace and others in Sintra: timed entry, book ahead on the official Parques de Sintra site
- São Jorge Castle: buying tickets on the official site helps you skip the line
- Jerónimos Monastery: closed on Mondays and some public holidays
A spring 4-day plan that flows
Plan on 3 to 4 nights in Lisbon. The detailed day-by-day route and transport are in the 4-day itinerary post, so here is just the shape of each day and what to keep in mind in spring.
Avoid Mondays for Belém. Alfama's lookouts such as Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol and Senhora do Monte are especially beautiful at sunset, so save them for the evening of Day 2, and book Belém Tower and the Sintra palaces, which use timed entry, as soon as your dates are set.
- Day 1: Praça do Comércio → Baixa → a ginjinha at Rossio → Chiado → evening in Bairro Alto
- Day 2: Early ride on Tram 28 → São Jorge Castle → Alfama lanes and viewpoints → sunset at Senhora do Monte → fado in the evening
- Day 3 (avoid Mondays): Belém → riverside walk → evening ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and back
- Day 4: Train from Rossio for a Sintra day trip → Cascais seaside if time allows, or the Oceanário on your way to the airport
Getting around and budget
From Aeroporto station at the airport, the Metro Red Line takes about 20 minutes to Saldanha and about 30 minutes to Baixa including a transfer. The Navegante card costs about EUR 0.5 and a single trip about EUR 1.9 (a little less with zapping, check official). A taxi from the official rank at arrivals takes about 15-30 minutes to the center.
Load credit onto a Navegante card (zapping) to ride the metro, Carris buses and trams, suburban trains and ferries with one card. A 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket costs about EUR 7.25, and the metro also accepts contactless bank cards (check official). CP trains to Sintra leave from Rossio and trains to Cascais from Cais do Sodré, each about 40 minutes, and the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas takes about 10 minutes.
Daily budgets: about EUR 70-90 (hostels, bifanas and local eateries, viewpoints and walks), about EUR 150-230 (mid-range hotel, restaurant meals, one or two paid sights) and about EUR 400+ (luxury hotel, fine dining, guided tours).
Checklist before you go
Entry rules can change, so check the official EU website before you travel, including the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS. Tick off the items below and your spring trip is ready.
- Book a timed slot for Belém Tower and check its closing days
- Book Sintra palace time slots (official Parques de Sintra site)
- Avoid Mondays for Belém
- Check whether the lifts and funiculars have reopened (Carris official information)
- Check official information on spring events and opening around Easter
- A layer for mornings and evenings, shoes with good grip, a folding umbrella
- A Navegante card (station machines) and a little cash for small places
- Bread, olives or cheese placed on your table (couvert) are charged if you eat them, so ask for them to be taken away if you don't want them
Plan your Lisbon trip
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FAQ
Which is best for a spring trip to Lisbon: March, April or May?
All three fall within March to May, one of Lisbon's most pleasant seasons. Normals are 19°C / 11°C in March, 20°C / 12°C in April and 23°C / 14°C in May, so choose May if you want warmer weather.
What should I wear in Lisbon in spring?
Morning lows are 11-14°C, so bring a jacket and dress in layers. The stone pavements get slippery, especially in the rain, so wear comfortable shoes with good grip.
Do I need to book Belém Tower?
Belém Tower reopened in May 2026 and uses 30-minute timed slots, so book ahead. Check official information for closing days.
Are there festivals or holidays in spring?
The Santo António festivities are in June. Check official information before you go for spring event dates, and check official info around Easter, when it can get busy.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Lisbon and the Tagus from São Jorge Castle · NorbertNagel / CC BY-SA 4.0