When to visit Lisbon: June to September for hot, dry, sunny days, though July-August can be intensely hot inland
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Avg Temp
19–29°C
Rainfall
Very low, ~5mm/month
Best Time
June to September for hot, dry, sunny days, though July-August can be intensely hot inland
Packing Tips (3)
- Sunscreen and a hat for strong midday sun
- Comfortable walking shoes for steep, cobbled hills
- A light layer for the cooler evening breeze off the Tagus
What does Lisbon cost?
Typical prices
- Budget meal€12.00
- Mid-range meal€30.00
- Cappuccino€1.20
- Domestic beer€3.00
- Taxi (per km)€1.40
- Public transport ticket€2.00
- Museum entry€12.00
- Mid-range hotel (night)€140.00
Local currency: EUR
Food & Drink
Cervejaria Ramiro
Legendary seafood house in Intendente famous for its tiger prawns and garlic bread, with lines out the door most nights.
Time Out Market Lisboa
Food hall in Cais do Sodré gathering stalls from many of the city's best chefs under one roof.
Pastéis de Belém
The original 1837 bakery that invented the pastel de nata, still using the secret recipe today.
A Cevicheria
Small, always-packed Peruvian ceviche bar in Príncipe Real with a giant octopus sculpture hanging from the ceiling.
Taberna da Rua das Flores
Tiny, no-reservations tasca serving inventive daily-changing Portuguese small plates.
Solar dos Presuntos
Classic Lisbon restaurant near Rossio known for cured hams, seafood, and traditional Portuguese fare since 1974.
O Trevo
Casual spot in Praça da Alegria known for some of the best bifanas (pork sandwiches) in the city.
Pensão Amor
Quirky bar in a former brothel in Cais do Sodré with burlesque decor and live music.
Lux Frágil
Lisbon's most famous nightclub on the Santa Apolónia docks, co-owned by John Malkovich, spinning house and techno until dawn.
Park
Rooftop bar on top of a parking garage in Bairro Alto with sweeping views over the Tagus at sunset.
Povo
Fado bar in Cais do Sodré where amateur and professional singers perform live traditional fado.
Culture & History
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
Museum dedicated to Portugal's iconic painted ceramic tiles, housed in a former convent with a stunning gilded church.
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
One of Europe's finest private art collections, spanning Egyptian antiquities to Lalique jewelry and Impressionist paintings.
MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology)
Striking riverside museum with a wave-like roof, hosting contemporary art and design exhibitions.
Museu Nacional dos Coches
World's largest collection of historic royal carriages, housed in Belém.
Torre de Belém
UNESCO-listed 16th-century fortified tower guarding the Tagus estuary, an iconic symbol of the Age of Discovery.
Cinema São Jorge
Historic Art Deco cinema on Avenida da Liberdade and main venue for the Lisbon Film Festival.
Festas de Lisboa (Santo António)
Month-long city-wide street party with grilled sardines, sangria, and parades honoring the city's patron saint.
NOS Alive
Major international rock and alternative music festival held on the Tagus riverbank in Algés.
Nature & Outdoors
Praia de Carcavelos
Wide sandy beach popular with surfers and beginners, easily reached by train from central Lisbon.
Praia da Costa da Caparica
Long stretch of beaches across the Tagus, popular for both families and surfers.
Sintra hills
Forested, mist-covered hills dotted with fairy-tale palaces like Pena Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape.
Active & Fun
Fitness Hut
Popular Portuguese gym chain with several central Lisbon locations.
Piscina do Areeiro
Public indoor pool in the Areeiro neighborhood open to visitors for lap swimming.
Cities in Portugal
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