Your Lisbon trip: A simple season by season packing guide
Table of Contents
This guide covers what to wear on your Lisbon trip during all four seasons. A month-by-month breakdown will help you pack what you need.
Updated September 16, 2026.
The city is hot in the summer months; autumn and spring are perfect, except when they’re not, and winter can be rainy.
One thing stays the same year-round: you need the right shoes. Lisbon’s sidewalks are beautiful but slippery in both wet and dry seasons.
Spring Lisbon trip
Spring is such a great time to visit Lisbon. Flowers are blooming, and the parks look beautiful. You may get some rain, but you’ll also get lots of blue skies and sunny days.
Mornings and evenings are cool, and the day are warm.
March still has a winter feel. Morning temperatures can range from 17°C to 19°C (63°F–66°F). Night temperatures can range from 10°C to 11°C (50°F–52°F).
Packing for March in Lisbon: Think mid-weight layers.
April in Lisbon is warmer. Temperatures will be similar to March, but you may get some pretty hot days.
Packing for April in Lisbon: Think layers with a few lightweight items. Include your raincoat.
May is my favorite (spring) month in Lisbon. You will see flowers all over the parks and streets, and some of the Jacaranda trees start to bloom. A light breeze comes off the Tejo River, and temperatures range from 21–23°C (70–73°F).
Packing for May in Lisbon: Layers of lightweight clothes.
What to pack for your Lisbon spring trip
A lightweight waterproof raincoat or waterproof jacket.
A lightweight cardigan or cashmere sweater.
A linen blazer or a nice jacket that can go from day to evening.
One lightweight pair of trousers.
1 pair of dark jeans (denim).
1 skirt.
Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts.
Cotton shirts for layering.
Waterproof walking shoes or sneakers.
A crossbody bag is always better than a backpack.
*Always take a scarf because the weather can change.
Summers are hot and dry. July and August are intense, so be prepared.
June in Lisbon is still pretty nice specially during the beginning of the month. It can get pretty hot towards the end of June. The Jacaranda trees will be in full bloom, and the city will look cheery. Temperatures range from 25–27°C (77–81°F).
Pack lightweight clothes.
July and August are exceptionally hot. Temperatures can range from 28–35°C (82–95°F). Expect even hotter temperatures if you visit during a heatwave. Heatwaves can last up to a week. Slow down.
Packing for the summer in Lisbon: Linen and cotton clothes. Shirts will be cooler than T-shirts; bring walking sandals.
A note on September: It’s still pretty hot in September, and you may get a heatwave or two. Mornings and evenings tend to be slightly cooler. Temperatures range from 28–30°C (82–86°F).
What to wear in Lisbon, a fun and stylish guide
Comfortable shoes
Clothes you can move in easily
Layers
Shoes matter more than anything In Lisbon
All shoes must have a good grip and cannot have slippery soles.
Good walking sneakers
Flat walking sandals with support
Ankle boots for cooler weather
AVOID in Lisbon
High heels
Thin soles
Anything slippery, and with a leather sole
How to dress for your Lisbon trip without looking like a tourist
Don’t worry about blending in. You may want to dress in a discrete manner so as to not stand out but I suggest you be yourself and dress for the weather and location. It’s much more important to dress according to the temperatures and your comfort.
How to plan a simple and elegant look for your Lisbon trip
Choose a color theme.
Try your outfits at home and take pictures of yourself.
See what works.
Avoid over packing.
Use more combinations and less clothes.
Illustration by Marguerite Beaty at 50 and Rising
How to combine your clothes for a Lisbon trip
Trousers
Blue T-shirt for a monochrome look
Wear one of the shirts over your trousers or knot it in the front
Shirt and scarf
T-shirt + blazer+ scarf+ belt
sandals or sneakers
Skirt
T-shirt + blazer + belt
T-shirt + scarf
Blue T-shirt for a monochrome look
Shirt tucked in + belt
sandals or sneakers
Bermuda
T-shirt + blazer + belt
T-shirt + scarf
Shirt tucked in + belt
sandals or sneakers
Dress
Blazer
Blazer+ belt+ scarf
Scarf
sandals or sneakers
Accessories will help you look more elegant. A lovely light scarf always looks beautiful in anything you wear. Check out Soulmood for fantastic handmade jewellery.
Eat lunch at a fabulous place and go back to your room for an afternoon siesta.The Spanish are experts, and they do know how to live, and we can all learn from them 🙂
The heat can make you dehydrated, sick, and tired, so it’s okay to slow down.
What to wear and pack for Autumn Lisbon trip
September still feels like summer, but October is when the city starts to change. The sun will keep you warm, while the cool breeze from the Tejo will make it perfect to walk around all day. Autumn is my favorite season to be in Lisbon.
October’s temperatures are around 20–23°C (68–73°F), with cooler mornings and evenings. You may get some rain, but the weather is pretty fantastic overall.
Packing for October in Lisbon: medium-weight layers; a rainproof coat is essential.
November starts to cool down; days are shorter, and it may rain , but probably not every day. It’s a moody month, and I love it. 🙂 Temperatures range from 15–18°C (59–64°F).
Packing for November: Medium-weight layers; a rainproof coat and a warm scarf are essential.
What to pack for your Autumn Lisbon trip
A waterproof raincoat will be your most important item.
A lightweight puffer jacket or a warm blazer/short coat for layering.
A couple of merino wool lightweight thermal tops for layering if you are like me and feel cold at night.
Long-sleeve shirts.
One pair of dark jeans (denim).
A skirt. Great for layering; add tights, and you will be ready for cooler evening weather.
Lisbon winters are milder than in many northern countries, but mild is not warm. Winters are humid, and that can make you feel colder than you think. Winter is our rainy season. Temperatures range from 10–15°C (50–59°F). When it’s sunny, it’s perfect: you get lovely blue skies, coldish weather, and everything looks so beautiful and cozy.
December is festive. Holiday lights are everywhere, stores look gorgeous, and you can get roasted chestnuts throughout the city.
January and February are the quieter months; there are fewer tourists, and you will love having the city to yourself. Well, almost to yourself because more and more people visit during the winter months.
Packing for December, January, and February: Thermal underwear will be your best items; a waterproof raincoat and shoes are a must.
What to pack for your winter Lisbon trip
A waterproof raincoat
A puffer jacket or a thicker mid-length coat
Thermal underwear
Wool tights (to wear with the skirt)
Long-sleeve shirts
Sweater
Dark trousers
Skirt
warm socks
Wool beanie
Scarves
Waterproof shoes
Crossbody bag
Get your Lisbon winter packing guide, including color combinations and travel ideas and tips in Winter in Lisbon.
Month by month: What to wear in Lisbon
January and February are the coolest months. Temperatures range from 10–14°C (50–57°F). Rainy season. Pack warm layers like thermal underwear, a waterproof raincoat or winter coat, warm socks, and good waterproof shoes/sneakers.
March is unpredictable. It can feel like winter on one day and spring the next. Bring your waterproof raincoat. Mid-weight warm layers.
April is a more optimistic month. We can get warm days and cool evenings, and once in a while a much colder day or night. Temperatures range from 18–20°C (64–68°F). Mid-weight warm layers.
May feels like a real spring month. Temperatures range from 21–23°C (70–73°F). A raincoat is still a must. Think mid-weight layers, but bring a few linen tops and T-shirts for the hotter days.
June is the beginning of summer. Bring lightweight clothes. Temperatures: 25–27°C (77–81°F). Pack sandals, a dress or skirt, and don’t forget scarves in case it gets cooler at night.
July and August are the hottest months. Temperatures: 28–35°C (82–95°F). Pack as light as you can. Think linen and cotton. T-shirts might be too heavy.
September is pretty hot, especially during the first few weeks. Temperatures: 28–30°C (82–86°F), but a heatwave can make it even hotter. Pack summer clothes, but bring a lightweight puffer or jacket in case it cools off at night.
October is the real beginning of autumn. Temperature vary. Pack lightweight warm clothes. Think layers. Bring your waterproof raincoat.
November can get cold. Temperatures range from 15–18°C (59–64°F). Rain is a strong possibility. Layer warm clothes, and bring waterproof coats and shoes.
December is cold for us here in Lisbon. Temperatures range from 10–15°C (50–59°F), and the humidity will make it seem colder than it is. Bring warm clothes, waterproof coats, and waterproof shoes. This is our rainy season.
Does Portugal have a dress code?
Portugal does not have a dress code. However there are some suggestions for when you go to the beach towns.
When you go to Tavira, Olhão, Ericeira or Nazaré, you will note that most people dress in a relaxed way.
Beach town suggestion: Wear a dress, shorts and a shirt over your bathing suit when you are not at the beach.
Are you going to Albufeira? They want you to have fun and enjoy the beach, but they reallywant people to cover up when they are not at the beach.
Do you need to cover your shoulders when you visit religious sites?
I have never seen anyone ask a woman to cover up before entering a church in Portugal. Having said that, I always carry a long light scarf should anyone ask me to.
Light clothes! Linen shirts or cotton wrinkle free shirts, t-shirts, skirts are better than shorts and a light pair of trousers. Sneakers or walking sandals.
No official dress code in Lisbon. Common to see tourists in shorts, t-shirts, dresses, and comfortable shoes.
Blending In
No need to worry about blending in. Dress comfortably, considering comfort for sightseeing. Dresses and skirts can make you look more dressed up but remain practical.
Packing Essentials
Solid color skirt (medium to long)
Dress (solid or small pattern)
Trousers (solid color)
3 T-shirts (solid color)
2 shirts (solid color)
Long Bermuda shorts
Swimsuit, swimming cap
Footwear
Comfortable walking sandals and sneakers with good grip (big grooves for anti-slip). Avoid slip-prone footwear, especially on Lisbon’s sidewalks.
Accessories
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Colorful scarves (2-3)
Belt for changing the look of outfits
Crossbody bag for day/night
Small backpack (be cautious of pickpockets)
Jewelry
Avoid bringing valuable jewelry. Light, easy-to-pack accessories are ideal.
What to Wear by Activity
Hiking: Light and long hiking trousers, long-sleeved shirt, hat, good shoes
Beach: Dress over swimsuit
Sightseeing: Skirt or trousers with comfortable top and shoes
Packing Tips
Choose a color theme (e.g., dark blue) to easily mix and match clothes. Photograph yourself wearing outfits for easy decision-making.
Heatwave Tips
Sightsee early morning, do indoor activities 11 am-5 pm. Walk on shady side of streets, drink water, take breaks. Consider evening activities to avoid midday heat.
Daytime Activities During Heatwave
Visit museums or palaces
Watch a movie
Enjoy a siesta after lunch
FAQ: Important Items to Pack
Shoes: Rubber soles with big grooves for anti-slip.
Bag: Crossbody bag for safety against pickpockets.
Carry a light shawl or scarves to layer up during cooler evenings.
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
Welcome to the sunny side of life for women over 50! We aim to create a space where women feel empowered, supported, and inspired to lead their best lives after 50. Join our Instagram!
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
