Spring in Lisbon gives you a nice mix of mild temperatures, longer days, and less rain than winter. Daytime highs climb from the low 60s °F in March to the mid-70s °F by late May, and evenings usually stay pretty comfortable—not often too chilly. This steady warming makes spring a great time to experience the city.
Rain falls sometimes, but showers get less frequent as spring moves on. By late spring, dry and sunny days take over, so you can spend more time outside without worrying about rain. The skies clear up too, with less cloud cover, so days get brighter as the season goes.
Daylight increases fast in spring, adding over three hours of sunshine from early March to late May. That gives you more time for sightseeing and creates perfect conditions for exploring Lisbon’s parks, coastal paths, and historic neighborhoods at your own pace.
Spring Temperatures in Lisbon
Spring in Lisbon brings a steady temperature climb, with mild mornings and warm afternoons. Early March feels cooler, but by late May, you’ll notice much warmer weather. It’s a great season for spending time outdoors.
Monthly Temperature Trends
From March through May, Lisbon warms up in a pretty consistent way. In March, highs usually hit about 62°F (17°C), and nights cool down to around 49°F (9°C).
By April, the city feels warmer, with highs near 68°F (20°C) and lows around 52°F (11°C).
In May, you’ll notice it gets summer-like. Highs average 75°F (24°C), and nighttime lows hover near 59°F (15°C). Late spring feels much warmer than the start.
Daytime and Nighttime Variations
Daytime and nighttime temperatures in Lisbon differ enough to affect your clothing choices. Afternoons are mild to warm, but mornings and evenings can feel cooler, especially in March.
Highs go from the low 60s °F in early spring to the mid-70s °F by late May. At night, lows stay in the high 40s °F in March and reach the upper 50s °F by May.
You might need a light jacket in the evenings, even when afternoons feel perfect. By late spring, evenings are mild enough for just a shirt or lighter layers.
Temperature Comparison With Other Seasons
Compared to Lisbon’s winter, spring feels warmer and sunnier. Daytime highs rise about 10 to 15°F above January averages. Winter lows often stick in the upper 40s °F, so spring nights are definitely more comfortable.
If you look at summer, spring is milder. Summer highs often reach the 80s °F, while spring rarely gets past the mid-70s °F. Summer nights stay warmer too, averaging in the mid-60s °F.
Compared to autumn, spring starts off fresher and slightly cooler, but by May, it feels a lot like early fall. Spring ends up being a nice balance between winter’s chill and summer’s heat.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Spring in Lisbon brings moderate rainfall, but totals drop off as summer gets closer. March and April are wetter, but by late May, the city dries out and summer feels like it’s just around the corner.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall in Lisbon during spring isn’t spread evenly. March usually gets about 70–75 mm of rain, making it one of the wetter spring months. April is similar, but May drops off, averaging closer to 40–50 mm.
This drop fits the city’s Mediterranean climate, where most rain falls in the cooler months. By late May, you’ll mostly see brief showers rather than long rainy spells.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | ~73 mm |
| April | ~70 mm |
| May | ~45 mm |
These numbers reflect long-term averages, but weather can always surprise you. The general trend, though, is less rain as spring goes on.
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days in Lisbon decrease as spring moves forward. March brings about 10 days with measurable rain. April averages close to 9–10 days, and May drops to 6–7 days.
Rain usually comes in short bursts instead of all-day events. So, you can often enjoy long stretches of sunshine even in wetter months. Showers pass quickly, leaving behind clear skies and mild temps.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, keep this in mind. You may want an umbrella in March, but by late spring, rain rarely gets in the way of travel plans or sightseeing.
Transition From Wet to Dry Season
Spring acts as the bridge between Lisbon’s rainy winter and dry summer. March and April still show signs of the wetter season, with Atlantic systems bringing in moisture. By May, these systems fade and drier air takes over.
This change happens slowly, not all at once. You’ll notice fewer rainy days and lighter showers as the weeks pass. Sunshine hours increase, and by late May, the city feels a lot like early summer.
This shift marks the Mediterranean climate—spring connects the cool, wet winters with the hot, dry summers.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
During spring in Lisbon, you’ll see a steady rise in sunshine and daylight. The season starts with shorter, cloudier days and ends with long, bright afternoons that might be some of the nicest of the year.
Average Daily Sunshine
Lisbon gets more sunshine in spring than many other European cities. In March, you see about 6 to 7 hours of sun per day. By April, it’s around 9 hours, and May brings you close to 10 hours daily.
The percentage of sunny daylight also climbs as the season moves on. March averages about 57% sunny hours, while May often hits 69%. By late spring, two-thirds of the daylight hours are bright and clear.
With more reliable sunshine in April and May, it’s easier to plan outdoor activities like walking tours or day trips. Rain can still pop up, but more sun makes spring a really comfortable time to explore Lisbon.
Day Length Changes Through Spring
Day length grows fast during spring. In early March, Lisbon gets about 11 hours and 50 minutes of daylight. By late May, that number jumps to over 14 hours.
That’s an increase of nearly 2.5 hours across the season, so you get longer afternoons and evenings. April alone adds almost an extra hour of daylight compared to March.
The sun climbs higher too. By late May, the midday sun reaches more than 70° above the horizon, which brings stronger light and warmth than early spring.
You’ll notice you can spend more time outside without rushing. Longer daylight hours are perfect if you like sightseeing, photography, or even just eating outdoors.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset times in Lisbon shift a lot during spring. In early March, the sun rises around 7:00 am and sets near 6:45 pm. By late May, sunrise is closer to 6:15 am, and sunset stretches to about 9:00 pm.
That’s more than two extra hours of daylight by the end of the season.
Later sunsets in May make it easy to enjoy the city’s viewpoints, waterfront walks, and outdoor cafés. Mornings get brighter earlier too, which is great if you like early starts for exploring.
You get a really nice balance of daylight in Lisbon during spring.
Cloud Cover and Sky Conditions
In Lisbon during spring, the sky gets noticeably clearer as the season goes on. You’ll see fewer overcast days, more sunshine, and a steady shift toward brighter conditions by late May.
Frequency of Clear and Cloudy Days
At the start of spring, skies are mixed, with about 43% of days mostly cloudy or overcast. By late May, that drops to around 30%, so you get more chances to enjoy outdoor activities.
The clearest day of the season usually comes near May 31, when skies are clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy about 70% of the time. Late spring is one of the most reliable times for sunshine in Lisbon.
For comparison, winter months often have cloud cover at 50% or more, while in July, summer skies are over 90% clear or mostly clear. Spring really stands out as the transition toward Lisbon’s dry, sunny summer.
If you’re sightseeing, you might notice mornings start a bit cloudy, but afternoons usually open up with brighter skies. That’s pretty common in coastal places influenced by the Atlantic.
Changes in Cloudiness Over Spring
Cloud cover in Lisbon drops steadily from early March through late May. The change is gradual, but you’ll spot a clear trend toward longer stretches of sun and fewer gray skies.
Early March can feel unsettled, with a higher chance of overcast days. By mid-spring, the percentage of cloudy skies falls off, and you see more clear or partly clear days.
With longer daylight hours, you get more usable time outside. By late May, sunsets go past 8:30 p.m., and skies stay bright for much of the day.
Clearer skies also mean less rain, since drier weather comes with more sun. Late spring brings both more sunshine and fewer interruptions from showers.
If you’re traveling, lighter clothing and sunglasses become more important as spring goes on. Lisbon’s spring skies give you a comfortable balance of mild warmth and reliable sun.
Humidity and Wind in Spring
Spring in Lisbon brings moderate humidity and gentle winds that change as the season moves forward. You get comfortable air moisture and breezes from the Atlantic, which makes outdoor activities pleasant—not stifling.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity in Lisbon during spring usually sits between 65% and 75%. That’s comfortable, not sticky like tropical places. Mornings are a bit more humid, while afternoons dry out as temperatures go up.
March has higher air moisture because of leftover winter rains. As April and May arrive, humidity drops, pairing with more sunshine. Late spring feels especially comfortable for exploring the city.
Spring keeps a balance—unlike summer, when dry air dominates. This helps keep Lisbon’s gardens and greenery looking good all season.
You don’t have to change your clothing much for the humidity. Light layers and breathable fabrics work well, especially if you’re out all day.
Typical Wind Patterns
Winds in Lisbon during spring mostly come from the northwest and west, thanks to the Atlantic. Breezes are usually light to moderate, averaging 10–20 km/h (6–12 mph), but they get stronger along the coast.
March can feel gustier as winter systems fade. By April and May, winds settle down and feel more refreshing than disruptive.
Near the Tagus River or at higher spots like Miradouros, you’ll notice cooler breezes. Inland neighborhoods usually feel calmer.
For outdoor plans like walking tours or beach trips, spring winds help by keeping things comfortable. If you’re sensitive to wind, bring a light jacket or windbreaker, especially for evenings.
What to Expect: Outdoor Activities and Travel Tips
Spring in Lisbon brings mild temperatures, longer daylight, and a mix of sunny and rainy days. You can enjoy outdoor sightseeing, but it’s smart to prepare for sudden weather changes that might send you indoors for a bit.
Best Time for Sightseeing
March through May feels just right for walking tours, exploring historic neighborhoods, and soaking in Lisbon’s viewpoints. Average daytime highs sit between 15°C and 24°C (59°F to 75°F), so you can hang out outside for hours without worrying about sweltering heat.
You might run into rain showers in March and early April, though they usually don’t last long. By the time May rolls around, the days turn sunnier and drier, which is perfect for checking out Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, or just wandering along the Tagus River.
Parks like Eduardo VII Park and the Gulbenkian Gardens really come alive in spring. Jacaranda trees start blooming in late May, and the colors are honestly hard to beat.
Outdoor cafés and riverfront promenades attract plenty of locals and visitors, but you won’t have to fight the summer crowds.
If you’re thinking about hopping on one of Lisbon’s iconic trams or climbing up to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, spring weather makes the whole experience way more enjoyable and a lot less hectic.
Recommended Packing List
Layering really matters for Lisbon in spring. Mornings and evenings often feel cool, but afternoons tend to warm up. I’d suggest packing a light jacket or blazer, along with long-sleeve tops and t-shirts. That combo should get you through most situations.
For bottoms, go with comfortable jeans or lightweight trousers. If you’re hoping for sunny weather, a midi dress or skirt can be a great choice. I always toss in a scarf too—it adds warmth and a bit of style.
Rain might show up, so bring a compact umbrella or a waterproof jacket just in case. Shoes really matter here, since Lisbon’s streets climb steep hills and those cobblestones can get slippery. Pick comfortable walking shoes with solid grip, and maybe waterproof boots if you’re visiting earlier in the season.
Don’t forget some sunglasses. I’d also recommend a crossbody bag for a little extra security, and a reusable water bottle to keep hydrated as you wander the hills. Oh, and a European power adapter is a must if you need to charge your devices.