Portugal, Europe

Lisbon in February

Still calm and cheap. A fine museum, pastry, and fado month between rain bands.

Quiet valueMild, highs near 60F (16C), showery

Rua Augusta Arch on Praca do Comercio, Lisbon — LisbonPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Lisbon. Still calm and cheap. A fine museum, pastry, and fado month between rain bands.

Weather: Mild, highs near 60F (16C), showery
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What February is like in Lisbon

February feels a lot like January with a bit more light. Highs reach about 60F (16C), showers still pass through, and crowds stay low. Prices remain at their yearly floor, and everything is open. Almond trees and early blossoms start showing up on sunny slopes, and the terraces fill whenever the sun comes out.

It is a strong pick for a cheap city break built around museums, pastry shops, fado, and long lunches. Beach time is out, and a wet week is possible, so bring a flexible plan. If Carnival falls in February this year, you will see costumes and parades in nearby towns, though Lisbon's own version is modest.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Lisbon this month.

Carnival, some years

When Carnival lands in February, the city and nearby towns hold parades and costume parties. The date moves with the Lent calendar, so check before you book.

Museum days that feel private

Rainy afternoons are perfect for the tile museum and the big art collections. You will often share the rooms with only a handful of people.

Sunny terrace lunches

On dry days the cafe terraces fill fast with locals soaking up the sun. Grab a table early and order grilled fish.

What to pack for February

A waterproof jacket with a hood
Grippy walking shoes for slick hills
Layers you can shed when the sun comes out
A small daypack to carry a sweater and umbrella

Our timing tip

Book hotels with flexible cancellation and watch for fare sales, since February is when Lisbon deals are easiest to find.

Book Lisbon for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Lisbon
Opens a hotel search for Lisbon in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Lisbon
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Lisbon
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Lisbon for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in February

Carnival

February or early March, varies with the Lent calendar

Smaller than Rio's or Venice's but celebrated citywide, with parades in nearby towns.

Things to do in Lisbon

Full guide

Alfama and the castle

Wander the oldest quarter up to Sao Jorge Castle in the morning before the heat and crowds; the view down the Tagus is the city's establishing shot.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Belem: Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower

Both closed Mondays. Go at opening, monastery first, and collect the original pasteis de nata as the reward.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tram 28

The famous rattling tram crosses the whole historic city. Ride at 8am or after 8pm; midday in season means long stops and pickpocket-density crowds.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

A fado night in Alfama or Mouraria

Book a casa de fado for dinner, or find the smaller tascas with amateur singers. The mournful music is the city's soul, worth one late night.

Tickets and tours →

The miradouro circuit

Senhora do Monte, Graca, and Sao Pedro de Alcantara at sunset. Bring a drink from a kiosk and settle in like a local.

Tickets and tours →

Sintra day trip

Forty minutes by train. Book Pena Palace's timed entry ahead and go early; midday coach crowds are serious in season. One palace plus the Moorish castle is a full day.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Ride Tram 28 at 8am from its Martim Moniz start, or ride the nearly identical routes on foot: most of its famous corners are better lingered over than glimpsed from a packed window.
Do Belem on a weekday at opening, monastery before tower, and be eating pasteis by 11am as the coach groups arrive.
Book Sintra's Pena Palace for the first slot and take the early train; by midday in season the hilltop shuttles and lines consume hours.
Alfama's lanes are calmest before 10am and after dinner; cruise-day crowds concentrate there and in Baixa from late morning through afternoon.

Know before you go

Lisbon has no meaningful seasonal shutdown: mild winters keep the city, its restaurants, and its sights fully open all twelve months. Winter changes prices and rain odds, not access.
Mondays close the Belem headliners, Jeronimos Monastery and the Belem Tower, along with several museums. Make Monday your Alfama, tram, and miradouro day.
June 13, Santo Antonio, is a Lisbon municipal holiday: many businesses close while the city parties. The surrounding festival nights keep old-quarter restaurants packed.
Fixed holidays to plan around: January 1, April 25, May 1, June 10 (Portugal Day), June 13 (Lisbon), August 15, October 5, November 1, December 1, 8, and 25.