Portugal, Europe

Lisbon in March

The light sharpens and terrace season begins. One of Europe's best-value early-spring city breaks.

GoodSpring arriving, highs near 64F (18C)

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

The straight answer

March is a good month to visit Lisbon. The light sharpens and terrace season begins. One of Europe's best-value early-spring city breaks.

Weather: Spring arriving, highs near 64F (18C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What March is like in Lisbon

March is when Lisbon wakes up. Highs climb to about 64F (18C), the light gets sharper, and outdoor terrace season begins. There are still some showery days, but the sunny ones feel like spring. Crowds are light and prices are still low, which makes March one of the best-value early spring breaks in Europe.

This month suits couples, walkers, and families on a spring break who want sightseeing weather without summer crowds. It is too cool for the beach, so swimmers should wait. If Easter or a late Carnival falls in March, expect a small bump in visitors and some holiday closures around those days.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Lisbon this month.

The first terrace evenings

Miradouros like Graca and Sao Pedro de Alcantara start drawing sunset crowds again. Grab a drink from a kiosk and watch the roofs turn gold.

Sintra in fresh green

The hills around Sintra are lush after winter rain and the palaces are not yet packed. It is one of the nicest months for the day trip.

Walking weather for the hills

Mild temperatures make Lisbon's steep climbs pleasant instead of sweaty. It is a good month to explore Alfama and Graca on foot.

What to pack for March

A light jacket and a warmer layer for evenings
A compact umbrella for passing showers
Comfortable shoes with grip
Sunglasses, since the spring light is bright

Our timing tip

Book Pena Palace's first timed entry even in March, because weekend coach groups already arrive by late morning.

Book Lisbon for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Lisbon
Opens a hotel search for Lisbon in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
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 March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

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.