Best time to visit Lisbon
Lisbon is a year-round destination with mild winters and dry summers, but price, crowds and weather vary a lot by month. Here is an honest month-by-month overview: when it is cheapest to fly from the Netherlands, when it is quiet, and when the city is at its liveliest during Santo Antonio in June.
✈️ Compare live prices for Lisbon →Quick answer: when is it cheapest?
Flights to Lisbon from the Netherlands are cheapest in November, January and February, outside the holidays and beach season. The best balance of price, weather and calm is May and September to early October: 22 to 26 degrees, little rain and lower ticket prices than in summer. Return tickets from Schiphol or Eindhoven start around 60 euro per person when you book early.
Month by month: what to know
January - February
CHEAPEST12 to 16 degrees, some showers but also plenty of sun. No queues at Belem or tram 28, hotels and flights at their lowest. Ideal for a city break about fado, museums and pasteis de nata, less for sunbathing.
March - April
GOOD VALUE16 to 21 degrees, spring with pleasant terrace days. Around Easter it gets busier and pricier. Still cheap; combine the city with a day trip to Sintra or Cascais.
May - June
BEST PERIOD22 to 27 degrees, dry and sunny. In June the city erupts during Santo Antonio (Festas de Lisboa): the highlight is the night of 12 June with the Marchas Populares on Avenida da Liberdade and sardine street parties in Alfama, 13 June is a local holiday. Atmospheric, but book accommodation well ahead.
July - August
BUSY AND PRICEY26 to 32 degrees, almost no rain. Beaches at Cascais and Costa da Caparica packed, highest prices for flights and hotels. Great for beach lovers, less so if you want calm.
September - October
BEST PERIODSeptember still 24 to 28 degrees with a warm sea, October drops to 20 to 23. Locals return from holiday, neighbourhoods and restaurants lively, up to 20% cheaper than August. The ideal mix of sun, atmosphere and value.
November - December
CHEAP AND QUIET14 to 18 degrees, more chance of rain but still regular sun. Flights up to 40% cheaper than summer. Sights without queues, and around the holidays lovely lights in Baixa and Chiado. Museums and the miradouros are the surprise winners then.
When to book flights to Lisbon?
The best booking times for Lisbon are 6 to 8 weeks ahead for spring and autumn, and 10 to 12 weeks ahead if you travel in July or August. Tuesday and Wednesday are on average the cheapest departure days. From Eindhoven you fly direct with Ryanair and Transavia in about 3 hours, from Schiphol with TAP, KLM and Transavia in about 2 hours 50. Always compare both airports via our Lisbon travel guide.
- Tip 1: fly midweek Flights on Tuesday or Wednesday are on average 15 to 25% cheaper than Friday and Sunday flights. Combine with a long weekend for the lowest price.
- Tip 2: set an alert Set a price alert for your dates. If the price drops, you get an instant notification. Many flight search tools offer this for free.
- Tip 3: EIN vs AMS Always check Eindhoven Airport. Ryanair and Transavia fly direct to Lisbon (LIS), sometimes tens of euros cheaper than Schiphol. Factor in the travel time to the airport.
Lisbon-specific tips
- Tram 28: go early or late The iconic yellow tram through Alfama and Graca is packed around midday. Board at the Martim Moniz terminus before 8am or after 7pm for a seat and some calm. A public transport day pass quickly pays for itself.
- Belem: come early and combine The Jeronimos Monastery and the Belem Tower have long queues in the middle of the day. Go early, book tickets online in advance, and grab a real pastel de Belem at the original bakery next door.
- Time Out Market off-peak The famous food hall in Cais do Sodre is overcrowded between 1 and 3pm and around dinner. Go just before noon or after 9pm, or discover the smaller tascas in Alfama for more local prices.
See our other Portuguese and sunshine destinations
Considering other warm destinations besides Lisbon? Compare here:
More travel guides
Plan your trip smarter with these guides:
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Lisbon
When are flights to Lisbon cheapest?
Flights to Lisbon are cheapest in November, January and February. In these low-season months a return flight from the Netherlands can be as low as 60 to 100 euro per person when you book early.
When is the weather best in Lisbon?
The best weather runs from May to September: dry, sunny and 22 to 30 degrees. May, June and September are the most pleasant, with warm days without the peak crowds and peak prices of July and August.
When is Santo Antonio in Lisbon in 2026?
The Santo Antonio festival (Festas de Lisboa) peaks on the night of 12 June 2026 with the Marchas Populares parade on Avenida da Liberdade and grilled-sardine street parties in Alfama. 13 June is a local public holiday with a procession. Book your stay well in advance, as this is one of the busiest weeks.
How far in advance should you book a flight to Lisbon?
Book flights to Lisbon 6 to 8 weeks ahead for the best price. For July and August the lowest price is usually 10 to 12 weeks ahead. Flying from Eindhoven is often cheaper than from Schiphol.