December in Lisbon averages highs of 16 °C (60 °F) and lows of 10 °C (51 °F), with about 6 rainy days and 9 h 28 min of daylight. The sea is cold, around 16 °C (61 °F).
December weather in Lisbon at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Lisbon?
Mixed weather: cool and some rain. December is usually low season in Lisbon: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Tue 1 Dec: Restoration of Independence (Restauração da Independência) public holiday
- Tue 8 Dec: Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição) public holiday
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day (Natal) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Lisbon in December
December's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Alfama and São Jorge Castle — lanes, viewpoints and the castle walls outdoors
- Belém: Jerónimos Monastery and the tower — plus pastéis de nata at the source outdoors
- Tram 28 and the miradouros — Senhora do Monte and Graça for sunset outdoors
- Sintra day trip — Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, 40 min by train outdoors
- Gulbenkian Museum — one of Europe's best small collections indoors
- National Tile Museum (Azulejo) — five centuries of Portuguese tiles indoors
Where to stay: Baixa and Chiado for first-timers; Alfama for character; Príncipe Real for quiet streets.
What to pack for Lisbon in December
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 16 °C (60 °F), nights near 10 °C (51 °F).
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Lisbon costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €55–120 | €150–300 |
Excluding flights. December is usually low season in Lisbon: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porto | 15° / 9° | 13 | Tough month |
| Seville | 17° / 8° | 5 | Good time to go |
| Madrid | 12° / 3° | 5 | Mixed weather |
Plan your Lisbon trip
- Best Time to Visit Portugal: Month-by-Month Guide 2026
- How to Plan a Trip on a Budget With AI (So the Total Actually Adds Up)
- 3 Days in Lisbon on a Budget — A Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon: Easy 2026 Plan + Real Costs
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Lisbon?
By the numbers, December is a mixed month: cool and some rain, with average highs of 16 °C (60 °F) and about 6 rainy days. December is usually low season in Lisbon: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are May, June, July, September.
How warm is Lisbon in December?
Average highs are 16 °C (60 °F) and lows 10 °C (51 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is cold, around 16 °C (61 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Lisbon in December?
Expect about 6 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 76 mm in total. It is the 6th wettest month of the year in Lisbon.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.