Early winter · Weather & things to do
Lisbon in December
Lisbon cools off: highs slip to 59°F (15°C), from 63°F in November, with lows of 53°F (12°C) and about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain.
Its comfort score of 78/100 is still Good, though it ranks 11th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 59°F (15°C)
- Avg low
- 53°F (12°C)
- Rain
- 2.5 in (64 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 18 min
- Comfort score
- 78/100 · Great
What December feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 59°F (15°C), good for long walks.
Nights cool to an average low of 53°F (12°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.5 in (64 mm).
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.0 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 9 h 18 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 18 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 81/100 in November to 78/100.
- Our Portugal by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 53°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.5 in of rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Lisbon in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Pena Palace
Romantic hilltop palace in bright colors above Sintra, 40 minutes by train.
Jerónimos Monastery
Manueline monastery with a carved cloister and Vasco da Gama's tomb.
Cervejaria Ramiro
Bustling seafood beer hall famous for garlic prawns and a steak sandwich to finish.
Time Out Market Lisboa
Food hall with stalls from well-known Lisbon chefs.
Tram 28
Vintage yellow tram climbing through Graça, Alfama and Baixa.
Nearby in December
- Coimbra in December~109 mi · highs 57°F, 3.9 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Porto in December~170 mi · highs 56°F, 4.8 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Seville in December~195 mi · highs 61°F, 2.2 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Córdoba in December~243 mi · highs 60°F, 2.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Lisbon in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Lisbon?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 78/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are April – September. Expect highs of 59°F (15°C) and 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain. Our Portugal by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Lisbon in December?
Average highs are 59°F (15°C) and average lows 53°F (12°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Lisbon in December?
Some: about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 21.3 in (541 mm).
What should I pack for Lisbon in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 53°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.5 in of rain), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Lisbon in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.