March in Lisbon sits in that uncertain gap between winter and spring where neither season has fully made up its mind. Expect daytime highs around 17.6°C (64°F) — comfortable enough for walking the famously steep hills — with lows dipping to about 10.5°C (51°F) after dark. The rain is the thing to plan around: roughly 84mm spread across ten or so wet days, which means stretches of cool, clear Atlantic sunshine punctuated by the occasional proper downpour. When the clouds break, the light has this sharp, clean quality that makes the azulejo tile facades across Alfama and Mouraria seem to glow.
The city is still quiet in March. Summer's cruise ship crowds and the shoulder-to-shoulder tram 28 situation are months away. You can walk into most restaurants without a reservation, settle in at a miradouro café without circling for twenty minutes, and ride the Elevador de Santa Justa without that forty-minute queue. Lisbon's resident population keeps neighborhoods like Príncipe Real and Arroios feeling alive rather than deserted, though — this isn't an empty city, just a calmer one.
If you're weighing March against holding out for May or June, here is the honest trade-off: you get noticeably lower prices and room to breathe at every attraction, but you accept unpredictable rain and evenings too cool for lingering at outdoor terraces. For museum days, tasting your way through tascas, and exploring neighborhoods on foot without breaking a sweat, March is a solid choice. For beach afternoons and rooftop cocktails, you are a couple of months early.
Why visit in March
- Hotel and flight prices sit well below the May-to-October surge — you might save 30-40% compared to peak summer, which adds up fast in a city where accommodation has gotten pricier in recent years.
- Crowds are thin enough that you can actually experience places like Jerónimos Monastery, the Alfama, and Belém without being funnelled through a tourist bottleneck. Sintra day trips are especially pleasant without the summer queues.
- Temperatures in the mid-to-high teens are close to ideal for a walking city built on seven hills. No one is sweating up the Calçada do Combro in March.
- The lengthening daylight — around 12 hours by late March — gives the city a spring-is-coming energy. Jacaranda trees haven't bloomed yet, but the gardens are green from winter rain and starting to wake up.
Worth knowing
- Rain is a real part of the deal. With 84mm over roughly ten wet days, you will almost certainly lose at least one or two planned outdoor afternoons to a downpour. Atlantic systems tend to move through rather than settle in, but they can be heavy while they last.
- Evenings are cool enough that sitting outside at a terrace after sunset requires more commitment than most visitors want. The esplanada culture that defines Lisbon in summer simply doesn't exist yet in March.
- The Atlantic water temperature is still around 15°C (59°F), which puts Cascais and Costa da Caparica beach days firmly off the table for all but the most determined swimmers.
- Some seasonal businesses — boat tour operators, rooftop bars, beach clubs — either haven't opened yet or run reduced schedules through the month.
Best for
Think twice if
March weather in Lisbon tends to oscillate between mild, sunny spells and grey, rainy stretches — sometimes within the same day. The Atlantic influence keeps things temperate but damp. Mornings often start overcast with a chill that burns off by midday if the sun cooperates. When it rains, it can be surprisingly heavy for an hour or two before clearing. The humidity at 77% is noticeable mainly in the shade or indoors, where things can feel a touch clammy. Wind off the Tagus estuary adds a bite that the thermometer alone doesn't suggest, especially up at the miradouros.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 | 9 | 78 |
| Feb | 17 | 10 | 77 |
| Mar | 18 | 11 | 84 |
| Apr | 20 | 12 | 59 |
| May | 23 | 14 | 18 |
| Jun | 26 | 17 | 22 |
| Jul | 29 | 18 | 3 |
| Aug | 29 | 19 | 0 |
| Sep | 26 | 17 | 48 |
| Oct | 24 | 16 | 91 |
| Nov | 19 | 12 | 83 |
| Dec | 16 | 10 | 110 |
Best things to do in March
Walk Alfama and Graça without the crush
sightseeingThese stacked-on-top-of-each-other neighbourhoods — narrow alleys, tiled facades, laundry lines overhead — are best experienced at a pace that summer crowds simply don't allow. In March you can wander the backstreets around the Castelo de São Jorge and actually hear fado drifting from open windows rather than the rumble of tour groups. The light through the narrow lanes after a rain shower is striking.
Crowd levels are low enough to walk the narrow lanes without being funnelled single-file behind tour groups. The cooler temperatures suit the steep climbing far better than July's 29°C.Day trip to Sintra
day tripThe UNESCO-listed palace complex set in forested hills about 40 minutes from Lisbon by train. In March the gardens are lush and deeply green from winter rain, the moss on the stone walls is thick, and the air in the forest carries that damp-earth, pine-resin smell. Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira are both far more enjoyable without the summer crowds where timed-entry slots sell out days ahead.
Peak-season Sintra can mean two-hour queues at Pena Palace. In March you can often walk straight in, and the rain-fed gardens look their most dramatic — atmospheric in a way the dry summer version is not.Booking tipStill worth buying tickets online the day before for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, especially on weekends. Train tickets from Rossio station don't need advance booking.
Museum circuit on rainy days
cultureLisbon's museums are world-class, and a rainy March afternoon is the right excuse to spend proper time in them. The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga has an exceptional collection of Portuguese art — the Panels of Saint Vincent alone are worth the visit. MAAT on the waterfront is architecturally striking and usually runs a couple of strong contemporary exhibitions. The Gulbenkian has everything from Egyptian art to Lalique jewellery in one of the most thoughtfully curated permanent collections in Europe.
Rain days are likely, and these museums are uncrowded in March. You can spend two hours with the Panels of Saint Vincent without someone's selfie stick in your peripheral vision.Booking tipMost Lisbon museums are free on the first Sunday of each month — worth planning around if your dates align.
Eat your way through a tasca crawl
foodA tasca is a traditional Portuguese tavern, usually small, usually loud, often with a handwritten daily menu. March is prime time for the heavier dishes — rich stews, bacalhau preparations, grilled sardines — that tascas do best. Areas like Mouraria, Bairro Alto, and Arroios have clusters of them, and in March you can walk in without a wait. The smell of garlic hitting hot olive oil is essentially the soundtrack of these streets.
Cooler weather means the full comfort-food menu is still running. By late April many tascas start transitioning to lighter seasonal dishes. March also means no wait times at popular spots that become impossible in summer.Booking tipMost tascas don't take reservations and open for lunch around 12:00. Arrive by 12:30 for the best selection of daily specials — popular dishes can sell out.
Belém tower and monastery without the queue
sightseeingThe Jerónimos Monastery and Torre de Belém are Lisbon's headline monuments, and in peak season the queues are demoralizing — an hour or more under full sun. In March, the wait is typically fifteen minutes or less. The Manueline stonework on the monastery cloisters is intricate enough to reward a slow visit, and the lower crowd density means you can actually look up and take it in without blocking a corridor.
Queue times drop from over an hour in summer to fifteen minutes or less. The cooler temperature makes walking the open Belém waterfront promenade pleasant rather than punishing.Booking tipThe combined ticket for Jerónimos Monastery and Torre de Belém saves a few euros. Online booking is available but less critical in March than in peak months.
Explore LX Factory on a weekend afternoon
shoppingThis converted industrial compound under the 25 de Abril Bridge houses independent shops, bookstores, galleries, and restaurants. The covered market spaces and warehouse conversions mean rain doesn't shut it down, and in March the crowd is mostly locals rather than the tourist-heavy summer mix. The Ler Devagar bookshop inside a former printing press is worth the trip on its own.
The indoor-outdoor mix means weather doesn't matter much. Weekend crowds in March are a fraction of summer levels, so you can browse the vintage shops and independent bookstores without being herded along.Sunset at Miradouro da Graça or Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
sightseeingLisbon's elevated viewpoints give wide-angle views over terracotta rooftops, the Tagus, and the 25 de Abril Bridge. In March the sunset falls around 18:30-19:00, which is a civilized hour — no staying out until 21:00 as in summer. The air tends to be clearest after a rain shower, and the low-angle spring light turns the city a warm amber. Bring a jacket; the wind picks up noticeably at the hilltop viewpoints once the sun drops.
Post-rain clarity gives some of the sharpest views of the year. The earlier sunset time (around 18:30-19:00) means you are not waiting until 21:00 as you would in June. The viewpoints are largely empty.Take a cooking class focused on Portuguese comfort food
foodSeveral cooking schools in Lisbon run classes that teach traditional dishes — pastéis de bacalhau, açorda, cataplana. March is ideal because the dishes in season are the hearty, technique-heavy ones rather than the simpler grilled fish of summer. You are likely to be in a smaller group than in peak months, which means more hands-on time. The warm kitchen is also a welcome refuge on a grey afternoon.
The seasonal menu features heavier, more technique-rich dishes that are more interesting to learn than summer grills. Smaller class sizes in the off-season mean more personal instruction.Booking tipBook at least a week ahead for weekend classes. Weekday classes often have availability with shorter notice.
What to eat in March
In season: fruit
Algarve oranges
March is the tail end of citrus season from the Algarve, and the oranges are at their sweetest. You will see them piled up at Mercado da Ribeira and smaller neighbourhood markets. The fresh-squeezed juice at any café or market stall is a different thing entirely from what you get in summer — sweeter, less acidic, almost syrupy.
On menus now
Açorda
This bread-based soup thickened with garlic, olive oil, and coriander is at its best in the cooler months. The traditional version comes with a poached egg floating on top, and the coriander gives it a pungent, almost grassy aroma. March is likely your last month to find it widely on menus before kitchens shift to lighter spring fare.
Percebes (goose barnacles)
These strange-looking crustaceans from the Atlantic coast are at their peak in cooler months when rough seas keep the flavor concentrated. Eating them is a tactile experience — you twist and pull the claw-like body from its leathery casing, and the taste is pure briny ocean. Expect to pay a premium; the harvesters who pull them from wave-battered rocks earn every cent.
Cozido à portuguesa
Portugal's answer to a boiled dinner — a slow-cooked stew of multiple meats (pork ear, blood sausage, chouriço, beef, chicken), root vegetables, cabbage, and beans, all served on a platter that could feed a small village. It is hearty enough to power you through a rainy afternoon. Restaurants tend to serve it on specific days of the week, so ask your host or check the blackboard outside.
Favas à portuguesa
Fresh fava beans start appearing at Lisbon markets in March, and the traditional preparation stews them with chouriço, presunto, and onions until everything melds together. The favas themselves have a creamy, slightly nutty texture when fresh — nothing like the dried versions. Their arrival is one of the first real signals that spring is on its way.
Regular events in March
Monstra - Lisbon Animated Film Festival
One of Europe's longer-running animation festivals, screening short and feature-length animated films from around the world across several Lisbon cinemas. The programme tends to include both mainstream and experimental work, and several screenings are free.
Mid-March, typically spanning about two weeksMeia Maratona de Lisboa (Lisbon Half Marathon)Free
The annual half marathon crosses the 25 de Abril Bridge — one of the few times pedestrians are allowed on it — and finishes along the Belém waterfront. Even if you are not running, watching the start on the bridge is something. Expect temporary road closures along the route.
Usually a Sunday in mid-to-late MarchPeixe em Lisboa (Fish and Flavours)
Lisbon's dedicated seafood and gastronomy festival at the Pátio da Galé, where top Portuguese chefs showcase fish and shellfish dishes alongside cooking demonstrations and wine pairings. It sometimes falls in late March, though it often lands in April — check the year's specific dates.
Late March to early April (varies by year)Best places this March
Jardim Botânico de Lisboa
parkThe botanical garden near Príncipe Real is at a quiet turning point in March — the subtropical section stays green year-round, and spring-flowering species are just starting to open. The paths are often damp and empty, the air smells of wet earth and eucalyptus, and you can hear birdsong clearly without the background hum of summer visitors. A remarkably peaceful twenty minutes from the Bairro Alto.
Príncipe RealAlfama district
neighborhoodThe oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon is at its most atmospheric in the quieter months. March rain darkens the cobblestones and makes the azulejo tiles on every other facade pop with colour. You will smell coffee from open doorways, hear the occasional television through a window, and see cats in every alley. Without peak crowds, you can get lost on purpose and enjoy it.
AlfamaMercado da Ribeira
marketThe food hall side of this market draws the crowds, but the traditional market on the ground floor — open mornings — is a better March experience. Seasonal citrus from the Algarve, fresh fish, cured meats from the Alentejo. The vendors are friendlier when they are not overwhelmed. Go before 10:00 on a weekday for the best selection and the smell of fresh produce before the lunch rush overtakes it.
Cais do SodréBelém waterfront and Cultural Centre
waterfrontThe stretch from the CCB (Centro Cultural de Belém) past the Jerónimos Monastery down to Torre de Belém is one of Lisbon's most satisfying walks. In March the wide promenade is uncrowded, the Tagus wind is brisk but not bitter, and the cultural centre usually has strong exhibitions. Stop at Pastéis de Belém for the original custard tarts — even in March there might be a short queue, but nothing like the snake that forms in summer.
BelémMouraria neighbourhood
neighborhoodOften called the birthplace of fado, Mouraria is grittier and less polished than nearby Alfama, which is part of the appeal. March is a good time to explore its multicultural food scene — the area around Martim Moniz has some of Lisbon's best Chinese, Indian, and Mozambican food alongside traditional Portuguese tascas. The neighbourhood is changing fast, so the character you see now might not last.
MourariaParque das Nações
waterfrontThe former Expo 98 site on the eastern waterfront is an underrated alternative to the tourist-heavy centre. The Oceanário de Lisboa — one of Europe's best aquariums — is an excellent rainy-day option, the waterfront promenade extends for kilometres along the Tagus, and the area has a clean, modern feel that contrasts sharply with the old-city charm elsewhere. Quiet in March, almost eerily so on weekdays.
Parque das Nações
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Insider tips
Skip the tram 28 tourist ride and walk the route instead — from Martim Moniz through Graça and Alfama down toward Belém. In March the cooler weather makes the walk pleasant, you sidestep the pickpocket situation on the tram, and you will notice tile work and street life details that a tram window blurs past. The whole route takes about three hours at a leisurely pace with coffee stops.
Ginjinha — the sour cherry liqueur served in tiny cups at hole-in-the-wall bars near Rossio — is the right March warmer. The two best-known spots face each other across Largo de São Domingos, and a shot costs about a euro. Order 'com elas' if you want the brandied cherries at the bottom. Two is plenty.
Many restaurants in Mouraria and Arroios still offer a 'prato do dia' (daily special) at lunch for under ten euros, including soup, a main, a drink, and sometimes a coffee. These are working-class lunch spots, not tourist restaurants — the food is honest and the portions are large. Look for handwritten signs on the door or a chalkboard outside.
The Feira da Ladra flea market in Campo de Santa Clara (Tuesdays and Saturdays) is better in March than summer — fewer tourist-oriented vendors, more actual secondhand goods, and the sellers are more willing to negotiate when foot traffic is light. Go early on Saturday for the best selection.
If you visit Sintra, take the train from Rossio and go on a weekday. Even in March, weekends see day-trippers from Lisbon filling the town. A Tuesday or Wednesday gives you a fundamentally different experience — you might have sections of the Regaleira gardens entirely to yourself.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing as if Lisbon in March is a warm Mediterranean destination. It is not. People arrive in light summer clothes based on the word 'Portugal' and spend their first evening buying an emergency jacket in Chiado. Bring proper layers and rain gear from the start.
- Booking a sunset sailing trip or outdoor kayak tour without checking weather first. March conditions on the Tagus can change fast, and operators cancel frequently. Don't build your one full day around a weather-dependent activity — have a backup plan that works in the rain.
- Trying to cram Sintra into a half day. Even without summer queues, the palaces and gardens reward a full day. Rushing from Pena Palace to Quinta da Regaleira to Monserrate and back leaves you exhausted and having actually looked at nothing properly.
- Wearing smooth-soled shoes on the hills. This sounds minor until you are descending a wet calçada slope in Alfama and your feet start sliding. Lisbon's decorative cobblestones become hazardous in the rain — not a figure of speech. Watch what locals wear on their feet.
Practical tips for March
Most museums and indoor attractions keep regular hours in March, but some seasonal businesses — boat tour operators, beach-adjacent restaurants, rooftop bars — either haven't opened yet or run limited schedules, so confirm before showing up. Public transport runs normally; the Lisboa Card (24, 48, or 72 hours) includes metro, tram, bus, and the train to Sintra, and tends to pay for itself if you plan to use transit frequently and visit a couple of paid attractions. Restaurant reservations are rarely needed in March except at the handful of internationally known spots — if you want to eat at a specific high-profile place on a Friday or Saturday, book a few days ahead; everywhere else, walking in works fine. Dress codes are relaxed almost everywhere; even nicer restaurants are comfortable with smart casual. Tipping in Portugal is modest — rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not expected. If you are visiting churches or the Jerónimos Monastery, cover your shoulders and knees. The sun sets around 18:30 at the start of March and closer to 19:45 by month's end — clocks spring forward on the last Sunday of March for daylight saving — so plan your miradouro sunset timing accordingly, as it shifts notably across the month.
FAQ
Is March a good time to visit Lisbon?
March is a solid shoulder-season choice — not the best month overall, but enjoyable for the right kind of trip. You get lower prices, thin crowds, and comfortable walking temperatures in the mid-to-high teens Celsius. The trade-off is real rain (expect around 10 wet days totalling about 84mm) and evenings too cool for outdoor dining. If your priority is sightseeing, food, and culture rather than beach time and outdoor terraces, March delivers good value. Late March tends to be drier and warmer than the first week, so if you can be flexible with dates, aim for the second half of the month.
What is the weather like in Lisbon in March?
Expect highs around 17.6°C (64°F) and lows near 10.5°C (51°F), with about 84mm of rainfall spread across roughly 10 days. Humidity sits around 77%, which you will mainly notice in the shade or indoors. The weather tends to alternate between pleasant sunny stretches and rainy spells — sometimes both in the same day. Wind off the Tagus adds a perceived chill, especially at elevated viewpoints and along the waterfront. It is not cold by Northern European standards, but it is not warm either. Think light jacket weather with a rain layer always handy.
Is Lisbon crowded in March?
Not really. March is still firmly in the off-season for tourism, and you will notice the difference at every popular site. Jerónimos Monastery, the Torre de Belém, Sintra's palaces, and the miradouros — all of which can be exhaustingly packed from May through October — are relaxed in March. Restaurants are easy to walk into. Tram 28 is still cramped because the tram itself is tiny, but most other experiences feel spacious. Weekends see some local day-trippers heading to Sintra and Cascais, but nothing close to summer levels.
Can you swim at the beach in Lisbon in March?
Technically, yes. Practically, very few people do. The Atlantic water temperature is around 15°C (59°F) in March, which is cold enough to be uncomfortable for most swimmers. The beaches at Cascais and Costa da Caparica are there, and a sunny March afternoon on the sand is pleasant enough with a jacket, but swimming is really a May-at-the-earliest proposition unless you are accustomed to cold water. Surfers are out year-round, but that is a full wetsuit situation.
What should I wear in Lisbon in March?
Layers. A typical March day might start cool and grey, warm up to a pleasant mid-afternoon in the sun, then drop again after sunset — all while threatening rain at any point. A long-sleeve base layer, a fleece or light wool sweater, and a waterproof shell jacket covers the full range. Waterproof shoes with good grip matter more than you might think — Lisbon's calçada cobblestones are slippery when wet, and you will be walking hills all day. Bring a scarf for the wind at viewpoints and the waterfront. Smart casual works everywhere, including nicer restaurants.
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