March brings Lisbon to a turning point, where winter's grey skies increasingly give way to glimpses of the bright, blue days that define the city's character. This transitional month catches the capital in a unique moment, still quiet enough to feel authentically Portuguese, yet touched by the first stirrings of spring energy. For travellers, it's the final chance to experience uncrowded monuments and neighbourhood life before Easter signals the true start of tourist season.

The rewards of visiting in March are tangible: hotel rates remain at near-winter lows, museum galleries echo with peaceful footsteps rather than tour group chatter, and locals still outnumber visitors in the traditional tasca restaurants of Alfama. The weather, while improving, demands consideration; bright mornings can dissolve into afternoon downpours, and temperatures that feel pleasant in the sun turn chilly once the sunsets. Yet when March delivers one of its perfect days, you might find yourself alone on a miradouro viewpoint or exploring Sintra's palaces under crystal-clear skies.

A successful March trip hinges on a flexible itinerary that plans for both sunny and rainy-day activities. This guide will show you how to navigate March's unpredictability, ensuring you capture the best of early spring while staying prepared for winter's occasional return.

Sunset over the Tejo estuary in March

March marks the unpredictable arrival of spring in Lisbon, with the weather capable of being either delightfully sunny or surprisingly wet.

The average daytime high in March rises to a pleasant 19C (66F), with nighttime temperatures at a mild 11C (52F). While the city enjoys around 7 hours of sunshine per day, there are still, on average, 10 days that see some rainfall, contributing to 53mm of precipitation.

The key characteristic of March weather is its variability. Conditions in Lisbon often shift in patterns of two to three days, meaning a trip could coincide with a spell of glorious spring sunshine, or be met with a period of grey, wet weather blown in from the Atlantic.

A significant advantage of visiting in March is the increasing daylight, which provides noticeably more time to explore the city. On clear days, the sun feels genuinely warm, offering the first true promise of the approaching summer after the cooler winter months.

Insight: Lisbon typically boasts some of the best weather of any major European city in March, making it an excellent choice for an early spring city break.

March is a fantastic time to visit Lisbon, offering a mix of activities that cater to all weather conditions. Here are some highlights to enjoy:

• Alfama & São Jorge Castle: Climb through the historic labyrinth of Alfama’s streets to the city’s highest point, São Jorge Castle. After exploring the ancient Moorish fortress and its ramparts, descend back through the neighbourhood’s cobbled alleys to discover hidden courtyards and viewpoints. - Alfama guide.

• Belém District: Discover Portugal's maritime heritage in this grand riverside district. Visit the iconic Belém Tower and the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, before tasting the original custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém, founded in 1837.- Belém district guide.

• Tram 28: Take a rattling journey through Lisbon’s most characterful neighbourhoods on this historic tram. The route is notoriously popular, and travelling in the quieter season provides a more comfortable experience and a better view of the city’s old quarters passing by. - Tram 28 guide.

• The Miradouros: As the spring days get longer, make your way to one of the city's famous viewpoints (miradouros). Spots like Miradouro de Santa Luzia, with its beautiful tiles and bougainvillea, are perfect for appreciating the afternoon light over the historic city.

• Sintra Day Trip: Escape to the fairytale town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. The highlight is the colourful Pena Palace, a fantastic example of 19th-century Romanticism. On a clear spring day, its hilltop terraces offer incredible panoramic views over the coastline.

• A Fado Performance: Experience an evening of Fado, Portugal's soulful and expressive traditional music. In the historic districts of Alfama or Bairro Alto, find an authentic Fado house to hear powerful singers perform songs of fate and longing - Fado guide.

• Oceanário de Lisboa: One of Europe’s most impressive aquariums, celebrated for its unique design. The vast central tank represents a single global ocean, allowing you to see sharks, rays, and other open-ocean species in a stunning, immersive environment.

• LX Factory: Discover Lisbon's contemporary side at this repurposed 19th-century factory complex. The industrial space is now a dynamic hub for independent designers, street artists, concept stores, and innovative restaurants.

The passing showers of early spring are the perfect prompt to duck inside and discover some of Lisbon’s most memorable attractions.

The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian holds a world-class private collection spanning from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Impressionist art. For a uniquely Portuguese experience, the Museu Nacional do Azulejo reveals the country's beautiful tile-making history in a former convent. The Museu Nacional dos Coches (Coach Museum) presents a spectacular collection of ornate royal carriages. The magnificent Oceanário de Lisboa is a world-class aquarium, celebrated for its enormous central tank which brilliantly creates the illusion of one vast, open ocean.

For a more interactive experience, the immersive Quake museum vividly recreates Lisbon's great earthquake of 1755 through impressive exhibits. You could also spend an afternoon at the LX Factory, a creative hub where former warehouses shelter independent design shops, art galleries, and unique restaurants. Another great option is joining a Portuguese cooking class, where you can learn the secrets behind local dishes or master the art of the perfect pastel de nata.

Shopping provides another excellent escape from the weather. For hundreds of stores under one roof, head to the large Colombo Shopping Centre. For a more traditional experience, explore the elegant boutiques and historic bookshops of the Chiado district. Finally, a wet day is the best time to find a seat on the famous Tram 28, watching the city’s oldest neighbourhoods slide by from the dry comfort of your window.

March offers fantastic value for accommodation, but the best places still book up first. Enter your dates on the map below to see live prices and availability across the city.

Booking.com

This six-day itinerary is designed for a visit in March, when the city welcomes the first signs of spring. The plan balances Lisbon’s essential landmarks with cultural experiences and anticipates the month's variable weather by including both indoor and outdoor activities. To make the most of your visit, it is highly recommended that you remain flexible and plan the day trip to Sintra for the day with the clearest weather forecast.

Day 1: Alfama and Baixa
Begin your first day in Alfama, Lisbon's oldest and most atmospheric district. The morning is best spent making the ascent to the Castelo de São Jorge, whose fortified walls offer some of the finest panoramic views over the city and the Tagus Estuary. From the castle, immerse yourself in the district’s medieval character by wandering down through its maze of narrow, cobbled streets.

As you descend, you will encounter the fortress-like Sé de Lisboa, the city's imposing cathedral. A little further on, pause at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia or Portas do Sol to take in the classic view over Alfama's rooftops. You can also experience the neighbourhood aboard the famous number 28 tram, which rattles through the tight turns and steep gradients of these historic quarters.

In the afternoon, explore the grand downtown area of Baixa, which was completely rebuilt on a grid system after the 1755 earthquake. The magnificent Praça do Comércio serves as the city’s formal entrance from the river, while the bustling Rua Augusta leads to the central Rossio Square. For a unique perspective, ride the 19th-century Elevador de Santa Justa, before ending the day with a glass of ginjinha from the tiny, traditional bar, A Ginjinha.

Day 2: Belém
The second day is dedicated to the historic waterfront district of Belém, the launching point for Portugal’s 15th and 16th-century voyages of discovery. This area is home to a remarkable concentration of national monuments, two of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, that celebrate the nation’s maritime heritage and the wealth it generated.

Start your exploration at the magnificent Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, an architectural masterpiece funded by the spice trade. Its ornate Manueline style is uniquely Portuguese, with detailed stonework depicting maritime motifs. From the monastery, it is a pleasant walk along the riverfront to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a modern monument celebrating the key figures of the era.

A little further along the waterfront stands the iconic Torre de Belém, the elegant 16th-century fortress that once guarded the entrance to the harbour. No visit to the district is complete without tasting the original custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém, where they have been made from a secret recipe since 1837. To round out the day, consider an indoor visit to the excellent Berardo Collection of modern art.

The Torre de Belém

Day 3: Sintra day trip
Sintra is Lisbon’s most popular day trip, a town of fairytale palaces and mystical estates set within the cool, forested hills of the Serra de Sintra. A 40-minute train journey from Lisbon’s Rossio Station brings you to this UNESCO World Heritage landscape, which served as a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty for centuries.

It is impossible to see all of Sintra’s sights in a single day, so it is best to choose two or three main attractions. The most popular combination is the colourful Palácio da Pena, a fantastical Romanticist castle perched on the region's highest peak, and the Quinta da Regaleira, a mysterious estate with hidden tunnels, grottoes, and a famous initiation well.

Other key sights include the ruins of the Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle), which snakes along a high mountain ridge, and the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, located in the town centre and recognisable by its two giant conical chimneys. Navigating the steep hills between these sights requires using the local 434 tourist bus, which connects the train station with the main attractions.

Day 4: Alcântara, Estrela, and Bairro Alto
Begin your day exploring Lisbon's contemporary creative scene at the LX Factory in the Alcântara district. This sprawling industrial complex has been repurposed into a vibrant hub of independent shops, artist studios, and innovative restaurants. It offers a fascinating look at the city’s modern, entrepreneurial spirit. From here, take a short journey to the refined neighbourhood of Estrela to visit the magnificent Basílica da Estrela and the tranquil public garden that sits opposite.

For the afternoon, make your way to the bohemian heart of the city, Bairro Alto. A great way to arrive is via the Elevador da Bica, a charming funicular that climbs one of Lisbon’s steepest streets. By day, the neighbourhood is quiet; take this time to explore its narrow grid of streets and step inside the Igreja de São Roque, a church whose plain facade hides one of the most astonishingly opulent baroque interiors in Europe.

As evening approaches, the area undergoes a complete transformation. Find a spot at the popular Miradouro de Santa Catarina to watch the sunset over the river and the 25 de Abril Bridge. Afterwards, join the crowds as Bairro Alto comes alive, with dozens of small bars opening their doors and the lively atmosphere spilling out onto the cobbled streets.

Day 5: Setúbal or Cascais day trip
On your fifth day, take an excursion to the coast with a choice between two very different, yet equally rewarding, destinations. Both are easily reached by train and offer a distinct perspective on Portuguese life outside the capital. The choice depends on your preference: an authentic, working fishing port or a polished, historic resort town.

Setúbal, located south of Lisbon on the Sado Estuary, is a city with a proud maritime heritage. It is one of Portugal's most important fishing ports and is renowned for its exceptional seafood restaurants, where the local speciality is choco frito (fried cuttlefish). A visit to the bustling Mercado do Livramento, considered one of the best covered markets in the country, offers a vibrant and authentic slice of local life.

Alternatively, the elegant town of Cascais was once the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty and remains the heart of the "Portuguese Riviera." It combines sandy beaches with grand 19th-century villas and a charming historic centre filled with boutiques and restaurants. A popular activity is the scenic coastal walk to the dramatic Boca do Inferno cliff formation, followed by a fresh seafood meal at one of the many excellent restaurants overlooking the harbour.

Day 6: Parque das Nações and Príncipe Real
Spend your final morning in the Parque das Nações, the futuristic district built for the 1998 World Expo. This area offers a dramatic contrast to the historic quarters, with its striking contemporary architecture, waterfront gardens, and sweeping views of the Vasco da Gama Bridge. The main attraction is the spectacular Oceanário de Lisboa, one of the world's finest aquariums and a perfect all-weather activity.

In the afternoon, travel from the city's modern edge to one of its most fashionable neighbourhoods, Príncipe Real. This affluent district is known for its upmarket boutiques, concept stores, and antique shops. A highlight is the Embaixada, a 19th-century neo-Moorish palace that has been converted into a unique shopping gallery for independent designers and brands.

For a final, breathtaking view, head to the nearby Amoreiras 360° Panoramic View for a stunning perspective over the entire city. Conclude your trip with a visit to the prestigious Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, also in the area. Home to one of Europe's great private art collections, its galleries contain treasures spanning from ancient Egypt to the 20th century, providing a world-class cultural finale to your Lisbon journey.

The view from the top of the Amoreiras tower

March's position in the shoulder season makes it one of the best months for securing good value flights and accommodation in Lisbon. For the best flight prices, aim to book at least two to three months in advance. Airfares are consistently lower for mid-week travel, with departures from Tuesday to Thursday typically offering significant savings over more popular weekend flights.

When booking with low-cost carriers, a useful strategy is to select flights departing in the morning or early afternoon. These airlines often operate with tight turnaround times, and any initial delay can have a knock-on effect throughout the day. Consequently, evening and night-time flights carry a higher risk of significant delays or cancellations.

For accommodation, March can be an excellent time to find promotions, particularly in mid-range and high-end hotels looking to increase occupancy before the peak season. It is common to find last-minute rate reductions of 30-40%. A key tactic is to book rooms with a free cancellation policy. This allows you to secure a good initial option while continuing to monitor for better deals on various booking platforms as your travel dates approach.

Lisbon in March offers mild weather with occasional unpredictability, making thoughtful packing essential. Layering is the most practical approach for the variable conditions you'll encounter.

Pack cotton or linen basics such as t-shirts and light trousers for the warmer parts of the day. However, March weather can be changeable, so include long-sleeved shirts and a couple of lightweight jumpers for when temperatures dip.

A quality waterproof jacket is essential - March showers are common and can arrive without warning. Choose one that breathes well, as Lisbon's hilly terrain and cobbled streets involve considerable walking. Comfortable walking shoes are absolutely crucial for exploring the city properly.

Sunglasses are worthwhile for the sunny spells that punctuate March days. A compact umbrella will prove invaluable during sudden downpours, and a comfortable day bag will make city exploration much easier.

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