Lisbon may be famous for its summer sunshine, but the city experiences occasional rainy periods, particularly during winter months. Instead of letting rain dampen your plans, consider it an opportunity to discover Lisbon's wealth of indoor attractions.

The city boasts world-class museums to suit all interests – from the extensive art collections at the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian to Portugal's distinctive ceramic heritage at the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, or the ornate royal carriages at the Museu dos Coches.

A rainy day offers the perfect opportunity to explore Lisbon's magnificent historic monuments, such as the ornate Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the impressive Mosteiro de São Vicente, without the usual crowds. For an authentic Lisbon experience regardless of weather, the historic number 28 tram offers a scenic journey through the city's most charming neighbourhoods.

If art and history aren't your passion, Lisbon's culinary scene provides an excellent alternative. A wet day is ideal to explore Portuguese culinary traditions through a cooking class or Pastel de Nata workshop, or to simply sample a variety of local dishes at the buzzing Time Out food market.

For those seeking more interactive experiences, Lisbon offers excellent escape rooms that challenge your problem-solving skills, while the creative hubs of LxFactory and Marvila provide hours of browsing through artisanal shops and boutiques.

 

 

Families need not worry about entertaining children – the world-class Oceanário de Lisboa houses over 8,000 marine creatures in Europe's largest indoor aquarium, while the interactive exhibits at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Ciência Viva) science museum make learning an engaging adventure for visitors of all ages.

This guide details the best indoor attractions and activities for wet or cold days in Lisbon, ensuring your holiday remains memorable whatever the weather.

The Oceanário de Lisboa - Europe's largest indoor aquarium is a perfect rainy-day destination for families. Home to over 8,000 marine creatures from 500 different species, the Oceanário's central tank is truly spectacular - Tickets and information.

A Pastel de Nata Cooking Class - Learn to make Portugal's famous custard tarts from expert pastry chefs. These hands-on workshops teach the secrets behind creating the perfect crispy pastry and creamy custard filling. You'll take home both the recipe and the skills to recreate these delicious treats, making for a tasty souvenir of your Lisbon trip - Pastel de Nata classes

A Ride on the Number 28 - Stay dry whilst experiencing authentic Lisbon aboard the iconic yellow tram 28. This historic tramline winds through the narrow streets of Alfama, Baixa, and Graça, offering glimpses into the city's most picturesque neighbourhoods. Also the tram is much quieter on a wet day compared to normal – 28 tram guide.

Museu Nacional do Azulejo - This is one of Lisbon’s finest museums that details Portugal's distinctive ceramic art tradition. Housed in a former convent, the collection spans five centuries of tile-making, from Moorish geometric patterns to elaborate narrative panels. The most fascinating piece is the 36-metre panorama of pre-earthquake Lisbon. www.museunacionaldoazulejo.pt

The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian - This world-class art museum houses an impressive collection spanning 4,000 years of art history. From ancient Egyptian artefacts to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Monet, the Gulbenkian offers a refined cultural experience on a rainy day - gulbenkian.pt

Escape rooms - Challenge your friends or family to an immersive escape room adventure. These venues offer themed rooms where teams must solve puzzles to "escape" within a time limit. Game Over features Lisbon-themed scenarios, whilst Escape Hunt offers mysteries inspired by Portuguese history—both providing engaging indoor entertainment regardless of the weather.

A Performance of Fado - Experience Portugal's soulful traditional music in one of Lisbon's intimate Fado houses. These melancholic songs, accompanied by Portuguese guitars, perfectly complement a moody weather. Performances range from simple 1-hour performances to complete dinner experiences with multiple singers – Fado performances in Lisbon

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - This magnificent monastery exemplifies the ornate Manueline architectural style unique to Portugal. Elaborate stone carvings and soaring vaulted ceilings make it a perfect indoor refuge on rainy days – our guide to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.

Quake - An interactive museum that brings to life the devastating 1755 earthquake that reshaped Lisbon. Through immersive exhibits and multimedia presentations, visitors experience the historical event that influenced European thinking and architecture. lisbonquake.com

Pavilhão do Conhecimento - A family-friendly science museum featuring hands-on exhibits that make learning fun for all ages. Children can explore physics, biology, and technology through interactive displays, whilst parents will appreciate the engaging approach to education - www.pavconhecimento.pt

A Portuguese Cooking Class - Delve deeper into Portuguese culinary traditions with a comprehensive cooking workshop. Learn to prepare classics like bacalhau (salt cod) and other authentic dishes, all complemented by Portuguese wines and beers. The perfect activity for a rain filled day y – a highly recommended cooking class

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga - Housed in a former 17th-century palace, Portugal's National Museum of Ancient Art contains the country's most significant collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the 12th to 19th centuries. Highlights include works by Portuguese artists and European masters like Dürer and Bosch. www.museudearteantiga.pt

Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora - This magnificent 17th-century monastery remains one of Lisbon's most overlooked treasures. The ornate cloisters feature stunning azulejo tile panels depicting La Fontaine's fables, while the royal pantheon houses tombs of the Bragança dynasty, Portugal's last royal family. mosteirodesaovicentedefora.com/

The Timeout Food Market - Located in the historic Mercado da Ribeira, this gourmet food hall brings together some of Lisbon's best chefs and restaurants under one roof. Sample everything from traditional Portuguese dishes to international cuisine, and the bustling atmosphere makes it a perfect place to while away a few rainy hours - www.timeout.com/ time-out-market-lisboa

LxFactory - A converted industrial complex that has become one of Lisbon's most popular tourist destinations, housing boutiques, galleries, cafés, and restaurants. While now more commercial than its earlier artistic days, it still offers plenty to explore on a rainy afternoon - lxfactory.com

8 Marvila - In the up-and-coming Marvila district, this renovated warehouse complex has become Lisbon's newest creative hub. The industrial-chic atmosphere and diverse offerings make it an ideal indoor destination to spend a few hours exploring Lisbon's contemporary creative scene away from the typical tourist areas - www.8marvila.com/

Benfica Stadium Tour - Sports fans can explore the home of Portugal's most successful football club, Benfica. The guided tour includes access to the changing rooms, pitch, and the impressive club museum with its extensive trophy collection. Learn about legendary players and the club's storied history while staying dry in this modern sporting cathedral - details here.

Colombo Shopping Centre - For those seeking retail therapy on a rainy day, this massive shopping complex provides hours of indoor entertainment. One of Portugal's largest malls, Colombo houses over 340 stores featuring international brands and local Portuguese shops across three sprawling floors - www.colombo.pt

Museu Nacional dos Coches - Home to one of the world's finest collections of historical carriages, this unique museum displays ornate royal vehicles from the 16th to 19th centuries. The opulent gold-leaf coaches and ceremonial carriages offer insights into Portugal's royal history and craftsmanship. The modern museum building itself is an architectural attraction - museudoscoches.gov.pt

The Mãe D'Água Reservoir immersive show - This atmospheric 19th-century water reservoir now hosts immersive light and visual projections featuring works by masters like Klimt and Monet. A totally unique cultural experience, combining art, visuals and an atmospheric setting - details here.

KidZania - An interactive children's city provides an immersive educational experience perfect for families with children aged 5-12 years. In this scaled-down metropolis, young visitors can role-play over 60 different adult professions—from firefighters and doctors to radio hosts and chocolate makers - lisboa.kidzania.com

The interactive map below shows the location of each of these activities and sights for a wet day in Lisbon. Note: zoom in or out to see all of the points.

Legend: 1) Oceanário de Lisboa 2) 28 Tram 3) Museu Nacional do Azulejo 4) Museu Calouste Gulbenkian 5) Game Over (Escape Room) 6) Escape Hunt (Escape Room) 7) Mosteiro dos Jerónimos 8) Quake 9) Pavilhão do Conhecimento 10) Museu do Fado 11) Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga 12) Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora 13) Time Out Lisboa 14) LxFactory 15) 8 Marvila 16) Estádio da Luz (Benfica) 17) Centro Comercial Colombo 18) Museu Nacional dos Coches 19) Reservatório da Mãe d'Água 20) KidZania

The following section will delve into each of these sights and activities, explaining why you should visit them and providing links to relevant websites.

Stepping into the Oceanário de Lisboa, you're greeted by five enormous tanks, each reflecting a different ocean climate from around the world.

The magic of the Oceanarium is viewing the marine life from both above and below the water level. On the surface, playful penguins and charming sea otters frolic, while below the water line, sharks prowl and stingrays gracefully glide by.

A visit to the Oceanário appeals to both adults and children, providing the perfect escape on a rainy Lisbon day. The ticket prices are expensive at €25/€15 (adult/child aged 3 to 12), but it is well worth the admission fee, with a typical visit lasting 2 to 3 hours. Be warned, on a wet day the Oceanário can get very busy, so it is advisable to pre-purchase your tickets to avoid the long ticket queues.

The Oceanário de Lisboa is located to the northeast of Lisbon in the Parque das Nações district. This district also contains the Ciência Viva-Agência science museum and the Vasco da Gama shopping centre, making it an ideal area to visit when the weather is poorer.
Tickets: Skip the queue tickets with allocated time slots
Official website: https://www.oceanario.pt/
Related articles: The Parque das Nações district

The massive central tank contains over 5 million litres of water and is simply mesmerising.

A wet day offers the ideal opportunity to ride the number 28 tram. The cheery yellow tram dates from the 1930s and is great fun to ride as it rattles and screeches through the narrow streets of the Alfama, Baixa and Estrella districts - passing many of Lisbon's iconic sights on the way. The 28 tram route is one the best ways to see the city, and on a wet day the tram will be significantly less busy than when the sun is shining.

The tram departs from Martim Moniz plaza and takes around 40 minutes to reach the end of the line at Campo de Ourique. Close to the final stop is the Mercado de Campo de Ourique, a traditional covered food market that is also well worth a visit on a wet day.
Insight: The best value way to ride the tram is to purchase a 24-hour public transport ticket from any metro station. The ticket costs €6.80 and provides unlimited use of the trams, metro and buses.
Related articles: Number 28 tram guide

The tram passing the Se Cathedral

The number 28 tram at the end of the line at Campo de Ourique

The Mercado de Campo de Ourique is a calmer version of the overly tourist TimeOut food market

The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is a veritable treasure chest of art and culture, and is a must-visit destination for all art enthusiasts and history buffs.

The museum exhibits a vast and diverse collection of over 6,000 pieces spanning multiple eras and civilisations, including fine examples of Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic, Asian and European art. This exquisite assortment of priceless masterpieces includes works by Rembrandt, Monet and Renoir, ensuring that the museum holds a prominent position on the global art stage. Included in the visit is a secondary museum that displays contemporary and modern art created by prominent Portuguese artists.

The Calouste Gulbenkian is regarded as the finest museum of Lisbon, and an enjoyable half day can be easily spent here.
Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Admission: €10 entry tickets
Official Website: gulbenkian.pt

The Museu dos Coches is a unique and fascinating museum that exhibits the world's largest collection of horse-drawn carriages. Many of these elegant and stately carriages were constructed for the Portuguese nobility, but the collection also includes carriages from other European royal households. The highlight of the Museu dos Coches is a spectacular carriage used by King Philip II in 1619.

The surprisingly large collection spans two buildings: a modern, purpose-built museum and the characterful Royal Riding School. This building was originally the events arena of the 18th century Palácio Nacional de Belém, where horse events would be watched by the royal family from the upper balconies.

The Museu dos Coches is located in the Belem district and could be combined with a visit to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
Note: The museum is closed on Mondays
Official website: http://museudoscoches.gov.pt/pt/

The Royal Riding School has a smaller collection but is a much more atmospheric setting

The modern building of the Museu dos Coches

The Time Out Market is a vibrant food market located in the bustling Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodré. Opened in 2014, it transformed a wing of the traditional Mercado da Ribeira into a modern food hall, where some of Portugal's most talented chefs and restaurateurs showcase their culinary creations.

Featuring over 40 spaces, including kiosks, bars, and shops, the market presents a diverse range of options, from traditional Portuguese dishes to contemporary global cuisine. Today, it has become very tourist-focused, with prices being comparatively expensive, and it can be a scramble to find a seat at peak times. However, it is a very social setting, enjoyable for lunch or dinner, and it’s also a great place to meet fellow visitors.
Related articles: Lisbon’s best markets

Before the lunch time rush in the Timeout market

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is an extravagant monastery situated at the heart of the Belem district. This magnificent religious building is Portugal's finest example of Manueline architecture, incorporating ornate stone carving and elaborate architectural features.

The monastery was funded by the 16th-century spice trade, and its construction took over 100 years to complete. If you visit only one religious building during your stay in Lisbon, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos should be it.

Being one of Lisbon's most famous attractions, there can be very long queues to visit, especially on an inclement day. However, the adjoining church (the Igreja de Santa María de Belem) has shorter queues and is free to enter.
Note: The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is closed on Mondays, and the church has restricted hours on Sundays and important religious feast days.
Entrance fee: €10
Official website: www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt

Lxfactory is the vibrant centre for Lisbon's blossoming artisan scene, and has transformed an abandoned factory into one of the trendiest areas of Lisbon. Contained within Lxfactory are artists’ studios, specialist gift shops and alternative restaurants, along with thought-provoking street art.

The Pavilhão do Conhecimento is a family-focused science museum that is one of the best activities for children in Lisbon.

The museum is part of the Ciência Viva organisation, which promotes science and technology to children through the use of interactive and engaging exhibits. This is its largest and arguably best site, with hundreds of exhibits, and offers a great activity for a wet day in Lisbon.
The Pavilhão do Conhecimento is located in the Parque das Nações district and is close to the Oceanário de Lisboa.
Official website: https://www.cienciaviva.pt

The up-side-down world at the entrance to the Ciência Viva-Agência

Parque das Nações is a great area for families

Fado is a traditional and emotional style of Portuguese music, sung by a lone female singer accompanied by a classical Portuguese guitar.

Originating in the Alfama district, the story behind this haunting genre of music is the sorrow felt by a sailor's wife whose husband is out at sea. Attending a performance of this powerful music is a great activity for a rainy day. If you wish to learn more about the history of Fado, consider visiting the Fado museum: http://www.museudofado.pt/

The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is another unique and interesting museum in Lisbon, which is dedicated to the classical tile painting known as Azulejo.

The museum boasts an extensive range of pieces, from the oldest displays of Moorish-influenced geometric patterns to the striking blue and white panels seen throughout Portugal that were inspired by Chinese art. The highlight of the Museu Nacional do Azulejo is the Grande Panorama de Lisboa, a 23-metre-long panel depicting Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake.

The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is housed in a 16th-century convent, and included in the visit is the beautiful Igreja da Madre de Deus.
Note: The museum is closed on Mondays
Entrance fee: €5
Official website: http://www.museudoazulejo.pt/

The stunning Igreja da Madre de Deus

The Grande Panorama de Lisboa

Interactive display of the Grande Panorama de Lisboa - artsandculture.google.com

Escape rooms are a fantastic activity for groups on a wet day, and Lisbon has some very creative and atmospheric rooms to choose from. The best locations are Game Over (with its ‘Aladdin’, ‘Walking-Death’ and scary ‘Saw’ rooms) and Escape Hunt (with ‘Great Fair’ and ‘Fernando Pessoa’ rooms).

Groups of 3 to 6 players can enjoy the challenge of escaping the room within 60 minutes by solving complex puzzles and mysteries. These games are great fun and surprisingly inexpensive at from €17 per player.
Game Over - lisbon.escapegameover.pt/
Escape Hunt - escapehunt.com/pt/lisbon/

Quake is an interactive museum that depicts and simulates the 1755 earthquake that struck Lisbon. During your visit you will wander replicas of the era’s streets, experiencing the horrors that the residents faced via state-of-the-art simulators and actors. This is a wonderful museum, but tickets are expensive at €28/€19.50 (adult/child)
Official website: https://lisbonquake.com

The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is the national art gallery of Portugal and exhibits the country's most important collection of early European, Asian, and African art. The collection was established in 1884 to preserve important religious artworks following the dissolution of religious orders in Portugal in 1834.

The museum's vast collection includes a rich array of paintings, sculptures, and textiles, ranging from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century. Among its most renowned pieces is the "Panels of Saint Vincent" by Nuno Gonçalves, a masterpiece of Portuguese Renaissance art.

The museum's setting is equally impressive, housed in the Palácio Alvor-Pombal, a former royal palace. This is one of the finest museums in Lisbon, and the extensive collection can easily fill half a day.
Official website: museudearteantiga.pt

The "Temptations of Saint Antony" is such an involved painting it needs time to sit and admire

The magnificent Palacio de Ajuda is one of the most overlooked sights of Lisbon.
This Neoclassical palace was the official royal residency of the Portuguese monarchy from the mid-19th century until the end of the nobility in 1910. The building reflects the opulence of the final years of the Portuguese monarchy, funded by the riches from Brazilian.

Ajuda is one of the most impressive palaces in Lisbon, but is barely known by foreign tourists. This makes it ideal to visit on a wet day when the more famous sights (such as the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos) are packed. The Palacio de Ajuda is only 1.2km north of Belem and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.

The Throne Room where King Carlos I would host court ceremonies.

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