Lisbon in March: seasonal plans and things to do
In March, Lisbon averages a daytime high of 16.0 °C and a night-time low of 12.0 °C. In March, walk Alfama’s viewpoints during a dry spell and keep a museum or café for a rainy afternoon. Spring allows longer outdoor days, but comfortable shoes and water matter on the climbs.
Choose a month
Selected month: March
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Lisbon
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 16.0 °C
- Nighttime low
- 12.0 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 58.9 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 9.4
- Daylight
- 11.9 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 15.6 | 12.0 | 4.0 |
| Days 11–20 | 16.2 | 11.9 | 2.1 |
| From day 21 | 16.3 | 12.0 | 3.3 |
Things to do in march
In March, walk Alfama’s viewpoints during a dry spell and keep a museum or café for a rainy afternoon.
Spring allows longer outdoor days, but comfortable shoes and water matter on the climbs.
The coast, walks and city time
Include Baixa, Chiado, Alfama and Belém in the route. Put the longest walk in the cooler or drier part of the day, and keep a museum, café or indoor break for rain or heat.
Spring allows longer outdoor days, but comfortable shoes and water matter on the climbs.
How to plan your days and what to pack
Build each day around one district and one main walk. In Lisbon, comfortable shoes, a light extra layer and sun protection are useful; add a compact rain jacket during the wetter season.
In March, walk Alfama’s viewpoints during a dry spell and keep a museum or café for a rainy afternoon.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket, a jumper, long trousers and comfortable closed shoes. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 15.4 °C, March — 16.0 °C, next month — 17.5 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 7.1, 9.4 and 9.4.
Things to do
Lisbon moves between distinct neighbourhoods: Baixa and Chiado cafés, Alfama viewpoints and the riverside quarter of Belém. The city is hilly, so plan around one area at a time and leave room for the climbs.
An early walk in Alfama
Set out before midday, follow the lanes up to Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol, then descend towards the river. Comfortable shoes matter more here than a tightly packed schedule.
A day in Belém
Combine Jerónimos Monastery, the waterfront and Belém’s open spaces as one dedicated outing. This keeps you from crossing the city between stops.
A riverside pause
Parque das Nações offers gardens and Tagus paths after the older central quarters. Keep it for a clear day or a relaxed final stretch of the trip.
Where to stay
Baixa and Chiado
Baixa is a convenient first base, with pedestrian streets, cafés, shops and central sights close together. Chiado suits travellers who want bookshops and pavement cafés nearby in the evening.
Alfama
Alfama is a good choice for old lanes and walks up to the viewpoints. Check the slope and stairs around a potential stay: carrying luggage and repeating the climb each day takes effort.
Belém
Belém works well when the Jerónimos Monastery, riverside monuments and a walk by the Tagus are central to the trip. Allow time to travel back if you plan to spend evenings in the centre.
Getting around
The Metro station is at the airport. Baixa and Chiado make practical bases for a short break: explore the centre on foot, then make separate trips to Belém and Parque das Nações. Lisbon is hilly, with steps and cobbles in Alfama, so focus on one main district each day and wear supportive shoes.
Three days in Lisbon
Baixa and Chiado
Begin in Baixa by the river and continue through Chiado. Leave time for its squares, cafés and bookshops; this makes a compact day without crossing the whole city.
Alfama and its viewpoints
Give Alfama a separate day: climb its old lanes to the viewpoints, then descend towards the Tagus. Steps and steep streets call for supportive shoes and an unhurried pace.
Belém
Give Belém its own day. Visit Jerónimos Monastery and pair it with a riverside walk and the district’s open spaces. Keep distant neighbourhoods for another day; travelling west already gives this outing a clear shape.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.0 | 11.3 | 50.3 | 9.0 | 9.8 |
| February | 15.4 | 11.4 | 38.4 | 7.1 | 10.7 |
| March | 16.0 | 12.0 | 58.9 | 9.4 | 11.9 |
| April | 17.5 | 13.5 | 55.6 | 9.4 | 13.2 |
| May | 19.7 | 15.1 | 27.4 | 4.6 | 14.3 |
| June | 21.1 | 16.8 | 11.2 | 3.2 | 14.8 |
| July | 22.5 | 17.8 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 14.6 |
| August | 23.0 | 18.0 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 13.7 |
| September | 22.4 | 17.8 | 22.6 | 4.2 | 12.5 |
| October | 20.9 | 16.9 | 71.7 | 10.4 | 11.2 |
| November | 18.0 | 14.4 | 73.4 | 11.9 | 10.1 |
| December | 16.3 | 12.8 | 64.7 | 9.3 | 9.5 |
Frequently asked questions
Lisbon: what is the temperature in March?
The average daytime high is 16.0 °C and the night-time low is 12.0 °C. Fit the main walking route into daylight hours; bring an extra layer for the evening.
How many days with precipitation are there in March?
On average, there are 9.4 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 58.9 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in March?
Pack a light jacket, a jumper, long trousers and comfortable closed shoes. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 15.6 °C; 11–20 — 16.2 °C; 21 to month-end — 16.3 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in March?
The average is 11.9 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
What can I do in Lisbon in march?
In March, walk Alfama’s viewpoints during a dry spell and keep a museum or café for a rainy afternoon. Spring allows longer outdoor days, but comfortable shoes and water matter on the climbs.
How should I plan walks around Baixa, Chiado, Alfama and Belém in march?
Choose one district per outing and put the longest route in a dry or cooler spell. Spring allows longer outdoor days, but comfortable shoes and water matter on the climbs.
What should I pack for Lisbon in march?
Bring comfortable shoes, an extra layer for an evening walk and sun protection. Add a compact waterproof jacket in the wetter season. In March, walk Alfama’s viewpoints during a dry spell and keep a museum or café for a rainy afternoon.