Things to do in Lisbon When It Rains

1. Ride Tram 28

For a different view of Lisbon’s beautiful neighbourhoods, take a ride on Tram 28. The iconic tram will take you through the narrow streets and historic districts and you’ll be able to get a feel for the city and decide where you want to return to when the weather’s a little nicer. 

2. Head to the Time Out Market

When the rain starts to fall in Lisbon, the Time Out Market is one of the best places to be. This foodie haven has a huge variety of local and international cuisines to choose from. There are more then 40 restaurants, bars and food shops there, so my recommendations are:

• Grab a burger from Ground Burger

• Savour fresh seafood from Marisqueira Azul (the Portuguese really know how to do seafood)

• Sample traditional dishes and charcuterie boards from Manteigaria

3. Visit the Oldest Bookshop in the World

Livraria Bertrand, in the Chiado District, is the oldest bookshop still in operation today, dating back to 1732. If books are your thing, you really can’t miss a trip to this bookshop. 

While most of the publications are in Portuguese, you can also find a few good reads in English. If you buy a book, you have the option to have it stamped stating that it was bought in the oldest bookshop in the world, which is pretty cool. 

4. See a Traditional Fado Show

Fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre and what better way to spend a rainy evening than watching a show. The music, traditionally played using a classic guitar and a Portuguese guitar, is intimate, melancholic and captivating, and has impressively been named on UNESCO’s list of World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

5. Eat Pastel de Nata and Drink Coffee

6. Explore the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT)

The MAAT Gallery is a stunning piece of architect right by the river Tagus. The contemporary art museum features a variety of exhibitions, including temporary exhibitions, and installations, showcasing the best of Portuguese and international artists, such as  Ai Weiwei and Olafur Eliasson.

7. Visit the Planetarium

No matter what your age, a trip to the Planetarium never gets old. The Navy Planetarium in Lisbon is a state-of-the-art facility and one of the largest planetariums in the world, with interactive exhibits and shows that will transport you to outer space. You can learn about the solar system, different constellations, and even take a virtual tour of the universe.

8. Explore The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is a must-visit Lisbon attraction, especially when it’s raining outside. The museum opened it’s doors in 1969 as a legacy to Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian oil magnate and art enthusiast. It houses a collection of over 6000 items, including Egyptian artifacts, Greco-Roman art, Islamic ceramics, and textiles, as well as European decorative arts, paintings, and sculptures from artists such as Rembrandt, Turner, and Rodin.

9. Visit Jerónimos Monastery

This UNESCO World Heritage site is great for exploring during a rainy day in Lisbon. Once a monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is now the resting place of some of the most important historical figures of Portugal

10. Join a Wine Tasting Tour

14. Take a Portuguese Cooking Class

Another fun indoor activity is taking a cooking class to learn how to make some yummy traditional Portuguese dishes. You’ll not only get to enjoy the results, but also learn about the culture and gastronomy behind each recipe. 

16. Wander Through the LX Factory

It’s in the Alcântara neighbourhood, and the former industrial complex has been transformed into a creative hotspot with shops, restaurants, bars, galleries and more. 

Is there a rainy season in Lisbon?

Lisbon experiences a Mediterranean climate, which means it has wet winters and dry summers. The rainy season typically occurs between November and January, with December being the wettest month. During this time, showers can be heavy but are often short-lived, making it still possible to enjoy outdoor activities in between rain spells.