Lisbon in November: What to Expect

Lisbon in November is genuinely excellent. If you're in Northern Europe staring at the same grey sky every morning and wondering if you've made a terrible life choice, Lisbon in November is the answer. The weather is mild by any reasonable measure, the city is quiet, and Portugal does not know how to be bad value.

Weather

Daytime temperatures sit between 13°C and 18°C, with some rain arriving in short, Atlantic-driven spells. November is when Lisbon's rainy season begins in earnest, but "rainy season" in Lisbon means the occasional afternoon shower followed by clear blue sky rather than sustained grey drizzle. Evenings are cool, around 10°C to 12°C. A light jacket and a small umbrella cover almost every situation.

Crowds and Prices

Low season across the board. Flights from London and other UK cities are cheap. The Belem district, including the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery, is visited at a fraction of peak-season intensity. The trams in Alfama are easier to catch. Even the famous Pasteis de Belem bakery has manageable queues. Hotel prices in the Chiado and Alfama neighbourhoods drop considerably from summer peaks.

What's On

All Saints' Day (November 1) is a public holiday in Portugal, with family gatherings and cemetery visits, and some shops and services may be reduced. The wider cultural calendar continues through the month: fado performances in Alfama and Mouraria are year-round, and November brings cosy, candlelit settings that suit the music well.

The Time Out Market Lisbon and the LX Factory are both open year-round and provide excellent indoor food and culture options for rainy November afternoons.

One Thing to Watch

Lisbon's famous trams, particularly Tram 28 through Alfama, run on normal schedules in November but can fill up quickly. The main difference from summer is that the queues to board are shorter. The steep hills of Alfama are more slippery in wet weather, particularly on the mosaic cobblestones. Wear shoes with grip.