Lisbon is one of the cities in Europe that is busy at all times of the year. One of the frequent questions that I get asked about the city is what to wear in Lisbon in summer and the other seasons too. In this post however I’ll be talking about summer in Lisbon because otherwise it is just too much to cover in a single post.
When I first visited the city during spring, I thought that it was cold but I was visiting from a more tropical part of the world. Now that I actually stay in Europe, I can recognize how Lisbon is one of the warmest cities throughout the year. While you don’t have to do layers, you do need to know what to wear in Lisbon and change it up depending on the season.
The reason is that you also need to be careful of the heat. Lisbon has been on the wrong end of the many heat waves in summer. Plus nowadays the weather is pretty uncertain so you can also quite easily get stuck in some cold weather. So packing smartly for Lisbon is really important. Luckily for you, I have all the tips you need in this department.
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Table of Contents
Weather In Lisbon In Summer
Summer used to be the best time to visit Lisbon. The weather is nice and warm which means that you can ditch all the layers that you wore through the rest of the year. Nowadays Portugal struggles with plenty of heatwaves so if you are headed to Lisbon in summer know that its going to be hot to very hot.
For those of you who don’t follow the same seasonal chart as we do in Europe, know that summer in Lisbon is from mid June to mid September. This is a bit fluid too. Depending on the year, summer temperatures can start two weeks earlier or later.
Temperatures In Lisbon In Summer
Generally the temperature averages around 28C but its been getting hotter and hotter so you can often see temps above 30C and sometimes even above 35C. This is why it is important to consider what to wear in Lisbon in summer.
Note that the proximity to the sea means that the humidity is very high so it is generally hot and humid. Luckily there are plenty of beaches and pools to cool off in.
What To Wear In Lisbon In Summer
Summer in Lisbon is when you can wear whatever you want. People dress up in a wide variety of ways from comfortable and casual to super stylish. The weather is nice and warm which means that you get to ditch the layers and the jackets.
Summer Dresses
Light cotton summer dresses are the best thing to wear in Lisbon in summer. Its perfect because cotton absorbs moisture. Since Lisbon is next to the sea, it is both hot and humid. This means that you sweat a lot. The light dresses don’t cling to your body and make you feel uncomfortable. It is also sooo much cooler.
The best part is that the light dresses don’t take up much space. The fold down and you can carry multiple without worrying about weight or room in your luggage. They also wash and dry easily which is another big bonus for the people who love to travel light like me.
When we visited Portugal, I packed a lot of summer dresses for my girls. It worked well to cover up a swimsuit, was great at the beach and it looked super cute when walking around the city.
Oh and if you haven’t found a great dress to wear, don’t worry. Lisbon is one of the best places to head out shopping and summer dresses are one of the best souvenirs from Lisbon.
Skirts, Shorts And Skorts
I love skirts when it comes to summer clothes. They tend to make me look like I’ve spent a lot of time dressing up which I generally don’t. That’s just me because I dress for comfort more than style. The best part about skirts is that there are so many different options in styles, lengths and colors that you can choose from.
My favorite are the long floaty skirts. These really match the whole vibe of the city. Paired with a tank top and a wide brimmed hat, this is a perfect outfit for Lisbon in summer.
Now ever since I had kids, I’ve found them tugging at my clothes a lot. Not one to give up on the cute clothes in summer in Lisbon, I opted for shorts instead.
Skorts however were the best win win. As cute as skirts but as functional as shorts. Plus I loved how the flared around my thighs. It gave my outfit a very flattering look.
“This skort is great for women of a certain age ;). The length is perfect, comfortable even when sitting. The shorts, also are a decent length and stay put even on my thick thighs. I love the swing of the skirt and the pockets are large enough for golf balls & tees. I got the black and intend to get other colors as well.”
Melanie (read more reviews!)
Great Skirts, Shorts And Skorts Recommendations
- Long summer skirts – light and comfortable.
- Pleated Skater Skirt
- IUGA Knee Length Skorts – Comfortable and my absolute fav!
- Levi’s Original 501 Shorts (Women)
- Lee Cargo shorts (Men)
Swimwear
Many people make the mistake of not packing swimwear if they are headed to Lisbon. We are just going for a day or two to Lisbon. We won’t have time to hit the beaches so why bother? Now that’s where they are wrong.
First off, Lisbon has beaches next to it so its accessible. Secondly, many of the hotels in Lisbon have amazing swimming pools. The weather tends to be super hot so make sure you pack your swimwear and you can cool off after a long day walking the streets of the capital. You can see why swimwear is something that you should not forget on your list of what to wear in Lisbon in summer.
Bikini Versus One Piece Swimsuit: Now if you are concerned about the type of swimwear that you wear, I’m here to say don’t think twice. Pick what you are comfortable with and wear it without a second thought.
Loose Cotton Shirts
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 (3,793 Reviews) Price: $45 Details: Read more on Amazon!
One of my favorite things to wear in summer is loose cotton shirts. Not only do they feel cool and airy but they can be combined with a nice tank top to give the same outfit a different look. They also work as a cover when you head to beach. Depending on how you accessorize them, they can either be used for a formal look or a casual look.
I also tend to carry a couple of wrinkle free shirts so I don’t have to bother with ironing it. Generally speaking flowery and colorful shirts work well with the vibrant colors of Lisbon city. But if you are wondering what to wear in Lisbon in summer and aren’t a fan of bright colors then you can also go for some nice pastel colored shirts.
“This shirt is amazing, just as described. It’s comfortable, the color is perfect, the fit is perfect and you can wear a shirt underneath, it’s a 3 seasons shirt. Cotton, easy wash and dry!”
Cecille (read more reviews now!)
These are great for a low effort classy wardrobe. Perfect for your Lisbon pics for Instagram. Don’t forget to pair them with an awesome quote about Lisbon.
Sandals And Walking Shoes
Lisbon is a hilly city. Everything is either uphill or down hill. That’s why you need some really comfortable walking shoes. I tend to head out with sneakers but if you prefer sandals instead, make sure that you pick one with a good grip and ones that are comfortable. This is probably the most important tip I could give anyone who asks me about what to wear in Lisbon in summer.
This tip holds true for both men and women. I loved my Columbia sneakers for this because they are ventilated, great for hiking which means that they have a great grip and they pair well with all kinds of outfits. The other pair that I swapped out with was crocs and that was whenever I was headed to the beach. They made it easier to manage the sand.
Another go to that I chose when it comes to sneakers is Skechers. There are so many great options and colors in the brand that there is always something cute to choose from. Plus they are very durable and last for ages.
Make sure that you check your kids shoes too. Now if you need any recommendations check the list out below.
Walking Shoe Recommendations
- Skechers Go Walk Max (Men) – Light, comfortable and great looking.
- Dr Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker (Women) – Great for comfort
- Skechers Bobs Cute (Women) – Perfect balance of comfort and looks
Light Sweater
⭐️ Rating: 4.3/5 (3,481 Reviews) Price: $20 Details: Read more on Amazon!
Now I know that Lisbon is hot in summer but if you are out in the evenings and the nights, sometimes you will find that the temperature drops a bit. Now its not cold cold but a light sweater will definitely make walking home more pleasant.
Note that this also depends on which part of the world you are from.
If I was heading here from Goa, I would say its chilly but since I’m now visiting from the Netherlands, the temperatures do not bother me at all.
“I splurged and Bought this for me and I’m so happy and it’s so soft! I will say it with the loser stitches it can be easy to snag, other than that it’s so cute, soft & a beautiful color. Get one!! It goes with anything 🥰”
Megan (read more reviews now!)
What To Wear In Lisbon In Summer: Accessories
One thing that I have to add is that there are a couple of accessories that you should think about when it comes to what to pack for Lisbon in summer. This quick list will cover the essentials.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle (which you can refill anywhere as water is potable.)
- Cool backpack
- Sling purse
- Sarong for your beach trips
- Wide brimmed hat
Capsule Wardrobe For Lisbon In Summer
I always include a capsule wardrobe in all of my packing lists. If you want to travel light then this capsule wardrobe for Lisbon is absolutely perfect. It is light especially since the summer clothes tend be lighter and less space occupying while simultaneously giving you all the accessories you need for a cool outfit every single day.
- 3 cotton shirts
- 1 tank top
- 1 pair of shorts/skirt/skort
- 1 pair of trousers or jeans
- 2 summer dresses
- 1 light sweater
- 1 pair of walking shoes
- 1 pair of sandles
- A wide brimmed hat
- 1 backpack
- 1 sling bag
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- Sunscreen
And there you have it. This is my super long and detailed post about what to wear in Lisbon in summer. You can optimize these options according to your own specific style and comfort level. The best part about packing for summer is that you can pack light. Well that’s my favorite part especially since I can ditch all my warm weather clothes and enjoy.
What are your favorite parts about summer in Lisbon? Is there anything that you would like to add to the list when it comes to what to wear in Lisbon in summer? Let me know in the comments below.
Other Posts That Will Interest You
- Cool day trips from Lisbon
- Lisbon to Obidos: How to plan a great trip
- Cool and unusual things to do in Lisbon
- Amazing places to stay in Lisbon
- Is the Lisbon card worth it?
- 1 day in Lisbon itinerary
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