01Weather
Lisbon weather in May
Afternoons in May average 23.9 °C (75 °F) and nights cool to 15.4 °C (60 °F). The month brings about 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain spread over roughly 4 days. Compared with April it is 3.3 °C warmer; June is 2.0 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 30 °C / 86 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 18 °C / 65 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 13 °C / 55 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 2.9 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 15 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 35.2 °C / 9.4 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 06:38 | 20:28 | 13.8 h |
| 15 May | 06:24 | 20:41 | 14.3 h |
| 31 May | 06:13 | 20:54 | 14.7 h |
Daylight grows by about 54 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Lisbon).
03Crowds
How busy Lisbon is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Labour Day
- jacarandas in bloom
- Rock in Rio Lisboa in some years
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Lisbon in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jacaranda season | May to June, Avenida Dom Carlos I and Largo do Carmo | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Lisbon in May
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- something for heat: 3 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is warm, dry and purple with jacarandas along Avenida Dom Carlos I and in the Largo do Carmo, with afternoons around 22 °C, Labour Day on 1 May closing shops and the beaches at Cascais opening for the season. It is a popular month, with rates approaching summer. Evenings on the miradouros are at their most pleasant. Rain falls on about five days.
The Rock in Rio Lisboa festival fills two weekends in June in even years; May brings the Alkantara performing-arts festival. The Sintra palaces are busy at weekends. The sea is around 17 °C. Daylight passes fourteen and a half hours. For the festival month with Santo António and Portugal Day, see June.
09Compare
Lisbon month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16 °C | 9 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 17 °C | 10 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 18 °C | 11 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| April | 21 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 24 °C | 15 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 26 °C | 17 °C | 3 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 28 °C | 19 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 29 °C | 19 °C | 1 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 27 °C | 18 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 24 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 13 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| December | 16 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Lisbon.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona in May | 22 °C | 4 |
| Paris in May | 19 °C | 13 |
| London in May | 17 °C | 9 |
| Dublin in May | 17 °C | 13 |
| Rome in May | 24 °C | 5 |
| Amsterdam in May | 18 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Lisbon in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Lisbon?
May is one of the best months to visit Lisbon. Daytime highs average 24 °C (75 °F), rain falls on about 4 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Lisbon in May?
Expect mild days around 24 °C (75 °F) and nights near 15 °C (60 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 30 °C, and one in ten stays below 18 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Lisbon in May?
May brings about 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain over roughly 4 days, which is dry by Lisbon standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 15 percent.
What should I wear in Lisbon in May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, something for heat: 3 days a month pass 30 °C on average.
Is Lisbon crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Labour Day; jacarandas in bloom; Rock in Rio Lisboa in some years.
What time does it get dark in Lisbon in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 20:41 and rises at 06:24, giving 14.3 hours of daylight.