November smells of roasting chestnuts and wet cobbles. The tourists have gone and Lisbon is a Portuguese city again.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | High teens °C |
| Nights | Around 11 °C |
| Rain | Spells of a day or two, with bright days between |
| Cobbles | Slippery when wet; wear grip |
December is similar, a little colder, with the lights on.
Clear days and wet days#
Clear: Belém, the miradouros, the castle, Sintra if the forecast is firm, a walk along the river to Cais do Sodré. Wet: the Gulbenkian, the Tile Museum, the Chiado bookshops, Time Out Market, a long lunch and a fado house in the evening. The 3-day itinerary sorts easily into those two lists.
What's on#
São Martinho on 11 November: chestnuts and new wine in every square, and the magusto parties in the neighbourhoods. The Christmas lights come on at the end of the month. Things to do in Lisbon.
Crowds and prices#
The quietest month of the tourist year. Rooms in Alfama and Chiado that are gone in summer are available and cheap. Tram 28 has a seat. Lisbon travel guide for neighbourhoods.
What to pack#
A rain jacket, shoes with grip for the wet cobbles, layers, an umbrella that survives wind. Is Lisbon safe? for the ordinary precautions.
Plan it#
Post your dates on Roavi Community. A Local Friend in Lisbon knows which tasca is warm on a wet Tuesday; Roavi has few here yet, so post early. How to meet locals in Lisbon.
Lisbon in November? Chestnuts, rain, and a city to yourself. See it with a local.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
Does it rain a lot in Lisbon in November?
It is one of the wetter months, but the rain comes in spells of a day or two with sunny, mild days in between. A week in November usually gets both. Bring a jacket that handles rain and plan museums for the wet days.Is November a good time to visit Lisbon?
For the city, yes: quiet, cheap, mild. For Sintra and the beaches, it is hit and miss. If you want guaranteed sun, choose May or September.What is São Martinho?
11 November, the day of roasted chestnuts and the first tasting of the year's new wine, água-pé or jeropiga. Chestnut carts fill the squares for weeks either side and the smell is the smell of Lisbon in November.Is Lisbon cheap in November?
One of the cheapest months for hotels, with January and February. Flights are low too. Restaurants and attractions do not change price.