LISBON IN JULY: WHAT TO EXPECT & THINGS TO DO.
We ended up spending an entire month in Lisbon in July. Honestly, we normally avoid peak season for travel whenever possible, but we were invited to a three day wedding in Lisbon and it seemed like a great excuse to extend our stay.
It was a long and sticky month in the capital city, staying in our tiny apartment in Alfama, without air-conditioning. We would just sleep with the windows wide open, listening to the sound of Fado. And yet, the memories of that July in Lisbon will stick with me forever.
July in Lisbon is hot. Seriously hot. And busy. The city genuinely felt stretched to full capacity, busy trams, crowded viewpoints, and packed tourist sights. It’s the month when Lisbon is at its most international. And we quickly got used to walking tours passing our window in multiple languages each day.
If I’m entirely frank, July is not the best time to see Lisbon. We more recently visited in winter, and I’ll be honest that there were aspects of the city that I felt were more enjoyable. July can be just flat out uncomfortable. But it can also be magical and romantic in the chaos, it depends how you look at it.
In this post, you can find our guide to making the most of your visit to Lisbon in July.
Weather in Lisbon in July
July is peak summer and it feels like it. Expect daily temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius, with very little cloud and almost no rain.
The heat builds through the day and usually peaks mid to late afternoon. Mornings and evenings are the most comfortable times to be outside exploring, and after a while you naturally start planning everything around that rhythm.
July is not the best time of year to visit Lisbon if you want to walk and sightsee all day. Unless you’re someone who is already very much used to the heat, honestly, you will just melt if you try to do too much during the day.
Accommodation in Lisbon in July
July is one of the most expensive months for accommodation. Prices are high and good places book far in advance, especially in central neighbourhoods like Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Bairro Alto. We actually booked our accommodation in Alfama 9 months in advance.
If you’re visiting in July, air-conditioning is genuinely worth prioritising. We managed without it, but only just, and it shaped our days more than we expected.
If you’re staying longer, somewhere slightly outside the historic centre can be a good compromise. Better value, quieter at night, and often more modern apartments with proper cooling.
Vibe in Lisbon in July
Lisbon in July feels global. You hear every language. It’s energetic, chaotic, and very social.
The city feels alive in a way that’s different to spring or winter. People are out late. There’s music everywhere. And an air of summer headiness. Even on weeknights, it feels like something is always happening.
During our month in Lisbon, there was always something to go to in the evening- or an excuse for a beer or two.
Packing for Lisbon in July
Light clothing and breathable fabrics will be your friend. Summer dresses and shorts are ideal. And of course, pack swimwear for beach visits.
Whenever visiting Lisbon, the most important thing is footwear. The city is hilly and flimsy sandals won’t really cut it. For cobbles, you need something with a bit of grip – like Birkenstocks.
In July, you really won’t need much in the way of layers. I defaulted to a linen shirt over my shoulders sometimes in the evening, but only after a few weeks of adjusting to the heat.
Best things to do in Lisbon in July
Here are the best things to do and look out for in Lisbon in July.
1/ Summer festivals
As with much of Europe, July is festival season! And there’s always lots of musical fun to be had in Lisbon in the summer.
Some of the big ones include:
- NOS Alive – one of the biggest music festivals in Europe.
- BaixAnima – Smaller, more local events, often in alternative spaces. This is held throughout the summer.
That said, you don’t have to head to a big festival to enjoy the summer spirit. In central Lisbon, it feels like there’s always a bit of a party going on
2/ Viewpoint drinks
Lisbon’s hills may be tough on the legs, but the reward is always worth it. One of our favourite ways to experience the city is by climbing to one of its many viewpoints and soaking up the incredible panoramas.
Almost everyone who visits Lisbon ends up with a favourite miradouro, and with so many to choose from, the competition is fierce.
The three we found ourselves returning to most often were Miradouro de Santa Catarina (perfect for sunset drinks in Cais do Sodré), Miradouro da Graça (a more local, romantic spot), and Miradouro de Santa Luzia – partly because it was closest to our apartment, and partly because it’s simply beautiful.
Take a cold bottle of wine or a couple of Super Bocks and take it all in.
3/ Cascais beach day
The train to Cascais is one of the most crowded in summer, but it’s still the easiest way to escape the heat.
Cascais has several beaches within walking distance of the station, plus a compact town centre with restaurants and cafés. The water is cold, even in July, but that’s part of the appeal.
4/ Visit Sintra
Sintra is always busy in summer, and July is no exception. Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the historic centre all get crowded by late morning.
The practical approach is to arrive early, see one or two main sites, and leave before mid-afternoon. The temperature is usually a few degrees cooler than Lisbon, which helps.
5/ Take a boat trip
Being on the water is one of the few times you forget about the heat. There are plenty of boat tours along the Tagus River, from short sightseeing cruises to sunset sailing trips.
You can book a daytime sightseeing trip, or take things up a notch with a sunset party boat.
6/ Cross the river
Hopping across the river is incredibly easy in Lisbon, thanks to the frequent ferries over the Tagus, and it quickly became one of our favourite things to do, especially in the evening.
If you want to see the city from a different perspective, we highly recommend catching a ferry to Cacilhas. It’s a lively spot with a more local feel than the city centre and home to some great places to eat, including the wonderful Syrian restaurant Damasqino.
Across the river you’ll also find Ponto Final, a popular hotspot. Even if you can’t get a table, it’s worth walking along the waterfront to enjoy the views back to Lisbon. Keep going and you’ll find a free panoramic elevator, but before you head up, stop for a moment in the nearby park, which is popular with buskers and locals enjoying the sunset.
7/ Visit Costa Caparica
Another great option is to cross the river and head to Costa da Caparica. Compared to Cascais, far fewer people make it to this stretch of coast, possibly because it feels a little less straightforward to reach or simply because Cascais is more well known.
While Costa da Caparica certainly isn’t quiet in peak summer, it’s noticeably less crowded than Cascais and offers a more laid-back, local atmosphere.
8/ Yoga class in the park
Early morning yoga classes pop up all over the city in summer, especially in larger parks like Eduardo VII Park.
It’s a calm way to start the day before the heat and crowds take over. Look out for adverts on groups like Meet Up in Lisbon.
9/ Museums and indoor spaces
By early afternoon, July often becomes about finding somewhere inside.
Museums like the Gulbenkian, MAAT or the Tile Museum are cultural stops and a reliable way to get out of the heat for a few hours. Cinemas, wine bars and cooking workshops serve a similar purpose.
10/ An evening in Alfama
There is nowhere quite like Alfama on a summer evening. It’s hot, sultry and magnetic. Believe me, I’ve visited in winter and it’s just not the same.
Wander the streets, listen to Fado, find an outdoor perch to sit and enjoy a cold glass of wine.
Detailed Lisbon Guides
You can find more detailed guides to visiting Lisbon below.
- Three Day Itinerary for Lisbon
- Visiting Sintra
- Best Museums in Lisbon
- Best Fado in Lisbon
- Where to stay in Lisbon
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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