Lisbon in April: The Perfect Time To Visit

Lisbon in April is beautiful. Spring has settled, the wettest months are over, and you get warmer temperatures. It’s actually really nice.

I’ve been in Lisbon in April, surfing and enjoying the beach with daytime temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit), but often much warmer.

There is so much to do in this wonderful time, and I’ve tried to limit myself to suggestions, but it’s difficult, so take your pick.

10 Things to Do in Lisbon in April

What I love about this excellent time is that you can be outside almost daily without rain.

The average sea temperatures are still super cold, but it’s always like that in the summer or winter months.

1. Watch a Football Match

It’s April, which means the weather is warmer, and if you’re into football, you have to experience a match in Lisbon.

The local team in Lisbon is Sporting Lisboa(my favorite Portuguese team), but you can also take an Uber for 15-20 minutes and watch a Benfica match(my partner’s favorite team).

Football is a huge passion for the Portuguese, and watching these matches is a unique experience.

You might experience a derby between Sporting Lisboa, Porto, or Benfica if you’re lucky. Those are the big matches in Lisbon.

2. Lisbon’s Freedom Day Fiesta (25 April)

Freedom Day is Portugal’s national holiday on the 25th of April. It’s when Portugal celebrates the peaceful Revolution of 1974, which led to the end of Portugal’s Estado Novo regime and the establishment of a democratic government.

The perfect place to be on this day is on Avenida da Liberdade and around Baixa and Chiado.

Lisbon’s Freedom Day, known as “Dia da Liberdade” in Portuguese, is when Portuguese people come out and participate in parades throughout Lisbon and other cities.

3. Easter Celebrations

Participate in the Holy Week and Easter Celebrations, where the city comes alive with religious and cultural fervor.

This happens from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. I recommend visiting Lisbon’s many churches, where you’ll see vibrant displays and experience the events.

4. Peixe em Lisboa (Fish Festival)

In early April, the beautiful park Eduardo VII Park, right at Marques de Pombal at the end of Avenida da Liberdade, was converted into a huge event celebrating fish for ten days.

Portugal is famous for its fish, and wherever you go in Portuguese restaurants, you’ll get to try many seafood dishes and fish in general.

It’s a perfect place to try many different types of fish and learn more about Portugal’s rich fish history.

You’ll also get to know international chefs and local chefs as well.

5. Estoril Open (Tennis Tournament)

If you’re into tennis, the Estoril Open happens in April, and it’s part of the ATP tour; it’s an ATP 250.

It usually happens in the first week of April, but keep an eye on the website as it does change. At least it has in its long history since 1990.

It happens in Cascais, which is just a 30-40 min train journey from central Lisbon.

6. Food Tour With Local Food

This is one of my favorite things to do in Lisbon. I’m a huge foodie, and snacking is just amazing. I love it.

You could spend a day trying local snacks and foods to learn how well the Portuguese cook.

I recommend trying the following:

• Bifana at As Bifanas do Afonso (Pork Sandwich)
• Pão com Chouriço(Chouriço Bread) at any local bakery (Bread and Friends is my favorite)
• Pastel de Nata at Manteigaria
• Pastel de Feijao at any local bakery
• Pastel de Bacalhau at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau

7. Kiosk Weather

One thing I learned when living in Lisbon is that the locals meet at kiosks and cafés after work to drink a beer or a coffee, like clockwork.

They stand outside on the streets and just talk, socializing around a beer or coffee, and it’s so cool.

Of course, on Fridays, they do let loose a bit more, but it’s a fun experience, and as it’s April, the weather is getting better. It’s time to embrace this.

One of my favorite cafés is in Principe Real, just at the park, but you can find them all over Lisbon.

8. A Lisbon Photowalk

Lisbon is very Instagram-friendly wherever you go around the city, but some spots are better than others.

Anywhere you find a Funicular is a great photo shoot. There is one in Bairro Alto and one in Chiado as well that goes to Cais do Sodre.

To get the best picture, just ensure you’re at the top of the funicular; otherwise, it’s just a long hill instead of a picture of the city.

Lisbon also has tons of viewpoints from which you can get incredible photos of the city.

9. Sail along the Tagus River

This would be too cold to do in March and the winter months, but on a sunny day in April, it’s perfect.

You can book a sailing trip along the Tagus River and combine it with wine, snacks, or even Tapas.

In some cases, you can also bring your own food and have a little picnic on the river; it’s quite an experience.

The trip usually starts at Belém harbor, and the boat sails up the river towards Alfama, turning around and sailing back.

A little tip is to check the wind. If it’s very windy, even if it’s still warm, then the waves are quite tall, and it’s not such a fun experience.

10. Botanical Gardens

Lisbon has many beautiful parks and gardens around the city, including the botanical gardens, which I recommend you enjoy.

A fun fact is that the official Lisbon Botanical Garden is located right in the center of Principe Real.

It’s a beautiful garden where you can see many different types of plants and experience the moist climate.

If you want to stay outside, visit one of the many parks and gardens; they’re completely free to experience. One I can recommend is Jardim da Estrela.

Lisbon Weather in April

The weather in April is super nice, with temperatures ranging from around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).

It is an ideal time for exploring Lisbon’s vibrant neighborhoods and historic sites. It’s all about being outside and remembering a variety of clothing for this weather.

Tip: If the weather disappoints, you can find many indoor activities in Lisbon.

On average, there are about ten days of rain in April, so it’s better to be prepared than not. However, based on my experience, it rains much less often.

What to Pack for Lisbon in April

The average temperatures during April in Lisbon have taught me always to bring a mix of clothing so I can stay outside longer.

It still gets a bit colder during the evening, and you want to prepare for this.

• Bring both short- and long-sleeved.
• Bring an umbrella or borrow one from the hotel on the occasional rainy days.
• Comfortable footwear, as Lisbon is hilly.
• Sun protection: the sun is still super sharp.
• Sunglasses.
• Daypack for your day trips around Lisbon.
• Electrical adapters and chargers.

I have created a complete packing list, which you can find here. If you need help planning your trip, I’ve also made a trip planner.

Wrap-Up

Lisbon in April is where the sun really starts to show up, and that means you need to get outside during your stay to enjoy the weather and see the city slowly wake up. For a full comparison of all months, see my best time to visit Lisbon guide.

Go and watch a Football match, participate in some of the festivals, or take a local food tour and try some local snacks.

When the weather gets warmer, you can do so much more, and on some days in April, you can even go to the beach.

If you’re in Lisbon on the 25th, I recommend you stay around Avenida da Liberdade to experience the parades. It’s a beautiful moment.

If the weather is bad because it is still raining, check out some indoor things to do in Lisbon.

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