Lisbon in August: 8 Incredible Things To Do

Lisbon in August is always special for me because it’s my birthday. At the same time, it’s also one of the hottest months in Lisbon.

It does vary year over year how crowded Lisbon is in August, but it’s on level with July as these two months are the high season.

That said, there is still a ton to experience, and if done right, you won’t feel that much that there are a lot of people, and it’ll feel like the perfect time to be in Lisbon.

8 Things to Do in Lisbon in August

It’s one of the best summer months in Lisbon if you like heat, which makes it perfect to enjoy the nice views of Lisbon and experience the incredible beaches.

1. Beach Day

It’s one of the warmest months in Lisbon, so you might want to cool down in the cold water at one of the many beaches.

My favorite beach in Lisbon is Costa da Caparica, and the golden beaches in Cascais are close to each other.

You can also check out Praia de Carcavelos, a beautiful beach halfway to Cascais. There are so many incredible nearby beaches in Lisbon.

At 9/10 beaches in Lisbon, you also have access to restaurants on the beach, which is just amazing, especially when you need something to drink or eat in these high daytime temperatures.

2. Lisbon Boat Party

If you like to party, this is the ultimate experience where you get to sail around and dance under the stars with a DJ onboard.

It costs €29 to experience this boat trip, and you can choose between a sailing boat, catamaran, and premium catamaran. Each ticket includes a welcome drink and a long drink.

3. Music Concert MEO Kalorama

Just like Rock in Rio, MEO also has a concert called Kalorama, where you can experience some big names like Sam Smith and Burna Boy.

So if you’re up for a festival at the end of August to have a nice time, this is for you. It’s quite massive, and people dance and listen to music for three days in Parque da Bela Vista.

If this concert isn’t for you, then there are two other concerts in Lisbon in August: Jazz em Agosto and Afrohouse Electronic Music Festival.

3. Walking Tour in Alfama

Alfama is the oldest part of Lisbon, and if you haven’t experienced the romantic cobbled streets of this part of Lisbon, now is the perfect time.

It’s one of many neighborhoods that come alive in summer, each with its own character and things to discover.

You can easily explore on your own and enjoy the panoramic views of the many viewpoints in Alfama, see the majestic cathedral, and buy some souvenirs at the flea market, Feira da Ladra.

I think Alfama is the part of Lisbon with the most viewpoints and spectacular views of the city center because it’s just so hilly.

I’ve made a full self-guided walking tour with many stops here, where you get to experience the rich history of Alfama.

4. Dolphin Sightseeing

Along the Tagus River, which is always a beautiful sight, you often also see dolphins swimming in it, and you can see them under the 25th April Bridge.

There are many tours you can take to experience Dolphin sightseeing, often with a marine biologist on hand to answer your questions.

5. Surfing

I love surfing, and Lisbon was the first time I got to try it, in Costa da Caparica, to be more precise.

What I love about Lisbon is that it has waves for all levels because of how the country is located.

You can experience massive waves in Nazaré and smaller waves in Costa da Caparica, and then you have everything in between.

No matter what level you’re on, you should try it if you’re up for it; there are so many surfing schools along Costa da Caparica.

6. Go to The Zoo

As the weather is amazing in August, you should go and experience the Zoo if you’re in Lisbon with your kids.

It’s located Northwest of central Lisbon, and you can easily get there by Metro as they have their own metro stop.

They have a lot of animals and different experiences within the park.

Tip: When done, head to one of the many parks to enjoy a picnic with family.

7. Watch a Football Match

You can go watch a match at Estádio da Luz and discover the storied history of SL Benfica, which is my partner’s favorite football team.

The “local” Lisbon team is Sporting Lisboa, which you can also watch in August.

If you’re lucky, you can catch a match between the biggest teams in Portugal, such as Sporting, Benfica, and Porto, but it’s rare as it’s the beginning of the season.

8. Watch the Viewpoints

The viewpoints with the panoramic views of the city are some of the most beautiful places to experience the sunset times or sunrise as well.

There are so many viewpoints around the city, and even though there are officially 7, you’ll find so many more, each with stunning views of the city and the Tagus River.

If you want to experience a lot in one place, go to Alfama, where they have the most.

Lisbon Weather in August

The daytime temperatures are around 28°C (82°F). In the evening, it’s still super nice, and the temperature drops to around 19°C (66°F), the lowest temperature.

There is almost no rain in August, and the sun is out to warm you up every single day; it feels amazing.

Packing List for Lisbon in August

Much like visiting Lisbon in July, it’s peak season, and you need thin clothing, preferably linen clothing, shorts, and t-shirts.

Some things I bring are:

• Linen shirts
• Shorts
• A nice shirt
• Sandals
• Sunglasses + Sun protection

I have made a complete packing list here, which is a bit more general.

Wrap-Up

Lisbon has super high average temperatures in August, so it’s important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and then get out as much as possible. For a full comparison of every month, check out my guide on the best time to visit Lisbon.

There is so much to see and experience in Lisbon, and while the weather is good, you need to see some viewpoints with panoramic views of the city.

On top of that, if you like music, there are 3-5 different music festivals you can attend in August.

If you want even more things to do in Lisbon, here is a list of more activities.

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