Lisbon In January: 11 Things to Do (Complete Travel Guide)

Christmas is over; it’s January, and you’re going to Lisbon or thinking about it. Lisbon in January is a super fun time.

The weather is still decent between 46°F (8°C) and 59°F (15°C), which feels super nice, especially when the sun is out.

Everything in Lisbon is still open, and the good part is that there are fewer tourists, so you can do everything you want in half the time.

11 Things to Do in Lisbon in January

Now, let me share a mix of indoor and outdoor activities in Lisbon. With 14 rainy days, you don’t want to be outside all the time and get soaking wet.

1. Celebrate Kings Day

On the 6th of January, Portugal celebrates King’s Day by eating the famous cake Bolo Rei.

It’s a tradition that started in the 8th century, where Catholics honor the Three Kings: Melchior, Gaspar, and Baltazar.

You’ll see families and friends gather for meals and share this cake.

Some neighborhoods host parades or small festivities.

Though it’s not a public holiday, the day holds cultural and religious significance in Portugal.

2. Visit the Oceanarium

If it’s raining outside, a perfect indoor activity is visiting the Oceanarium in Lisbon. It’s only a 20-minute drive from the city center by Uber.

When you arrive you’re not only in a super new area of Lisbon, but you’re at one of the largest oceanariums in Europe.

In the middle of it all, you get to see an enormous aquarium filled with all types of fish; it’s magical and definitely worth a visit. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s absolutely perfect.

3. Visit Belem Tower

Belém Tower in Lisbon is a captivating testament to Portugal’s maritime history. Its ornate design tells the story of Portugal, offering a glimpse into the nation’s strategic significance.

The panoramic views from this historic site provide a picturesque backdrop, creating a rich connection to the maritime heritage that defines Portugal’s identity.

A visit to Belém Tower is a condensed cultural journey into the nation’s past.

4. Visit Castelo de São Jorge

Nothing is more spectacular than São Jorge Castle, which presents you with a historic charm.

When you stroll through the castle, you can learn a lot about Lisbon’s past, and the view from atop is fantastic.

While you’re in Alfama, because that’s where the castle is located, why not explore the narrow streets in the oldest part of Lisbon as well? Of course, only if the weather allows it.

5. Walk From Principe Real to Chiado

If the weather allows it, January is a great time to walk in Lisbon and enjoy the cooler temperatures.

One thing you can do is explore the Príncipe Real neighborhood and photograph the beautiful Portuguese mosaic tile sidewalks known as calçadas Portuguesas.

This area also has excellent restaurants, cafes, bars, and a park with kiosks. Another fun activity I love doing in January is walking downhill from Príncipe Real through Bairro Alto to Praça Luis de Camões.

During peak seasons, Bairro Alto and Praça Luis de Camões are filled with tourists, but in January, you can enjoy walking through this historic part of Lisbon without the crowds.

If you’re lucky enough, you may see the Christmas decorations still hanging in the square if you do this walk early enough in January. The Chiado Metro Station marks the end of the walk.

6. Municipal Library near Campo Pequeno

The municipal library near Campo Pequeno is a must-visit spot in Lisbon during January.

The library is located in a beautiful building adorned with stunning Portuguese tiles. Behind it is a garden square with white marble busts.

You can also enjoy a bifana(sandwich), wine, or coffee at the lovely kiosk.

If the weather is pleasant, sit outside and enjoy the view. Inside, explore the exhibits, including the shelves of books.

7. Lunch at Lisbon’s Time Out Market

Time Out Market might feel like a touristy place, and it is in the summer, but during winter and January you’ll have plenty of space.

You can choose between so many restaurants from local Portuguese restaurants, to foreign restaurants.

I love the burger at Ground Burger; it’s so juicy and tender, and it’s my go-to. However, if you’re there, you have to try the croquettes, it’s something they’re famous for and they’re delicious.

If you’re up for dessert or a cooking class, you can get that here, too. They have a cooking class to learn how to make pastel de nata. Super fun!

8. Enjoy a Golden Hour At the Viewpoints

As an outdoor activity, head to Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol to enjoy the beautiful views during the golden hour.

If you’re tired after all the walking, you can catch a ride back down the hill on Lisbon’s number 28 tram, which passes through the Alfama district.

I always choose to walk, I just can’t get enough of Lisbon. There is nothing better than walking through this city and just exploring.

9. Enjoy Brunch at Dear Breakfast

It’s no secret I love brunch, it’s so delicious and you can eat anything from sweet pancakes to breakfast tacos or the famous Egss Benedict.

My partner always chooses the eggs benedict where I like to try some different things.

At Dear Breakfast you’re always sure you’ll get an incredible meal, and in January you’ll have the entire restaurant for yourself.

I prefer the location at R. Gaivotas 17, 1200-163 Lisboa, Portugal, but they have 3 locations where you can try it out.

Once, I went there with my partner in January, and we were the only ones there; it was truly a surreal experience.

10. Trivia Night: A Cozy Winter Activity

A few of the pubs in Lisbon organize trivia nights, which can be a great way to spend a cozy winter evening.

One place you could attend one of these events is Outro Lado Craft Beer Bar, usually on Thursday evenings.

It’s a great escape if it’s raining or you just feel like having some fun.

11. Explore Campo de Ourique

I recommend visiting the Campo de Ourique neighborhood in January.

This area is known for its beautiful Portuguese tiles, which you can find while strolling around.

After that, head to the Mercado do Campo de Ourique, one of the city’s best neighborhood markets, for a delicious lunch.

You will be spoilt for choice with the variety of food options available, from vegetarian to meat dishes.

I recommend trying the hummus platter with falafel, which is incredible, but do yourself a favor and explore all options before choosing.

Weather in Lisbon in January

January is a cold month in most parts of Europe, and Lisbon isn’t any different. However, when the sun is out, it feels quite warm.

You can expect average temperatures between 46°F (8°C) and 59°F (15°C) with around 14 rainy days.

If you’re lucky, you can experience the sun, walk around in a short-sleeved top, and feel warm. But bring a variety of clothing, more on that a little further down the blog post.

Why Visit Lisbon in January?

There are a lot of benefits to visiting Lisbon in January compared to June, for example. Here are 4 reasons.

Fewer Tourists

Not many people travel during January, so if you go to Lisbon, you’ll feel like you have the entire city for yourself.

You won’t experience any queues at walk-in restaurants, if you take a day trip to experience Sintra for example, you’ll be able to see the castles with fewer people.

Not having that many tourists is a huge benefit for you, you get to do much more because you don’t have to wait around.

Sunny Weather

Even though Lisbon experiences an average of 14 days of rain in January, it’s still a sunny city.

I’ve often tried to walk around in a short-sleeved t-shirt and pants without freezing.

When the sun hits you, it warms you up like a warm spring day; it feels incredible, and it makes you happy.

Lower Accommodation and Flight Ticket Prices

Another benefit is the low prices of hotels and flight tickets.

Hotels and airlines know they don’t sell as much during January as they do during the summer, so they lower their prices.

This is your time to get a “cheap” trip to this beautiful city and enjoy an incredible winter trip.

January Sales

Christmas is over, which means the stores have an overflow of items they want to sell, so they put them on sale.

This happens worldwide, but also in Portugal.

So, if you like shopping, I recommend going to Colombo Shopping Mall, Chiado and Campo de Ourique to enjoy some January sales.

What to Pack for Lisbon in January

It’s so important to be ready for rainy days, sunny days, and cloudy days when visiting Lisbon in January.

Here are some things I recommend you pack:

• Warm layers of clothing
• Medium layers of clothing
• Waterproof jacket
• Comfortable shoes to explore Lisbon
• Umbrella
• Portugal uses an F power socket, and an appropriate adaptor is needed.

Wrap Up

Even though you might think it’s cold in January, the sun always shines in Lisbon, or at least almost.

On average, there were 14 days of rain in January in Lisbon, but I experienced much less rain and much more sun when I was there in January.

That said you can both do indoor and outdoor activities throughout the month and with less tourists you can do almost double the things you would be able to with tourists.

The winter months in Lisbon are just cozy and beautiful with lots of sun.

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