Hi everyone!
We have tickets to Lisbon on December 4, family of 5 (three kids, 14, 9 and 6). I knew the weather won’t be warm and I was prepared for cold but after reading different websites I have an impression that it is awful there in December. Anyway we need to go there so my question is what would you recommend- to stick to Lisbon with trips to Porto and to Algarve or Lisbon and Andalusia (Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz etc)? I’ve also read that lots of things are closed, but is this relèvent to museums? Thank you in advance for your answers!
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1676 posts
I’m not certain what websites you are reading but I don’t consider the weather to be awful any month of the year- at least not in the Lisbon area. Yes, we have rain (hopefully) in December but rarely is it an every day affair. And, on rainy days, there are showers but not day long rain. On the sunny days, it’s glorious in the winter!
That said, I wouldn’t go to the Algarve in December. That is where you might find smaller towns closed down. In the Lisbon and Porto regions, nothing closes. Porto will be cooler and have more rain than Lisbon.
I have no idea where you live, but compared to much of the US, the weather here is a significant improvement. Most winter days there are temperatures in the 60’s with night time temps in the 50’s. It never freezes, ices or snows.
All this said, you might be really unlucky and get a storm in the Atlantic that would cause more rain than normal, but unusual storms happen lots of places these days!
As I’ve not been to Andalusia in the winter, I can’t speak to it. But, be aware getting to Spain from Portugal isn’t as easy as one would expect. You would need to fly, drive or take the bus. There are no trains from Lisbon to that area.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Spain away from the coast can be cold and wet in December - the Lisbon area is likely to be warmer. Avoid the Algarve in December - some resorts will be closed and there are fewer indoor activities there.
Museums won’t be closed in December. There is plenty to see between Lisbon and Porto to keep you occupied.
Posted by
WA USA
1094 posts
I was in Lisbon in December as part of a stopover TAP offered on my way to Italy. I had a great time with my daughter. Lots of lights, music, Christmas markets, and compared to home, warm. It rained for a few hours on a couple of days, but nothing that stopped us from wandering the streets enjoying ourselves. It actually ended up being the highlight of my trip and I have since returned.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you everyone for reassuring comments! I have checked the average temperatures and it really seems warmer there than I thought so I hope our trip will be fine!