10 Things to Do in Lisbon in March

If you’ve decided to visit Lisbon in March, you’ve probably already realised that it’s a great month to welcome in spring, which arrives a little earlier in the Portuguese capital, allowing you to enjoy rising temperatures from the start of the month. Beyond the good weather, March is a month when culture also flourishes in Lisbon.

I’ve put together a list of the activities in Lisbon that catch my eye the most, so you can combine the city’s springtime atmosphere with its more cultural and modern side.

Every morning on 28 March, as in the rest of Europe, Lisbon and Portugal change their clocks to adapt to summer time. What does this mean? It means that on the 28th, the day will have an extra hour of daylight that you can use to extend your traditional boat trip along the Tagus River. Believe me, there’s no better plan than being able to enjoy an extra hour watching the sunset over Lisbon.

As well as watching the sunset whilst gliding along the river, you’ll pass by the city’s most iconic landmarks. From aboard the cruise boat or sailing vessel, you’ll be able to spot the Tower of Belém, the 25 April Bridge and the Cristo Rei statue. What’s more, these tours usually have a limited capacity, which is perfect for hearing the guide’s commentary clearly and enjoying a more relaxed atmosphere.

At other times of the year, when night falls earlier, these cruises aren’t quite the same, as it gets dark very quickly and, by the time you disembark, it’s too late to do anything else. However, if you go after the clocks change, you can make the most of the last hours of daylight in Lisbon and then set off on this sunset cruise.

One of Lisbon’s great attractions is the art of its tiles. Never seen them before? When you arrive in the city, you’ll have no choice but to appreciate them, as they adorn every corner. With their colours, shapes and designs, they tell stories, which is why Lisbon has been recognised as the World Capital of Tiles. The spring sunshine that arrives in March casts a unique light, allowing you to admire their colours in a truly beautiful and romantic way.

The tiles are always there, of course, but in March the light is different and fills the city with a distinct radiance and energy; that’s why I love this time of year for a stroll through the Alfama neighbourhood. This area is one of the most traditional and, in my opinion, the one with the houses featuring the most beautiful tiles. However, the whole city is full of colour on its façades, so do take a tour of the whole place.

You don’t have to wait until summer for your first swim of the year, do you think? If you’re visiting Lisbon in March, you can also do so in Sintra, a town designated a World Heritage Site. Apart from the Pena Palace, its main tourist attraction, Sintra is a place where the good weather arriving at the end of this month encourages you to take a dip at its natural beaches.

My advice is that if you’re going to be in Lisbon for more than a day, book an organised trip to Sintra and pop over to explore it, as it’s only half an hour away. You won’t regret it, I promise; its natural and architectural beauty have made it a unique holiday destination that can be enjoyed from the moment the temperatures start to rise.

Its beaches

Praia Grande is wild and has big, powerful waves, so you might not fancy a swim, but you could rent some surf gear and have a go at the sport. However, there is a more sheltered and protected swimming area. What you might not have imagined is that the sand here contains dinosaur footprints dating back over 110 million years.

Much better for swimming, Praia da Adraga surprises with its crystal-clear waters and a stretch of fine sand perfect for walking or lying back to soak up the first rays of spring sunshine. The good thing is that, as it’s not peak season, you’ll have almost the whole beach to yourself.

Pena Palace

Did you know that the Pena Palace is the most visited place in Portugal? That’s right, and it’s no surprise to me because its history and architecture are well worth a visit. The best thing is that it’s situated on high ground, so from there you can see the coast and the town of Sintra at your feet.

The most impressive aspect is the building’s design, which combines Romantic, Baroque and even Mudejar elements with other, much more traditional Portuguese features, such as the azulejos. However, I think the real beauty lies in its exterior, where in March you can see a flourishing botanical garden.

January and February in Lisbon bring plenty of rain, so hiking trails tend to take a back seat in Lisbon’s plans. However, March marks the return of the season for getting out and exploring Lisbon’s more natural surroundings, such as Arrábida and the west coast.

The walk along Lisbon’s west coast is no short walk, especially if you want to explore it thoroughly. I recommend setting aside at least half a day for the trip, but the route is fairly easy, as it is mostly flat and runs along the Lisbon coast. The best thing about this hiking trip is the beauty of the landscape.

You’ll be able to explore Lisbon’s wild beaches and also see fossilised remains of the creatures that once inhabited the area. You can also take a trip to Arrábida and Sesimbra from Lisbon, including a kayak ride, or even this private wine and food tour to Arrábida from Lisbon.

With the arrival of good weather comes the season for terraces in Lisbon, which until March tend to remain closed due to the constant winter rains in Lisbon, which do little to encourage locals to enjoy a drink or a snack outdoors. However, with the arrival of better weather, you can join in the Lisbon way of life and spend the afternoon on one of the many terraces that fill the city and offer views from above.

Don’t assume that all of Lisbon’s terraces are at street level. In fact, you might be surprised to find that in March they’re still a bit empty. That’s normal; most people prefer to go to bars whose terraces are on the rooftops of buildings. As you’re no doubt already imagining, the views are much better, and so is the atmosphere.

Although the terraces and rooftops in the traditional neighbourhoods have a certain charm, you can also find some more modern ones with a more alternative vibe. My advice is to embark on a food tour of Lisbon to discover the most historic spots.

There’s one event you simply can’t miss if you’re visiting Lisbon in March: Monstra, or, in other words, the city’s animation film festival. Since 2000, this film festival has been showcasing animation through premieres as well as workshops and talks. It’s a real national highlight!

With over 20 editions under its belt, through films, masterclasses and conferences, the organisers have managed, year after year, to highlight the power of this medium to convey emotions.

If you’re travelling to Lisbon with children, rest assured they’ll thoroughly enjoy this festival. Not all the films are suitable for them, but generally they always find it fascinating to see the latest developments in digital animation, visit the exhibitions or try to guess which films will win in the various categories of the competition.

When you arrive in Lisbon, you’ll realise it has become a modern, inclusive and youthful city. In fact, the LGTBI Film Festival takes place in March. I highly recommend attending, as it will allow you to broaden your horizons and open your mind even further. Since its first edition in 2004, this festival has sought to highlight the realities of people within the community.

The festival was created with the aim of sparking debate, and this is something they do after the screening of each film. The truth is that it’s a fantastic opportunity to return from your trip to Lisbon with lots of new ideas and having encountered different perspectives.

What’s more, the films are often directed by quite young Portuguese artists, so you have no excuse not to get to know Lisbon’s most contemporary culture better, whilst broadening your horizons and helping to give a voice to their realities.

Do you like festivals? I’m sure you’d love to go to one, but I’d suggest something far more interesting and unique: going to a festival about festivals. Because yes, that’s exactly what the Lisbon International Music Festivals Forum is all about; every March it brings together experts in the field, organises film screenings and connects enthusiasts from this world. Are you going to miss it?

Lisbon is a city where music is important and, in fact, when summer arrives in Lisbon there are several festivals taking place across the city. Perhaps for this reason there is no better place to host Talkfest, where you can learn a great deal about them, from the scientific side (even if that sounds odd) to the most creative.

To be honest, it’s a real treat to gain a better understanding of how a festival works from the inside by listening to industry professionals, visiting exhibitions and even watching a documentary. Of course, there will be more than one concert, and you’ll also have the chance to discover the best festivals, as the forum will be awarding prizes to the most outstanding ones in various categories.

What’s happening on 20 March? If, like me, you’re not too keen on the cold, you’ll surely know the answer: spring is here! And with it come the flowers and lush greenery in Lisbon’s gardens and parks. How could you miss it? If you’re travelling to the Portuguese capital at the end of March, get ready to see its green spaces in full splendour.

Having a spring picnic is one of my favourite things to do wherever I am, but if the setting is one of Lisbon’s parks, I’m even more keen. Like you, you’ll see that many families and groups of friends have decided to organise a picnic or simply visit one of the gardens. Let me tell you which ones are my favourites!

Eduardo VII Park

Everyone will recommend you visit Eduardo VII Park. I particularly like it for its sheer size; it feels as though the green grass goes on forever. You’ll also find the Estufa Fría there, a greenhouse covering over a hectare that uses no modern climate control systems, just a wooden framework. Inside, you can get a close-up look at tropical plants such as mangoes and camellias.

Furthermore, this park is also home to one of the best viewpoints over Lisbon. From there, you can see the Arrábida mountains in the distance on a clear day. In any case, you’ll be treated to incredible panoramic views of the city’s hills and gardens.

Near Graça

When spring arrives at this open space, greenery takes over everything. What’s more, 180 trees have been planted here over the last few years, so if you’re looking for some shade on a sunny March day, you’ll find it here.

Right in the heart of Lisbon’s historic centre, this park has a large picnic area. I’d encourage you to pack a picnic and head there one afternoon to relax after a full day of walking around Lisbon.

Monsanto Forest Park

The largest in the city and so impressive that it is a protected forest. That means it is the ideal place to understand the importance of ecology and the environment around us. I recommend spending at least a whole afternoon exploring its ecosystems and, whilst not all of them, at least part of its 900 hectares.

Don’t be surprised to see squirrels or rabbits hopping around you, as there are many species living in the park and, just like you, they come out to celebrate as soon as spring arrives.

I know St Patrick’s Day is an Irish festival, but did you know that the Portuguese also have Celtic origins? This, combined with the fact that they share the Atlantic Ocean (and good diplomatic relations), means that Lisbon is filled with green and beer on 17 March, the day St Patrick’s Day is celebrated. Of course, if you’re going to be there on that date, get ready to have a good time and raise plenty of toasts.

St Patrick’s Day is a special occasion for Irish people all over the world, which is why cities like Lisbon also turn green. In fact, in recent years the city’s most important landmarks have done so quite literally, as local authorities have sought to support this festival by projecting green light onto the Cristo Rei, for example.

Beyond the lights, Lisbon’s nightlife, always lively, celebrates St Patrick’s Day with the best pints of beer. If you don’t want to wait until dark, you can find out about the activities organised during the day, such as Irish poetry recitals or concerts.

Spring may officially begin on 20 March, but in Lisbon the rise in temperatures starts to be felt from the beginning of the month. The average temperature is 18°C and the rain forecast is quite good (barely 10 rainy days a month), so it’s common for more and more Lisboners to head out to enjoy the city’s outdoor areas.

For me, March is one of the best months to visit Lisbon because of the lovely weather and the fact that, little by little, the days are getting longer, so you can make the most of them.

As the high season hasn’t started yet, March is fairly quiet. That said, with the mild temperatures of the month and the arrival of spring, you’ll find far more people out and about.

The lower number of tourists means that flight and accommodation prices haven’t yet reached the peak they experience from April onwards, when the Easter holidays and then the summer holidays attract many travellers to Lisbon. So if you’re looking to save money on your trip without having to miss out on the good weather, March is a highly recommended month to visit Lisbon.

What are your plans for your trip to Lisbon in March? I hope I’ve given you some ideas – let me know how it went when you get back!