As summer pulls slowly but surely to another end, we’ve an odd winter to look forward to. And we’re already grieving the solid stints of clement weather we bemoaned at the moment. While most of Europe has coldness and drear to look forward to, this isn’t the case everywhere – which should be music to your ears, as someone looking for a short, sweet hit of winter sunshine (without spending a bomb to cross the equator).
Yes, when so much of Europe is wrapped up in the bluster of seasonal change, some places get off easier than others – Lisbon being a particularly refreshing alternative to the conventional winter getaway. Its mild weather, vibrant neighbourhoods and plurality of outdoor experiences make it an ideal candidate for a winter escape to put some warmth back into your wintry bones. Here, then, let’s take a look at what makes Lisbon such a perfect potential place for your winter holiday.
Mild Temperatures Year-Round
Being on the south-westerly coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal gets some of the best of the Northern Hemisphere’s sunshine; latitudinally, it stretches from Rome to Tunisia – and Lisbon, being more southerly, is closer to Tunisia’s latitude. Being on the Atlantic coast, however, it’s somewhat shielded from the often-oppressive summer temperatures of the Mediterranean basin. In the winter, though, it’s amongst the warmest places in Europe, and an easy contender for a comfortable slow-season getaway.
The mildness of its winter weather makes it extremely easy for you to explore the city on foot, without needing heavy winter clothing or multiple bulky layers – a godsend for packing, as much as for the ease of your day-to-day sightseeing. Speaking of which…
Sunny Days for Sightseeing
Even during the winter months, Lisbon benefits from bright sunny spells – which contribute to the overall warmer weather the capital enjoys, but also makes it a much brighter place to visit than other European cities in winter. All the better weather for you to visit São Jorge Castle in, and to actually see the whole of Lisbon from its lofty heights with clarity and warmth – and, crucially, without the crowds.
Fewer Crowds, More Authentic Experiences
That’s right – winter is an excellent season for Lisbon holidays not just for its winter weather, but also for the fact that not many people know about it. Even though Lisbon is warmer than most places, it still experiences roughly the same off-season as other places in Western Europe – meaning less tourists to contend with, less queues to get into big-ticket tourist attractions, and even cheaper costs associated with travel and accommodation. There’s no better time to see the ‘real’ Lisbon.
Coastal Escapes Within Easy Reach
As a final note – and as if you’ve not been convinced to visit Lisbon this winter already – I’d like to remind you of Lisbon’s incredible coast, and the coastal escapes that live a stone’s throw away. The coast is not somewhere you usually want to be in winter, but here things are different; a short train journey, and you could be in the surfer’s idyll that is Cascais for seafront walks, ocean views and maybe even a little winter water-sporting!
