What to Wear in Lisbon in December (+ My Packing List)
If you’re planning a winter trip to Portugal, you’re probably wondering what to wear in Lisbon in December because I definitely was.
Before my trip, I knew Lisbon was supposed to be milder than most of Europe in the winter, but I wasn’t sure what that would actually feel like. Was it light jacket weather or full winter coat weather? That makes a big difference when you’re packing carry-on only like I was!
After spending six full days in Lisbon from November 30th to December 6th, I can confidently say December is a great time to visit and much easier to pack for than you might think.
In this post, I’m sharing what the weather was really like in Lisbon in December, exactly what I packed, what I wore the most and what I did not use, along with practical tips to help you pack without overpacking.
What Is the Weather Like in Lisbon in December?
Lisbon in December is cool but not cold. It was such a nice break from the freezing Midwest winters I’m used to. 🥶
During my trip, temperatures were very manageable:
- Highs were mostly in the 50s and low 60s Fahrenheit
- Lows were in the 40s Fahrenheit
- We had a mix of sun, clouds, and occasional rain
Most days followed the same pattern. Mornings were chilly enough for a light jacket. By the afternoon, especially if the sun was out, I usually took my jacket off. Evenings cooled off again, so the jacket went back on.
We did get a few rain showers during our trip. Some were pretty intense, but they never lasted very long. It would start raining somewhat unexpectedly, then clear up within about 20 to 30 minutes. It never rained all day.
Our hotel offered umbrellas to borrow, which was helpful, but I was really glad I packed a lightweight rain jacket. I definitely recommend packing a rain jacket if you are visiting Lisbon in December.
Because of the rain, I also recommend wearing comfortable tennis shoes with good traction. Lisbon has a lot of steep hills and cobblestone streets, and they can get slippery when wet. Hokas worked great for me. Lisbon is not the place for flimsy or purely stylish shoes.
The biggest surprise for me was how comfortable it felt overall. Coming from the Midwest USA, where December usually means heavy coats and freezing temperatures, Lisbon felt much more like fall in the Midwest than winter which I will gladly take! 😍
💡P.S. If you’re traveling internationally, I highly recommend purchasing the Airalo eSIM. It’s a great way to avoid those excessive roaming charges and eliminates the need for plastic eSIMs!
How I Packed for Lisbon
I packed everything for this trip in one carry-on suitcase and one personal item backpack (I got the XL size) that fit under my airplane seat. No checked bags! I wanted to avoid fees, skip the lines, and not have to lug around a big suitcase.
I always try to pack light and travel carry-on only. If you’re staying longer, look for accommodations that offer laundry or plan to use a local laundromat. It makes packing so much easier and keeps your luggage manageable while you’re moving around.
Lisbon Packing Tips for Carry-On Only
- Use Packing Cubes – I love packing cubes! They keep my suitcase organized and save space. They make it easy to fit everything I need and still leave room for souvenirs or shopping while I’m traveling.
- Get a Hard-Shelled Suitcase – I find hard-shelled suitcases easier to fully pack and still fit in the overhead bins without issues. With soft-shelled suitcases, whenever I packed them to the brim, they would bulge out and be harder to fit in the overhead bins. I use the carry-on hard-shelled suitcase from Amazon basics, and I recommend!
- Maximize Your Personal Item – Get a personal item that fits under the seat and makes the most of your space. I love this backpack designed for travel that opens like a mini suitcase and fits a lot of stuff while still fitting under the airplane seat. I’ve used this on United, American, and Allegiant, and the X-large size works perfectly.
- Roll Clothes – Rolling clothes instead of folding them flat helps me fit more into packing cubes and keeps everything organized.
➡️For more tips on packing light and carry-on only travel, check out my full guide here: Carry-On Packing Tips
What I Packed for 5 Days / 6 Nights in Lisbon
Clothing
Tops
- 2 H&M Long-Sleeve Sweaters – Great lightweight cozy sweaters that look great with jeans!
- 2 Old Navy Rib Crew-Neck Sweaters – Love these! They are a ribbed material, soft, and a tighter fit.
- 1 Old Navy Long Sleeve – Great casual long-sleeve option for long travel days.
Bottoms
- 2 Pairs of Old Navy jeans – I like the curvy high-waisted style jeans but they have a wide variety to choose from at affordable prices.
- 1 Pair of Lululemon Softstreme Pants – great for travel days!
Other Basics
- 1 Pair of Pajamas
- Socks – I love these ones because they go higher up on your heel to help prevent blisters.
- Undergarments
- Compression socks – Always a must to wear for long flights! I like these ones because they are comfortable and not too tight.
Outerwear
- 1 Everyday Jacket – I love this jacket from Old Navy because it is cute, lightweight, and water resistant.
- 1 Rain Jacket – This is my go-to rain jacket for travel because it folds down into a bag making it easier to pack in your suitcase.
Shoes
- Hokas – the only shoes I brought! I love the white ones because they go with every outfit. I know white stains easily but I wash them in my washer before and after trips to get them clean again.
Tech Items
- Portable Phone Charger – I can’t go on a trip without at least two portable phone chargers. My phone battery drains so fast while traveling, especially from using maps and taking photos, so I always need one of these in my bag.
- Plug Adapter – Portugal uses European outlets, so make sure you have a plug adapter for your devices if needed.
- Voltage Converter – If you’re bringing hair tools like a straightener, curling iron, or blow dryer, you will need a voltage converter if your devices aren’t compatible with European voltage.
- Kindle – I always download books from the Libby app (just need a library card to use it) to my Kindle before trips. It saves space, and I never have to worry about packing a physical book and keeping it in good condition 😂.
Accessories
- Uniqlo Crossbody Bag – I love this bag for travel! It’s easy to wear crossbody, adjustable, and fits way more than you’d expect. I actually got it while traveling in Japan, but you can also buy it online.
- Passport Cover – Cute, affordable, and a great way to protect your passport while it’s in your bag.
- Toiletry Bag – I can’t believe I used to travel without this bag. It keeps all my non-liquid toiletries organized and in one place. It folds up easily and can hang on a hook or the back of a bathroom door, which is a huge help if your hotel room has limited counter space.
- TSA-Approved Liquids Bag – I love this one! It’s the right size, sturdy, and stands up on its own. I’ve used the flimsy ones from grocery stores before, and this one just feels way nicer.
- Gloves – I also packed gloves, but I never ended up using them in Lisbon. They would have been nice on our day trip to Porto though, which was noticeably colder. Of course, I forgot to pack them in my bag that day 🙄.
What I Actually Wore in Lisbon in December
I wore basically the same thing every day:
- Jeans
- A long-sleeve top or sweater
- Light jacket
- Tennis shoes (Hokas!)
It was simple, comfortable, and perfect for walking around and sightseeing. I stayed warm in the mornings and evenings, but never felt too hot once the sun came out in the afternoon.
➡️If you’re planning what to do as well as what to wear, I also put together a full 5-Day Lisbon Itinerary with all my favorite sights and tips from my trip.
What Worked Really Well When Packing for Lisbon in December
1. Packing Mostly Long Sleeves and Light Layers
I’m really glad I didn’t pack bulky sweaters or a heavy coat. It never got cold enough to need them, and they would have taken up a ton of space in my luggage.
The temperatures changed a lot throughout the day, so lighter layers were way more practical. Mornings were a bit chilly, but it warmed up quickly in the afternoon.
If I had packed thick winter sweaters, I would have been too hot most afternoons.
Here were my go-to shirt options:
2. Bringing a Rain Jacket
Packing a rain jacket was one of the smartest things I did. If you’re going to Lisbon in December, you definitely want to bring a rain jacket since it’s the rainy season.
The showers were random, so it was nice to have a rain jacket I could throw on quickly.
The rain jacket I have packs down into a bag, so it fits easily in my suitcase without taking up much space.
3. Only Bringing One Pair of Shoes
Lisbon is really hilly and has a ton of cobblestone streets, so packing a comfortable walking shoe is a must.
I wore my Hokas every single day. I like my white pair because they go with everything.
Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about packing multiple shoes. Just pick one pair you can walk in all day and you’ll be fine.
4. My Uniqlo Crossbody Bag
I wore this Uniqlo crossbody bag everyday while in Lisbon.
It fit everything I needed:
- phone
- portable charger
- wallet
- sunglasses
- lip balm
- small souvenirs (magnets and postcards I bought!)
What to Wear for Day Trips from Lisbon
During our trip, we did a few day trips:
- Sintra – to see Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Moorish Castle
- Cascais – We explored Cascais and Cabo da Roca which was beautiful for coastal views!
- Porto – We took a train from Lisbon for the day! I highly recommend doing that if you don’t have enough time to spend the night in Porto but still want to visit.
All of them involved a lot of walking, so comfort was key!
For those days, the most important things were:
- Comfortable shoes (I recommend Hokas!)
- Layers
- A rain jacket (Rain showers are common in Lisbon in December)
Sintra, in particular, felt a bit cooler than Lisbon, so having a light jacket or extra layer really helped.
Practical Packing Tips for Lisbon in December
Based on my experience visiting Lisbon in December, here are my important packing tips:
- You don’t need a heavy winter coat
- If you’re from a colder climate (like Midwest USA), think of packing more fall clothing, not true winter clothing
- Layers are more important than thick sweaters
- Always bring a rain jacket
- Wear real walking shoes, not fashion shoes
- Pack light – I rewore the same staples
- Leave room in your suitcase for shopping/souvenirs!
Final Thoughts on What to Wear in Lisbon in December
Overall, packing for Lisbon in December was easier than I expected.
The weather was mild, the city was easy to explore, and I never felt underdressed or like I packed the wrong things.
If you’re wondering what to wear in Lisbon in December, my advice is to keep it simple:
- Casual
- Comfortable
- Layers
- Practical shoes for walking
You don’t need bulky winter coats or tons of outfit options. Stick to easy layers, a lightweight jacket you can wear daily, and a small rain jacket you can throw on when needed, along with good walking shoes.
Check out my other Portugal blog posts to help plan your trip!
- Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon: How I Saw the Highlights in One Day
- Cascais and Cabo da Roca Day Trip from Lisbon Guide
- 5-Day Lisbon Itinerary: Exactly What I Did + Planning Tips
- Where to Stay in Lisbon: A First-Timer’s Guide
- Where to Stay in Porto: Best Areas, Hotels, and Tips
- Everything I Did During My Day Trip to Porto from Lisbon by Train
- Lisbon vs Porto: How to Choose + How Many Days to Spend
4 Comments