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What to wear in Lisbon in December

What to wear in Lisbon in December

Are you wondering what to wear in Lisbon in December? In this guide we will tell you what to pack for Lisbon in December and covers everything from special events, Christmas, weather and dress codes.

Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Weather in Lisbon in December

One of the difficulties about traveling to Lisbon in December, is that the weather can actually be very changeable. And unlike Northern European countries such as  Germany in Winter, requires you to pack a full on Winter travel capsule wardrobe, Portugal is a little different.

University Courtyard in Coimbra in Portugal in Winter with students
What to wear in Portugal in Winter (December , January and February)

Generally speaking, Lisbon is one of the cooler parts of portugal, and it feels colder when the wind is whipping across the many hills of the city.

Note:d if you trip spans two months be sure to check out our other monthly guides:

Is it cold in Lisbon in December?

People in street in Lisbon in december at night with xmas light
What to wear in Lisbon in December

Although most people expect Europe in December to be cold, the temperatures are still pretty moderate in Portugal in Winter.

However generally speaking the average temperature range in Lisbon in December to be between between 9°C/48.2°F and 15°C/59°F which really isn’t all that cold. However it does feel cooler than this with the wind.

Therefore it is always advisable to bring some layers with you, no matter the region of Portugal you travel to.

Note: although the weather in this guide are historical averages however we advise always checking the weather at your destination 7 days in advance in case of anomalies such as cold snaps and heat waves.

Is it Rainy in Lisbon in December?

December in Lisbon is undoubtedly the rainy season, which typically runs from November to March. Therefore you should be prepared for rain if you are visiting in Winter.

In fact you usually get 10 days of rain in the city in December so it is worth having a compact umbrella and some waterproof wear with you.

Is it warm enough to swim in Lisbon in Winter?

I would say for 99% of people will find it too cold to swim in the sea off Lisbon in December.

But what about the rest of Portugal? If you want more specific regional guidance be sure to check out the below seasonal and monthly specific posts: 

What to Wear in Lisbon in Winter

Couple in Lisbon in December with yellow tram in background
What to wear in Lisbon in December

So now you know what to expect of the weather in Lisbon in December we will turn our attention to what to wear. The guide is split out into men, women’s and shoes section to make for easier navigation.

Note: looking for tips on creating travel capsule wardrobes be sure to check out our packing techniques:

What to Wear in Lisbon in December for women

Jacket / Coat

Although the temperatures in Lisbon aren’t as cold as other capital cities in Europe in December (I’m looking at you Berlin, Amsterdam and London), you will still be needing a Winter jacket or coat.

We recommend a down jacket with some waterproofing and wind resistance as the best coat for Lisbon in Winter.

Click here to shop jackets.

Hat, Scarf and Gloves

Winter accessories are another good addition to the packing list. While not as cold was other parts of Europe, it can feel chilly at night especially. For this reason I recommend packing a hat scarf and gloves to match your coat.

But be sure to get gloves that are touch screen compatible so as you are likely to be taking lots of photographs.

Click here to shop winter accessories

Trousers

Trousers are a great pick for Lisbon in Winter.

Jeans are a great choice at this time of year as the weather has cooled enough to be comfortable in them. However I would also pack other types of trousers for rainy days. As there is nothing worse in my opinion than sightseeing in wet jeans.

Other great trouser choices include wrinkle free chinos, and cords. On top of jeans I usually pack a plain black pair of trousers. If you want a smarter pant then we love a regular black pant (we love the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel).

Click here to shop trousers.

Skirts and dresses

Although you may find it a little windy to be sightseeing in the day in dresses, I personally like to change for dinner. Personally I think a wrap dress or a sweater dress is the perfect dress for Lisbon at this time of year.

Click here to shop skirts and dresses for Portugal.

Blouses

A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights. And something with a longer sleeve is better for Lisbon in December than a short sleeve one. For cooler nights and days, I would usually pair this with a thick knit cardigan or layer it with my trusty merino wool sweater.

Click here to shop blouses

T Shirt

For Winter I recommend packing more long sleeve than short sleeve t shirts.

Click here to shop t shirts.

Layers 

Layers are going to be your best friend for Lisbon in December. Usually I will take 3 layers with me for a week in Lisbon in December.

For me this usually comprises of a cardigan that can be used for dinners, a casual hoodie that is good for sightseeing in the day as well as my favorite merino wool sweater.

Merino wool is a great fabric choice when you are trying to pack light for Winter. It is a relatively thin material to pack, however is insulating and repels smell packing it perfect for Winter capsule wardrobes.

Click here to shop merino wool sweaters.

Pashmina

A pashmina is on all of my European packing lists no matter the month of travel. It is just such a versatile travel essential for women

It can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler evenings and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to religious settings as per Portuguese dress code requirements.

This is also good for days when there is a strong nortada (north wind). Click here to shop pashminas.

PJs or Nightie

I recommend a heavier weight one for this time of year.

Underwear and Socks

Goes without saying. No matter where I am in Europe in Winter, I usually pack a mixture of thicker hiking socks for outdoor activities as well as some thinner but insulating merino wool socks. Shop merino wool socks here.

What to pack for Lisbon in December for Men

Lisbon christmas lights and people in December
what to pack for lisbon in December

When putting together the packing list for men heading to Lisbon in December, the considerations are really the same as for women and lots of light weight layers are the key to a successful Lisbon Winter packing list.

We recommend packing the below:

Winter Jacket

A practical warm coat with some insulation a is a good idea for Lisbon in December. We don’t think you can go wrong with a puffer style jacket.

Winter accessories

A hat, scarf and gloves are useful for the December weather.

Chinos/Jeans

Chinos/dockers and jeans are perfect for Portugal in Winter as they are the perfect weight for the weather. 

 Click here to shop men’s travel trousers.

T Shirts and Shirts

A mix of short and long sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in Winter. I think having more long sleeve t shirts is better for Winter generally speaking.

However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt with long sleeves.

Layers 

As I mentioned above, lots of light layers are the key to putting together a successful packing list for Lisbon in December

We recommend having a sweater for evenings (as with women, we again recommend a merino wool one), a casual hoodie for sightseeing during the day and either a fleece or jumper.Shop men’s merino wool sweaters here.

Underwear, Socks and Pjs

We recommend some thermal socks for Winter and slightly heavier weight nightwear.

Note: if you want to know what to wear to the airplane and airport in Winter check out this post.

Best Shoes for Lisbon in December

So now you know what to wear for Lisbon in December, we will turn our attention to the best shoes for the city in Winter.

Ankle Boot

As the weather is changeable in Lisbon in December we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing 

When picking the best ankle boot for Portugal generally we recommend looking for a flat boot or something with a low thick heel as most cities in Portugal like Lisbon are hilly and full of cobbled stone streets.

Click here to shop ankle boots.

And we always say go with an ankle boot as opposed to a knee high boot as these are easier to pack and prevent overpacking. However go with the style you feel most comfortable in. And be sure to check out our guide on how to pack boots for travel.

Sneakers

Sneakers are the perfect shoe for Lisbon all year round. That is because they offer good arch support and cope well with hills and cobbled stone streets.

My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are are Hoka and AllBirds as these are great for walking in. However for DEcember something with waterproofing can also be useful. One of our favorite waterproof sneaker brands is Ecco. These have many waterproof and water resistance versions but we like this one.

What to Pack in Lisbon in December (non clothing)

MOnastery in Lisbon at night
what to pack for lisbon in December

FAQs about this Lisbon December Packing List

Should I take swimwear for Lisbon in December? 

Unless you have access to a heated pool then you probably won’t need swimwear for Lisbon in December as most people will find it too cold to swim in the sea at this time of year.

Do you need a jacket in December in Lisbon? 

Yes layers and a jacket are absolute essentials for Lisbon in December.

Can you wear jeans in Lisbon in December?

There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in December in Lisbon. In fact I find them a really great choice.

Have you visited Lisbon? What else would you add to this Lisbon packing list.