Are you wondering what to wear in Lisbon in January? In this guide we will tell you what to pack for Lisbon in January for weather, dress codes and more.
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Weather in Lisbon in January
One of the difficulties about traveling to Lisbon in January is the changeable weather. Early mornings and evenings can be very cool, however you will find the temperatures most days comfortable for sightseeing in.
But one of the difficulties in packing for Lisbon at this time of year is that the weather unlike other parts of Europe in Winter for instance Germany in Winter is not freezing or snowy and you can almost see 4 seasons in a day. For this reason your packing list will require a bit more thought.
Generally speaking, Lisbon is one of the cooler parts of Portugal in January, and the temperatures can feel even cooler due to the wind that is very common in the city, especially on top of the many hilltops that Lisbon has. and it feels colder when the wind is whipping across the many hills of the city.
Is it cold in Lisbon in January?
Although most people expect Europe in January to be cold, the temperatures are still pretty moderate in Portugal in Winter and certainly snow is a rarity.
In fact the temperature range you can expect in Lisbon in January is highs of 15°C/59°F and lows of 9°C/46.4°F
But do remember the infamous Lisbon winds will make it feel cooler. For this reason we think the key to any Lisbon winter packing list has to be lots of light layers.
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 January?
January in Lisbon is definitely considered to be the rainy season. The rain season in Lisbon typically runs from November to March and January is one of the rainier months overall with around 10 days of rainfall expected.
Therefore you should be prepared for rain if you are visiting Lisbon in January and pack 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 January, myself included. Therefore unless your hotel has a heated pool chances are you can leave the swimwear at home for January vacations.
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 to Portugal in Winter
- What to wear in Porto in Winter
- What to wear to the Algarve in Winter
- What to wear in Sintra
What to Wear in Lisbon in January
So now you know what to expect of the weather in Lisbon in January 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.
But whoever you are traveling to Lisbon we recommend trying to pack a capsule wardobe. This way you will have less luggage to cart around and won’t run the risk of overpacking. For more information on how to pack a travel capsule wardrobes check out our packing techniques:
- ULTIMATE Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe
- Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe for Travel
- Sudoku (3×3) packing method
- 54321 packing method.
Best Shoes for Lisbon in January
The shoes to pack for Lisbon in January are actually quite simple and apply to both men and women. We recommend having a shoe for evenings and that is also comfortable for day as well as a super comfortable walking shoe.
For this reason we recommend packing the following two types of shoe for Lisbon in Winter.
Ankle Boot
As the weather is changeable in Lisbon in January 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 January is quite rainy so 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 as we think it is the most versatile.
What to Wear in Lisbon in January for women
Jacket / Coat
Although the temperatures in Lisbon aren’t as cold as other capital cities in Europe in January (I’m looking at you Berlin, Amsterdam and London), you will still be needing a Winter jacket or coat.
Given the temperatures, wind and rain something like a puffer jacket or down jacket with some waterproofing and wind resistance as the best coat for Lisbon in Winter.
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.
When selecting gloves for Lisbon in Winter we do recommend getting 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 over dresses for me given the wind and cold temperatures.
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.
Types of trousers we recommend for Lisbon 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).
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 which is why I always include a dress on my packing list.
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 January than a short sleeve one.
As the temperatures do drop considerably at night we recommend pairing with a thick knit cardigan or layer it with a merino wool sweater.
T Shirt
For Winter I recommend packing more long sleeve than short sleeve t shirts.
Layers
Layers are going to be your best friend for Lisbon in January. I usually use the sudoku packing method in Winter so will take 3 layers with me for a week vacation.
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 for museums, churches etc 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 January for Men
When putting together the packing list for men heading to Lisbon in January the same rules apply for men as women. We think the men’s travel essentials for Lisbon are:
Winter Jacket
A practical warm coat with some insulation a is a good idea for Lisbon in January. We don’t think you can go wrong with a puffer style jacket but down is another great choice.
Winter accessories
A hat, scarf and gloves are useful. Again we think gloves that are touch screen compatible are best for Winter.
Chinos/Jeans
Chinos and / or 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. Again we recommend having 3 top layers with you usually a hoodie, sweater and a fleece.
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.
What to Pack in Lisbon in January (non clothing)
- Crossbody bag – one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best. You can get pickpockets anywhere, and Lisbon is no exception and these are a good exception.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips such as Sintra.
- Universal travel Adaptor – For my American readers you will need an EU Type C Country plug adapter.
- Power Pack / Battery recharger.
- Compact Umbrella – As I mentioned it is pretty rainy in Lisbon in Winter so an umbrella will be required.
- Reusable Water bottle – good for the environment while traveling.
- Sunscreen – good no matter the time of year.
- Toiletries – you can find our essential list of toiletries for travel here.
- Lipbalm – to protect your lips from cracking in the cold.
- Medication
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Camera
FAQs about this Lisbon January Packing List
Should I take swimwear for Lisbon in January?
Unless you have access to a heated pool then you probably won’t need swimwear for Lisbon in January as most people will find it too cold to swim in the sea at this time of year.
Do you need a jacket in January in Lisbon?
Yes layers and a jacket are absolute essentials for Lisbon in January. Lots of light layers are better than having one super thick knit which can be uncomfortable to wear with a coat.
Can you wear jeans in Lisbon in January?
Jeans are one of my favorite trousers to wear in Lisbon in January. However for sightseeing in the rain and also for evenings I would also add something like a black pant to the packing list aswell. However this is just personal choice.
Have you visited Lisbon? What else would you add to this Lisbon packing list.