Are you wondering what to wear in Lisbon in March? March is technically the first month of Spring in Lisbon. In this guide we will tell you what to pack for Lisbon in March for the changeable Spring weather, dress codes and more.
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Weather in Lisbon in March
March is the first month of Spring in Portugal and you will find that although the temperatures are warming that that generally speaking the conditions are still pretty changeable. This can make March a challenging month to pack for. So what is the weather like in Lisbon in March?
Is it cold in Lisbon in March?
Generally speaking, Lisbon is one of the cooler regions of Portugal in Winter and the temperatures can feel even cooler due to the wind that is very common in the city. But typically speaking the temperatures in March have average highs and lows of 11°C/51°F to highs of 18°C /64°F.
However it is worth remembering that the wind in Lisbon will make it feel even cooler!
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.
- What to wear in Lisbon in February
- What to wear in Lisbon in April
Is it Rainy in Lisbon in March?
March is not as rainy as the Winter months, and typically there are only around 6 days of rain in Lisbon in March. For this reason rain sure not be your primary concern when putting together your packing list.
Is it warm enough to swim in Lisbon in March?
Typically speaking the sea temperature near Lisbon is 15.2°C which I think is too cold to swim in. Therefore it is unlikely you will require swimwear in Lisbon in March.
For other Portugal packing lists for Lisbon check out our other regional posts:
- What to wear in Porto
- What to wear to the Algarve
- What to wear in Sintra
What to Wear in Lisbon in March
So now you know what to expect of the weather in Lisbon in March we will turn our attention to what to wear.
Where possible we recommend packing light and you will find most people in Lisbon in March have started to transition to their Spring Capsule wardrobe.
For more information on our favorite packing methods for packing light check out the below posts:
Best Shoes for Lisbon in March
For Spring in Portugal we recommend packing two pairs of shoes. One for daytime sightseeing and one for evenings. But both should be comfortable for walking in.
The shoes we recommend packing are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are the best shoe for daytime sightseeing in Lisbon whatever time of year you travel. 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.
Ankle Boot
As the weather is changeable we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing. Just be sure to pick something that is comfortable for walking in with a good sole and low or no heel.
Lisbon is a hilly city that has cobbled stone streets so you need to have a shoe that cope with all these terrains.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
What to Wear in Lisbon in March for women
Jacket / Coat
Although the temperatures in Lisbon are warming up I still recommend packing a jacket for cooler days and evenings in Portugal.
Personally I would opt for a puffer style winter jacket with some waterproofing and wind resistance.
Trousers
Trousers are my top pick for sightseeing in Portugal in March. I personally find it a bit too cold and windy for dresses. Instead I opt for jeans on most days. However you may want another type of trousers with you for rainier days.
Click here to shop trousers for Lisbon.
Skirts and Dresses
I usually pack one dress or skirt for dinners out in Lisbon. For this time of year I think a wrap dress or a sweater dress is perfect.
Click here to shop skirts and dresses for Portugal.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights. I usually pick a long sleeve blouse or 3/4 length sleeve that can be paired with a cardigan or sweater.
T Shirt
For Spring you can start adding more short sleeve tees for Spring.
Layers
Layers are essential for this time of year. 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.
PJs or Nightie, Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
What to pack for Lisbon in March for Men
When putting together the packing list for men heading to Lisbon the same rules apply for men as women. We think the men’s travel essentials for Lisbon are:
Jacket
Although the temperatures are warming up, a jacket is still a good idea for evenings and cooler days.
Chinos/Jeans
Chinos and / or dockers and jeans are perfect for Portugal in Spring 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 but a button down shirt is a good idea for the evenings.
Layers
We recommend 3 layers for a week in Portugal in Spring. Again we recommend a combinaition of a sweater, hoodie and fleece or jumper.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
We recommend some thermal socks for Winter and slightly heavier weight nightwear.
What to Pack in Lisbon in March (non clothing)
- Universal travel Adaptor – For my American readers you will need an EU Type C Country plug adapter.
- Power Pack / Battery recharger.
- 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.
- 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
Have you visited Lisbon in March? What else would you add to this Lisbon packing list.
