10 Things to Do in Lisbon in the winter

Although temperatures are somewhat milder than in other parts of the world, the Portuguese capital experiences winter with far fewer visitors than in high season. For those who prefer to visit Lisbon's attractions in a quieter way, this is a perfect period, especially if you take into account the amount of things to do: markets, Christmas markets, carnival, half marathon and a suggestive winter atmosphere full of lights, colours and pleasant aromas.

As you can read more in depth in my article about Lisbon at Christmas, in the Portuguese capital there are several markets that will delight young and old alike:

• Campo Pequeno Square Christmas Market: the stalls set up in this former bullring offer everything from food to handicrafts, all national products.
• Lisbon Wonderland Christmas Market: every year, the Eduardo VII Park hosts this different Christmas market whose attractions (Ferris wheel, carousels, an ice rink or a Christmas village) make it perfect if you've been to Lisbon with children.
• Alvalade Christmas Market: this is, without a doubt, one of Lisbon's favourites. Its wooden huts offer food, Christmas decorations and handicrafts. You can also visit the house of Father Christmas himself.
• Santa Catalina viewpoint Christmas market: although its size is not very large, it is one of the most attractive, as it is located in one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the city.

Admittedly, Lisbon' s carnival is not as well known as that of other European cities. However, many claim that it is not only one of the oldest carnivals in Europe, but that it is also the origin of the famous Rio carnivals. The liveliness of Lisbon's streets is well worth joining the party, and taking a tour of Lisbon can be a great way to do so.

If you are in Lisbon in February, the month during which the carnival is celebrated (the dates are not fixed), you should take part in the so-called Carnival of the Villains. In addition, many of the city's neighbourhoods organise their own parties. It is especially the children who dress up in costumes, although some adults can also be seen following this custom.

Of course, enjoying the carnival is also one of the best things to do in Lisbon at night. Practically all nightlife venues organise their own activities for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike.

If you're in Lisbon in March, you can join a race that has a world record number of participants. It is also a unique opportunity to cross the 25 April bridge on foot and enjoy a unique view of the entire Portuguese capital.

In fact, two different races are held on that day:

• The first, more official, is the Lisbon Half Marathon, in which the best athletes in the world participate. This race starts at Largo da Portagem and finishes next to the Jerónimos Monastery, which you will know if you have done a route through the Belém district.
• The other race, open to all amateurs, is the Mini-Marathon. This is a 7,200-metre run, and more than a competition, it is a day of conviviality.

Of course, there is no shortage of fun activities during the day of the race.

Lisbon's cafés and confectioneries are an institution in the city. Although they are obviously open all year round, few sensations are better than entering them to shelter from the cold or rain on winter afternoons while sipping a great coffee and a sweet.

You can't leave the city without trying one of the most typical sweets of the country and if it is freshly made and still a little warm, the better the experience. Belém cake is ubiquitous in all the cafés, such as Café Nicola, in Rossio, and A Brasileira, perhaps the most famous in the whole city.

However, few can compare to the one prepared at Pasteis de Belém, next to the Jerónimos Monastery. Fancy a plan that combines culture and gastronomy? Visit the Jerónimos Monastery and, when you leave, treat yourself to some Belém pastries.

Tasting Portuguese gastronomy, in this case in Lisbon, is one of the best experiences any traveller can have. In winter, moreover, you will find some seasonal dishes that will make you want to come back for more:

• Caldeirada: this dish is made with fish, seafood or cod with potatoes, tomato, pepper, garlic and onion in a broth with white wine.
• Cocido a la portuguesa: this winter stew includes meat, potatoes, various vegetables and pulses. Ideal to forget about the cold for a few hours.
• Caldo verde: its ingredients include chorizo sausage, potatoes, cabbage, onions and beans and is considered one of the best you can have in winter.
• Feijoada: beans and carrots are the basis of this dish, which is usually accompanied by bacon, white rice and chorizo. Quite hearty and appropriate for winter.
• Chestnuts: if you travel to Lisbon in December or the following months, you will find stalls selling these roasted chestnuts on many of the city's street corners.
• ** Ginjinha liqueur**: one of the most traditional drinks in Lisbon's winter. Traditionally, it was thought to be a great remedy for winter colds.

You can also book a table with a menu at the Hard Rock Cafe in Lisbon for a lunch or dinner including drinks and live music.

In winter, booking a tour to Sintra and Cabo da Roca from Lisbon has the advantage of being uncrowded, not to mention the beauty of the forests and gardens in the winter light, which gives them an even more mysterious atmosphere than in other seasons.

As I tell you in my article on how to get to Sintra from Lisbon, you won't be short of options. Whichever you choose, however, I recommend that you don't miss Sintra's main attractions:

• The Pena Palace.
• The Quinta de Regaleira.
• The Castelo dos Mouros.
• The Capuchos Convent.
• The gardens of the palace and the Quinta.

Also make sure that the excursion includes a stop at Cabo da Roca. This will offer you magnificent views of the Atlantic, whose force breaking against the cliffs is even more spectacular at this time of year.

The celebration of the Chinese New Year in Lisbon has been going on for a few years now, but it is becoming more and more popular in the city. The event, with all its colour and beauty, is highly recommended if you happen to be in the Portuguese capital when it takes place (there is no fixed date, but it is usually at the end of January or beginning of February).

One of the main events of this celebration is a large parade along Almirante Reis Avenue, an artery that crosses a district where the largest Chinese community in the city has settled, along which hundreds of people parade in traditional costumes and perform martial arts demonstrations and traditional dances.

In addition to the parade, several stalls are set up in a square selling Chinese food, handicrafts and clothing. When night falls, a big party is held in a nearby park. Hundreds of people usually come to enjoy various traditional Chinese performances, including a spectacular dragon and lion dance.

Few images are more representative of Lisbon than its trams, so booking the Lisbon sightseeing tramwill allow you to take a short sightseeing tour that is also safe from the rain and cold in winter.

Trams, whether modern or vintage, are nowadays a tourist attraction in their own right. Undoubtedly the most popular with visitors is line 28, which I recommend you use to travel around part of the city. Not only will you avoid the bad weather, but it will also help you learn how to get around the streets and then walk back.

This line goes uphill to go through the Graça, Baixa or Estrela neighbourhoods and passes near important places such as St. George's Castle, the Sé Cathedral, the Bairro Alto or Chiado. My advice is to finish the tour at the Graça viewpoint, one of the most spectacular in Lisbon. If you have walked around Alfama you may already know it, but whether you have or not, its views will captivate you.

Although Lisbon's winter weather is not too cold, it does rain on many occasions. My advice is to prepare a trip with this in mind and to visit some of the **city'**s most interesting museums.

The beauty of Lisbon's streets means that its museums are often overlooked. However, some of them are worth a leisurely visit.

• Book tickets for the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: it houses one of the largest private collections in Europe, with works by Warhol, Picasso, Dalí, Duchamp and Pollock.

Book tickets for the Royal Treasure Museum: the National Palace of Ajud houses the most impressive collection of jewellery in the country.

• National Tile Museum: the visit provides a very complete overview of one of the most typical and present objects in Portugal, the tiles.
• Oceanarium: the largest indoor aquarium in Europe is a true work of art and simulates a floating harbour. It is located in the Parque das Nações.
• Fado Museum: if you have enjoyed a dinner with a Fado show, you will already know something about this musical genre. This museum explains its history, characteristics and main exponents.

The Christmas season, with its illuminated streets in the city centre, is often identified with shopping. However, if you've been to Lisbon in January you'll have the opportunity to take advantage of the sales that start right after the holidays.

The best places to find great bargains are on Avenida da Liberdade, as this is where you'll find many luxury fashion shops with heavily discounted prices during the sales.

Another interesting area if you want to find some bargains is the Chiado neighbourhood, one of the most traditional areas in the centre of Lisbon. It's best to wander the streets and pop into the shops that catch your eye, with little stops for a drink in the great cafés.

Winter is considered the low season in Lisbon, which has a significant impact on the number of tourists, with the exception of the end of the year and Carnival.

The maximum temperature in December does not usually go above 15ºC, while the minimum is around 9ºC. On the other hand, it gets dark at around 17:15 (remember that Portugal has one hour less than Spain).

January is the coldest month of the year, although the cold is not too intense, with a maximum of 15ºC and an average minimum of around 7ºC. There are hardly any differences in temperatures in February compared to the previous month. The averages only show a one degree difference from January.

More than the cold, what you need to be aware of when travelling to Lisbon in winter is the rain. For this reason, you should never be without an umbrella in your luggage, as well as a good mackintosh.

If possible, also take some waterproof and rubber-soled shoes, but always bear in mind that they should be comfortable so that you don't suffer during the long walks up and down Lisbon's slopes.

Don't forget a good coat either, especially if you plan to go out at night. As for scarves and gloves, it all depends on how cold you are.