Activities for Rainy Days in Lisbon

Arriving in Lisbon and encountering unstable weather may not be the best plan, but it is a common occurrence in autumn and spring. However, even in situations like this you can still enjoy many things to do in Lisbon and not have your vacation be affected.

I suggest exploring local traditions and sign up for a cooking class focused on making pastel de nata. Or, attend a Fado concert and discover the genre that resonates in the blood of the Portuguese.

You can also take advantage of different indoor activities such as a visit to the main monuments including the Belém Tower, the Oceanarium, the Estadio da Luz and the Jerónimos Monastery. On these days tourists usually take refuge in the Monet and Klimt exhibition, although the more daring prefer to opt for a virtual reality flight. If the rain is not so heavy and you want to go out, you can opt to move in the tourist transport that offer complete tours throughout the city.

Participating in a pastel de nada cooking class is a great way to immerse yourself in Portuguese gastronomy while discovering a traditional recipe. This activity requires no previous experience and is a perfect plan to take refuge from the bad weather.

Pasteles de nata are small tartlets made with a crispy puff pastry dough. They are usually filled with pastry cream and you can sprinkle ground cinnamon to intensify their flavor. You will take advantage and learn how to prepare the dough and the cream, as well as how to fill them without breaking them.

And don't forget that, every time you go to Lisbon, you have to take advantage and try this delicacy to feel the explosion of flavors that no other dessert in the world can match. Leaving without tasting them is considered a waste because they are sold even in supermarkets. As a recommendation, the most famous are those of the Fábrica de Nata and that is why tourists usually queue up.

Interesting details

• Price: from 51 €.
• Duration: approximately two hours.
• What's included: ingredients and material for cooking, coffee or tea and tasting the result of your own preparation.

If you want to get to know Lisbon by night, but the rain hinders your plans, you can delight yourself with a Fado concert. This is a genre present in every corner of the city, and you can find from street shows to private performances in theaters and halls. Of course, the best alternative is to book a concert and relax to the sound of the guitar and the voices of local artists.

You can also opt for a Fado dinner, so you don't have to worry about where to eat. To give you an idea of what you are going to see, you should know that Fado singing mixes everyday stories that convey love, frustration and nostalgia. Don't be surprised if you feel like you're bobbing on a boat, as the rhythms are inspired by fishermen and other elements of the sea.

Details of interest

• Price: from 24 €.
• Duration: at least 50 minutes.

Lisbon is a charming city and its tourist transports offer a comfortable and efficient alternative to get to know it at your own pace. There are several routes available and you can usually hop on and off at stops of interest. However, there is the possibility of taking a complete tour, something that is appreciated during rainy days when it is difficult to walk the steep streets. This way you won't have to get wet or lose a day of your itinerary.

If you want to take advantage of the best Lisbon sightseeing buses and other dynamic transportation, you can choose between:

24-hour sightseeing bus

Booking the 24-hour Lisbon sightseeing bus and taking the opportunity to see the outside of the most important monuments during a two-hour ride is an excellent option on wet days. This ticket also gives access to certain streetcars, funiculars and elevators in the city, including discounts in stores and restaurants. Getting to know the city comfortably from your seat while it rains is a beautiful experience that allows you to see another side of Lisbon.

48-hour sightseeing bus

If you plan to spend at least 2 days in Lisbon and it happens to rain on both days, you can take advantage of the 48-hour passes. In general, you have several options:

• Hire the 48-hour sightseeing bus: you can take the single option and do the whole trip, which lasts two hours. It has a route through Modern Lisbon and another one that takes you to the Belém area. Alternatively, you can get off and on at the specified stops.
• Book the tourist bus and streetcar: you will be able to pass by the Belém Tower, the Castle of St. George and the Eduardo VII Park. In general, it has stops near more than 50 monuments and you can use Lisbon's emblematic public streetcars.
• Book the tourist bus with tickets to the Oceanarium: a great way to save is to opt for combined experiences. This way you can also stay out of the rain and visit one of the most impressive aquariums in Europe.

72-hour sightseeing bus

This is a complete experience that allows you to see Lisbon from different angles. By booking the 72-hour ticket you will have access to a savings pack that includes the sightseeing bus, streetcar and boat. This option is ideal if you are going to visit Lisbon in 3 days, opting each day for a different route and transport:

• Modern Route and Belém Route of the tourist bus.
• Tramvia Hills Route of the tourist streetcar.
• Yellow Boat Route of the tourist boat on the Tagus River, something that I recommend you to book for the day that has the lightest rainfall.

Tourist streetcar

You can't miss Lisbon's most traditional tourist transport, which dates back to the 19th century and was originally horse-drawn. Buying a ticket for the tourist streetcar allows you to ride the yellow line of the Carris Metropolitana for 24 hours, so you don't have to rely on individual tickets.

The hills and steep streets are often slippery during rainy days, but aboard this transport you can avoid them while still enjoying the views. If the rain is not as heavy, you can hop on and off to explore the sites of your choice on foot.

Details of interest

• Price: from 24 € per person.
• Hours: Tourist buses operate from 9:00 to 19:00, with a frequency of 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the streetcar works from 6:00 to 23:00.
• Duration: 24, 48 or 72 hours, depending on the selected pass.
• What it usually includes: each pass has its benefits, usually with your ticket you can get discounts and tickets for other attractions, audio guide on board and a map of Lisbon.

In such a multifaceted city, rain doesn't have to ruin your day. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable gastronomic journey and taste wines from 6 regions of Portugal. Each one has its own touch and you will experience how a winemaker will explain the best way to taste so you can differentiate between a variety of smells, flavors and colors.

Cheese is the best company for a glass of wine, so you'll probably have a combined table with cold meats and other appetizers. At the end, you can buy Portuguese wines and return more de-stressed to your hotel.

Details of interest

• Price: from 55 € per person.
• Duration: about two hours.
• What it usually includes: lunch with cheeses, cold meats and appetizers to accompany the tasting, as well as a tasting of wines from different Portuguese regions.

If you plan to visit Lisbon with children and it rains during your trip, you have to take a tour of the largest indoor aquarium in Europe (although if it doesn't rain it is also a must for the little ones). It houses about 450 species in large pools and tanks. In addition, it is divided into four thematic habitats:

• North Atlantic.
• Antarctic.
• Pacific.
• Tropical Indian Ocean.

It is important to buy tickets for the Oceanarium in advance to avoid queues at the ticket office. This way, you will be able to dive into its pools and underwater tunnels where corals, penguins, otters and colorful fish live.

Details of interest

• Price: from 25 € per person.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00, with some variations depending on the season.
• Duration: about one to three hours, depending on the time you spend at each attraction.
• What it usually includes: access to permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most impressive buildings in the city. Inside you can feel like in a fairy tale, while exploring elements of the 16th century. In addition, you will witness ornaments and symbols that can only be seen in Portugal, such as tiles depicting biblical scenes and maritime symbols.

By purchasing tickets to the Jerónimos Monastery, you can avoid queues at the ticket office and explore:

• The Church of Santa Maria, which is located at the entrance to the monument and stands out for its Manueline architecture.
• The tombs of historical personalities.
• The cloister, considered one of the most spectacular in Europe.
• The chapter house and refectory, where you can discover the history and evolution of the monastery.

Details of interest

• Price: from 20 €, but there are discounts for children, youth and seniors. If you decide to book the Lisbon Card you can use it to access this attraction.
• Duration: about an hour if you visit it quickly and about three hours if you experience it in more detail.
• Hours: from 10:30 to 17:30, but the schedule may change on holidays and depending on the season.

Visiting the imposing Belém Tower that offers panoramic views of the Tagus River is one of the best things to do in Belém, and the best thing is that it is very close to Lisbon, only about 25 minutes away. It was used as a protective fortress for the Portuguese city during the 16th century. This can be seen in its Manueline architecture and today you can see the Governor's and King's Chambers, the chapel and the lower and upper batteries.

To avoid the crowds I recommend scheduling your visit early in the morning or mid-afternoon, as well as buying tickets for the Belém Tower in advance.

Details of interest

• Price: from 10 € per person.
• Duration: between one and two hours.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:30, hours may change depending on the season.
• What it usually includes: access to the tower chambers.
• How to get there: depending on the area where you are, you can choose between bus, streetcar or cab.

A rainy day is perfect to visit Lisbon's soccer stadiums, among which the Estadio da Luz stands out. Its red structure is unmistakable and owes its fame to being the home of the local Benfica team. In addition, it has hosted concerts of renowned artists such as Taylor Swift, Madonna and The Rolling Stones.

Inside the stadium you will see the field that has a capacity for more than 64,000 spectators and then you can visit the Benfica Museum, which houses more than 30,000 pieces related to the history of the club. During the visit you will have access to the players' tunnel, dressing rooms and VIP lounges.

Interesting details

• Price: from 20 € per person.
• Hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:00.
• Duration: about two and a half hours.
• What is usually included: skip the line access, tour guide, entrance to the Estadio da Luz and the Benfica Museum.

If bad weather spreads, you can look for alternatives like buying tickets for the Monet and Klimt exhibition. It is an immersive activity that will not leave you indifferent with 360º exhibits inspired by the works of artists Monet and Klimt. You will be able to enjoy animations and visual effects, as well as a floating platform. There are several types of tickets:

• General admission: access to the exhibition and temporary projections.
• Premium ticket: take advantage of the exhibition and get access to the floating platform of the Mãe d'Água de Lisboa.
• Reduced admission: special prices are offered for residents, children, seniors and family combos.

Details of interest

• Price: from 16 € per person.
• Duration: from 30 minutes to two hours.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
• What is usually included: skip-the-line access and admission to temporary exhibitions. Access to the floating platform is usually only included in Premium tickets.

Among the best museums in Lisbon is the Royal Treasury Museum, which has three floors with interactive exhibits where you can have a great time and forget about the rain. In each corridor you will find valuable pieces that belonged to the Portuguese royal family, such as the emerald headdress of Queen Mariana. There are also precious stones, coins, furniture and other utensils and furnishings.

It is divided into 11 thematic rooms and it is easy to enjoy a tour. During the visit you can discover the history of the museum and anecdotes about the local evolution. In addition, you will understand the relationship between Portugal and Brazil linked in the context of the Portuguese Empire. By purchasing tickets to the Royal Treasury Museum you can even learn about the most ancient rituals of the monarchy such as:

• Religious ceremonies.
• The proclamations and coronations.
• The banquets in the palaces.
• The handing over of keys to the king or queen symbolizing the transfer of authority.
• The parades of the court.

Details of interest

• Price: from 11 € per person.
• Duration: between one and two hours.
• Hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
• What's included: audio guide.

You can fly over Lisbon in a virtual reality experience so that the rain doesn't interrupt your itinerary. You will board a self-propelled hydraulic platform that offers real images of the city, made with a high-tech drone. As the ride progresses, monuments such as the Belém Tower, Commerce Square, Christ the King and the 25th of April Bridge will appear.

You'll even leave Lisbon and discover everything you can see and do in Sintra, as the simulation passes by the romantic Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. It's as much fun as riding in a helicopter or hot air balloon, but much cheaper. Besides, the experience is not limited to seeing, you will also be able to feel the twists and turns, weather changes and aromas that characterize these places.

Details of interest

• Price: from 10 € per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts approximately 20 minutes.
• What is usually included: access to the flight simulator and an audio guide.