The Best Rainy-Day Activities in Lisbon: What to Do When It Pours
What is the weather in Portugal?
Depending on season, or even time of day, the answer will typically be: Sunny or Rainy.
If it is October January in Lisbon, it is more than likely the latter.
While rainy season in Lisbon can mean rain all day for days on end, sporadic light showers, or sunshine all day, it is best o be prepared for wash out days.
While I truly believe the best thing to do on a rainy day is to throw on a raincoat or grab an umbrella and do whatever you originally planned, there are some days when the rain in Lisbon is relentless, and the best approach is to find indoor activities to enjoy.
I have spent several Fall and Winter months in Lisbon and have weathered many rainstorms and wet days in the city. These are some of my favorite things to do in Lisbon on a rainy day.
For my Complete Guide to Things to Do in Lisbon, click here!
What to Do in Lisbon on a Rainy Day
Visit One of Lisbon's Museums
As a self-proclaimed “not museum person”, if it weren’t for rainy days, I would probably never go to museums. Luckily Portugal’s capital city has some world class museums that are the perfect places to spend a rainy day in Lisbon. These are some of my favorite museums in Lsibon.
Museo De Azulejos Lisbonne - Lisbon Tile Museum
💶8€
🗺️R. Me. Deus 4, 1900-312 Lisboa, Portugal
🕰️10a-6p (Closed Mondays)
🌐http://www.museudoazulejo.pt/
Housed in an old convent, the Museo De Azulejos (Lisbon Tile Museum) has much more to offer than we expected. Thet tile displays are beautifully curated, and incorporate art, history and storytelling.
While the interior of the museum is impressive, building alone is worth the visit, and the attached Madre de Deus church was an unexpected surprise.
A visit could easily be condensed to an hour, or spread out to several hours.
Fado Museum
The Fado Museum is a music museum dedicated to Fado located in the Lisbon neighbourhood of Alfama. It was inaugurated on 25 September 1998
🗺️Alfama, Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, 1100-139 Lisboa, Portugal
🕰️Tues-Sun 10a-p, Mon-Closed
💶Adults 5€, Children
I have somehow not made it to the Fado Museum in Lisbon yet, but it is high on my “Rainy Day in Lisbon Activities” list. I have heard great things about this little museum and am eager to learn more about Fado music, especially since it originated in Lisbon.
Museu Nacional do Traje e da Moda
🗺️Largo Júlio Castilho, 1600-483 Lisboa
🕰️Daily 10a-1p, 2p-6p
💶5€ (garden 2€, see below)
A true Lisbon hidden gem, The Museu Nacional do Traje e da Moda, or “Lisbon Costume Museum” is located in Monteiro-Mor Palace, in Lisbon, Portugal.
This underrated Lisbon gem has a collection of more than 33,000 items, which includes mainly masculine and feminine costumes from the 18th and 19th centuries. The collection is packed with historical significance and beautifully curated, but the palace it is housed in is worth the visit alone.
The Lisbon Costume Museum is located a bit outside the city center but is easily accessible via tram or bus (or Uber/Bolt).
MAAT
🗺️Av. Brasília, 1300-598 Lisboa
🕰️Wed-Mon 10a-7p, Tues-closed
💶11€ (free first Sunday of each month until 1p)
I considered going to the MAAT for 2.5 years. I am not big on “traditional” museums, and have heard mixed reviews on the MAAT, but a feature exhibit and free admission finally got me there. The museum is smaller than it appears from the outside (which is a piece of art in and of itself), and I found it a bit underwhelming, but still interesting with some unique aspects.
Would I have been disappointed if I spent the 11€ to visit? Proabably. Did I love the exhibit I went for and found the rest of the musemum interesting enough? Yes. Would I recommend the MAAT as a rainy day activity? Sure!
National Coach Museum
🗺️Av. da Índia 136, 1300-300 Lisboa
🕰️Tues-Sun 10a-6p, Sun- Closed
💶€8 Coach Museum €10 for combined ticket Coach Museum & Riding School
I put off visiting the National Coaches Museum for far too long and it immediately became one of my favorite attractions in Lisbon.
Everything about this museum is stunning. From the Riding School (“old building”) itself, to the immaculately preserved and beautifully displayed coaches themselves. I was in awe of all the detail and descritpions of each of the coaches.
If you are like me, and love a non-traditional museum, this one is an absolute must on any visit to Lisbon.
Museu Nacional de Arqueologia
The National Museum of Archaeology is the largest archaeological museum in Portugal and one of the most important museums devoted to ancient art found in the Iberian Peninsula. Located in Lisbon, the museum was founded in 1893 by the archaeologist José Leite de Vasconcelos
⚠️As of 2025, closed for renovations ⚠️
🗺️Praça do Império, 1400-026 Lisboa
🕰️Tues-Sat 10a-6p, Mon-closed
💶€5
🌟Sunday and public holidays: free entrance from 10 am to 2 pm
🌐National Museum of Archaeology
I am yet to visit this museum, and unfortunately will have to wait until next year (but at least then it will be all shiny and new!) but the stunning exterior is a sit in and of itself. It is hard to miss on any trip to Belém, as it is huge and also attached to The Jerónimos Monastery (pay attention with which line/entry is for each, it can be a bit confusing).
For a full list of museums in Belem, check out my Complete Guide to Belem!
Visit One of Lisbon’s Palaces
What better way to escape the rain then being surrounded by glitter and gold?
Sintra is not the only place to find magical palaces, there are plenty within much closer proximity.
These are my two favorite palaces to escape the weather and take in tons of history and ornate architecture and interior.
Palácio Nacional da Ajuda
The Ajuda National Palace is a neoclassical building from the first half of the 19th century. It became a royal residence on king Luís I accession to the throne and it remained as such until the end of the Monarchy (1910). It still holds its decorative artworks in place in a lively and truthful to its origins display.
💶8€
🕰️10a - 6p daily (closed Thursday)
🗺️Largo da Ajuda1349-021 Lisboa
🌐https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/places/ajuda-national-palace
This is one of my favorite sites and is truly a hidden gem in Lisbon. The architecture, detail, and decor will have you wowed at every turn. This Lisbon Palace is often overlooked, which makes it a perfect place to avoid crowds in Lisbon.
National Palace (Palácio de Queluz)
The luxurious royal residence.
The National Palace of Queluz charms whether for its imposing nature or the sheer exuberance of its architectural details closely bound up with the lives of three generations of the Portuguese Royal Family and the scene of intense emotions. The Palace furthermore reflects the evolution in the tastes and styles over different period, moving from the Baroque to the Rococo and onto Neoclassicism.
Its surrounding scenic gardens invite you for a “stroll” through a period in which the court organised sumptuous parties and that hold the memories of trips by gondola along the canal, theatre, hunting, musical and literary performances, masked balls, games and open-air recitals. A dreamlike scenario, animated by the waterfalls and delicate water games.
🗺️Largo Palácio de Queluz, 2745-191 Queluz
🕰️Open daily 9:00a-6:30p
💶Palace & Garden 13€ adults (18-65), 10€ youth (under 17) and seniors (over 65), 35€ family (2 adults and 2 youth)
Located about halfway between Lisbon and Sintra, this stunning palace, with equally beautiful gardens, is often overlooked by tourists, but it well worth a visit.
While a visit to this 18th Century Palace could be done in about an hour, I spent several hours wandering both the palace and immaculate gardens, which host beautiful fountains, greenery, flowers. and walkways.
🌻Even on a rainy day, I recommend grabbing an umbrella or zipping up your raincoat and taking a walk around the gardens, if only briefly.
🚂The National Palace and Garden of Queluz can be reached from Lisbon via train from Rossio station to Queluz-Belas (with about a 10-minute walk from station to the site).
🚕It is also accessible via 15–20-minute drive (or Taxi/Uber).
♿The Palace of Queluz is also one of the most accessible sites to visit for anyone with mobility concerns.
Lisbon Interactive Experiences
Lisbon is the perfect place to really sink into an interactive and hands on experience.
Whether it is a cooking class, pastel de nata baking class, tile design class, or wine tasting, there is an experience for everyone in Lisbon. These are the perfect way to spend a rainy day in Lisbon, while picking up a new skill and sinking into the local culture.
Lisbon Pastel de Nata Baking Class
I have taken two Pastel de Nata making classes in Lisbon, one solo and one with a friend and absolutely loved both of them! I really enjoyed seeing the process of how these famous Portuguese tarts are made and learning about their history.
Of course, the highlight was enjoying the fruits of our labor and eating the finished product.
Take a Traditional Portuguese Cooking class in Lisbon
This traditional Portuguese cooking class was one of my absolute favorite cooking classes (and I have done several). The hosts were so informative, welcoming and fun! I learned so much about Portuguese cuisine and history, as well as some new cooking skills during this awesome Lisbon cooking experience.
I also lucked out with a really fun group of people of all ages and backgrounds that really made this a great experience and would be a perfect way to escape the rain in Lisbon.
Lisbon Wine Tasting Experience
I was gifted this Lisbon wine tasting experience in July 2025 and absolutely loved it!
I was a bit hesitant going solo but ended up meeting amazing other travelers and the hosts were super welcoming and accommodating.
If there is a better rainy-day activity in Portugal than a wine tasting with delicious local snacks, I don’t know what it is.
Take a Portuguese Tile Making Class
I am not the “artsy” type, but my friend went to Lisbon, took this class and raved about it so much that I am not scheduled to take it in November!
As a bonus, you get a beautiful, handmade Portuguese souvenir to take home with you.
Stay tuned to see how my tile turns out!
Best Rainy Day Activates in Lisbon with Kids
Traveling with kids and teens can be stressful, but having to scramble to find rainy day activities to please the while family can be especially stressful! Luckily, Lisbon is full of family friendly rainy day activities to please everyone.
Here are some great kid-friendly activities in Lisbon
Oceanário de Lisboa
The Lisbon Oceanarium is an oceanarium in Lisbon, Portugal. It is located in the Parque das Nações, which was the exhibition grounds for the Expo '98. It is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe and approximately 1 million people visit each year -Wikipedia
💶Adult 25€, Child (3-12y) 15€, Senior (65+) €17
🗺️Esplanada Dom Carlos I s/nº, 1990-005 Lisboa, Portugal
🕰️ 10a - 7pm daily
Also known as the “Lisbon Aquarium”, I found this a great rainy day activity. Though not on my ‘must see’ list, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to any aquarium fans, families, or as a rainy day activity.
The Oceanarium does get very busy and crowded on weekends, so it is recommended to visit during the week if your schedule allows.
⭐Buying tickets in advance saves a great deal of time waiting in line.
Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Ciência Viva
🗺️Largo José Mariano Gago nº1, 1990-073 Lisboa, Portugal
🕰️Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat-Sun 10a-7pm
💶Adult €15, Senior € 11, Youth 3-17 years €10, Family € 35
The Pavilion of Knowledge has been on my list of places to visit for years, but I am yet to go inside. This architecturally striking building is home to numerous standing exhibitions, as well as temporary and rotating exhibitions. This family-friendly Lisbon museum is often overlooked due to its location, but seems to be worth the quick trip from the city center, especially on a rainy day.
This Lisbon hidden gem also hosts numerous events and educational forums, so be sure to check out the website to see what may be taking place during your visit.
Quake Museum
Quake is an immersive museum in Lisbon where you have the opportunity to relive the extraordinary earthquake that affected Lisbon in 1755. It’s a fun and educational experience, reproduced by a simulator using video-mapping and special effects
🗺️Rua do Cais da Alfândega Velha 39, 1300-598 Lisboa, Portugal
🕰️Daily 10a-6p.
💶Adult 32€, Children (age 6-12) 22€
🌐The Lisbon Earthquake Experience | Quake
🌟Book online in advance and save 10%
I have not been to the Quake Museum in Lisbon yet but have heard really great things about this interactive Lisbon museum. While it is far from the most historic museum in Portugal, it does offer a great deal of historical information in an engaging and interactive way.
This is a great option for travelers of any age, however; children under 4 years old are not permitted.
Axe Throwing in LX Factory - USAxe Club
🗺️R. Rodrigues de Faria 103 H 0.02, 1300-472 Lisboa, Portugal
🕰️Daily 11a-12p
💶15 per person, per hour
🌐Axe Throwing, Authentic American Restaurant & Bar | USAxe Club | Home
It this a uniquely Portuguese activity? No.
Is it a really fun activity for the whole family on a rainy day in Lisbon? Absolutely!
This really fun bar/restaurant in LX Factory has a great menu, well priced cocktails and is an overall fun vibe. Kids of all ages are welcome (as long as accompanied by an adult) and the menu and space are kids-friendly.
This is also a great option for couples or friends to enjoy some fun, bar grub and a pint, all at very reasonable price points.
For my complete Guide to LX Factory, click here!
Enjoy Lisbon's Bars & Restaurants
What better way to escape the rain in Lisbon than with a delicious meal, cozy cocktail, or a pint and a chat at local brewery?
Lisbon is packed with amazing bars and restaurants that offer the perfect refuge from the rain. Slow meals are encouraged, cocktails are meant to be sipped slowly, and the breweries welcome you to stay all day, so these are the ideal places to wait out the rain.
These are some of my favorite Lisbon brunch spots, restaurants, cocktail bars and breweries.
While rain is never ideal on vacation, there is no reason you can’t still enjoy your time in Lisbon even if it is rainy. Portugal’s capital city has so much offer regardless of the weather, so throw on your raincoat or grab your umbrella and head out to enjoy this magical Portuguese city!
For my full list of unmissable things to do in Lisbon, click here!
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