Updated 16 Sep 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is December 2026 a good month to visit Lisbon?
Calm — the typical December day in Lisbon is calmer than 76% of its year.
The weather is the trade-off here, not the crowds.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Lisbon's own year — not a headcount.
December 2026 is the Lisbon most visitors never see — Calm on 20 of 31 days — 4 days run Busy or Packed, mild and wet, around 16°C / 61°F with rain on about 10 days.
Yes. The typical December day in Lisbon is Calm, and only 4 of the 31 days in our window run Busy or Packed. Expect around 16 °C by day, with rain on about 10 days. The crowd comes with the school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. Cruise ships call on 21 of the 31 days, 2 at once on Thursday 31 December. Early December is the month's quietest stretch in Lisbon — the typical day at 16%, against 43% in late December. The crush is at Belem's monument mile; the quiet is at the Gulbenkian and its gardens. The calmest day is Friday 4 December, the busiest Thursday 31 December.
In short, a genuinely good window to pick.
Among the 12 months we forecast for Lisbon, December ranks 10th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Thu 31 Dec, busier than 98% of the year; its lightest is Fri 4 Dec at 6%.
You won't need skip-the-line tickets here — that's rather the point. A month like this is the one for the longer visit — the guided walk, the food tour, the day out of town, with room and time to enjoy them. see what's on →
Pack for wet first — rain on 10 of 31 days.
A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.
See umbrellas →
Wet stone is the thing to plan around in a month this wet.
See walking shoes →
How busy is Lisbon in December?
The busiest days are the 15th, 18th, 24th and 31st. Away from those, most days sit Calm. The calmest stretch is the 1st–14th.
Cruise ships are in port on 21 of 31 days; the heaviest is Thu 31 Dec, 2 ships in at once. Those mornings fill the squares first — start early, or save them for indoors.
The month is not one thing: its lightest day sits at 6% of the year and its heaviest at 98%, so where you land inside it matters. Daylight runs about 9 hours.
Either side of it, November picks up and January is far calmer.
Calm apart from 4 days — the 15th, 18th, 24th and 31st, which run busy or busier. Any other date works.
Tue 01 Dec Calm busier than 12% of days here · Portugal public holiday
Record Lisbon on Tue 1 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Portugal public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 02 Dec Lively busier than 41% of days here · ⚓1
- Queen Anne — guest capacity 2,996
Record Lisbon on Wed 2 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,996 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 03 Dec Calm busier than 17% of days here · ⚓1
- Spirit Of Discovery — guest capacity 999
Record Lisbon on Thu 3 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 999 guests at double occupancy. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 04 Dec Calm busier than 6% of days here
Record Lisbon on Fri 4 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 05 Dec Calm busier than 6% of days here
Record Lisbon on Sat 5 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 06 Dec Calm busier than 18% of days here · ⚓1 · Spain public holiday
- Balmoral — size unknown (uncounted)
Record Lisbon on Sun 6 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Spain public holiday. 1 cruise ship scheduled, sizes unknown. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 07 Dec Calm busier than 26% of days here · ⚓1
- Aurora — guest capacity 1,874
Record Lisbon on Mon 7 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 1,874 guests at double occupancy. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 08 Dec Calm busier than 14% of days here · Portugal public holiday
Record Lisbon on Tue 8 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Portugal public holiday; Spain public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 09 Dec Calm busier than 19% of days here · ⚓2
- Silver Dawn — guest capacity 576 07:00–19:00
- Silver Nova — guest capacity 728 19:00–?
Record Lisbon on Wed 9 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,304 guests at double occupancy. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 10 Dec Calm busier than 13% of days here · ⚓1
- Amadea — guest capacity 508 08:00–17:00
Record Lisbon on Thu 10 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 508 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–17:00. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 11 Dec Lively busier than 44% of days here · ⚓1
- AIDAprima — guest capacity 3,286
Record Lisbon on Fri 11 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,286 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 12 Dec Calm busier than 25% of days here · ⚓1
- Celestyal Discovery — guest capacity 1,800
Record Lisbon on Sat 12 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 1,800 guests at double occupancy. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 13 Dec Calm busier than 27% of days here · ⚓1
- Queen Victoria — guest capacity 2,074
Record Lisbon on Sun 13 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,074 guests at double occupancy. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 14 Dec Calm busier than 6% of days here
Record Lisbon on Mon 14 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 15 Dec Busy busier than 66% of days here · ⚓1
- Iona — guest capacity 5,206
Record Lisbon on Tue 15 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,206 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Mon 14 Dec (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 16 Dec Calm busier than 12% of days here · Portugal school holidays
Record Lisbon on Wed 16 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Portugal. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Dec Calm busier than 20% of days here · ⚓1 · Portugal school holidays
- Spirit Of Discovery — guest capacity 999
Record Lisbon on Thu 17 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 999 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 18 Dec Busy busier than 72% of days here · ⚓2 · Portugal school holidays
- Arcadia — guest capacity 2,094
- Ventura — guest capacity 3,078
Record Lisbon on Fri 18 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 5,172 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal. Nearest calmer day: Thu 17 Dec (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 19 Dec Lively busier than 49% of days here · ⚓2 · Portugal school holidays
- Queen Victoria — guest capacity 2,074
- Spirit Of Adventure — guest capacity 999
Record Lisbon on Sat 19 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,073 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal and Germany. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Dec Calm busier than 13% of days here · Portugal school holidays
Record Lisbon on Sun 20 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Dec Calm busier than 28% of days here · ⚓2 · Portugal school holidays
- Explora II — guest capacity 922
- Oceania Sirena — guest capacity 684 08:00–17:00
Record Lisbon on Mon 21 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,606 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Dec Calm busier than 14% of days here · Portugal school holidays
Record Lisbon on Tue 22 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Dec Lively busier than 57% of days here · ⚓2 · Portugal school holidays
- Mein Schiff 7 — guest capacity 2,534 08:00–22:00
- Spirit Of Discovery — guest capacity 999
Record Lisbon on Wed 23 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,533 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Dec Busy busier than 69% of days here · ⚓2 · Portugal school holidays
- Ambience — guest capacity 1,596 09:00–18:00
- Azura — guest capacity 3,100
Record Lisbon on Thu 24 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,696 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Wed 23 Dec (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Dec Calm busier than 24% of days here · ⚓1 · Portugal public holiday
- Amera — guest capacity 835 13:00–19:00
Record Lisbon on Fri 25 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 835 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 13:00–19:00. Why: Portugal public holiday; Germany public holiday; UK public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here · ⚓2 · Portugal public holiday
- Ambition — guest capacity 1,248 08:00–18:00
- Celestyal Discovery — guest capacity 1,800
Record Lisbon on Sat 26 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,048 guests at double occupancy. Why: Portugal public holiday; Germany public holiday; France school holidays. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Dec Lively busier than 61% of days here · ⚓1 · Portugal school holidays
- Mein Schiff Flow — guest capacity 3,890
Record Lisbon on Sun 27 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,890 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Dec Calm busier than 15% of days here · Portugal school holidays
Record Lisbon on Mon 28 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Portugal school holidays; Germany school holidays; UK public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Dec Lively busier than 43% of days here · ⚓1 · Portugal school holidays
- Mein Schiff 3 — guest capacity 2,506 08:00–19:00
Record Lisbon on Tue 29 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,506 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–19:00. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Dec Calm busier than 14% of days here · Portugal school holidays
Record Lisbon on Wed 30 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 31 Dec Packed busier than 98% of days here · ⚓2 · Portugal school holidays
- Iona — guest capacity 5,206
- Queen Anne — guest capacity 2,996
Record Lisbon on Thu 31 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 8,202 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Portugal, Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Wed 30 Dec (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/lisbon/#d-2026-12-31 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Which week of December is quietest in Lisbon?
Early December is the month's quietest stretch in Lisbon — the typical day at 16%, against 43% in late December.
The upside of a quiet December
- The big-ticket sights are walk-ins now; the summer booking scramble is gone.
- Keep the days loose — decide over breakfast, not weeks ahead.
- Early on, you can have the busiest spots almost to yourself — bring a camera.
No queues to skip, and nothing to book ahead — that's the whole point.
December weather in Lisbon
Mild — around 16°C / 61°F, with a light jacket for the evenings, with rain on about 10 days, so keep a layer handy. Daylight is short, about 9 hours, so plan the big sights for the middle of the day.
This is the value month: no need to book far ahead, and the freedom to change plans on the day is part of what you're getting.
More about Lisbon in December
Based on: Portugal's public holidays · school vacations across Portugal, France and Germany · the season pattern from official overnight stays · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates · the published cruise schedule
Every figure is recomputed nightly from real cruise schedules, public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.
