Rain in Lisbon and no desire to sit in the hotel? No problem! There is so much to discover in Lisbon that there is enough variety even in bad weather.
We’ve put together 7 rainy day excursion tips in Lisbon that we’ve enjoyed. From museums to pubs, from shopping paradises to huge aquariums – there should be something for everyone.
1. Visit to the Oceanarium – excursion tip with children when it rains in Lisbon
The Oceanarium is located on the former Expo site in the Park of Nations. It takes a good 5 minutes from Oriente station to reach the visually very striking building directly on the banks of the Tagus.
In 1998, for the Expo in Lisbon, the Oceanarium was opened and was one of the main attractions. It is said to be one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe and you should definitely plan some time for a visit.
We were particularly impressed by the huge central tank, which extends over 2 floors. Almost 100 animal species live in this tank and I was constantly discovering something new. Not only fish live in the Oceanarium, but also penguins and sea otters.
For us, a visit we thought about for a long time. So many impressions and new knowledge about marine life – simply great!
2. Carriage Museum in Belém
The Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Carriage Museum in Lisbon) is certainly not an insider tip, but for me it is one of the most impressive museums in the city.
On a rainy day in Lisbon, the museum will certainly be well visited. But I think that will hardly be noticeable. The new modern building in Belém is very large. Countless carriages from all over the world stand in huge halls. Most of the often very pompous vehicles were used by the Portuguese royal family and the Portuguese nobility.
I was particularly impressed by the detailed carvings on the carriages. These works of art make the vehicles something unique and should make the owner’s position clear.
We really liked the Museu Nacional dos Coches and saw many families with children there who were visibly thrilled by the exhibition.
3. Going to the Tram Museum in Lisbon when it rains
The tram museum is located on the premises of the Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa. If you go here when it’s raining in Lisbon, you certainly won’t be disappointed.
At the beginning of the visit, you walk through an exhibition depicting the history of the Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa and the development of local public transport. Another exhibition area is located in a large vehicle hall. To get there, you board a historic tram that shuttles back and forth between the exhibition areas. The ride was not only a surprise for me, but also an unforgettable experience.
We could have spent hours in the vehicle hall. Well-preserved trams and buses from different production series are there. I really liked the fact that we were even allowed to enter some of the vehicles and experience the feeling of the past on the seats and benches.
This excursion tip for a rainy day in Lisbon is also suitable for a visit with children.
4.Museu Nacional do Azulejo – Tile Museum
A little out of the way, but easily accessible by bus, is the Museu Nacional do Azulejo. Here you can learn about Portuguese ceramic tiles and their importance in the country’s history.
The Tile Museum is always very well visited, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. On a rainy day in Lisbon, it’s a bit more crowded here, but don’t worry, the building is large and there are many exhibition areas.
I was rather sceptical before our visit to this museum. I couldn’t imagine that you could design an entire museum around the theme of tiles. Now I know you can! The exhibits are so different and so beautiful that we spent much more time there than planned.
5. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos – Church and monastery in Belém
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is located in Lisbon’s Belém district.
If it is raining in Lisbon, it is a good idea to visit the monastery church and the monastery. You can get into the church for free, but you have to expect waiting times. The number of visitors is limited so that the church is not too crowded. The tour of the impressive nave is worthwhile. I found it very interesting that the sarcophagus of the famous navigator Vasco da Gama is here.
If you want to visit the monastery, you need an entrance ticket or the LisboaCard. If it rains in Lisbon, you can walk along the cloister of the monastery under shelter and visit the surrounding rooms. Art lovers will enjoy the beautiful and intricate stonework in the cloister.
6. Rain in Lissabon = Shoppingtime
It’s raining in Lisbon? This is the perfect time to stroll through the city’s shopping centres and buy a souvenir or two. Or the perfect time to add some Portuguese flair to your wardrobe.
Amoreiras Shopping Center
Easily accessible and with a wide range of good and quality shops is the Amoreiras Shopping Centre. Here you will find shops with renowned Portuguese and international retailers. Whether it’s clothing, cosmetics or jewellery, everyone should find something to their taste in this shopping paradise.
If there is a break in the rain, it is recommended to visit the viewing platform in one of the towers. From there you have a 360-degree view of the city.
Address:
Avenida Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco, 1070-103 Lissabon, Portugal
Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre
The Centro Vasco da Gama is located in the Oriente district and is directly connected to the railway station of the same name. This means that you can get straight from the metro to the shopping area without getting wet.
Around 160 shops, a cinema with 6 screens, a fitness club, luggage storage and a huge food area offer visitors so much variety that you almost forget Lisbon in the rain.
If you want to get some fresh air after your extensive shopping tour and dare to take a little walk in Lisbon despite the rain, you can reach the Tejo River in just a few steps. Here you can stroll along the riverside promenade and also reach the Oceanarium.
Address:
Avenida Dom João II 40, 1990-094 Lissabon, Portugal
Colombo Shopping Center
One of the largest shopping centres in Portugal is the Colombo Shopping Centre.
Here, about 340 shops await the shoppers. There is a wide range of offers, from national shopping chains to small specialist shops, which tempts you to go shopping.
For refreshment, visitors will find about 60 different restaurants that offer more than just fast food.
If you feel like it, you can pass the rainy season with a visit to the cinema or a game of bowling. There is even a small children’s playground in the dry!
Address:
Rua Galileu Galilei, 1500-909 Lissabon, Portugal
7. Pub crawl in the rain in Lisbon
Evening life in Lisbon takes place on the streets. Here, people meet in the squares or stand in front of small bars and have a drink. But what do you do when it rains in Lisbon? We went in search of some pubs where we could get craft beer and Portuguese beer. Even though it was quite crowded in the pubs, you could always find a place in the dry and drink a beer or two in a relaxed atmosphere.
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