Lisbon in February?
Hi all-I'm Amsterdam based and was playing around with flights next month, and found that I can fly AMS-LIS for 99 Euro the first weekend of February- go Friday night, return Sunday night- and considering it's a 3 hour flight that can be several times that in a few months, I'm tempted to take it!
My main question is this is obviously way out of season, so what's it like this time of year? Probably warmer than whatever the Netherlands is like then, but can I hope for sunlight? Because light is something I miss having moved to Europe... I reckon any capital city in the world should have enough museums and the like to keep someone entertained for 48 hours even if the weather's crap, so that's not as much my concern. (Though if anyone has a way to distinguish between all the amazingly highly rated hostels in Lisbon I'm all ears.)
Thanks!
1
I was there the first 2 weeks of this year and there was rain in day time 3 of the days, but only a couple of hours. Anyway it was much warmer and sunnier than in the Netherlands (where I live). Much more sunlight,brighter and warmer. There is also enough to keep you busy in- and outdoors so you can decide according to the weather. The flight is 2,5 hours.2
You should go. How much worse can the weather be in Lisboa compare to Amsterdam in Feb?The people are friendly and a relaxing place to be. The city alone can consume most of your weekend, but if you want cover more, you can visit Moorish palace and castle in Sintra, which is 30 minutes train from Lisboa.
The city is not as dependent on tourist as say Sevilla or the Algarve region so it will still be a lively place in Feb.
If you do go, consider Beach Destination Hostel. Excellent wifi, customer service, and great location--by the quiet waterfront (at least when I was there in Nov) but still within 2-3 blocks from pubs.
Lisboa
http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngadventure/sets/72157632246049955/
Sintra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngadventure/sets/72157632246015587/
3
You should get some sunshine but nothing is guaranteed for sure it will be warmer than Amsterdam. But as you stated it is a capital city so it is never really out of season, just differing weather, and I find most cities are nicer in winter due to being a little bit quieter but still with plenty to do.4
Thanks guys! I ended up getting the ticket after all, plus 5 Euro change fee in case the weather just looks awful and I decide to go a later weekend type thing. Really want to go to Lisbon this year so seemed like a good use of insurance. :-)Now to wonder whether I should include Sintra in a mere weekend cause the Moorish castle really sounds up my alley but I hate to do too much in too little time... guess I can play it by ear.
5
Lisbon can also be windy and rainy like Holland, but you won't feel that freezing wind that "cuts your skin" as in Holland. I know Holland in the winter. It's not the coldest place in Europe but the wind and cold humidity make it miserable.If it's sunny - last year it was throughout the winter - the sunshine is indeed a lot brighter here in the south. If it's rainy, it's more or less like central Europe on a rainy day in springtime.
