Most of the time, Lisbon is a warm, sunny Southern European paradise. But winter in Portugal is a funny thing, and I still haven’t figured out how to dress properly for it. One minute it’s sunny, and then literally 10 minutes later it’s pouring. 

So, if you plan on visiting Lisbon between November and April, pack an umbrella and an indoor backup plan for your itinerary. To help with your rainy-day contingency plan, these are some of the best indoor things to do in Lisbon.

Visit Lisbon’s Aquarium

The Lisbon Oceanarium is a good way to see exotic animals and avoid the rain at the same time. They have sharks, dolphins, penguins, and even seadragons – something I had no idea existed before. 

There are exhibits about ocean conservation and the environmental dangers the animals face. The Oceanarium is just a short walk from the Oriente station, making it a great way to kill a few hours before the vacation comes to an end. 

Visit One of the City’s Shopping Centers

There are many indoor shopping centers in Lisbon, but the main ones are Colombo, Vasco de Gama, and El Corte Inglés. As an American, I feel qualified to rate a ‘good’ mall, so here’s my honest opinion on each.

The Best Overall: Colombo is the largest shopping center in Portugal. It has all the essentials like H&M, Primark, a movie theater, a sports center, and a food court that takes up nearly the entire top floor. The only downside is that it’s a bit far away from the city center.

The Most Convenient: Vasco de Gama is steps away from the Oriente train station and is good to wander through when waiting for your train. If you’re visiting Lisbon for a convention or conference, it’ll likely be in this part of town. It’s a smaller mall than Colombo, but it’s also more modern.

The Most Luxurious: El Corte Inglés is the chic, upscale shopping center. When I say luxurious, it’s not an exaggeration – it’s 13 floors full of luxury designer brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent. The top floor is a gourmet food court with indoor and outdoor rooftop seating.

Go To an Art Museum in a Garden

The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian holds the personal collection of an Armenian art collector who spent most of his life in Lisbon. It holds over 6,000 pieces from all over the world, but mostly from East Asia. The museum has statues from ancient Egypt, rugs from the Ottoman Empire, and even Greek pottery from 400 BC. 

If the weather clears up after your visit, take some time to explore the gardens that surround the museum. There’s picnic areas, a lake, park trails, and even an amphitheater.

And, if you visit on a Sunday afternoon, you can tour the exhibits for free!

Catch a Fado Performance

Fado is a genre of music that was created in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood. A bit similar to Spain’s Flamenco, Fado is characterized by its mournful songs about heartbreak and loss. 

There are dozens of bars in Alfama that host live Fado performances each night. But, if it’s too early for dinner and you still want to see a show, check out the Fado Museum, dedicated to the history of Fado music and its cultural significance. They regularly host fado concerts and workshops, like how to make your own Portuguese guitar.  

Learn About Portugal’s Dictatorship

Salazar’s authoritarian regime lasted for over 4 decades – one of the longest in 20th-century Europe. It wasn’t until the Carnation Revolution – a peaceful military coup – that the dictatorship finally ended in 1974.

The Museum of Aljube Resistance and Freedom is dedicated to the fight for freedom against that dictatorship. It shows what life was like during Salazar’s regime, the repression people faced, the colonial wars, and the anti-fascist resistance movements.

Visit the Coach Museum

This Belém museum is often overlooked in favor of the Belém Tower or the Jerónimos Monastery, but it’s still worth visiting! 

The National Coach Museum is exactly what it sounds like – a display of carriages from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. All of the coaches were owned by the Royal family and donated to the museum. 

Take an Azulejo Painting Class

Anyone who has ever visited Portugal has no doubt noted the hand-painted tiles, called azulejos, covering nearly every surface. The Azulejo Museum covers the history of the art form, and how the designs have changed throughout the centuries. 

On Sundays at noon, they offer Azulejo painting workshops for 8€. The only way to sign up is by sending the museum an email. The catch is that it takes at least 48 hours for them to fire the tiles, so don’t wait until your last day in Lisbon to take the workshop.

Take a Portuguese Cooking Class

Cooking classes are such a unique way to learn about a new place when traveling. The teachers always give more in-depth information about the local cuisine, its cultural significance, and how to properly prepare a dish than you’re likely to find online.

Whether you just want to learn how to make pastel de nata, or a full 3-course traditional Portuguese meal, it’s a tasty way to hide from a winter storm. 

Experience an Earthquake Simulator

If you’ve ever been to Lisbon, you’ve probably heard the story of how Lisbon was rocked by a brutal earthquake in 1755. The earthquake triggered a tsunami and a series of fires that swept through the city. Thousands of people died, and most of Lisbon had to be completely rebuilt. 

The Quake – Lisbon Earthquake Center in Belem is an immersive museum dedicated to this tragedy. They teach about the science behind earthquakes, what Lisbon looked like prior, and why the city was so badly affected. There’s also an earthquake simulator, so visitors can get a sense of how scary it must have been.  

See a Modern Art Exhibit

The MAAT, a modern museum along Belém’s waterfront, is a cultural institution that hosts interactive art exhibits, science workshops, and even yoga and meditation classes.

The museum itself was once an old electric power plant; after exploring the art exhibitions, you can tour the building’s original machinery.

Go to a Trampoline Park

Okay, a trampoline park may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a vacation in Lisbon, but hear me out. JumpYard Lisboa has dozens of trampolines, a rock wall, and an obstacle course based on American Ninja Warrior. When a winter storm traps you inside, it’s the perfect place to go and act like a hyper kid on a playground.

Eat in a Moorish Palace

Casa do Alentejo has gone through many transformations; first, it was a Moorish palace, then Lisbon’s first casino, and now a restaurant and cultural center. Most go to see the building’s gorgeous Islamic-style courtyard, but the center also holds events showcasing the traditions, arts, and gastronomy of the Alentejo region. And best of all, it’s one of the few indoor places in Lisbon that’s always free to visit!

See Roman Ruins

If you’ve ever walked along the Lisbon waterfront, you’ve surely noticed Casa dos Bicos, the Renaissance mansion that’s covered in pyramid-like stone spikes.

But it’s not just the outside that’s interesting!

Inside, you can find the ruins of a 1st-century Roman city wall and a watch tower.

Visit the Money Museum

The Money Museum, organized by the Bank of Portugal, explores the history of money, its role in society, and displays currency from across the globe. Ironically, the money museum is one of the only museums in Lisbon that’s always free to visit.

Casa dos Bicos isn’t the only place to see Roman ruins in Lisbon – underneath the money museum is part of the medieval city wall and the crypt of the former Church of the Saint Julião.

Explore a Royal Palace

There are worse ways to spend a rainy day than exploring a royal palace! The Portuguese royal family lived in Ajuda Palace until the end of the monarchy. Part castle and part museum, the palace halls are lined with works from European artists like El Greco, Géricault, and Moroni. The palace’s design looks very similar to the royal palace in Madrid. 

See the Portuguese Crown Jewels

Also inside Ajuda Palace is the Royal Treasure Museum. This is where the Portuguese crown jewels, diplomatic gifts, and art that once belonged to the royal family are kept.

This museum actually has one of the largest vaults in the world, holding over 1,000 pieces. 

Watch a Theater Performance

The MAC/CCB Museum of Contemporary Art is another museum in Belém, combining the visual arts, architecture, and performing arts. They have traditional art galleries with works from Picasso, Dalí, and Warhol; live concerts and theatrical performances; and even a monthly art and food market.

Learn About Portugal’s History with Asia

This museum uses art, theatrical performances, film festivals, and workshops to showcase the history of Portugal’s presence across Asia. They have paintings, sculptures, and pottery pieces that date as far back as 3,000 B.C.

And, if you visit on a Friday evening, it’s free!