10 Things to Do in Lisbon in February

Lisbon in February is all about celebration and love. Valentine's Day and Carnival coincide with slightly warmer temperatures than in December and January.

What's more, as it's considered a low season, you can enjoy the city without the crowds of tourists. All you need is some warm clothing and you're ready to enjoy everything the bohemian city of Lisbon has to offer.

Lisbon has a charm that mesmerises all its visitors. So you can imagine that on 14 February, the day of love, there are many things you can do to sweep your partner off their feet.

Many restaurants offer romantic dinners and flowers and boxes of sweets are sold on every corner. However, despite the typical fare, there are tourist activities such as a cruise that, on this special day, take on extra meaning for all couples who come to Lisbon for a date.

Sail along the Tagus

The Tagus River, which crosses the entire peninsula, flows spectacularly into Lisbon. This makes it a city with a deep-rooted river tradition and, of course, it offers beautiful walks and cruises along the river, which take on a much more romantic air on 14 February.

• Sunset sailing trip — from S$64
• Sunset sailing trip around Lisbon with wine — from S$98
• Boat party in Lisbon — from S$60

And if you want to complete the experience... visit the Miradouro da Graça

This impressive viewpoint, also called Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, is one of the best places to see the whole city, with a privileged view of the Alfama neighbourhood. Taking your partner to see the sunset on Valentine's Day is one of the most romantic things to do in Lisbon at night.

If the February cold in Lisbon prevents you from continuing to explore and stroll around this beautiful city, you can always opt to book one of the many tourist buses that run around Lisbon, taking you to some of the city's main sights in around two hours. This way, you can shelter from the cold and see all the most emblematic places at a good pace.

What's more, these types of tours are quite inexpensive and there are several options and packages with other attractions, so whether it's because the weather isn't great or you don't have much time to visit the city, this can always be a good alternative for sightseeing in Lisbon in February. You'll save time and money.

Although Lisbon is full of things to see at any time of year, don't forget that February, despite being the end of winter, is still quite cold, so it's always a good idea to stop and discover one of its most famous liqueurs and warm up a little.

Port is a wine that has undergone fermentation and has a high alcohol content, so it should be drunk in moderation. In Lisbon, there are numerous places where you can order a glass and take refuge from the cold at a fairly reasonable price, such as the famous Arcaz Velho bar in Santa Apolonia.

Wine tastings

If port is too strong for you but you don't want to miss out on trying the local drinks, don't forget that you are in a region with wines of designated origin. It won't be hard to find a wine tasting on your trip to Lisbon in February, where you can sample the essence of these lands and, at the same time, warm up a little with the joy that wine brings. Here are a few options:

• Wine and cheese tasting— from S$97
• Wine tour to Setúbal from Lisbon—from S$136

Fado is the most characteristic folk music of Portuguese culture, and whenever you visit Lisbon, you can't miss it. However, in February, with the cold weather and short days, it's one of the best things to do, as you can enjoy the different live fado shows that take place throughout the city while sheltering from the cold. Sometimes you also have the opportunity to have dinner while watching a fado concert.

Some of Lisbon's most beautiful and touristy neighbourhoods, such as Chiado, have different venues offering incredible shows for around €20, where Portuguese guitars accompany the wonderful, melancholic voices of this world-famous song.

If you've come to spend a few days in Lisbon in February, don't miss out on one of the city's most popular excursions in the low season, without the crowds and with the feeling that the city is all yours. Sintra is located just 25 kilometres from Lisbon and getting there is much easier than you think.

For less than £5, you can take a train or bus that will drop you off in this impressive city in a maximum of 40 minutes, so you can explore it at your leisure with the peace of mind of being one of the few tourists who has taken a few days in February to come and visit. There are also several tour options available, so you can make the most of your trip.

• Excursion to Sintra and Cascais—from S$110
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca—from S$128
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais, the Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Regaleira—from S$100

Sintra is a place that looks like something out of a fairy tale. It was declared a World Heritage Site some time ago, and just walking through its streets is worth the trip. However, its main attraction is the Pena Palace, which has become a symbol of the city. Admission to the palace costs less than £15, but I can assure you that seeing this architectural marvel up close will be well worth it, especially if you can visit outside of the high season when it's less crowded. You can also visit the Pena Park and the Moorish Castle. Sintra is a must-see!

During February, Lisbon, like many other cities around the world, celebrates the arrival of Carnival, a colourful and joyful festival where people celebrate the end of winter and take to the streets to party and have fun.

Lisbon Carnival is usually held in mid-February between the 10th and 20th and is commonly known as the "Carnival of Villains". Its main hub is in the Parque das Nações area, where parades, concerts and costume contests are organised.

What's more, during that week you'll hear all kinds of rhythms in the streets and there'll be no shortage of special events and activities organised around this energetic festival. Check the dates and come and enjoy the Lisbon Carnival!

February is an ideal month to come and discover Lisbon, as many people decide not to visit because they think it will be very unpleasant due to the cold. However, the temperatures are a little warmer and more bearable than in previous months.

Precisely because of this, the city is usually quite empty, making it the perfect time to visit the most famous museums without having to wait in long queues or book well in advance.

Lisbon is a cultural capital within the European landscape and there are many museums that you cannot miss if you come in the low season of February. Here is a list of the main ones so you can choose the one that best suits your tastes:

• Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: it has a huge collection of pieces and works from all periods and paintings by artists such as Rembrandt, Renoir and Rubens. Admission is approximately £10.
• National Museum of Ancient Art: this museum brings together paintings and decorative arts, mostly by Portuguese artists from several centuries of history. Admission is around £5, although on Sundays it is free until 2 pm.
• Fado Museum: it has a permanent exhibition and several temporary exhibitions on the history and cultural legacy of fado in Portugal. Admission costs approximately £4.
• Berardo Collection Museum: one of the best museums in Lisbon for contemporary art, with works by Portuguese artists and other renowned artists such as Dalí. Admission costs approximately £5, although it is free every Saturday.
• Royal Treasury Museum: home to the country's most valuable jewels. It has 11 themes and interactive exhibitions spread over three floors, offering an in-depth insight into the history of Portugal.

Discover alternative music at the ID NoLimits Festival

Despite all the tourist attractions the city has to offer, if you're passionate about music and want to discover the latest trends in urban and electronic rhythms, don't miss the ID NoLimits Festival, a two-day event held every year at the end of February that has become a platform for the newest and most experimental bands.

This festival usually takes place at the Estoril Congress Centre, just an hour by public transport from the centre of Lisbon. The festival is not just about music, but also about art and a mix of styles.

Experience opera at the Sao Carlos Theatre

The Sao Carlos Theatre is a must-see in Lisbon if you are a lover of culture and art, as it is considered one of the most beautiful in the city. Throughout the year, it offers a wide range of theatre, dance and music performances.

However, during February there are several opera cycles that you cannot miss if you are coming to Lisbon during this month. Whether you are visiting with your partner during the month of love and want to treat them to something special, or you are looking for some indoor winter tourism, this is the place to be.

This theatre opened its doors in 1793 to replace the old theatre that was destroyed in the Lisbon earthquake, and since then it has remained a cultural landmark for the entire city. Don't miss the curtain call!

Antena 2 is one of the most famous radio stations in Portugal. It has been broadcasting mainly Portuguese popular music for many years and is a benchmark for the Portuguese people.

If you come to Lisbon in February, you're in luck, as this is the month when the station holds its annual festival, featuring live concerts by the best national bands of the year. It's a great way to get a better insight into Portuguese culture and understand the rhythms and customs of our neighbouring country.

The festival usually takes place over two or three days in the first week of February, with different events organised in various locations in Lisbon and the other major city, Oporto. Tickets for the concerts usually cost around £5 per person, so if you're interested in this plan, find out the dates for this year and the concerts that interest you most.

February is a generous month in Portugal, and Lisbon in particular, as it is located in the centre of the country and enjoys fairly stable temperatures. Despite being winter, the average daily temperature is around 10ºC, with highs of 13ºC and lows of around 9ºC.

As it is a river city, the temperature ends up being warmer and more humid. So, with a good coat, you can be fine outside without having to take shelter.

However, you should bear in mind that the rainy season begins at the end of February and it can often be a little cloudy or drizzly in the mornings. In this case, I recommend looking for indoor activities such as museums, theatres or exhibitions, which will also be less crowded with tourists.

Portugal is our neighbouring country and has all kinds of essential products available in supermarkets, shops and pharmacies. I therefore recommend travelling as light as possible, wearing good waterproof footwear in case it rains, and above all, comfortable, light clothing so you can move around easily and not be affected by changes in temperature.

Always carry a folding umbrella in your bag in case it starts to drizzle, and don't forget your camera to capture this beautiful city.

February is a great month to come and discover Lisbon. Don't think twice, because this city will make it easy for you to have a great time and enjoy a wonderful experience full of joy, love, culture and gastronomy.