10 Things to Do in Lisbon in January

Are you planning your first trip of the year and have chosen Lisbon as your destination? You're making the right choice. The Portuguese capital enjoys mild temperatures throughout the year and, although January is a little colder and rainier, it's a great month to enjoy the end of the Christmas season and the arrival of the Three Kings.

Without a doubt, one of the great advantages of going to Lisbon in January is that there are far fewer people, so you can enjoy the museums and the trip in general with greater peace of mind. You may feel a little cold, but there's no need to worry; I've found many alternatives for getting to know Lisbon from the warmth of tradition.

As everywhere else, New Year's Day is celebrated in Lisbon on 1 January. How? At one of the parties organised in the early hours of the 1st after toasting with champagne in Praça do Comércio and watching the fireworks over the Tagus River. My advice is to put on your best outfit and head to the various concerts held around the city, where you'll also find stalls selling shots and drinks.

We usually think that New Year's Eve parties are expensive, but in Lisbon you'll be surprised to find that many of the concerts and parties are free. Of course, you might feel a bit cold as they are held outdoors. Despite this, you cannot miss this opportunity to enjoy Lisbon's nightlife and welcome in the new year in its streets filled with music, dancing and fun.

Once it's daylight and you've had a chance to rest a bit, remember that it's a family holiday, so Lisboners will be at home celebrating with their loved ones. As many places will be closed, I recommend booking a place to eat in advance or taking advantage of the quiet city to stroll around.

Did you know that in Portugal the Three Kings also come on the night of 5 January? Although this celebration is increasingly homely and there are usually no parades or large events, it is very common for groups to get together to sing janeiras, traditional Christmas carols. If you are in Lisbon that night, go to one of these concerts to listen to the beautiful melodies accompanied by cavaquinhos, an instrument similar to the ukulele.

In the past, the tradition was more deeply rooted; groups made up of professionals from the same trade or neighbourhood would go from house to house singing these songs and asking for a gift during the first days of January.

Nowadays, there are fewer and fewer groups and they no longer go from house to house, but in Lisbon it is very common for a concert to be organised at the Belem Palace, as they do not want to lose the tradition of singing the janeiras, whose lyrics refer specifically to Three Kings' Day.

When the people of Lisbon wake up on 6 January, the first thing they do is open the presents left for them by the Three Kings, but then it's time to enjoy a slice of delicious bolo rei, which is similar to the traditional Spanish roscón de reyes. The difference is that the Portuguese cake is harder and not as spongy. If you fancy trying it, you can buy it at any of the many bakeries in the city.

Although the recipe for bolo rei seems to originate from France, 1869 is the year when this dessert first appeared in Lisbon. It is made with raisins and nuts, but also with port wine, so you will notice a slight (and delicious) difference from our roscón de reyes.

My recommendation is to reserve your bolo rei in advance, as on 6 January the bakeries are only open to deliver orders and, what's more, there is usually a high demand for these cakes, so you don't want to miss out!

In January, there are still some remnants of the Christmas festivities in Lisbon, such as the lights and Christmas markets. You can take the opportunity to stroll around them or do some shopping and take a nice souvenir of your trip back to your family. What's more, as they are about to close, there may be some discounts.

Without a doubt, Lisbon's Christmas market par excellence is Wonderland, which is more like a full-fledged Christmas village. It remains open in January, at least for the first few days, so don't miss the opportunity to visit it before it disappears until next year. At Wonderland, you'll find lots of wooden stalls where you can buy decorations, handicrafts, clothing and, of course, sweets and typical Lisbon food.

You'll also have the chance to skate on the ice rink, which I highly recommend if you're travelling to Lisbon with children – they'll love it!

Going to Lisbon in January has one big advantage: you can visit the museums without so many people. As it's low season, you won't find so many tourists trying to get in at the same time as you or standing in front of the artwork you want to see. Lisbon is a very artistic city with something for everyone, so it has different museums dedicated to different historical periods or styles. Would you like my recommendations?

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

For me, the Calouste Gulbenkian is one of the best museums in Lisbon, and I'm sure you'll think the same when you go inside and see the amount of art and history there. There are actually two large collections: one older and one more modern.

The older collection includes Egyptian artefacts as well as works by Rembrandt and Rubens. The modern collection, however, features pieces by contemporary Portuguese artists, so if you want to learn about the country's more contemporary culture, this is the museum to visit.

National Museum of Ancient Art

If you don't have much time, this museum is a good option, as it is small but full of interesting pieces. Its paintings are particularly noteworthy, mainly by Portuguese artists but also some international ones.

Other collections that also caught my attention were those of a more decorative nature, such as gold and silverwork and textiles.

Fado Museum

Never heard of Fado? That needs to change, but not just by going to a fado concert, but by visiting the museum in Lisbon dedicated to this traditional style of music. Fado is a sad and melancholic song, but it is very beautiful to listen to.

There are many remedies for the cold, but one of the best is undoubtedly good wine, don't you think? For those winter days that January brings to Lisbon, when the normally mild temperatures drop a little, my advice is to book a wine tasting in Lisbon or the surrounding area and warm up quickly.

Lisbon, and Portugal in general, is known for being one of the cities with the best wine in the world, so you can't miss the opportunity to do a tasting. I assure you that you'll be surprised by its intense flavour and also its price, as these wines are usually much more expensive when exported than they are in Portugal.

What's more, wine tastings in Lisbon usually include wines from smaller, family-run wineries rather than large industrial producers, making them more exclusive and giving you a better insight into the culture (and flavour) of this country.

No matter what time of day it is, having a coffee with Pastéis de Belem is always a good idea when you're in Lisbon. However, January evenings make it even more appealing. Bear in mind that if you're travelling at this time of year, it will be dark by around 6pm, just in time for afternoon tea and when tiredness and the cold start to take their toll after a day of walking around Lisbon.

You've probably heard of Belem pastries, which have been a Lisbon tradition since the 19th century. Made with cream, these pastries have a secret recipe (in fact, pastry chefs have to sign a confidentiality agreement) and those from the Belem neighbourhood, on the banks of the Tagus, are especially famous.

I can't think of a better plan than letting a freshly baked Belem pastry warm your stomach while you gaze out over the Tagus.

If you're travelling to the Portuguese capital in January, you may not need to get up so early to avoid the crowds at the viewpoints. Why? Because there aren't as many tourists and, as a result, the city's best viewpoints are emptier, waiting for you to take photos.

Known as the city of seven hills, Lisbon is a city of slopes that ascend to high points, from where the views (and photos) are magnificent.

Taking advantage of the fact that January is low season, I recommend taking your camera to some of its viewpoints, especially those in the Alfama neighbourhood, and capturing the views. My favourites are undoubtedly:

• The Portas do Sol viewpoint: from where you will have incredible views of the sunrise.
• The Santa Luzia viewpoint: the panoramic view is also perfect for a photo, although I also recommend stopping among the street artists who gather there.

The forecast indicates that, on average, it rains half of January in Lisbon. Although I believe the best way to get to know the city is by walking through its streets, I understand that this can be difficult in the pouring rain. As you are quite likely to find yourself in this situation in January, I recommend booking a seat on the Lisbon tourist bus (or another means of transport) so that you can get around the most important places in Lisbon without getting soaked to the skin.

The bus is clearly always the most affordable option, as for approximately €20 you can tour the city and, as an added bonus, listen to the explanations of a guide. However, there are other transport options in Lisbon, such as its historic tram, which will keep you covered as you go up and down the hills.

You've probably heard that Lisbon is a great city for buying fabrics or towels. I don't know if that's what you need, but if you want to treat yourself to a shopping spree during your visit to Lisbon in January, you should take advantage of the sales that start at the beginning of the year.

In general, the winter sales are quite good and you'll find bargains, including luxury brands. If that's what you're looking for, I recommend going to the centre of Lisbon, specifically Avenida da Liberdade, where you'll find brands such as Gucci and Chanel.

If you're on a tighter budget, head to more traditional neighbourhoods with smaller shops, such as Chiado. This is a way to support local businesses and also find a special garment or object that will serve as a souvenir of your trip to Lisbon. Another alternative is to take a trip to the outskirts of the city and visit an outlet centre.

Lisbon is a city famous for its mild temperatures throughout the year. January is no exception, and you generally won't experience extreme cold (minimum temperatures of around 5ºC). However, you should be aware that temperatures do drop this month compared to summer or spring, which is when most people travel to Lisbon.

Beyond the drop in temperature, which is not a problem, you should bear in mind that it rains quite a lot, around half of the month. To avoid being caught out by the inclement weather, pack a raincoat and some warm clothing.

If you're going to Lisbon in January and don't have a big budget, don't worry. This month is low season, just after Christmas and before the good weather arrives, so accommodation and flight prices are quite cheap (you can get return tickets for around €40).

The good thing is that prices remain affordable throughout the month, even if you're looking for transport or a hotel at the last minute, which in other cities means not finding a place or having to pay a lot for it. On the other hand, restaurants and businesses in the city also tend to lower their prices at this time of year, offering more affordable menus.