Lisbon - Prepare

Pack sun cream and a hat for hot days, but bring long sleeves for cool autumn nights. You'll need flat shoes to walk those Lisbon hills.

See athletes run from 25 de Abril Bridge to Belém during the Lisbon Half Marathon in March, and party at the Festas de Lisboa in June. Enjoy the concerts and exhibitions during the Oceans Festival (Aug), catch Europe's top galleries at ArteLisboa at the Lisbon International Fair (FIL) in November. Celebrate with riverfront New Year's Eve parties in Belém and Nations Park.

New Year's Day (1 Jan), Mardi Gras - carnival (Feb), Easter (Mar/Apr), Liberty Day (25 Apr), Labour Day (1 May), Portugal Day (10 Jun), Corpus Christi – feast of the Eucharist (Jun), Assumption (15 Aug), Republic Day (5 Oct), All Saints' Day (1 Nov), Restoration (of Independence) Day (1 Dec), Day of Our Lady (8 Dec), Christmas Day (25 Dec).

The warmest months are from May to September (21-28°C) but temperatures can soar to 38°C in July and August. Lisbon's cooling Atlantic breeze is deceptive – make sure you protect yourself with sun cream and a sunhat. October to April are the months when it's most likely to rain but temperatures don't usually drop below 6°C.

220V AC, 50 Hz, two-pin plugs are standard.

+351 (national), 21 + seven-figure number (Lisbon).

Euro (€) is the currency.

GMT precisely (+1 in summertime).

Visit Lisbon website

T-shirts and summer clothes are fine in most bars and restaurants, but locals look smart to non-Portuguese eyes even when they think they are casual. Team up jeans or trousers with a suit jacket if dining upmarket and dress to impress for the expensive clubs – football shirts and trainers just won't cut it.