Madrid or Lisbon in May?
On climate data, Madrid comes out ahead overall in May. See the per-criterion details below.
MadridPhoto: Hassaan72 · CC0
LisbonPhoto: Dale Cruse - 10M views from San Francisco, CA, USA · CC BY 4.0Key figures in May
| Criterion | Madrid | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 23 °C | 19 °C |
| Average daily low | 9 °C | 15 °C |
| Sea | n/a | 16 °C |
| Rainy days | 9 rainy days (est.) | 7 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 8 h/day | 9 h/day ★ |
| Humidity | 60 % | 79 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Madrid is about 4 °C warmer by day.
- Lisbon is drier, with about 3 fewer rainy days.
Madrid or Lisbon in May: the short answer
In May, Madrid comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Madrid 87/100 vs Lisbon 69/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on May as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Madrid averages a climate score of 68/100, Lisbon 64/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in May, side by side
The average daily high is about 23 °C in Madrid and 19 °C in Lisbon — warmer in Madrid. Average daily lows are around 9 °C versus 15 °C.
On rain, Madrid sees about 9 rainy days in May and Lisbon about 7 — drier in Lisbon. Lisbon gets more sunshine (8 vs 9 hours a day).
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Madrid records roughly 84 rainy days and Lisbon about 86 — the drier of the two overall is Madrid. At their sunniest, Madrid reaches about 10 hours of sun a day (July) and Lisbon about 9 (July). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Madrid is at its best in May, June, September and October, while Lisbon peaks in June, July, August and September. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the May scores for each travel style:
City breaks: Lisbon scores higher in May (Madrid 92 vs Lisbon 93).
Active & hiking: Lisbon scores higher in May (Madrid 87 vs Lisbon 89).
Family: Madrid scores higher in May (Madrid 82 vs Lisbon 54).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For May specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Madrid carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Madrid if its strong months and profile match your plan, Lisbon if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.