Latitude & Daylight at Lisbon

Lisbon sits at latitude 38.7°. At this latitude, daylight varies from approximately 14.7h in summer (solstice) to 14.7h in winter — a seasonal swing of 0.0h. The sun reaches a maximum altitude of 74.7° at summer solstice and a minimum of 27.8° at winter solstice. This mid-latitude profile is what shapes Lisbon's unique sunrise, sunset, and golden hour patterns year-round.

Lisbon lies near the southern edge of the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse path — while the city center will see a deep partial eclipse (~95%), totality can be reached within a 30-minute drive north to towns like Caldas da Rainha and Rio Maior. The city's seven hills, immortalized in its iconic tram routes, will see the crescent Sun cast distorted shadows across the Tagus River estuary.

Golden Hour Photography at Lisbon

Golden hour at Lisbon occurs when the sun sits between −4° and 6° above the horizon, producing soft, warm, directional light ideal for portrait and landscape photography. At Lisbon's latitude, morning golden hour typically starts in the hour after sunrise and lasts approximately 28–40 minutes. Evening golden hour mirrors this before sunset. The longer twilight at this latitude gives photographers more time to capture the 'magic hour' compared to equatorial locations where the sun sets more steeply.

At 38.7°N on Europe's westernmost continental edge, Lisbon enjoys over 2,800 hours of sunshine annually — among the highest in Europe. The city's west-facing Atlantic coastline means sunsets over the ocean are a daily ritual, with Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of mainland Europe) just 40 km away offering unobstructed solar horizon views.

UV Exposure & Sun Safety at Lisbon

UV radiation at Lisbon peaks when the sun is highest in the sky — around solar noon. At 38.7° latitude, peak UV levels vary significantly by season: summer months see UV indices of 6–9 (high), while winter months typically register 1–3 (low). The World Health Organization recommends sun protection when UV index exceeds 3. At Lisbon's latitude, this threshold is exceeded for approximately 6–8 months per year, making sun awareness a year-round consideration for outdoor workers and athletes.

How We Calculate Solar Data for Lisbon

All solar calculations for Lisbon use the Jean Meeus Chapter 25 solar position algorithm with bisection iteration, accurate to ±1 minute for dates between 1901–2099. Sunrise and sunset times define the moment the upper limb of the sun appears on the horizon, accounting for atmospheric refraction. Daily data is calculated client-side from Lisbon's coordinates (38.7°, -9.1°) — zero server processing means your location data never leaves your device.