Lisbon, July 1, 2026 (Lusa) - The Oriente, Rossio and Santa Apolónia metro stations in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, will be open outside normal operating hours from Wednesday, providing “cooler areas” for homeless people, the local authority told Lusa.
According to Lisbon city council (CML), the measure was decided in response to the forecast of hot weather, with the national meteorological institute (IPMA) issuing a red alert for the Lisbon region from Thursday until at least Friday, a period during which very high maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to persist.
The red alert is the most serious level and comes at a time when Portugal is entering a period of high temperatures, with maximum temperatures that could reach 44°C and minimum temperatures between 24°C and 28°C.
The Lusa news agency asked the city council (CML) about the measures to be implemented in the city in response to the heat, including whether Monsanto Forest Park would be closed; an official source stated “not for the time being”.
“The city council is continuously monitoring the weather situation, in close coordination with the relevant services and authorities, and will continue to issue updates whenever necessary,” the council said.
Although no decision has yet been made regarding the closure of the forest area, the council has determined that, given the adverse weather conditions forecast for the weekend, the Lisb-On music festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, “could not take place in Monsanto; the council, in consultation with the organiser, has decided that the event will instead be held in Eduardo VII Park”.
In response to Lusa, the council stated that when adverse weather conditions associated with hot weather are forecast – which may pose a direct threat to health, an increased risk to the most vulnerable members of the population and a heightened risk of rural fires – various measures are implemented through the Municipal Civil Protection Service (SMPC), in coordination with the various authorities, ranging from raising the level of readiness and operational response of the Municipal Police and the Fire Brigade to providing additional information and raising awareness amongst concessionaires and users of the Monsanto Forest Park.
“At the same time, Lisbon is implementing a series of structural measures aimed at strengthening the city’s resilience to heatwaves,” stated the council (CML), noting that these measures are primarily intended to strengthen green infrastructure, implement nature-based solutions and transform public spaces.
In this context, the CML highlighted the creation of new green spaces, the expansion of parks and gardens and the implementation of a plan to significantly increase tree and vegetation cover, noting that “these measures contribute directly to increased shading, evapotranspiration and a reduction in urban temperatures”.
With regard to climate refuges, the CML highlighted the availability of gardens, parks, green spaces and cultural facilities, “where it is possible to find cooler and more comfortable environments”, citing as examples the Monsanto Forest Park, the São Domingos de Benfica Wood, the Carnide Green Park, the Príncipe Real Gardens, the Torel Gardens, Avenida da Liberdade, the Tapada das Necessidades, the Campo Grande Gardens and the Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles Urban Park.
According to CML, this network of climate refuges also includes “various cultural facilities and libraries, which provide comfortable and sheltered indoor environments during periods of intense heat”, namely the libraries at Palácio Galveias, Penha de França, Marvila and Belém, as well as the MUDE – the Design Museum, Casa dos Bicos, the Fado Museum and the São Jorge Cinema.
“Using these spaces helps people to cope with periods of intense heat, whilst promoting contact with nature, enhancement of the city’s green heritage and the adoption of more resilient behaviour in the face of climate challenges,” the CML stated.
SSM/AYLS // AYLS
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