While you may not be able to predict the weather on the exact days of your holiday, choosing the right time to visit Portugal will help you get the most from your time here. Thankfully, the weather is mild, there is plenty to do year round and I would say there is no bad time to visit Portugal. But from weather to events and cost, there is plenty to consider when planning a trip to Portugal.
Full disclosure: I’ve been living in Setúbal and Lisbon, so most of my experience is based on my time in these locations. I’ve spent time up north and down south, and found there isn’t a huge variance. However, inland tends to be hotter in summer and colder in winter. I recommend you check local temperatures before planning your trip.
So, what's the best time to visit Portugal?
Personally, I think May and June are the best times to visit Portugal. You should have warm weather, but it’s not too hot to get out and about. Prices won’t be as high as in July and August, and the vegetation is lush after winter rains. But of course it depends on what you want to do and your own personal preferences. There are also a bunch of festival and events you may want to include in your itinerary. So to plan your trip, check out the good and bad things about each season below.
March, April & May
Best for: Outdoor activities
The weather: Generally, spring brings some of the best weather to Portugal, but it can be a bit inconsistent. The days are warm and sunny, but still cool enough to enjoy being outdoors. You’ll still get some rainy days and the evenings are cool, so be prepared with a rain jacket. March and April can still be pretty chilly, but by May you can expect plenty of t-shirt weather.
The vibe: Spring is definitely the best time to visit Portugal in my opinion, especially for cities and outdoor activities. As the weather starts to improve and the days get longer, the country begins to get its groove back after winter. Jacaranda flowers brighten the city streets and esplanadas fill with outdoor diners.
Reasons to visit: For hikers and outdoor-lovers, this is definitely the best time to visit. It’s warm enough to enjoy being outside, but usually not too hot for outdoor adventures. Rivers and waterfalls are at their highest levels and wildflowers blanket bushlands, decorating walking trails in purple and yellow. Tourists start to arrive in larger numbers from about April, which is noticeable in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto. But coastal areas will still be quieter until about June, in anticipation for the summer.
Festivals, events and holidays:
- Santa Semana (Holy Week)
- Peregrinação de Fátima (Pilgrimage of Fátima) 13th May
- Liberty Day April 25th
- Labour Day (May 1st)
June, July & August
Best for: Beaches baby
The weather: Hot hot hot! Once summer kicks in, the sun shines and the days are hot. Daytime temperatures are usually in the late twenties to early thirties, rarely getting above 35 in coastal areas. Inland areas are hotter and there is the increased risk of forest fires. It can be quite uncomfortable in the cities, but thankfully evenings usually bring a cool breeze to provide some relief once the sun goes down.
The vibe: Coastal areas come alive with travellers in search of vitamin sea. But with the vibrant atmosphere of excited holiday makers comes higher accommodation prices, busy beaches and problematic parking.
It’s also often too hot for sightseeing or outdoor activities, especially in areas with limited shade. You might find some small restaurants and cafes are closed for a week or two for summer holidays.
Reasons to visit: Portugal’s warmest months are the best time to visit if you are in search of sun, sand and surf.
Festivals and events
- Dia de Camões (Portuguese National Day celebrating a revered Portuguese poet) 10th June
- Feast Day of Saint Anthony (Lisbon) 12th June
- Corpus Christi June 16th
- Arraial Pride June
- Festa de São João (Porto) 23rd June
- NOS Alive (Lisbon) July
September, October & November
Best for: Enjoying a late summer
The weather: You can definitely still book a beach holiday for September and expect to swim. Things will start getting cooler in October, but you’ll probably still be comfortable in a t-shirt in the sun. By November once the clocks change, it starts to feel like winter. You may still get some warm sunny weather, but the shorter days take all the real heat out.
The vibe: September is a great time to visit Portugal, even for a beach holiday on the Algarve. Beaches are quieter once school goes back, but it will probably still be warm enough to feel like summer. October and November sees cities and resorts get quieter as we head into winter.
Most trees in Portugal don’t shed their leaves for winter. So, besides a few pockets where deciduous trees have been planted, you don’t get the colourful change of seasons. However, wine regions such as the Duoro do look quite amazing during this time as the vines lose their leaves.
Reasons to visit: You can squeeze in a few extra weeks of summer and enjoy a cheaper holiday if you visit in September. And the ocean temperature is at its warmest after a summer of sun (it’s still pretty cold though). October and November offer mild weather to explore the cities and enjoy hikes.
Festivals & events:
- Grape harvests (around September)
- Republic Day October 5th
- All Saints Day 1st November
December, January & February
Best for: Exploring Portugal without the crowds, big wave surfing and skiing
The weather: Even in the depths of winter, you can get stunning sunny days in Portugal that would honestly pass as a summer’s day in some cooler countries. I have seen people sunbathing in bikinis on the beach in January. Daytime temperatures usually hover in the mid to late teens, with nighttime rarely dipping below five degrees. But a cold snap, strong winds or lengthy period of rain can bring these temperatures down.
That warmth only lasts while the sun is out. Once the sun sets, or if you get a rainy day, prepare to feel that cold. And unfortunately, you’ll really feel it as Portuguese houses rarely have central heating, double glazed windows and other comforts that keep the house warm.
The vibe: During the colder months, some places, particularly resort towns along the coast, will lack the vibrancy of the summer. Some restaurants and attractions may not be open. And of course the outdoor seating of the esplanadas is just not as appealing when you are shivering away under your jacket.
Reasons to visit: However, there are plenty of benefits to visiting in winter. For starters, most places are quieter and accommodation is cheaper. When the sun is shining, the mild temperatures are great for hikes, walks and outdoor activities. And while you might not choose Portugal over the Swiss Alps if you’re a serious skier, it snows enough in the Serra da Estrela for there to be a ski resort. If surfing is more your thing, the waves at Nazaré are at their recording breaking biggest between October – March.
For the twitches out there, many migratory birds including flamingos spend the winter months in Portugal. The estuaries of the Tagus (Lisbon), Sado (Setúbal) and the Algarve are great places to view large flocks of these colourful birds.
Festivals and events:
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception 8th December
- Christmas Eve 24th December
- Christmas Day 25th December
- New Years Eve 31st December
- Carnaval (last Friday before Lent until Shrove Tuesday – usually in February)
- Nazaré Tow Surf Challenge (some time between October – March, depending on conditions)
What’s your favourite time of the year to visit Portugal? Let me know in the comments below!