Best time to visit Portugal

To figure out the best time to visit Portugal ask yourself what you want from your trip. Is it sunshine and lazy days on epic beaches, or sightseeing around hilltop villages, cities and historical sites? Perhaps you’ve heard about the great mountain trekking, river kayaking and surfing. Or maybe you’re polishing your clubs for a few rounds on Portugal’s renowned golf courses.

Weather in Portugal
Best month to visit Portugal
When to visit Portugal in spring
When to visit Portugal in summer
When to visit Portugal in autumn
When to visit Portugal in winter
Festivals and holidays in Portugal

Wine tours along the Douro are a highlight, and there are plenty of festivals to include in your itinerary. Indeed, even the sleepiest villages seem to hold their own festa – from the low-key, to full-on affairs involving week-long celebrations and not a lot of shut eye. But whatever you plan on doing, the weather will play an important part in deciding when to go.

Broadly speaking, the best time to go to Portugal is spring (from February) or early autumn. In September and October, the weather isn’t too hot, the sea is warm, and the summer crowds have gone. A drop in temperature during these months also makes it an ideal time for sightseeing.

Beach at Porto Covo © Shutterstock

Weather in Portugal

The weather in Portugal varies according to the regions, and, of course, the seasons. The south enjoys the most sunshine and least amount of rainfall, although the whole of Portugal has its fair share of sunny days.

You can pretty much rely on sunshine and heat wherever you are in Portugal in the summer months, with July seeing very little rainfall in the Algarve and up the coast to Lisbon. Central Portugal can be fiercely hot. Rain is far more likely in Porto and the Costa Verde, averaging 20mm in the same month. Indeed, the northern end of the country experiences more rain throughout the year.

Autumn conditions are often delightful, (highs of 23˚C in the Algarve and Lisbon), although the month brings the start of more rainfall and less predictable weather.

Lisbon tram © Shutterstock

Winter is cooler and it can get rather stormy, but there are still plenty of hours of sunshine, making Portugal a year-round destination. The Algarve, in particular, more often than not has bright days and mild temperatures. In contrast, the north is rather cold with temperatures sometimes dropping to 8˚C around Porto and snow likely to fall in the mountains bordering Spain.

It warms up in spring throughout Portugal. As with the rest of the year, it rains more in northern areas than in the south. Temperatures in Lisbon range from 10˚C –18˚C in March, climbing to 13˚C –22˚C in May; Porto and the Costa Verde is cooler: 7˚C –15˚C in March and 10˚C–19˚C in May.

Best month to visit Portugal

If you want to cover a bit of everything on your trip – sightseeing, outdoor activities, some lazy days on the beach with a dip in the ocean, the best month to visit Portugal is September. It’s still hot, but not fiercely so, and the sea is probably at its warmest.

April to early May is also wonderful. Although sea temperatures are decidedly bracing, the landscapes are beautiful – lush, and alive with flowers, before the dry months of summer roll in.

When to visit Portugal in spring

If you’re wondering when to go to Portugal, spring is delightful. The hills are popping with pretty flowers and almond blossom is in full bloom. It’s also gorgeously warm, and generally dry weather makes for ideal hiking conditions, such as along the Rota Vicentina, the network of coastal trails in the south west, or in the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, in the north.

Rolling fields in the Alentejo © Shutterstock

Visiting Portugal in March – May

Although the sea is pretty chilly in spring, as it hasn’t had the chance to heat up, April brings plenty of bright days and sunshine to brighten Portugal’s stunning coastal scenery. And by May, air temperatures reach around 22˚C on the Algarve. This is perhaps the best month to travel to Portugal – when you can spread out on the glorious beaches before the summer throngs descend.

Visiting historical and cultural sights should be on the agenda in spring. Lower visitor numbers mean you won’t have to spend time queuing or jostling for space, and the shoulder season brings lower prices on accommodation. Also, pleasant temperatures makes it easier to explore towns and cities without flagging.

Pena Palace, Sintra © Shutterstock

Visiting Portugal during Semana Santa

Easter, which takes place in March/April is a pretty big bash in Braga in the north, with Semana Santa, or Holy Week, kickstarting the magnificent celebrations. At the other end of the country is one of the largest Easter festivals in Portugal, the Festa da Mãe Soberana in Loulé, in the Algarve.

When to visit Portugal in summer

There’s barely a cloud in the sky in Portugal during the summer. It’s quite simply – hot, with temperatures hanging around the 30°C mark up and down the country.

Visiting Portugal in June – August

Everyone flocks to the coast in summer. August is particularly busy, when the Portuguese take their holiday and join foreign travellers making a beeline for Portugal’s golden beaches. Peak season brings a spike in prices – worth bearing in mind when thinking about the best time to travel to Portugal. It’s also too hot to take on much sightseeing or hard-core hiking. That said, Sintra, just a half hour’s drive from Lisbon, sees temperatures hover around a pleasant 23˚C in June. Coincide a visit to its lavish palaces and gardens with the Music festival that takes place throughout the month.

When to visit Portugal in autumn

Early autumn ticks the boxes for city visits and outdoor pursuits, as air and sea temperatures are still warm – without the crowds you get during the summer. Events surrounding the grape harvest also kick off from September.

Go for a city break in Porto © Shutterstock

Visiting Portugal in September — November

September is perfect for city breaks and sightseeing, for example, in Lisbon and Sintra and Porto, when the heat is no longer intense. The toned down temperatures are also ideal for trekking, in the Parque Nacional da Paneda-Gerês, for example, or horse-riding in the Algarve and Alentejo. Or swap four legs for two wheels and take advantage of wonderful cycling trails along the Algarve coast.

Indeed, the Algarve is lovely this time of year – a great time to chill out on one of its many splendid beaches. And, if you’re wondering when to go to Portugal for the warmest sea temperatures, this is your window, after it’s had the summer months to warm up.

If you’re visiting central and northern Portugal, this is also a great time to head for its river beaches, often with picnic and barbecue areas. Bear in mind though that from mid-September the facilities are closed, as the official swimming season is only from the beginning of June until the middle of September.

Porto and the north are well known for its vineyards and wineries and sees its annual grape harvest between September – October. Head for the Douro region to take part in the harvest and grape pressing, and tour the wine estates.

Vineyards on the banks of the Douro © Shutterstock

Best time for surfing in Portugal

Surfing is great year-round in Portugal and different areas on the coast come into their own at different times of the year. Late spring and the summer months, when waves tend to be relatively gentle, are generally the best time for beginners, and for those wanting to combine some sun with their surf. However, if you’re asking when is the best time to visit Portugal for an all-round enjoyable surf, September and October generally hit the sweet spot – fantastic weather, warmer sea temperatures, fewer people paddling for the same waves, and more consistent surf conditions.

By the end of October, the autumn swell sees bigger waves and more unpredictable weather, and by the time November rolls around, it’s a playground for just the more experienced wave riders. Stormy weather and strong swells off the west coast and cold waters in winter won’t deter the more serious surfer. But if surfing is on your wish list and you’re new to the sport, you should take this into account when weighing up when to visit Portugal.

When to visit Portugal in winter

Most of the rain falls in winter, from November to March, though you can just as easily experience bone-dry winter months and downpours in May and June.

Visiting Portugal in December — February

The crisp, sharp sunshine makes winter an appealing time to visit central Portugal, while in the south, especially on the coast, it is mild all year round. In the north, on the other hand, it’s pretty cold, especially inland where snow is common along the mountainous border areas.

Festivals and holidays in Portugal

Carnaval celebrations are a match for those in Rio, Brazil and the street parties are a perfect way to shake off the vestiges of winter. You’ll find them throughout Portugal, but Lisbon and towns of the Algarve, such as Loulé, are particularly good destinations for joining in the revelry.

Almost every village in Portugal has its own festival (festa) or traditional pilgrimage (romaria), usually to celebrate the local saint’s day or the regional harvest. Some are little more than an excuse for the villagers to hold a low-key procession and picnic or barbecue and dance, while others have become serious celebrations lasting several days and attracting tourists from all over the world.

The great weekly feiras, like that at Barcelos in north, were originally simply markets, but nowadays are a combination of agricultural show, folk festival, amusement park and, admittedly, tourist bazaar. Most towns also put on concerts, dances, processions and events throughout the year (especially between June and September), while an increasing number of music festivals are held in Portugal, pulling in giants of the music world: big events include NOS Primavera in Porto (June) and NOS Alive in Lisbon (July).

Only the major highlights are picked out in the festival calendar given here. Check with local turismos and have a look at the websites of the various town halls (Câmara Municipal: usually "cm-nameoftown.pt"), which always carry news about forthcoming festivities.

Among major national events, Easter week and the Santos Populares festivities – associated with St Anthony (June 12/13), St John (June 23/24) and St Peter (June 28/29) – stand out. All are celebrated throughout the country with religious processions. Easter is most magnificent in Braga, where it is full of ceremonial pomp, while the saints’ festivals tend to be more joyous affairs. In Lisbon, during the saint’s day festa for Santo António, the Alfama becomes one giant street party. In Porto, where St John’s Eve is the highlight of a week of celebration, everyone dances through the streets all night, hitting each other over the head with leeks or plastic hammers.

January

Epiphany (Dia de Reis) Jan 6. The traditional crown-shaped cake bolo rei (king’s cake) with a lucky charm and a bean inside is eaten; if you get the bean in your slice you have to buy the cake next year.

February

Carnaval Many areas now have Rio-like carnival parades, with Lisbon and the Algarve towns being good destinations. But Carnaval has much older traditions steeped in springtime fertility rites, and for a glimpse of what it was like before thongs and spangles, check out the masked merry-making of the Entrudo dos Comprades, near Lamego.

March/April

Easter Holy week (Semana Santa) religious processions in most places, most majestically in Braga, and at São Brás de Alportel in the Algarve (the Festa das Tochas). The Festa da Mãe Soberana in Loulé (Algarve) is one of the country’s largest Easter festivals. Another good location is Tomar, where the floral crosses of the procession are ceremoniously destroyed afterwards.

May

Sintra Music Festival Performances throughout May by international orchestras, musicians and dance groups in parks, gardens and palaces in and around Sintra, Estoril and Cascais.
Queima das Fitas Early May. The “burning of the ribbons”, celebrating the end of the academic year, reaches its drunken apogee in Coimbra and other university towns.
Festa das Cruzes May 3. The “Festival of the Crosses” is the biggest annual event in Barcelos (Minho).
Fátima (Peregrinação de Fátima) May 13. Portugal’s most famous pilgrimage commemorates the Apparitions of the Virgin Mary; also in October.
Corpus Christi Vaca das Cordas End of May (or early June). This is a “running of the bull” ceremony in Ponte de Lima with roots in classical mythology.

June

Festa de São Gonçalo First weekend in June. Prominent saint’s day celebrations in Amarante.
Rock in Rio Lisboa First week in June. Europe’s largest rock festival (an offshoot of the enormous Rock in Rio fest) is held in even numbered years.
Feira Nacional da Agricultura First two weeks in June. Held at Santarém, for ten days from the first Friday, with dancing, bullfighting and an agricultural fair.
Santos Populares Second & fourth weeks in June. Celebrations in honour of Santo António (St Anthony, June 12–13), São João (St John, 23–24) and Pedro (St Peter, 28–29) throughout the country.
Arraial Pride Lisbon’s increasingly popular gay pride event changes exact date and venue annually but usually takes place towards the end of the month.

July

Festa dos Tabuleiros First week in July. Tomar’s biggest and most spectacular procession takes place every four years, with the next two being in 2019 and 2023.
Festa do Colete Encarnado First two weeks in July. Held in Vila Franca de Xira, with Pamplona-style running of bulls through the streets.

August

Festival Sudoeste Second week in Aug. Much-heralded four-day rock, indie and electro music festival at Zambujeira do Mar, Alentejo coast.
Festas Gualterianas First weekend in Aug. The major festival in Guimarães has been held since the fifteenth century.
Festa do Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem First weekend in Aug. Seafaring is celebrated at Peniche with religious processions by boat and on land.
Romaria da Nossa Senhora d'Agonía Third weekend in Aug. Viana do Castelo’s major annual religious celebration, plus carnival and fair.

September

Romaria de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios First week in Sept. The annual pilgrimage in Lamego comes to a head at the end of the first week, though events start in the last week of August.
Festa do Avante! First weekend in Aug. The Portuguese Communist Party’s big annual bash sees three days of live music, events, rallies and speeches in Seixal, a town on the south bank of the Tejo opposite Lisbon.
Feiras Novas Second & third weekends in Sept. The “New Fairs” – a traditional festival and market – held in Ponte de Lima.
Festa de São Mateus Third or fourth week in Sept. A week’s worth of celebrations in Elvas (Alentejo), including a huge religious procession plus the usual fairs and fireworks.

October

Feira de Outubro First two weeks in Oct. Bull-bull-running and bullfighting in Vila Franca de Xira.
Fátima Oct 13. The second great pilgrimage of the year at Fátima.

November

Feira Nacional do Cavalo First two weeks in Nov. The National Horse Fair, held in Golegã.
São Martinho Nov 11. Celebrations in honour of St Martin, with roots in pre-Christian harvest festivals coincides with the first tastings of the year’s wine, roast chestnuts and Água Pé – a weak wine made from watered-down dregs. At its most traditional in northern Trás-os-Montes, Beira Baixa (particularly Alcains), Golegã, and Penafiel east of Porto.

December

Christmas (Natal) Dec 24. The main Christmas celebration is midnight Mass on December 24, followed by a traditional meal of bacalhau, turkey or – bizarrely in Trás-os-Montes – octopus.
New Year’s Eve (Noite de Ano Novo) Dec 31. Individual towns organize their own events, usually with fireworks at midnight, and the New Year is welcomed by the banging of old pots and pans.