Best Time to Visit Portugal: Weather by Month & Season

Best Time to Visit Portugal at a Glance

Portugal Weather Month by Month

Average daily highs and monthly rainfall from the 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Lisbon, Porto (Pedras Rubras station) and Faro, in the Algarve.

What the numbers tell you:

• The south is warmer and much drier. Faro gets about 455 mm of rain a year, against about 1,150 mm in Porto.
• Summer is almost dry everywhere. July and August bring only a few millimeters of rain in Lisbon and Faro.
• October to January is the wet season, and it is most noticeable in Porto and the north.
• Winters are mild on the coast. Even in January, daytime highs average about 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F).

Sea temperatures

Portugal faces the Atlantic, so the sea is cooler than the Mediterranean. The Algarve has the warmest water, at around 21 to 22°C (70 to 72°F) in late summer. The north coast stays cool even in August.

Portugal by Season

Spring (March to May)

Spring is one of the best times for sightseeing. Lisbon warms from about 19°C (66°F) in March to 23°C (74°F) in May, rain falls off through the season, and the countryside is green and in flower. Easter and Holy Week bring processions in many towns, and April 25, Freedom Day, is a national holiday. By late May the first beach days begin in the Algarve, though the sea is still cool.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is the warmest and driest season and the busiest. In July and August, Lisbon averages highs of about 29°C (84°F) and Faro about 29°C (85°F), and inland areas such as the Alentejo can be much hotter. June is the month of the Popular Saints festivals: Santo António fills Lisbon's old neighborhoods on the night of June 12 to 13, and São João takes over Porto on the night of June 23 to 24, with grilled sardines, street parties and fireworks. July and August are peak season for the beaches, so book early.

Autumn (September to November)

September is often the best month of the year: still summer-warm, with the sea at its warmest and fewer crowds once the holidays end. It is also harvest season in the Douro Valley and the Alentejo. October stays mild, about 23°C (73°F) in Lisbon, but the rains return, and November is one of the wettest months, especially in Porto.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is low season. It is the cheapest and quietest time to visit, and a good one for city breaks, food and wine. Expect highs of about 15°C (59°F) in Lisbon, 14°C (57°F) in Porto and 16°C (61°F) in Faro in January, with rain on many days in the north. December brings Christmas lights and markets, and the Algarve and Madeira are the mildest places for winter sun.

Best Time to Visit Each Region

When Is Summer in Portugal?

Summer officially runs from the June solstice, around June 21, to the September equinox, around September 22. For travel, the summer season is usually counted from June to September, with the peak in July and August, when Portuguese and European school holidays fill the beaches and hotels.

Peak Season and the Cheapest Time to Visit

Peak season is July and August, plus Easter, the June festivals and the week between Christmas and New Year. Flights and hotels are most in demand, and the Algarve beaches and Lisbon's main sights are at their busiest.

The cheapest time is usually November to March, outside Christmas, New Year and Carnival. You trade some rain and shorter days for quieter cities and better availability. The Algarve and Madeira are the best choices in this period if you want mild weather.

The shoulder months, April, May, late September and October, are the best balance of weather, crowds and value.

Best Time for Your First Trip

For a first trip that combines cities and coast, aim for May, June or September. The weather suits both sightseeing and the beach, and the train between Lisbon and Porto and the drive to the Algarve are easy in any season. If you can only travel in summer, spend more of the trip by the sea and start city days early to avoid the heat.