When is the best time to visit Portugal? Here’s your season-by-season guide
Whether you’re drawn to spring’s blossoming landscapes, summer’s joyful festivals, autumn’s rich colors, or winter’s cozy comforts, the best time to go to Portugal is as soon as possible!
With its golden coastline, rolling vineyards, and charming cities steeped in history, Portugal will welcome you with open arms, regardless of the season. But if you’re asking yourself, “When is the best time to visit Portugal?” this season-by-season guide has you covered. We’re breaking down the weather in Portugal by month and the distinct charms of each season to make planning your perfect Portugal tour a blissful experience.
The best weather in Portugal by month
Join us on one of our Portugal tours to experience the diverse landscapes and welcoming culture that make Portugal a year-round destination. Each month has its draws—festive holiday markets in December, scenic floral displays in May, daydream-worthy beach days in August. No matter when you time your visit, you’ll find magical moments in spades.
Winter in Portugal
Months to experience Portugal in winter
December, January, and February
Go for mild weather, fewer crowds, and holiday cheer
Winter is one of the best times to visit Portugal for tranquil beach walks, lighter crowds, and local festivities—and it’s also the best time to go to Portugal to get to know the locals. Fewer crowds and a generally slower pace of life make winter the ideal time to engage in friendly conversation with the warm, welcoming Portuguese people.
Some northern regions do experience cooler temperatures, but for the most part, the weather in Portugal is mild in the wintertime. Plus, winter’s the best time of year to visit to take advantage of off-season travel prices.
What to do in Portugal during the winter
One of our favorite things to do when visiting Portugal in the winter is to take advantage of the less-crowded taverns in places like Porto to sample the foodie capital’s favorite comfort foods, like bacalhau, or salt cod, and caldo verde, a hearty soup made with kale, chorizo, and potatoes.
As in many European cities, festive decorations and stunning Christmas markets pop up in Portugal’s cities around the holidays. Take a stroll to find unique souvenirs, and seek out the dramatic magic of fado, the country’s traditional, soulful music. It can be heard floating through the streets and is particularly evocative on hushed winter evenings.
Weather in Portugal in December, January, and February
Average winter temperatures range from 50-59 F.
Treat yourself to one of these winter retreats in Portugal
Spring in Portugal
Months to experience Portugal in spring
March, April, and May
Go for dreamy hiking conditions and flower-filled landscapes
Spring is one of the best times to visit Portugal if you enjoy outdoor activities like admiring ancient ruins and hiking along coastal cliffs. The countryside bursts to life with colorful wildflowers and fragrant orchards, and the comfortable temperatures mean you can spend all day outdoors wandering, sightseeing, and dining al fresco—all without having to fight through peak-season crowds.
What to do in Portugal during the spring
Spring is the best time of year to visit Portugal to see the country awash with blooming flowers. If you’re planning a trip to Portugal and are in search of wildflower-strewn landscapes, join us on our Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon to see the best the country has to offer. Add the optional Sintra & the Portuguese Riviera excursion to admire the enchanting gardens of Sintra set against the town’s pastel-colored buildings. Or, continue on the tour extension to the Azores for scenic hikes through verdant meadows in full bloom.
Spring also makes outdoor explorations dreamy. Meander through the historic neighborhoods of Lisbon and Porto without the scores of other tourists and sizzling heat that summer brings. Join us on our A Week in Portugal: Porto, Évora & Lisbon tour in the spring to view the Baroque-style Clérigos Tower in Porto and the Manueline Belém Tower in Lisbon free of peak-season crowds.
Weather in Portugal in March, April, and May
Average springtime temperatures range from 59-77 F.
Take one of these splendid springtime trips to Portugal
Summer in Portugal
Months to experience Portugal in summer
June, July, and August
Go for blissful beach days, lingering daylight, and lively summer festivities
Summer is the best time to visit Portugal if you love long afternoons basking in golden sunshine and feeling the cool ocean lapping at your ankles. When you join us on a summertime tour of Portugal, you’ll find the cities buzzing with festivals and the coastline beckoning to be explored. Stretch out in the summer heat with the revelrous locals, head to the beach to cool off, and stay late, knowing the sun won’t set until around 9 p.m.
What to do in Portugal during the summer
If you travel to Portugal in June, chances are you’ll come across one of the country’s vibrant and lively summer festivals. Lisbon celebrates the Festas de Lisboa throughout most of the month with joyful street parties, parades, and fireworks. The streets are hung with colorful paper garlands and alive with the sounds of fado and jazz music.
Summer is also the best time to visit Portugal if you crave soft sand and golden sunlight along the country’s sparkling coastline. The Algarve region—with its dramatic cliffs and hidden coves—is one of our favorite places to soak up the scenery. When you join us on our Portugal: Porto, the Algarve & Lisbon tour, you can join us on our Algarve Coastal Cruise excursion for spectacular views of the coast from the water and the chance to spot dolphins.
Weather in Portugal in June, July, and August
Average summertime temperatures range from 77-95 F.
Experience the magic of Portugal’s summers on these tours
Fall in Portugal
Months to experience Portugal in fall
September, October, and November
Go for bountiful harvests, farm-fresh delicacies, and mesmerizing landscapes
When is the best time to go to Portugal if you’re a foodie or wine enthusiast? The answer is autumn, hands down. While the country boasts incredible cuisine year-round, visiting Portugal in the autumn offers a unique opportunity to observe wine grapes, olives, cork, and many more of Portugal’s staple crops being harvested. The countryside is also at its most picture-perfect, with vibrant foliage set against clear skies, rolling hills, and rural expanses dotted with farm stands.
What to do in Portugal during the fall
Autumn marks the start of the grape harvest season in Portugal’s UNESCO-listed Alto Douro wine region. Join us on our Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon in the fall to observe the harvest and sample wines at one of the Douro Valley’s famous wineries. If you join us on the Douro River Cruise & Port Wine Cellar excursion offered on our Portugal tours, you’ll even get to see the region’s trees ablaze with fiery colors as you float down the Douro River on your way to a Port tasting.
Autumn is also the best time of year to go to Portugal if you’re interested in learning about any of the country’s agriculture, including its world-famous olive groves and cork trees. Join us on the Olive Oil Farm, Alentejo Wine Tasting & Dinner excursion offered on our A Week in Portugal: Porto, Évora & Lisbon tour to learn about olive oil production (and taste some samples).
Weather in Portugal in the fall:
Temperatures in autumn average between 59 F and 77 F.
