Short answer: the best time to visit Portugal is April to June and September to October. You get warm, mostly dry days, a sea warm enough to swim in by June and again in September, and lower prices and fewer crowds than in July and August. Summer is best for a pure beach holiday in the Algarve but is the busiest and most expensive time, while winter is mild, quiet and cheap for Lisbon, Porto and Madeira.
This page covers Portugal’s weather month by month on the mainland and the islands, when prices and crowds peak, the festivals worth planning around, and the best season for each region and activity, as of October 2026. For entry rules, costs and transport, see our Portugal travel guide, and plan your days with our AI trip planner.
Best time to visit Portugal at a glance
| Goal | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best all-round weather | April to June, September to October | Highs of about 20–27 °C (68–81 °F) in Lisbon, few rainy days, long evenings |
| Beach holiday | June to September | Almost no rain in Lisbon and the Algarve; the sea is warmest in August and September |
| Lowest prices | November to March (outside Christmas and New Year) | INE’s average room rate was about €100 a night in December 2025, against €159 in August 2025 |
| Fewest crowds | November to February | Quietest months everywhere except Christmas weeks |
| City breaks (Lisbon, Porto) | March to June, September to November | Comfortable walking weather; Lisbon has 6–8 rainy days a month in spring |
| Hiking (Madeira, Azores, Rota Vicentina) | April to June, September to October | Dry trails, mild temperatures and spring flowers |
| Douro Valley and wine | May to June, mid-September to October | Green vines in spring; harvest and autumn colors in the fall |
| Festivals | June | Lisbon’s Santo António (12–13 June) and Porto’s São João (23–24 June) |
| Whale watching in the Azores | April to May | Spring peak for blue and fin whales; sperm whales all year |
| Big waves at Nazaré | November to February | The big-wave season runs about October to March |
Portugal weather month by month
Weather month by month
The climate table shows average daily highs and lows and rainfall for each month from the official 1991–2020 climate normals of IPMA, Portugal’s weather institute. Portugal is mild all year: Lisbon’s average high never falls below 15 °C (59 °F), and frost is almost unknown on the coast. Rain falls mostly from October to April, and the north is much wetter than the south: Porto averages 10–13 rainy days a month in winter, Faro only 5–7. Inland, the Alentejo and the Douro Valley get much hotter than the coast in July and August, and the Atlantic west coast stays cool even in summer. Madeira is warm and fairly dry all year; the Azores are milder in summer and the wettest part of the country in winter.
Portugal month by month
January
Mild and green, with highs around 15 °C (59 °F) in Lisbon, 14 °C (57 °F) in Porto and 20 °C (68 °F) in Funchal, and the most rainy days of the year in the north. It is low season: hotels are cheap, museums quiet and Madeira’s Christmas lights stay up until 10 January 2027. A good month for city breaks and for watching big waves at Nazaré.
February
Still cool and showery on the mainland, with almond blossom in the Algarve. Carnival brings parades to towns like Torres Vedras, Loulé and Funchal; Madeira’s Carnival runs from 3 to 14 February 2027. Prices stay low, and Madeira is the warmest corner of the country.
March
Spring arrives: Lisbon reaches about 19 °C (66 °F) and rainy days drop to about 8 a month. Wildflowers cover the west Algarve coast and the Alentejo, which makes it a lovely month for walking. Western Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, so expect busier hotels that week.
April
One of the best months to go: about 20 °C (68 °F) in Lisbon and 21 °C (69 °F) in Faro, green countryside and moderate prices. The sea is still cold. Freedom Day on 25 April is a national holiday. The Azores’ whale-watching season gets going, with the spring peak for blue and fin whales in late April and early May. Madeira’s Flower Festival starts on 29 April 2027.
May
Warm, mostly dry and not yet crowded, with highs of about 23 °C (73 °F) in Lisbon and Faro. Madeira’s Flower Festival fills Funchal with flower carpets and parades until 30 May 2027, and Coimbra’s students celebrate the Queima das Fitas, usually in May. INE’s average room rate was about €131 a night in May 2026, well below August.
June
Early summer, with beach weather in Lisbon (about 26 °C / 79 °F) and the Algarve (27 °C / 80 °F) and only about two rainy days. It is festival month: Lisbon celebrates Santo António on the night of 12–13 June with grilled sardines and parades, and Porto parties all night for São João on 23–24 June, with fireworks over the Douro. Portugal Day on 10 June is a national holiday. Book rooms early for the festival nights.
July
Hot, dry and busy. Lisbon averages about 28 °C (83 °F), Faro 29 °C (85 °F), and inland towns like Évora about 33 °C (91 °F). It almost never rains south of Porto. Beaches, boats and hotels in the Algarve fill up, and the west-coast Atlantic stays cool, which surfers like. The Azores enjoy their warmest, driest weeks and hydrangeas are in bloom.
August
The peak of the year for heat, crowds and prices: Lisbon averages about 29 °C (84 °F), the sea off Faro is at its warmest (about 21 °C / 70 °F, according to satellite averages), and Portuguese families take their holidays. The Assumption on 15 August is a national holiday. Madeira’s Wine Festival begins on 22 August 2027. Book everything early, and plan inland sightseeing for mornings and evenings.
September
Many regulars’ favorite month: still summery (about 27 °C / 80 °F in Lisbon), with the sea at its warmest and the crowds thinning after the first week. The grape harvest begins in the Douro Valley and runs into early October. Madeira’s Wine Festival continues until 12 September 2027.
October
Warm days and cooler nights: about 23 °C (73 °F) in Lisbon and Faro, with rain returning later in the month, especially in Porto and the north. The Algarve sea stays near 20–21 °C (68–70 °F) early in the month, making it the sweet spot for an uncrowded beach week. The big-wave season starts at Nazaré. Republic Day on 5 October is a national holiday.
November
The rains return: Porto’s wettest month, with about 166 mm (6.5 in), and 10–13 rainy days in the north. Prices drop sharply, museums and cafés are quiet, and Lisbon still averages about 18 °C (64 °F). All Saints’ Day on 1 November is a national holiday. Good for city breaks and the best of the Nazaré waves.
December
Mild, rainy spells between sunny days, with highs of about 15 °C (59 °F) in Lisbon and 21 °C (70 °F) in Funchal. Cities light up for Christmas, and Madeira’s lights and markets run from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, ending the year with an eight-minute fireworks show over Funchal’s bay; book well ahead for New Year’s Eve. Outside the holidays, it is one of the cheapest months.
Best time to visit by region
Lisbon
Mild all year. Spring and autumn are the best walking weather; June brings the Santos Populares; summer is hot, with 6–10 days a month above 30 °C (86 °F). Note that 13 June is a Lisbon holiday, when Jerónimos and the Belém Tower close. See our Lisbon guide, and for Sintra and Cascais, aim for April–June or September–October on a weekday.
Porto and the north
Much wetter than Lisbon, with about 1,150 mm (45 in) of rain a year. May, June and September are the best months; São João on 23 June is the city’s great party. Winters are cool and rainy but cozy and cheap. See our Porto guide, and Coimbra for the May student festivities.
Douro Valley
Cold, misty winters and very hot summers, with 13–14 days of 30 °C (86 °F) or more in July and in August on the plateau. The sweet spots are May–June, with green vines, and mid-September to October, with the harvest and red and gold terraces. See our Douro Valley guide.
The Algarve
The sunniest region, with almost no rain from June to August. For warm water, open restaurants and space on the sand, aim for June or mid-September to mid-October; spring is best for cliff walks and wildflowers. Some beach restaurants and boat trips close in winter. See our Algarve guide.
Évora and the Alentejo
Spring (March to May) is ideal, with green fields and mild days. July and August are very hot: about 11 days a month reach 35 °C (95 °F). Évora is European Capital of Culture in 2027, so expect a full program of events through the year. See our Évora guide.
Madeira
A year-round island, with highs of 20–27 °C (68–81 °F) in Funchal. Spring brings the Flower Festival and the best hiking; summer is driest; winter is the warmest escape in Portugal. The peaks are much colder, often near freezing at sunrise. See our Madeira guide.
The Azores
Mild, humid and changeable, with “four seasons in a day”. June to September are the warmest and driest months, with August the busiest; December is the wettest, with about 153 mm (6 in) in Ponta Delgada. April and May are best for whales; June and September give summer weather with fewer people. See our Azores guide.
Nazaré and the Silver Coast
Pleasant rather than hot in summer, with morning sea mists. Come in July and August for the beach, or from about October to March, and best November to February, to see the giant waves at Praia do Norte. See our Nazaré guide.
Best time for beaches, surfing, hiking and wine tasting
Beaches and swimming
June to September, with September and early October the best balance of warm water and fewer people. The Algarve’s south coast is the most comfortable place to swim on the mainland; the west coast is cooler even in summer. See our beaches guide.
Surfing
Autumn and spring bring consistent swells to Ericeira, Peniche and the west Algarve, while summer suits beginners with smaller waves. Winter is for experts. More in our surfing guide.
Hiking
April to June and September to October for Madeira’s levadas, the Azores’ crater rims and the Rota Vicentina. Most official trails in Madeira now need an online booking and fee. See our hiking guide.
Wine tasting
The Douro harvest, usually mid-September into early October, is the most memorable time to visit the quintas; book tastings ahead. Spring is quieter and greener. See our wine tasting guide.
Seasons to plan around
Summer heat inland: in July and August, the Alentejo and the Douro Valley regularly pass 30 °C (86 °F) and sometimes 40 °C (104 °F). Plan sightseeing for early morning and evening.
Wildfire season: the hot, dry months carry a higher wildfire risk, roughly April to October. Starting a fire outdoors can bring fines or prison; follow local instructions and 112 alerts.
Winter rain and Atlantic storms: from about November to March, storms can bring heavy rain to Porto and the north and rough seas on the west coast. In the Azores, wind and weather can delay flights and ferries in any season, and the summer-only ferry lines in the central islands run from about June to September, so keep a spare day.
Busy dates: August, the June festival nights in Lisbon and Porto, Easter, and Christmas and New Year in Madeira fill hotels early. National holidays include 25 April, 1 May, 10 June, 15 August, 5 October, 1 November and 1, 8 and 25 December.
How long to stay
A week covers Lisbon, Sintra and Porto; ten days adds the Algarve or the Douro; two weeks lets you add Madeira or the Azores. In summer, add beach days; in winter, combine the cities with Madeira’s sunshine. Our Portugal itinerary has day-by-day routes, and getting around Portugal explains trains, cars and island flights.
Best time to visit Portugal: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Portugal?
May or September: warm, sunny days, few rainy days, comfortable sightseeing and lower prices than in July and August. September has the warmer sea; May has greener landscapes.
What is the cheapest time to go to Portugal?
November to March, outside Christmas and New Year. According to Statistics Portugal (INE), the average hotel room rate was about €100 a night in December 2025, against about €159 in August 2025.
What is the rainiest month in Portugal?
In Lisbon, December and January, with about 10 rainy days each. In Porto, November is the wettest month, with about 166 mm (6.5 in). In the Azores, December is wettest.
Is October a good time to visit Portugal?
Yes. Lisbon and Faro average about 23 °C (73 °F), the Algarve sea is still around 20 °C (68 °F) early in the month, the Douro is turning red and gold, and crowds are much smaller. Expect some rain later in the month, especially in the north.
Is Portugal too hot in summer?
The coast is usually comfortable, with Lisbon averaging 28–29 °C (82–84 °F) in July and August and the west coast cooler still. Inland, Évora and the Douro are much hotter, often above 30 °C (86 °F), with heatwaves on some days.
When is the best time to visit Madeira and the Azores?
Madeira is good all year, best from April to October for hiking and swimming. The Azores are best from June to September for weather, and April to May for whales.
Sources · last reviewed 3 Oct 2026
Researched and last reviewed by TravelerCenter on 8 October 2026. Temperatures and rainy days come from IPMA’s official 1991–2020 climate normals for Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal, Ponta Delgada and other stations; hotel room rates from Statistics Portugal (INE); Madeira’s Carnival, Flower Festival, Atlantic and Wine Festivals and Christmas season from the regional tourism board (Visit Madeira and Events Madeira); the Festas de Lisboa from EGEAC; São João from the City of Porto; the Douro harvest from Turismo de Portugal; Évora 2027 from the official program; Azores visitor numbers from SREA. Sea temperatures, the Nazaré big-wave season, the Azores whale calendar and wildfire timing come from secondary sources or foreign-government guidance and are flagged for checking. Check event dates with the organizers before you travel.
Also: IPMA normals 1991–2020, Lisboa / Instituto Geofísico (climate)
Data: Natural Earth (PUBLIC DOMAIN) · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)