When to go · Portugal
Portugal, month by month
The best months for Portugal: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodQuiet and cheap; rain on some days in Lisbon and Porto, spring-like in Madeira.Lisbon and the centre: rainy · Porto and the north: rainy · Alentejo: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGoodAlmond blossom in the Algarve; Carnival in Loulé, Torres Vedras and Funchal.Lisbon and the centre: rainy · Porto and the north: rainy · Alentejo: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchGoodWarming up; good for cities and walking the Alentejo.Lisbon and the centre: fine · Porto and the north: rainy · Alentejo: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGreatEaster and 25 April (Freedom Day) bring domestic crowds; wildflowers in the south.Lisbon and the centre: best weather · Porto and the north: fine · Alentejo: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatAmong the best months: warm, long days, beaches not yet full.Lisbon and the centre: best weather · Porto and the north: best weather · Alentejo: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGreatSantos Populares: Santo António in Lisbon (12–13 June) and São João in Porto (23–24 June) fill both cities.Lisbon and the centre: best weather · Porto and the north: best weather · Alentejo: hotCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedPeak season in Lisbon and the Algarve; inland heat and wildfire risk.Lisbon and the centre: hot · Porto and the north: best weather · Alentejo: hotCrowds: High
- AugustMixedPortuguese and European holidays: Algarve beaches packed, prices at their highest; Lisbon still hot and busy.Lisbon and the centre: hot · Porto and the north: best weather · Alentejo: hotCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGreatWarm sea, thinner crowds; grape harvest in the Douro.Lisbon and the centre: best weather · Porto and the north: best weather · Alentejo: best weatherCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGreatGood city weather; first autumn storms in the north. Big-wave season starts in Nazaré.Lisbon and the centre: best weather · Porto and the north: fine · Alentejo: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGoodRainier and cheap; roast chestnuts and new wine for São Martinho (11 Nov).Lisbon and the centre: fine · Porto and the north: rainy · Alentejo: fineCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- DecemberGoodChristmas lights; Madeira's New Year fireworks sell out Funchal a year ahead.Lisbon and the centre: rainy · Porto and the north: rainy · Alentejo: fineCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon and the centreLisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Óbidos, Coimbra | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Best | Best | OK | Wet |
| Porto and the northPorto, Braga, Guimarães, Douro Valley, Peneda-Gerês | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet |
| AlentejoÉvora, Monsaraz, Alentejo coast | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Hot | Best | Best | OK | OK |
| AlgarveFaro, Lagos, Tavira, Sagres | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Best | Best | OK | OK |
| MadeiraFunchal and the island | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK |
| AzoresSão Miguel, Pico, Faial, Terceira | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet |