Portugal
The best time to visit
When to go to Portugal
Go in March to May or September to October for warm, sunny days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy on the coast, and winter is mild but changeable.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Lisbon. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around May.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
The quietest, cheapest stretch of the year.
In short
The year at a glance
Portugal has one of the gentlest climates in Europe, and we rate on Lisbon. Spring and autumn bring warm, sunny days, golden light and far smaller crowds than the summer peak, when the Algarve beaches fill up. Rain mostly falls in winter, and even then the south stays mild.
The country is compact but varied: the Algarve in the south is the warmest and driest, Lisbon and the centre are temperate, and Porto and the green north are cooler and wetter. The Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores are mild year round.
Month by month
Portugal month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Lisbon.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 110 mm | Great 69 | Cool with a little rain. |
| February | 16°C / 61°F | 9°C / 48°F | 76 mm | Ideal 81 | Cool with a little rain. |
| March | 18°C / 64°F | 10°C / 50°F | 55 mm | Ideal 91 | Mild with a little rain. |
| April | 20°C / 68°F | 11°C / 52°F | 62 mm | Ideal 93 | Mild with a little rain. |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 42 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Lisbon hotels in May |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 17 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Lisbon hotels in June |
| July | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 5 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Lisbon hotels in July |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 18°C / 64°F | 6 mm | Ideal 97 | Hot and dry. |
| September | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 30 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 84 mm | Ideal 85 | Mild with a little rain. |
| November | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 110 mm | Great 72 | Mild with a little rain. |
| December | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 103 mm | Great 72 | Cool with a little rain. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Lisbon and the centre
Warm, sunny and temperate, at its best in spring and autumn. Summer is hot but tempered by the Atlantic breeze.
The Algarve, the south
The warmest, driest region and Portugal's beach capital. Glorious in late spring and September, packed in August.
Porto and the Douro
Cooler and greener, with a beautiful September harvest in the port-wine valleys upriver.
Go for
Best time to visit Portugal for
Cities and culture
March to May and September to October for Lisbon and Porto, with warm days and lighter crowds.
Beaches
June and September in the Algarve, with warm seas on either side of the August peak.
Surfing
Autumn brings the biggest Atlantic swells to spots like Nazare and the western coast.
Wine country
September in the Douro Valley, around the grape harvest, with golden terraces above the river.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Lisbon festivals, June
The city's saint's-day festivals peak around St Anthony on 13 June, with street parties across the old quarters.
Douro harvest, September
The port-wine vineyards come alive for the vintage along the river valleys.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Portugal
Compare hotels and rentals around Lisbon, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions