Best time to visit Portugal: a season-by-season guide
Portugal is a year-round destination, but each region has its best moment. Spring and early autumn suit almost every route, summer is for the coast, and winter is the quiet season for cities, Madeira and the mountains.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is one of the best times for a road trip. The countryside is green, wildflowers cover the Alentejo and the Costa Vicentina, and the big cities are less crowded than in summer. Days are mild, though the sea is still cool and rain is possible in March and April, especially in the north.
Circuits for this season: Quiet Alentejo · Costa Vicentina (Southwest Coast) · Classic Central Portugal · Lisbon, Sintra and Arrábida
Summer (June to August)
Summer is beach season. The Algarve and the Arrábida coast are at their best, the Azores are green and mild, and there are festivals in almost every town, including the Santo António and São João celebrations in Lisbon and Porto in June. Inland, the Alentejo and the Douro can get very hot, so plan visits early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Book hotels well in advance.
Circuits for this season: Algarve Cliffs · Azores, São Miguel · Lisbon, Sintra and Arrábida
Autumn (September to November)
September and October may be the best months of all. The sea is still warm, the crowds have gone and September is grape-harvest season in the Douro, when some estates let visitors join the picking. From October, the big swells start at Nazaré. November is quieter and wetter, but still mild on the coast.
Circuits for this season: Douro Wine Country · Authentic North · Costa Vicentina (Southwest Coast) · Algarve Cliffs
Winter (December to February)
Winter is low season, with the lowest prices and the fewest visitors. Lisbon and Porto are pleasant for city breaks, Madeira stays mild all year, and the Serra da Estrela often has snow. It is the season to see the giant waves at Nazaré. Expect more rain in the north and in the mountains, and shorter days.
Circuits for this season: Madeira of the Levadas · Serra da Estrela and the Historic Villages · Lisbon, Sintra and Arrábida
Practical tips
- Easter, July and August are the busiest periods. Book accommodation and timed tickets early.
- The Atlantic is cool on the west coast even in summer. The south coast of the Algarve is warmer.
- Many restaurants and smaller hotels in beach villages close for part of the winter.
- Check the weather the day before a mountain hike in Madeira, the Azores or the Serra da Estrela: conditions change quickly.