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When to go · Portugal

Portugal, month by month

The best months for Portugal: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Month by month

  1. 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 · 2 festivals or holidays
  2. 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 · 2 festivals or holidays
  3. 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
  4. 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 · 3 festivals or holidays
  5. 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
  6. 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 · 4 festivals or holidays
  7. 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 · 1 festival or holiday
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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 · 4 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Portugal, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Apr: Great

    May: Great

  • Crowds

    Apr: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Apr: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Apr: 3

    May: 1

April: Easter and 25 April (Freedom Day) bring domestic crowds; wildflowers in the south.

May: Among the best months: warm, long days, beaches not yet full.

Portugal: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Lisbon and the centreLisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Óbidos, CoimbraWetWetOKBestBestBestHotHotBestBestOKWet
Porto and the northPorto, Braga, Guimarães, Douro Valley, Peneda-GerêsWetWetWetOKBestBestBestBestBestOKWetWet
AlentejoÉvora, Monsaraz, Alentejo coastOKOKBestBestBestHotHotHotBestBestOKOK
AlgarveFaro, Lagos, Tavira, SagresOKOKOKBestBestBestHotHotBestBestOKOK
MadeiraFunchal and the islandBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestOKOK
AzoresSão Miguel, Pico, Faial, TerceiraWetWetWetOKOKBestBestBestBestOKWetWet