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Panoramic view of Alfama quarter, Lisbon

When is the best time to visit Portugal?

Panoramic view of Alfama quarter, Lisbon

The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.

Summer (June-August) can get very hot, particularly in central Portugal. Large numbers of Portuguese head to the beach during this period, when the water temperatures are warmer than usual. Visitors are drawn by the sunny and inviting southern European climate.

The winters, though colder, still offer a good amount of sun. While many beach resorts wind down at this time, it can still be a good time to explore the cities and inland areas.

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Month-by-month guide for traveling in Portugal

Torre de µþ±ð±ôé³¾, µþ±ð±ôé³¾

Visiting Portugal in January - February

Portugal’s temperate climate means that any time of year is relatively comfortable for a visit. Although January and February will be a bit cooler and potentially wetter than the rest of the year, you can still experience some sun and take advantage of the thinner crowds.

Events & Festivals

  • Carnival (February): Brazil’s Carnival celebrations can be traced back to Portugal; various cities celebrate slightly differently, but the festivities nearly always include vibrant costumes and elaborate parades.
  • Dia de Reis, or Three Kings’ Day (January 6): Groups of carolers sing from house to house at the time when Portuguese children traditionally receive gifts (from the kings rather than Santa).
Óbidos, Estremadura

Visiting Portugal in March - May

Temperatures begin to rise to a pleasanter level as the flowers start to bloom and Portugal vibrantly comes to life. Spring is a time for celebration with many important festivals and holidays taking place and adding an extra splash of liveliness.

Events & Festivals

  • Freedom Day (April 25): Marking the Carnation Revolution, which saw the end of Portugal’s nearly 50-year dictatorship (the longest in Europe), with concerts, especially in Lisbon, as well as the annual Corrida da Liberdade, or Freedom Run.
  • Holy Week (March/April): Strongly Catholic Portugal celebrates by holding reverent street parades, usually accompanied by lively song and dance.
  • Festival de Sintra (mid-May): The town of Sintra hosts a festival dedicated to classical music and opera, with events held in the town’s palaces or gardens.
  • Fatima Pilgrimage (May 11 to 13): The largest pilgrimage of the year to the town where, in 1917, three shepherd children claimed they’d seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary six times, the first on May 13.
Rocky coastline, Algarve

Visiting Portugal in June - August

As the heat of summer reaches its peak, so too do the crowds. Sunseekers from northern Europe head for Portugal’s pristine beaches along with huge numbers of Portuguese. The Algarve in particular gets very busy at this time. While it’s possible to travel at this time, soaring temperatures in the cities and inland can make sightseeing rather hard going, and it’s easy to see why most locals have decamped for the beach.

Events & Festivals

  • Feast of Saint John the Baptist, or Festa de São João, (June 23 to 24): Celebrated across Portugal, especially in Porto, the day is marked with fireworks, concerts, dancing and the interesting tradition of hitting each other with garlic or plastic hammers.
  • Portugal Day (June 10): A commemoration of the death of Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões, who’s regarded as one of Portugal’s most influential literary figures.
Vineyards, Évora

Visiting Portugal in September - October

September and October are two of the best months to visit Portugal. The weather is still warm and pleasant, and the temperatures are much more manageable for sightseeing or hiking. It’s also a wonderful time to visit many of Portugal’s wineries with the grape harvest in full swing. The beaches are also much quieter.

Skyline, Porto

Visiting Portugal in November - December

Portugal’s rainy season begins in November and December, meaning fewer sunny days, but the country still experiences more sun than rain and warmer temperatures than much of Europe. The Algarve usually remains especially pleasant and sunny and can attract European visitors looking for a winter getaway.

Events & Festivals

  • Christmas: Most towns and villages are festively decorated throughout December; the celebrations culminate on the 24th, when most families attend midnight mass and enjoy feasting together.

Portugal Climate Guide

Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Algarve 15°C 97mm 16°C 68mm 18°C 54mm 19°C 41mm 22°C 30mm 25°C 17mm 29°C 2mm 29°C 3mm 27°C 16mm 23°C 54mm 19°C 83mm 16°C 100mm
µþ±ð±ôé³¾ 14°C 119mm 15°C 118mm 17°C 75mm 19°C 69mm 21°C 44mm 24°C 25mm 27°C 7mm 27°C 7mm 26°C 30mm 22°C 86mm 17°C 119mm 15°C 116mm
Braga and Guimarães 13°C 190mm 14°C 185mm 16°C 127mm 17°C 112mm 20°C 95mm 23°C 57mm 26°C 21mm 26°C 21mm 24°C 72mm 20°C 144mm 16°C 152mm 13°C 189mm
Coimbra 14°C 136mm 15°C 138mm 17°C 87mm 19°C 89mm 22°C 74mm 25°C 46mm 28°C 11mm 28°C 12mm 27°C 48mm 22°C 104mm 17°C 127mm 14°C 132mm
Douro Valley 9°C 193mm 10°C 188mm 12°C 123mm 14°C 115mm 17°C 97mm 22°C 64mm 25°C 25mm 25°C 22mm 23°C 67mm 17°C 146mm 12°C 173mm 10°C 194mm
Lisbon 15°C 109mm 16°C 110mm 18°C 68mm 19°C 64mm 22°C 39mm 25°C 21mm 28°C 4mm 28°C 5mm 27°C 26mm 23°C 80mm 18°C 111mm 15°C 106mm
Porto 14°C 168mm 14°C 167mm 16°C 112mm 18°C 108mm 20°C 86mm 23°C 53mm 25°C 15mm 25°C 20mm 24°C 62mm 21°C 129mm 17°C 146mm 14°C 171mm
The Azores 15°C 125mm 14°C 110mm 15°C 96mm 16°C 72mm 17°C 59mm 20°C 51mm 22°C 40mm 24°C 55mm 22°C 90mm 19°C 108mm 17°C 122mm 15°C 124mm

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Travel advice

Practical tips for traveling to Portugal, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest Government of Canada travel advice.

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