Portugal is a one of the best European countries in terms of tourism for various reasons. It is hot but quite pleasant in the summers and the spring and autumn seasons are just fantastic to visit. The beaches here are incredibly beautiful and ideal for tourists who love water sports and also for those who love to just chill and relax. With the long coastline of Portugal, you will never be short of wonderful experiences thanks to the harbours, beaches and the archipelagos of Madeira and Azores. Apart from the picturesque landscapes in the country, the historical architecture all around makes a trip to Portugal a very wholesome experience. With influences from Roman, Portuguese Romanesque, Celtics, Portuguese Renaissance and the Gothic periods, you have castles, forts and bridges over canals, as well as various other structures that will leave you awestruck with their beauty. All this makes Portugal a country where every block has an experience stored in it for travellers. 

With more than 3000 hours of sunlight in a year, Portugal is a country in Europe with the largest number of sunny days in a year. The mainland of Portugal can get quite hot during July and August, but the islands of Madeira and Azores are perfect to visit throughout April to September as it can get really rainy during the winters. The summers host the greatest number of festivals and carnivals and this season is also the local holiday season, making it a wonderful time for tourists to visit cities like Lisbon, Porto, Braga and Evora. Naturally, this is the peak season in Portugal with millions of tourists flocking the country. It is also the best season to spend your time outdoors, especially at the beaches with the sea warm enough for you to enjoy water sports. 

Surfing at the beaches of Algarve is an experience that is a must-try for both, experts and beginners. Sand dunes, limestone cliffs, caves and rock pools are some of the top attractions of the beaches here. Hiking at Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, with 1000 sq. kms of protected land, must feature on the bucket list of all nature lovers. Do not miss the castles and royal palaces of Sintra, with Palacio da Pena being the best of the best. 

A boat ride through the Praça do Comércio, a waterfront commerce square, filled with ornate facades and arcades will help you get closer to the culture of the town. Enjoy the beautiful summer days in the canals of Aveiro, popularly known as the Venice of Portugal. Portugal offers all these sights and experiences and many more through the various tourist spots. 

The weather conditions are the best in the summer, with lots of sunshine and partial rain. Conversely, the winter season experiences a bit more rainfall along with only 5-6 hours of dominant sunshine. The spring and the autumn are the best in terms of visiting the country because of the fewer number of tourists during this time of the year. 

Peak Season: July-August

Off Season: November-February

Shoulder Season: mid-March–mid-June and September-October

Portugal in Spring (March-May):

Temperature: The temperature during spring in Portugal varies between 10°C and 22°C. 

Weather: The average temperature during these three months stays around 15°C, with it going as low as 10°C and rising till 22°C. The number of sunshine hours is around 6 hours in the month of March and increases to 10 hours in May. It does not rain too much during this time of the year. 

Significant Events: The month of March in Portugal kicks off the carnival festival with almost the whole country participating in the dance, music and food festivals. During the Semanta Santa or the Holy Week, the city of Braga is a must-visit for sure. All the streets of the cities are decorated with lights and the photographer in you will surely love the scene. The months-long festival of sand sculptures in Algarve draws sand artists from around the world. The Easter-related festivals are also something that you would not want to miss. 

Why you should visit now: We believe that mid-March to May is one of the best seasons to visit Portugal because of it being a shoulder season with a 30% decrease in the number of tourists. As a result, you can get budget-friendly prices for your accommodation and flight tickets. Moreover, with almost the least amount of rainfall during this time of the year, it is ideal for everyone to travel around. 

Things to know before the visit: You will need a mix of clothes catering to both, cold and warm weather conditions. Also, carry a light raincoat for the occasional showers that you may experience. 

Tip: If you like to save money on your travels and but don’t want to miss out on major things, then this season is for you. Book your tickets in at the start of the season to get cheaper prices.    

Portugal in Summer (June-August):

Temperature: The temperature during summer in Portugal ranges between 17°C and 29°C.

Weather: The summer in Portugal is quite long, with the season starting from May-end and going halfway through to September. The average temperature stays around 20-22°C with the maximum temperature touching 30°C on some days. During the months of July and August, it can get quite hot with the winds from the sea also hitting the land. It can get a bit rainier this time of the year.

Significant Events: Rock in Rio-Lisboa is one of the biggest rock festivals in Europe with international artists and DJs performing. On the 12th of June. the streets of the Alfama district of Lisbon are decked up with lights and festivities for the feast day of St. Anthony. Festa de São João in Porto is one festival that gives you a taste of the culture and history of the country as it has been held religiously in the town for more than 600 years now. 

Why you should visit now: This is the best time to enjoy the outdoors because of the long sunny hours. During the peak summer season, you get more than 11 hours of proper sunlight to explore the cities and the natural landscapes with ease. If you love beaches, then this is the best time as the summers of Portugal are made for excellent beach experiences. This is also the best time to visit the islands of Azores where you can witness the thermal springs, different species of whales and volcanoes. 

Things to know before the trip: It is the official holiday season of the country and when coupled with the tourist-friendly weather conditions, Portugal jam-packed with crowds all around. In popular places, it can get a little crowded, especially during the noon time. Since it can get really hot in July and August, it would be best if you carry your shades, hat, sunblock and breezy summery clothes. 

Tips: Book your flight tickets and hotels well in advance to avoid last-minute hassle. The prices increase by 30% if you go and then book your hotel rooms. You can carry a raincoat with you but there is no need to carry your woollen clothes. Instead, carry your party clothes to attend the various festivals and parties in the cities of Lisbon and Porto.

Portugal in Autumn (September-October):

Temperature: The temperature you get to experience in the autumn in Portugal is somewhere between 15°C and 27°C. 

Weather: The minimum temperature drops to 15°C and the maximum temperature stays in the 25-27°C range. However, the amount of precipitation starts increasing this time of the year. 

Significant events: Autumn in Portugal has a laidback feel to it with the number of festivals dropping a bit. The Feira de São Mateus is one of the longest processions in South Portugal, done to commemorate St. Matthew. Apart from this, there are certain party festivals in Porto with musicians from different genres performing on a daily basis. 

Why you should visit now: Another shoulder season by all means, Autumn in Portugal is a favourite among tourists for many reasons. It is still warm but not as hot as August. The ocean waters have the perfect temperature for swimming and surfing. Also, there is a significant drop in the prices of hotels and flight tickets in this season, especially for the month of October. 

Things to know before the visit: There are not many festivals during this time of the year, so if you love parties and meeting a lot of people, then this might not be a great time for you to visit. However, it is perfect for people who love to spend some time at beaches and other picturesque landscapes with not many people around. The same goes for museums and castles as well, as the number of tourists drops considerably. The weather can get quite unpredictable during October, as the winter approaches and so do the showers. 

Tips: Carry your umbrella and a raincoat with you for sure. The chances of rain increase considerably during this time. Also, carry your light woollens for nights, as it can get chilly during rainy nights. 

Portugal in Winter (November-February):

Temperature: The temperature stays in the range of 8°C and 15°C in the winter season.

Weather: The winter in Portugal is not that cold as the temperature does not drop below 8°C but it can feel chillier than expected because of heavy showers. The maximum temperature hovers around 15°C and the number of sunny hours drops to less than 6 hours during peak winters. 

Significant events: As is the case in most European countries, Christmas is numero uno when it comes to festivals during the winter. Apart from that, the two-week National Horse Fair at Golega and the Lisbon and Sintra Film Festival are two great festivals for you to attend in November. 

Why you should visit now: Though it can get rainy, it sure is the best time for you to visit if you are on a tight budget. Since it does not snow here, no tourist spot is closed due to transportation issues – in other words, all the main places you want to visit will be open. Moreover, it is a great time to go on a road trip to Azores.

Things to know before the visit: November is the wettest month of the year. Hence, most locals spend their time indoors. It is not a great time to go surfing or swimming because of the frigid waters in the ocean. 

Tips: Since it is the wettest season of all, you must carry your raincoat and umbrella with you all the time. It can rain anytime, with more than three quarters of the month receiving rainfall. Carry at least two layers of woollens.

Now that you know the best time to visit Portugal, explore our range of travel packages to plan the perfect vacation!