Best time to visit · Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal
Portugal's seasons differ by place. Here is the best time for each destination, month by month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
May–June and September–October suit most of Portugal. Lisbon is at its best in April–June and September–October; Porto is at its best in May–June and September–October; Madeira is at its best in April–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Best months overall
- May–June and September–October
- Destinations compared
- 5
Best months by destination
| Destination | Best months | Warmest month | Wettest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | April–June and September–October | August (29°C) | January (10 days) |
| Porto | May–June and September–October | July (25°C) | January (14 days) |
| Madeira | April–June and September–October | August (26°C) | December (8 days) |
| Algarve | May–June and September | July (29°C) | January (6 days) |
| Azores | May–September | August (26°C) | January (14 days) |
Portugal month by month
| Month | At its best | Usually avoided |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | Lisbon, Madeira | — |
| May | Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Algarve, Azores | — |
| June | Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Algarve, Azores | — |
| July | Azores | — |
| August | Azores | — |
| September | Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Algarve, Azores | — |
| October | Lisbon, Porto, Madeira | — |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
What the seasons are like
- Lisbon: Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry, sunny summers.
- Porto: Porto has a mild Atlantic-influenced Mediterranean climate: wet, cool winters with frequent rain, and warm, mostly dry summers moderated by sea breezes and morning fog.
- Madeira: Madeira has a mild subtropical climate with little seasonal change on the south coast: Funchal averages about 19 °C in winter and 25–26 °C in summer.
- Algarve: The Algarve has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, mild winters and most rain between November and March.
- Azores: The Azores have a mild, humid oceanic climate with small temperature differences between seasons: around 17 °C in winter and 25 °C in summer.
Crowds and hotel prices
Relative levels from our destination research: when each place is busiest, and when rooms usually cost least.
| Destination | Busiest | Quietest | Lowest hotel prices | Warm & dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | June | February | January | June |
| Porto | June | February | January | July |
| Madeira | August | November | November | July |
| Algarve | July | February | January | June |
| Azores | July | February | January | July |
Events worth timing a trip around
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Lisbon, February: Carnival — parades in nearby towns such as Torres Vedras (February or March, depending on Easter)
- Lisbon, March: Lisbon Half Marathon (usually March)
- Porto, February: Fantasporto — international film festival (usually February or March)
- Porto, May: Queima das Fitas — student festival (usually early May)
- Madeira, January: New Year's Day — end of the festive season in Funchal
- Madeira, February: Madeira Carnival — samba parades in Funchal (February or March, depending on Easter)
- Algarve, January: Almond blossom in the inland hills (usually late January to February)
- Algarve, February: Loulé Carnival — parades with floats (February or March, depending on Easter)
- Azores, February: Carnival — traditional 'bailinhos' theatre on Terceira (February or March)
- Azores, March: Start of the spring whale migration (usually from March)
Questions travellers ask
+When is Portugal cheapest and quietest?
Lisbon: January; Porto: January; Madeira: November; Algarve: January.
+What is the best month to visit Portugal?
May, when 5 of the 5 destinations in this guide are at their best.