What's the best time to visit Portugal?
The best time to visit Portugal is during the shoulder seasons from May to June and September to October. During these months, you’ll enjoy pleasant weather, manageable crowds, and the opportunity to partake in local festivals like St. Anthony’s Day, St. John’s Day, and pilgrimages to Fatima.
Visiting during this time allows for better deals on accommodation and flights, and provides a more relaxed atmosphere for visiting popular beaches, castles, and vineyards.
Famous for its wine, beaches, and seafood, Portugal is the ultimate European destination when you’re looking for culture, relaxation, and culinary delights.
If you are planning a trip to Portugal, make sure to make the most of it by visiting at the best time. Whether you are looking for the best weather, great deals on flights and hotels, or an escape from the crowds, we’ve got you covered below.
Plus, we will let you know when you should probably avoid going, things to consider when booking your Portuguese vacation, and why you would even want to visit in the first place!
Overall Best Time to Visit Portugal
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The best time to visit Portugal is during the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October.
You will have the ultimate combination of good weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of local festivities to keep you busy. Like many places in Europe, tourists tend to flood the streets of Portugal during the peak summer months.
This means sky-high rates, high average temperatures, and lots and lots of crowds. Avoid that by booking your trip at the beginning or tail end of the summer months.
You will be able to grab some deals for accommodation and flights but still get to see Portugal at its sunniest best.
Make sure to check out the popular beaches, castles, and vineyards that will be more comfortable and less busy to explore in the spring and autumn warmth. Plus, Portugal is known for their festivals like St. Anthony’s Day, St. John’s Day, and the pilgrimages to Fatima.
All of these either take place in May, June, or October. Going to these events is a whole new way to experience Portugal, so it is worth it to plan your trip around those dates.
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Cheapest Time to Visit Portugal
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The cheapest time to visit Portugal is in January and February.
Avoiding the major Portuguese holidays like Christmas and Easter and the major European vacation times of July and August will help you score serious deals.
You can grab trans-Atlantic flights from the United States directly to Lisbon for way less than you would pay in August. You can save even more money by flying to a more major airport like London Heathrow (LHR) or Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
Then, book a budget European airline like Ryanair to your city of choice in Portugal. The only drawback is that you won’t be able to experience Portugal at its finest.
The average temperature in the capital city of Lisbon stays around 60˚ F during these winter months, and they tend to be some of the rainiest months.
The good news is that you can enjoy the unique culture of Portugal even in the winter. You will have tourist hotspots like the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city, and the Moorish castle of Sintra, all to yourself in January and February.
Visit museums, art galleries, and restaurants to stay out of the dreary cold and still experience some of the best of Portugal.
Least Busy Time to Visit Portugal
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The least busy time to visit Portugal is during the spring and autumn season. You will be graced with beautiful weather, more local events, and, most importantly, fewer crowds.
That’s why it is both the least busy and the best time to visit Portugal. The peak tourist season in Portugal is in July and August when most Europeans and Americans take their vacations, so if you want to avoid crowds, do not visit then.
People also travel to Portugal for Christmas and Carnival in February, so you can also expect to see crowds during those holidays. Because you’ll have moderately warm temperatures and fewer people, it’s a great time to check out some of Portugal’s best beaches.
Towns like Lagos can fill up with party-hard students on summer break during July and August, so you can experience the amazing coasts without the crazy energy if you visit in the spring or autumn.
You can also still score deals in the shoulder seasons from May to June and September to October.
You might not get as good of a price as you would in January and February, but flights and accommodations can still be significantly cheaper than they would be during peak season if you book early enough.
Worst Time to Visit Portugal
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The worst times to visit Portugal are in December or July and August.
In December, you will have rain, low temperatures, and lots of crowds there for the Christmas holidays. In July and August, you will have to deal with large crowds of visitors on their yearly vacation, hot and humid weather, and sky-high prices.
While these are the worst times to visit Portugal, you can still have an amazing time on your trip as long as you know what to expect.
Bringing warm clothing and rain gear will help you stay comfortable in the winter chill. And checking out off the beaten path spots will let you avoid the crowds in the peak summer months.
Visiting during the Christmas holidays can be a wonderful way to experience Portuguese culture during a sacred time of the year for the predominantly Catholic country. Book early, stay in smaller towns, and plan for colder weather.
As far as visiting during the peak tourist season of July and August, it can be a wonderful time to soak up the sun and social culture of Portugal.
If you are a solo traveler who loves to meet new people and stay in cheap hostels, you can still have a fun, budget-friendly vacation. If you are looking for solitude, you might want to visit during the shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Now that you know the best, cheapest, least busy, and worst times to visit Portugal, plus you have a whole host of knowledge from the tips above, you might still have a few questions about visiting Portugal.
Below, you will find the answers to the five most frequently asked questions about Portugal:
What are the hottest months in Portugal?
The hottest months in Portugal are the summer months of July, August, and September. The hotter air also makes the water temperatures at the beaches more enjoyable. If you plan on swimming, it’s a great time to visit, but it can be a bit busy in July and August.
Where is the best weather in Portugal?
In Portugal, the Algarve has some of the sunniest and most moderate weather in all of Europe. Located on the southern coast, you can soak up the sun in comfort at their famous beaches and dramatic cliffs that lead into the ocean.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Portugal?
| 👍 Best Time to Visit | May-June & September-October |
| 💲 Cheapest Time to Visit | January-February |
| 🗓️ Least Busy Time to Visit | March-April & September-October |
| 👎 Worst Time to Visit | July-August |
The best time to visit Portugal is during the shoulder season of their spring (May to June) and autumn (September to October). You’ll be able to miss the summertime crowds and still get to enjoy warm weather and sunny skies.
For budget travelers, visiting during January and February could get you some good deals, but you’ll have to deal with grey skies and colder temperatures.
Avoid visiting in December if you don’t want to deal with large holiday crowds and dreary weather. July and August also get very busy but can be fun for social travelers. Just watch out for more expensive hotels and flights. Happy travels!