After all, when is the best time to go to Portugal? The destination of the moment among Brazilians is good to visit throughout the year. However, to get the most out of each tour, take a look below for the best season by region.
Cities, beaches or wineries, all these points are worth visiting at any time of your visit to the country. But if you want to make sure you get the best beach day or the harvest season, then check out our tips. In high season, good weather is guaranteed but there is also a lot of movement. And since Portugal is the sunniest country in Europe, in the low season there are also blue sky days, great for strolling around the city.
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High Season in Portugal
The high season in Portugal starts in May and ends in October, going back only to the Christmas and New Year weeks.
Get ready because in summer it is usually dry heat up to 40º C, very different from what we are used to in España. However, this may be for you the best time to go to Portugal as you can enjoy the beach, visit cities and follow the summer events.
At Christmas, the Portuguese like to celebrate as a family, traveling to their respective hometowns. But they soon return to the big cities for the New Year, which is lit up by gorgeous decorations. If you go at that time, don't miss the fireworks by the river in Lisbon and Porto.
Low season in Portugal
The low season in Portugal starts in November and goes until April, excluding Christmas and New Year.
In Portugal the winter is cold but with milder temperatures than in the rest of Europe. They are always between 8ºC to 15ºC. It never snows here, except in a few small towns in the countryside. In addition, Portugal is one of the countries with the most sunny days in Europe. So the days of blue sky are very frequent in winter and super pleasant to walk around.
After all, when is the best time to go to Portugal?
Best time to visit the North of the country
In the north of Portugal the climate is more humid and icy in winter and windy in summer. However, in the region of Trás-os-Montes inland, it can reach over 40ºC in the summer and without a breeze. To walk outdoors in this region, the best time to go to Portugal is in Spring and Summer. (to enjoy the waterfalls). However, even in the North of Portugal there are still some places that are worth seeing in winter.
Nazaré Beach
This is the case of the city of Nazaré, which is 120 km north of Lisbon. The biggest wave in the world was surfed there, 30 meters high. Few surfers face it, but people come from all over the world to watch this incredible spectacle. Generally, the sea is rougher in winter and that's why you can see the biggest waves during this time. And don't worry, if you enjoy surfing, there are days when the sea is calmer and you can enjoy it, especially a little further to the side in Peniche (where the conditions are always more favorable). Tips: Wear a very thick neoprene suit, as the waters in this region are freezing. To check if the conditions are favourable, visit the Windguru website.
Region of Trás-os-Montes and Minho
Visiting the interior of Portugal in spring and summer is a delight.
The regions of Trás-os-Montes and Minho are full of almond blossom, marking the arrival of spring. There you can do outdoor activities, from horseback riding to hiking trails, and see the most beautiful landscapes in Portugal. At the height of summer, when the temperature reaches 40ºC, the ideal is to dive in the waterfalls in Parque do Gerês – Cascata do Arado and Cascata do Tahiti – and take a boat trip on the dam.
Douro Valley and Porto city
The month of September is the month of harvest, when the grapes are harvested to make the wine and the landscape is more beautiful. This is the best time to visit the Douro region. You can even participate in the production of wine by treading the grapes. Take a look at tips from our columnist Virginia Falanghe, who took this tour, and how to get there and where to stay.
And since you are visiting the Douro valley, the city of Porto is a mandatory stop. Relatively small, it is very easy to see the sights on foot. And to avoid getting rain, the best is to visit Porto from June to October. It's just that in the north of Portugal it's common to rain or have gray days in winter. We have prepared for you a 3-day itinerary in the city of Porto that will make your trip unforgettable.
Best time to visit Southern Portugal
The southern region of Portugal is great to visit at any time of the year. Here, the Mediterranean climate brings pleasant temperatures and sunny days in winter and summer.
City of Lisbon and Sintra
If you are planning a trip to Lisbon, book between May and September to make the most of it. It is a must to go to the country's capital, not only because it has the best museums, restaurants and shops, but also to see how traditions are present in the daily life of a modern city. On this trip, be sure to visit the magical Serra de Sintra, which is 40 minutes from the center of Lisbon. And take the opportunity to also read our post on Tips of what to do in Lisbon
Algarve region
If you are planning to go to the South, the best time to go to Portugal is in the summer. During the month of July and August, the Portuguese like to go to the beach in the Algarve region. Bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, the south coast has incredible beaches where the water is not so cold. There are also several tourist attractions that are worth it, in fact, some even make it into our list of the 20 main tourist attractions in Portugal!
See more beautiful places in the Algarve region
Costa Vicentina Region
Another wonderful place to enjoy the beach in Portugal is the Costa Vicentina, which is on the coast between Lisbon and Algarve. The beaches here are bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and therefore the water is colder. However, the natural beauty is simply unique. Cliffs and sandy beaches stretching for miles, villages built into the rock by the sea and incredible seafood are just some of the wonders of this region. The best way to get to know it is to rent a car and go on a roadtrip. The beaches of Odeceixe, Monte Clérigo and Zambujeira do Mar need to be on your itinerary.
To help you with all the planning also read our post Travel to Portugal – The COMPLETE guide for Brazilians
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You already know the best time to go to Portugal, now find the best prices for accommodation in Lisbon here at Booking.com
Is it necessary to take out Travel Insurance for Portugal?
If you were thinking about traveling to Europe without travel insurance, be aware that this can become a problem at the time of immigration. So it is good to note a very important tip for those who are planning a trip there: Travel Insurance for any destination in Europe is mandatory.
The reason? It is the Schengen Treaty that establishes free movement and mandatory travel insurance in 26 European countries. Since we plan so much for the holidays, we create expectations, we invest money, it's not worth risking any setback that could ruin it all. You can check out the stories of our columnists who tell why it is worth taking out travel insurance.
To find good deals at Travel insurance, we recommend the site Promo insurance. It compares the prices and coverage of the main insurance companies in the world, such as SulAmerica, Assist Card, GTA, Affinity, among others. There, you can check the policies that most have to do with your trip and hire the one you think is best.
As we really like this tool, we got a 5% discount on Seguros Promo for our readers! Just use the coupon FORTRAVELOVERS on the website, by clicking here.
Receive a SIM card at your home in España and use unlimited Internet in Portugal and throughout Europe
Are you also tired of only being able to use your cell phone at points that you find Wi-Fi free during the trip? And having to pay per day to be able to use a GPS in the rental car on the trip?
We couldn't take it anymore, especially because we wanted to post real-time photos of our trip on social media. In addition, Google is a great ally to find what we need while on vacation, such as information and places, and you can't just use it where you have Wi-Fi.
So we discovered one of the best solutions to end this problem, that you will no longer have to spend hours of travel in phone stores in the country, speaking an unknown language to get a SIM card. This is one of the tips we love to give our readers: America Chip.
Write it down: The company sends an international Chip to your home in Spain. When you're on the plane, just change your Brazilian SIM card for this international one. You will arrive in Portugal with unlimited internet, using your cell phone at will, as you use in España.
Arriving in Portugal, you can use it all day, anywhere in Europe. You'll save on GPS rentals, Skype credits, and you'll still be able to use social networks, Google, or search for anything on the internet all day. In addition, you can still call your home to send travel news as many times as you want via WhatsApp or Facetime.
Plan your trip:
Get started now by booking your Lisbon hotel on Booking.com
Save time and money searching for the best Travel Insurance with the Seguros Promo comparator! Extra 5% off with coupon: FORTRAVELOVERS
Compare the best prices to rent a car from over 100 rental companies with Rentcars! (Pay in up to 12X! Pay in reais, without IOF)
Leave España with Unlimited 4G Internet!
Read more:
- Portugal itinerary: 13 places to visit
- Travel to Portugal – The COMPLETE guide for Brazilians
- The 20 main tourist attractions in Portugal to put on your itinerary
- Where to stay in Lisbon: from cheap to luxury in the best neighborhoods of the city
- Europe Travel Insurance is mandatory! Find out how to hire at the best price
- Things to do in Porto, Portugal – 3 days itinerary
