last edited Sep 17, 2020
When and Where to Go in Portugal
Best Times to Visit Portugal
Finding the best time to visit means balancing climate conditions with crowd levels and the most attractive prices, both on-site and for travel.
Generally, the climate isn’t the main issue for enjoying a trip to Portugal—it’s the tourist pressure at certain times of the year. July and especially August are the busiest months, followed by September and June, which also see significant crowds. Even at other times, during short holidays or long weekends, places like Lisbon can experience a surge in visitors. In short, the shoulder seasons—from late March to early June and from late September to early November—are the most appealing, particularly for avoiding crowds and summer prices.
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate | / | |||||||||||
| Avoid crowds | / | |||||||||||
| Low prices | / | / |
: very favourable | : favourable | : moderately favourable | : unfavourable.
Where to Go Based on Travel Style and Interests
Main Cities and Their Surroundings
| Interest | Culture | Nature | Outdoor | Beaches | Festive | Length of stay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faro | / | 1/2 day in the city or 1 day including nearby beaches and especially Rio Formosa Park. | |||||
| Lisbon | / | 2 days in the city. 2 days in the surrounding area for beaches and/or Sintra. | |||||
| Porto | / | 1 day in the city. 1 or 2 days in the surrounding area for beaches and/or the Douro. |
"Secondary" Cities and Towns and Their Surroundings
Northern Portugal...
| Interest | Main feature... | Length of stay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarante | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Arouca | Culture, including monastery. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Aveiro | Culture, nearby beaches. | 1/2 day for the city and beaches. | |
| Braga | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Bragança | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Chaves | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Espinho | Beaches and water activities. | 1/2 day for the resort and beach. | |
| Guarda | Culture, nature, and outdoor activities. | 1 day in the city and especially the nearby Serra da Estrela Park. | |
| Guimarães | Culture. | At least 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Lamego | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Miranda do Douro | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Ponte de Lima | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Povoa de Varzim | Beaches and water activities. | 1/2 day for the resort, beach, and nearby town of Vila do Conde. | |
| Santa Maria da Feira | Culture, including castle. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Trancoso | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Viana do Castelo | Culture, beaches, and water activities including surfing. | 1 day for the city and beaches. | |
| Vila Real | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Viseu | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. |
Central Portugal...
| Interest | Main feature... | Length of stay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abrantes | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Alcobaça | Monastery. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Batalha | Monastery. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Castelo de Vide | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Coimbra | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Conimbriga | Ancient culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Elvas | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Ericeira | Beaches and water activities including surfing. | 1/2 day for the resort and beach. | |
| Estoril | Beaches and water activities. | 1/2 day for the resort and beach. | |
| Évora | Culture. | 1 day in the city and, optionally, its surroundings. | |
| Fatima | Religious sanctuary. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Leiria | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Mafra | Royal residence. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Marvão | Medieval architecture. | Stop in the city. | |
| Monsaraz | Culture. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Nazaré | Culture, beaches, and water activities including surfing. | 1/2 day for the resort and beach. | |
| Óbidos | Medieval architecture. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Ourém | Culture, including castle. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Queluz | Royal residence. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Santarem | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. | |
| Setúbal | Culture, beaches, and Arrábida Park. | 1/2 day in the city and its surroundings. | |
| Sintra | Culture. | 1 day for the city and its surroundings. | |
| Terena | Fortified village. | Brief stop in the city. | |
| Tomar | Culture. | 1/2 day in the city. |
Southern Portugal...
Coming soon...