VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
This guide forms part of our complete Portugal Travel Guide, featuring destination ideas, scenic road trips, practical travel advice and honest first-hand reviews from across the country.
Best Time To Travel To Portugal?
Now, the internet says that Spring (April to early June) is the best time for travelling to Portugal… but we travelled for a month in Portugal from the first week in March to the first week in April and it was just right, in our opinion.
The weather’s sitting around 18-22°C, wildflowers are everywhere, plus the lemon & orange blossoms smell absolutely amazing. Lisbon doesn’t feel like a sauna yet at that time. Crowds are way lighter than in the Summer, so you can actually get a table at that pastelaria without queuing for 30 minutes.
Prices for hotels and flights are also lower before peak season hits. If you want hiking, wine tasting, bird watching and city exploring without melting, Spring wins. If you’re wanting to go later in the year, then Fall (September to October) is the optimum time.
Summer tourists go home after August, but the Atlantic is still warm enough to swim and the sun hasn’t quit. You get golden light, stunning sunsets, grape harvest festivals in the wine regions, and seafood season is in full swing along the coast.
The Algarve, Porto and Lisbon are lively but not packed, and accommodation rates drop after mid-September. It’s also the best time if you’re into surfing. Apparently the waves are incredible.
Summer vs Winter
Summer(June-August) Hot, busy, expensive. The Algarve beaches are stunning & everything’s open late, but expect crowds & 29-39° heat. You’d need to book a long time ahead, as well.
Winter(Nov-March) Cool and rainy, especially up north, but it’s quiet & cheap. Lisbon & Porto are cozy with Christmas markets. The south stays milder & you’ll have historic sites almost to yourself. Great if you’re budget-focused or want a slower Portugal. Not everyone loves a crowd, so it’s good to know when there’s less of those & if you’re looking for the best deals – off season is really the time to go.
P. S. Consider booking a long-term rental instead of a hotel. But read many reviews first of any place you’re interested in – we had two weeks in Hell & two weeks in Heaven.
Top 5 Reasons to Travel to Portugal in Late Spring
- Perfect Weather, No Crowds: Enjoy comfortable temperatures perfect for exploring, without the summer chaos. May offers ideal beach and city weather.
- The Great Price Sweet Spot: Flights and accommodations are more affordable before peak season prices skyrocket in July and August.
- Blossoms & Green Landscapes: The countryside is in full bloom, making the vineyards and hillsides stunningly photogenic.
- Major Cultural Festivals: Experience events like the Pilgrimage of Fátima (May) and the vibrant street parties leading up to June’s festivities.
- Uncrowded Exploration: Stroll through Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto without fighting huge crowds. It’s the best time for sightseeing.
Portugal Collections
Browse our Portugal guides by travel style, from beaches and scenic drives to historic towns, food experiences and car-free adventures.
Planning to explore more of southern Portugal? Visit our Algarve Travel Guide… If you are heading to Lisbon, visit our Lisbon Travel Guide
Useful Visitor Information:
- Ultimate Guide to Algarve Beaches
- Castro Marim Medieval Castle
- Cost of Living Expenses
- Benagil Cave by Boat Adventure
- Two Very Different Parts of Albufeira
- Best things to do in and around Albufeira
Plan your next trip:
Continue Exploring Portugal
- 🇵🇹 Portugal Travel Guide
- ☀️ Algarve Travel Guide
- 🚗 Portugal Road Trip Series
- 🚆 No Car Needed Algarve Series
- 📍 Lisbon Guide
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
