When to Go

Best time to visit Portugal

When to go to Portugal: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

5 min read · Updated 2026-08-01

April, May, June, September, October are the strongest months in Portugal. Atlantic-influenced; hot dry summers, mild Algarve winters, cooler north and interior. Madeira is subtropical (around 24°C in summer, 19°C in winter); the Azores stay mild year-round but wetter

Season by season

How the year breaks down for trip planning.

Mainland cities & coast (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct) — The sweet spots: warm days, usable sea by late spring and autumn, and lighter crowding than midsummer.
Algarve (Jul–Aug peak) — Strongest beach demand in summer, busiest in July and August. May–June and September–October usually balance warmth with lower crowding.
Madeira (Year-round) — Mild subtropical climate makes it viable in any month, including winter.
Azores (Late May–early Oct) — Mild year-round but wetter; late spring through early autumn is more weather-reliable for hiking and boat trips.

Best value window

Algarve (Jul–Aug peak) usually gives the best balance: strongest beach demand in summer, busiest in july and august. may–june and september–october usually balance warmth with lower crowding. Shifting a trip two or three weeks either side of peak is normally the single biggest saving available.