Best Time to Visit Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal is generally May–June & September–October. This season-by-season guide covers peak, shoulder and low season, the weather you can expect, the festivals that fill hotels and what to pack.
Weather in Portugal
Warm, dry summers along the Atlantic coast with cooling sea breezes, and mild winters with rain. The Algarve and Madeira stay pleasant well outside summer.
Peak, shoulder and low season
Peak season runs July–August, with the highest flight and hotel demand. Shoulder season (April–June and September–October) offers similar conditions with thinner crowds. Low season (November–March, milder in the Algarve and Madeira) is the cheapest, with less predictable weather or reduced opening hours at some attractions.
Festivals and holidays
Lisbon's June festivals and August holidays are the busiest weeks; surf season peaks in autumn and winter.
What to pack for Portugal
Layers for coastal wind, sun protection, and a light rain jacket outside summer.