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Portugal

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Best time to visit

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Late spring and early autumn is the best time to visit Portugal. April and May can offer activities like diving and mountain biking. This time is also suitable for exploring Douro Valley or Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela. During the summer months, the country gets more crowded. The prices reach their peak in August due to summer holidays in most European countries. With an arrival of mild October, the crowds thin out, but the ocean water stays warm. The country is quite rainy from November through March but sightseeing, surfing and hiking during this period is fantastic!

52 things to do in Portugal

Summer

June–mid-September Weather

Warm, dry, sunny weather everywhere, but water remains chilly until the end of the season

Winter

December, January, February Weather

Mild temperate winter is a good time for sightseeing in Portugal

Festival of Iberian Mask (Festival Internacional da Mascára Ibérica FIMI)

September 21, 2024 Event

During the first weekend of May people in masks and costumes take to the streets of Lisbon to celebrate historical and cultural ties that exist between Spanish and Portuguese regions

Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica Protected Landscape

March–October (all year round) Nature

Picturesque prehistoric cliffs hang over vast beaches creating an impressive landscape

Super Bock Super Rock

July 18–20, 2024 Event

World rock stars gather in Lisbon to take part in one of the biggest European rock festivals

Sagres Birdwatching

August–November Nature

Fascinating insight of more than 170 bird species in one place

Serra da Estrela Cheese

November–March Food

Try traditional and internationally recognised sheep cheese

Mountain Biking in Algarve

April–October Activity

One of the top 50 places for bicycle ride in the world

The “New Fairs” or Feiras Novas

September 4–9, 2024 Event

The traditional celebration of the end of the harvest

Sea Urchins

February–early March Food

An unusual Portuguese dish

Winter Food–Caldo Verde

December–February Food

A traditional​ soup is one of the best winter comfort foods of all times

Feira de Barcelos

March–November Event

Visit noisy, chaotic and rich with colour and life weekly Barcelos market

Portugal Carnival de Torres Vedras

February 9–14, 2024 Event

Traditional drums and bagpipes, large-scale​ allegorical floats, groups of masked revellers—carnival as it used to be for centuries

Bacalhau

December 25 Food

Star of the show on Portugese Christmas dinner tables

Rock in Rio Lisboa

June 15–23, 2024 Event

One of the world's biggest music and entertainment festivals

Orange Blossom

April–May Nature

See picturesque Algrave region when it's covered in orange blossom

Obidos Chocolate Festival (Festival Internacional de Chocolate de Óbidos)

March 10–26, 2023 Event

Paradise for chocolate lovers in a medieval town of Óbidos in the very centre of Portugal

Festa de São João do Porto

June 23–June 24 Event

One of the greatest street parties that ends with impressive fireworks

Olive Harvest

November–January Food

Having delicate fruit flavour, Portuguese olives are not the same as in Spain and Greece

Sardines Season

July–August Food

Sardine is the most popular fish in Portugal

Hiking in Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

May–October Activity

One of the best hiking routes in Europe

Peneda Geres National Park

April–May Nature

Come to see wild Portugal

Sun-Dried Octopus

June–August Food

Grilled dry octopus is a popular Algarve snack

Almond Harvest

September Food

Collecting almonds from the trees – Portugese farmers have done it for centuries

Orange Harvest

November–March Food

Oranges are the main produce of Algarve province

Almond Tree Blossom

late February–early March Nature

Almond trees blossom is marked with folklore festivals and special tours along Almond tree route

Serra da Estrela Skiing in Portugal

December–April Activity

The best suited to beginner skiers and snowboarders

Swimming with Dolphins

May–October Activity

Unique opportunity to see and swim with bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat

Wine Season

September–November Food

Witness grape harvesting and winemaking in one of Portugal's most famous​ wine regions

Meia Maratona de Lisboa or Lisbon Half Marathon

March 9, 2025 Event

Take part in the record-holder half-marathon through one of the 20th longest bridges in the world

Fatima Pilgrimage

October 13 | May 13 Event

The pilgrimage to the most famous place of Marian apparitions

Holy Week (Semana Santa) & Easter

March 24–31, 2024 Event

Feel the beauty of traditional ceremonies and taste delicious foods

Chameleons and Other Reptiles in Algarve

September–November Nature

Best place in Europe to see amphibians and reptiles

Lisbon Bullfighting

Easter Sunday–early fall (on selected Thursdays) Event

Tauromaquia in Portugal is no less colorful than Spanish corrida

Passadiços do Paiva or Paiva Walkways

March–June | September–November Activity

Arouca Geopark boasts a 8-kilometer wooden walkway that is perfect for hiking

Boom Festival

July 17–24, 2025 Event

Open your mind at one of Europe's best psychedelic trance music events

Epiphany Cake (King Cake)

December 24–January 06 Food

A traditional Catholic holiday marked with a crown-shaped cake, dances and singing

Vinho Verde

August–September Food

Light sparkling wines, perfect for summer heat

Diving

April–October Activity

Portugal gives a ​wide range of diving opportunities from swimming with "blue giant" to contemplation of sunk submarine

Magusto festival in Portugal

September 29 | November 1 | November 11 Event

A joyful harvest celebration when family and friends gather near the bonfire

Exploring Douro Valley

April–October Nature

One of the most beautiful places in Portugal

Nazare Waves

October–March Nature

A performance your eyes will refuse to believe

MEO Pro Portugal

March 6-16, 2024 Event

Witness the birth of a new surfing champion

Sumol Summer Fest

July 5-6, 2024 Event

Beach vibes, surfing plus lots of hip-hop and best Portuguese DJs

NOS Primavera Sound

June 6-8, 2024 Event

Refreshing international lineup combined with a lush green venue make for an unforgettable weekend

Fiesa Sand City

March 10–December 30, 2022 Event

The largest sand sculpture event in the world

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

March–October Activity

Get familiar with famous Nortada and enjoy great waves

Lisbon Christmas Markets

December–early January Event

Immerse yourself in Lisbon's festive atmosphere with holiday markets and seasonal attractions

Christmas Markets in Portugal

late November–early January Event

Christmas shopping is easy with so many beautiful artisan markets in Portugal

Comic Con Portugal

March 21–24, 2024 Event

Portugal's biggest comic con has activities for fans of any age

New Year's Eve in Porto

December 31 Event

Enjoy one of the biggest firework shows in the world here in Porto

Ageas Cooljazz Festival

July 9–31, 2024 Event

You can't miss one of Portugal's most exciting music events!

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