Best time to visit Portugal

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Portugal

Best time of year to visit Portugal

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!

14 THINGS TO DO IN PORTUGAL (JUNE 20 - JUNE 29)

Rock in Rio Lisboa

Rock in Rio Lisboa

June 15–23, 2024 • event

One of the world's biggest music and entertainment festivals

Festa de São João do Porto

Festa de São João do Porto

June 23 • event

One of the greatest street parties that ends with impressive fireworks

Lisbon Bullfighting

Lisbon Bullfighting

Easter Sunday–late summer (on selected Thursdays) • event

Tauromaquia in Portugal is no less colorful than Spanish corrida

Hiking in Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

Hiking in Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

May–October • activity

One of the best hiking routes in Europe

The Algarve Beaches

The Algarve Beaches

June–September • nature

Algarve is consistently on the list of the world's best beaches

Exploring Douro Valley

Exploring Douro Valley

April–October • nature

One of the most beautiful places in Portugal

Swimming with Dolphins

Swimming with Dolphins

May–October • activity

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

Feira de Barcelos

Feira de Barcelos

March–November • event

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

Sun-Dried Octopus

Sun-Dried Octopus

June–August • food

Grilled dry octopus is a popular Algarve snack

Diving

Diving

April–October • activity

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

Mountain Biking in Algarve

Mountain Biking in Algarve

April–October • activity

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

Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica Protected Landscape

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

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

March–October • activity

Get familiar with famous Nortada and enjoy great waves

Cycling

Cycling

all year round  • activity

A fun, easy, and fast way to explore the city’s highlights

41 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Boom Festival

Boom Festival

out of rangeJuly 20–27, 2023 • event

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

Nazare Waves

Nazare Waves

out of rangeOctober–March • nature

A performance your eyes will refuse to believe

Obidos Chocolate Festival (Festival Internacional de Chocolate de Óbidos)

Obidos Chocolate Festival (Festival Internacional de Chocolate de Óbidos)

out of rangeMarch 10–26, 2023 • event

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

MEO Pro Portugal

MEO Pro Portugal

out of rangeMarch 6-16, 2024 • event

Witness the birth of a new surfing champion

Lisbon Christmas Markets

Lisbon Christmas Markets

out of rangeDecember–early January • event

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

Wine Season

Wine Season

out of rangeSeptember–November • food

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

Holy Week (Semana Santa) & Easter

Holy Week (Semana Santa) & Easter

out of rangeMarch 24–31, 2024 • event

Feel the beauty of traditional ceremonies and taste delicious foods

Portugal Carnival de Torres Vedras

Portugal Carnival de Torres Vedras

out of rangeFebruary 9–14, 2024 • event

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

Almond Tree Blossom

Almond Tree Blossom

out of rangelate February–early March • nature

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

Fatima Pilgrimage

Fatima Pilgrimage

out of rangeOctober 13 | May 13 • event

The pilgrimage to the most famous place of Marian apparitions

Passadiços do Paiva or Paiva Walkways

Passadiços do Paiva or Paiva Walkways

out of rangeMarch–June | September–November • activity

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

Chameleons and Other Reptiles in Algarve

Chameleons and Other Reptiles in Algarve

out of rangeSeptember–November • nature

Best place in Europe to see amphibians and reptiles

The “New Fairs” or Feiras Novas

The “New Fairs” or Feiras Novas

out of rangeSeptember 8–11, 2023 • event

The traditional celebration of the end of the harvest

Surfing Atlantic

Surfing Atlantic

out of rangeJanuary–March • activity

Portugal is one of the finest Europe's surfing destinations

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

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

on holdSeptember 1–5, 2023 • 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

Peneda Geres National Park

Peneda Geres National Park

out of rangeApril–May • nature

Come to see wild Portugal

Orange Harvest

Orange Harvest

out of rangeNovember–March • food

Oranges are the main produce of Algarve province

The Tall Ship Races Lisboa

The Tall Ship Races Lisboa

overSeptember 2–5, 2021 • event

One of the most impressive sailing events worldwide

Bacalhau

Bacalhau

out of rangeDecember 25 • food

Star of the show on Portugese Christmas dinner tables

Serra da Estrela Cheese

Serra da Estrela Cheese

out of rangeNovember–March • food

Try traditional and internationally recognised sheep cheese

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

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

Almond Harvest

Almond Harvest

out of rangeSeptember • food

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

Meia Maratona de Lisboa or Lisbon Half Marathon

Meia Maratona de Lisboa or Lisbon Half Marathon

out of rangeMarch 17, 2024 • event

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

Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde

out of rangeAugust–September • food

Light sparkling wines, perfect for summer heat

Fiesa Sand City

Fiesa Sand City

out of rangeMarch 10–December 30, 2022 • event

The largest sand sculpture event in the world

Sardines Season

Sardines Season

out of rangeJuly–August • food

Sardine is the most popular fish in Portugal

Olive Harvest

Olive Harvest

out of rangeNovember–January • food

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

Sagres Birdwatching

Sagres Birdwatching

out of rangeAugust–November • nature

Fascinating insight of more than 170 bird species in one place

Magusto

Magusto

out of rangeSeptember 29 | November 1 | November 11 • event

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

Christmas Markets in Portugal

Christmas Markets in Portugal

out of rangelate November–early January  • event

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

Peixe em Lisboa or Lisbon Fish & Flavours

Peixe em Lisboa or Lisbon Fish & Flavours

on holdApril 4–14, 2019 • event

Creative fish and seafood tasting

Orange Blossom

Orange Blossom

out of rangeApril–May • nature

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

Super Bock Super Rock

Super Bock Super Rock

out of rangeJuly 18-20, 2024 • event

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

NOS Primavera Sound

NOS Primavera Sound

out of rangeJune 6-8, 2024 • event

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

EDP Cool Jazz Festival

EDP Cool Jazz Festival

out of rangeJuly 9-31, 2024 • event

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

Comic Con Portugal

Comic Con Portugal

out of rangeMarch 21–24, 2024 • event

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

Sea Urchins

Sea Urchins

out of rangeFebruary–early March • food

An unusual Portuguese dish

Epiphany Cake (King Cake)

Epiphany Cake (King Cake)

out of rangeDecember 24–January 06 • food

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

Serra da Estrela Skiing

Serra da Estrela Skiing

out of rangeDecember–April • activity

The best suited to beginner skiers and snowboarders

Sumol Summer Fest

Sumol Summer Fest

out of rangeJuly 5-6, 2024 • event

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

Winter Food–Caldo Verde

Winter Food–Caldo Verde

out of rangeDecember–February • food

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

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