The Best Time to Visit Portugal for Fewer Crowds and Better Weather
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It’s not an exaggeration to say that the best time to visit Portugal is any time you can go. The aptly-nicknamed “garden planted at the edge of the sea” (translated loosely from the Portuguese “jardim à beira-mar plantado”) is so full of beautiful places, like the vineyards of the Douro Valley and the sunflower fields of the Alentejo region, that a trip at any time of year is well worth it. In fact, day-to-day living in the country is so wonderful that many expats are retiring in Portugal. Still, if you can't spare a lifetime, a visit of any length to Portugal is sure to be fabulous—especially when you toss some colorful heritage souvenirs and delicious tinned fish into the mix.
To get the best tips for traveling to Portugal, I spoke to two of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists: Virginia Irurita, the founder of the travel agency Made for Spain & Portugal; and Gonçalo Correia, general manager of Lisbon-based tour operator Tours for You, both of whom count Portugal among their geographic specialties. Below, Irurita and Correia offer tips on the best time to visit Portugal, where to stay (especially during peak season), and when you can get more affordable rates at the best hotels in Portugal.
Jump to the topic:
When visiting Portugal for the first time, where should I go?
How many days do I need to spend in Portugal as a first-timer?
Woman walking in Porto against azulejos wall of the Capela das Almas church in Porto
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
For good weather, the best time to go to Portugal is March, just as spring arrives and before most of the tourist crowds appear, according to Correia. February and early April are optimal times to visit as well, Irurita says, as the weather will be mild.
“Beach lovers should head to Portugal’s southern coast, the Algarve region, in summer or early autumn—any time from July to October,” Irurita says. “But if you do, be ready for many tourists—Europeans and visitors from elsewhere.” To really avoid the crowds, winter is also a good time to visit Portugal, although the weather will be cooler and more unpredictable—and you won’t be able to enjoy the Portuguese beaches and sun. Conversely, be warned that the months of July and August can be very hot, Correia says, so bring your best sunscreen.
When is the cheapest time to visit Portugal?
For a more affordable trip to Portugal, both Correia and Irurita recommend traveling in the winter months, from November to March. “The weather will be rainy, especially by the coast, and it will be cooler, especially in the northern part of the country,” Correia says. “And hotels will offer low-season rates from November 1 up to March 31.”
When is peak season in Portugal?
Given its popularity with tourists, the peak season in Portugal stretches from May all the way to September, according to Correia. In Portugal’s coastal areas, like the Algarve, July and August are particularly popular, thanks to the beaches that attract those traveling for their summer holidays. He also notes that September and October are peak times to visit the wineries of the Douro Valley for harvest season, so plan accordingly.
“Remember if you are traveling during peak season but want to avoid the crowds, the thing to do is to stay in the fabulous hotels that Portugal has in the countryside and villages outside the city centers,” Irurita says. “Visit the busy cities during the day, then return to the peace of your hotel in the evening.”
When visiting Portugal for the first time, where should I go?
According to Irurita, the ideal first-time trip to Portugal includes the highlights: Lisbon, the country’s capital and main international gateway, famous for its colorful cityscape; Porto, for its mix of old history and European charm; and the Douro Valley (you’re better off avoiding the crowds when they descend during harvest season, Correia says).
Travelers looking to hit the beach should visit the Algarve region. But to really get away from the crowds, Correia recommends the Alentejo region, which sits between Lisbon and the Algarve: “There, you’ll find thousand-year-old villages on hilltops; charming and rustic accommodations with 21st-century amenities; and rolling hills of never-ending olive trees, cork oaks, and vineyards.”
The deep valleys of the wine-making region of the Douro Valley in Portugal
How many days do I need to spend in Portugal as a first-timer?
For an introductory visit to Portugal, both Irurita and Correia suggest staying for about 10 days. This amount of time considers travel days, and about two to three nights in Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley (or the Algarve). “It is not a big country, but there are a million fabulous things to do and visit, so you need time,” Irurita says. “And remember: Availability at hotels during peak seasons is limited; the same goes for the top guides. Book early to avoid disappointment!”
That said, if you only have a long weekend, a few nights in Lisbon will allow you to get a feel for the country’s culture and pace. (It’s also easy to make Portugal part of a larger European itinerary; TAP Air Portugal, the national airline, offers convenient stopover programs.) Lisbon has many flight connections to the rest of the continent, as well as North America, making a return visit all the more accessible.
What else should I know before visiting Portugal?
It bears repeating that Portugal is one of the most touristed places in Europe right now. Correia notes that many “must-visit” sites like the sea caves of Benagil along the Algarve coastline and the historical towns of Sintra and Óbidos have been overrun by tourism: “In fact, local authorities have been introducing several restrictions to preserve them.”
Similarly, Irurita notes that everyone visits the same monuments and attractions, like the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower, both in Lisbon. But there are other artistic and historical destinations that deserve more attention, like Mafra—part of the Greater Lisbon subregion, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site the Mafra National Palace. “My suggestion is to allow time to enjoy the outskirts of Lisbon and Porto,” she says. “The suburbs and nearby rural areas don’t get a lot of visitors, and so you will enjoy a more authentic and local experience.”
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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