Famous for its wine, beaches, and seafood, Portugal is the ultimate European destination when you’re looking for culture, relaxation, and culinary delights.
If you are planning a trip to Portugal, make sure to make the most of it by visiting at the best time. Whether you are looking for the best weather, great deals on flights and hotels, or an escape from the crowds, we’ve got you covered below.
Plus, we will let you know when you should probably avoid going, things to consider when booking your Portuguese vacation, and why you would even want to visit in the first place!
You may be more familiar with the only country that Portugal shares its borders with, Spain, but Portugal is an amazing country to check out on its own.
Despite being a little smaller than the state of Indiana, it boasts over 1,000 miles of coastline, eight major cities ranging from cosmopolitan Lisbon to the wine capital of Porto, and is one of the most peaceful countries in the world.
Wine-lovers may flock to France and Italy, but Portugal is well worth a visit. Of course, port wine, the famous fortified dessert wine from Porto, put Portugal on the map for the viticulturists of the world.
owever, there are 11 other distinct wine regions broken into 30 different Denominacaos de Origen Controlada (DOC) like Douro and Vinho Verde that will delight your palate. Foodies will also love Portugal’s seemingly endless array of national dishes.
Trying bacalhau — or salted cod — is a right of passage for visitors, but you should also never miss out on Polvo a Lagareiro (octopus and potatoes with olive oil), freshly grilled sardines, or spit-roasted Leitao assado (suckling pig).
In between your food and drinks sessions, soak up the sun on one of the many beautiful beaches along the coastline. Portinho Beach near Lisbon, Moledo Beach on the northern coast, and Praia do Camilo in Lagos are all wonderful spots to spend an afternoon in the surf.
If all of that sounds fabulous enough to pack your bags (you are not alone!), read below for the best time to visit Portugal to have the trip of a lifetime.
The best time to visit Portugal is during the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October.
You will have the ultimate combination of good weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of local festivities to keep you busy. Like many places in Europe, tourists tend to flood the streets of Portugal during the peak summer months.
This means sky-high rates, high average temperatures, and lots and lots of crowds. Avoid that by booking your trip at the beginning or tail end of the summer months.
