Hugging the Atlantic coast on the west side of the country, Portugal's location has a varied yet moderate climate. Season and location –inland, along the coast, or on one of the islands- determines the distinct weather.
Despite bordering the Atlantic coast, Portugal is considered to have a Mediterranean climate. However, this classification depends on the region you're in. In general, summers are dry with temperatures ranging from warm to hot, sometimes scorching, especially the further inland you are with cool and rainy winters.
Portugal is geographically diverse; mountainous areas in the north, sandy beaches along the entire west coast, several rivers running through the country and different regions ideal for growing grapes, as well as olives and cork trees. Overall, the temperatures are moderate year-round, without too many extremes.
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The north of Portugal is known for its rainier climate throughout the year, and in winter, you can find snow in the mountains. If you fancy snowboarding or skiing, you'll want to head to Serra da Estrela, the only place in the country with a ski lift.
If you're after the sunshine, you'll want to head to the southern region. Algarve weather has ample sun year-round and is considered the sunniest place in Europe.
The weather on the island of Madeira is warm year-round with microclimates, depending on what side of the island you're on. Meanwhile, the Azores archipelago weather has lots of humidity and tends to have cooler temperatures due to its location in the northern Atlantic.
A monthly outlook for Portugal's weather
Weather in Portugal in January: Average Temperature: Max 16 C, Min 9 C, Rain 7,3 mm
Weather in Portugal in February: Average Temperature: Max: 16 C, Min 10 C, Rain 13 mm
Weather in Portugal in March: Average Temperature: Max: 18 C, Min: 11 C, Rain 12 mm
Weather in Portugal in April: Average Temperature: Max 20C, Min 14 C, Rain 11mm
Weather in Portugal in May: Average Temperature: Max 24C, Min 17 C, Rain 16 mm
Weather in Portugal in June: Average Temperature: Max: 28 C, Min 20 C, Rain 0 mm
Weather in Portugal in July Average Temperature: Max 26 C, Min 22 C, Rain: 0 mm
Weather in Portugal in August Average Temperature: Max 29C, Min 21C, Rain: 0 mm
Weather in Portugal in September: Average Temperature: Max 24C, Min 18C, Rain: 20 mm
Weather in Portugal in October Average Temperature: Max 24C, Min 18C. Rain: 20 mm
Weather for Portugal in November Average Temperature: Max 16 C, Min 13C, Rain 22 mm
Weather in Portugal in December Average Temperature: Max 18 C, Min 11C, Rain 18 mm
Northern Portugal is geographically diverse, combining mountain terrain with the Atlantic coast. Overall, the weather is colder and rainier than in the rest of the country. The weather tends to be more extreme in northern Portugal, with cold winters, hot summers, and humidity along the coast. Of course, if you're in the mountains, temperatures tend to be cooler in higher altitudes, so be prepared for fluctuations in weather. Because the north receives much more rain than the south, the landscape is more verdant with lots of foliage. Vino Verde, or green wine, is a white wine typical in the north, known as the Minho region.
The second-largest city, Porto, has more cloudy and grey sky days than the capital city of Lisbon. Porto weather is defined as having a Mediterranean climate with warm summers that don't typically get too hot, thanks to the Douro river that passes through and the proximity to the Atlantic coast that helps create milder temperatures throughout the year. Although you can expect rain throughout the year, the rainy season is in winter.
The Douro River passes through Porto and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The Douro Valley is known for its vineyards and is one of the prized wine regions of Portugal. Porto is known for its port wine.
Central Portugal has a varied climate, depending on if you're on the coast or further inland. Aveiro, a city often called Portuguese Venice for its canals that end in the Atlantic Ocean, is warm in the summer but rarely hot. In the winter, it's cold with plenty of rain. Having many overcast days, Aveiro is often compared to having similar weather to Porto, including many cloudy days.
Meanwhile, the inland city of Coimbra, which is famous for having one of the oldest universities in the world, has more moderate temperatures. Even in the winter, temperatures often range from 8 C- 15 C and in summer, it can be cool to hot with a range of 15- 30 C.
In this region's food, fresh seafood is abundant along the coast with delicious dishes, such as creamed cod with potatoes, bacalhau com Natas or a fish stew, caldeirada de peixe.
Coimbra has its own pastry, the pastel de Santa Clara, a puffy concoction with an egg filling created at the convent of the same name.
The charming capital city of Portugal, Lisbon, has moderate temperatures year-round. Weather in Lisbon, Portugal, has mild winters, with some rain, while summers can be dry and hot. Spring and fall are enjoyable times for sightseeing and with fewer crowds.
The Tejo or Tagus river runs through this region, starting in Spain and passing through Lisbon before ending in the Atlantic ocean. Due to this region's location– bordering the coast and with the river meandering through– temperatures aren't as extreme as in other areas.
The Tagus Valley is known for three types of wine production–influenced by the river and three distinct types of soil that lend themselves to an array of grape varietals. The Southern area of the Tagus Valley has hotter temperatures where grapes grow faster than in other zones.
Alentejo is a region located south of Lisbon and sits between the Atlantic Ocean and borders Western Spain. Temperatures are hot and dry in the summer, and are considered the hottest part of Portugal. Inland towns and cities, such as Evora, can experience heat waves in the summer, with temperatures reaching 40C. Winter time is usually cold in December and January. Temperatures can dip below 0C–so be prepared with a heavy coat and many layers.
The weather is more extreme in this region, and the weather is milder in the spring and fall.
The arid, hot climate is ideal for growing olives, and you'll see plenty of olive groves in this region and cork trees. Cork is a prized material in Portugal, traditionally used to make wine corks, and now cork is also used to make other items, such as handbags, wallets, and even earrings. Wine grapes are also grown in Alentejo. Pigs are raised in this region, and Alentejo pork has a Protected Designation Origin status.
With a Mediterranean climate, weather in the Algarve is typically dry and hot, with temperatures ranging between 20-30 C during the summer months–from June to September. This region is warmer than the rest of the country, thanks to Atlantic winds that cool down the area, so even in the summer, it rarely gets as hot as it does in neighbouring southern Spain. And if sunshine is what you're after, this region receives around 300 days of sunshine, so even in the cooler seasons, you'll find comfortable temperatures and sunny skies.
Although the Algarve is the region with minimal rain compared to the rest of the country, it occasionally rains. November and December are considered the wettest months. Depending on which area of the Algarve you're in, winter temperatures average between 4-10 C. Albufeira weather is moderate, with plenty of sunshine year-round, similar to neighbouring beach towns.
The Algarve is known for having Atlantic coast winds, so even in summertime, come prepared with a layer, such as a windbreaker or light jacket. The breeze can make it cooler, especially at sundown.
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, are grown in the winter. Grape varietals, such as Castelão, Crato Branco, and Tinta Negra Mole, are grown in this warm climate and produced into wine, along with the more well-known varietal Syrah.
Located approximately 1500km from Lisbon in the North Atlantic, the Azores is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands. With a subtropical maritime climate, the Azores' weather is humid throughout the year.
The Azores are hit by hurricanes occasionally, usually in the fall, thanks to their location. Summer is the warmest season with the sunniest skies in July and August. June is generally a bit cooler and often with overcast skies, and although September also has warm temperatures, there are more days of rain. From the fall through mid-Spring, temperatures are cooler and rainier, depending on which island you visit. Some islands are more mountainous, which will have a cooler and wetter climate. For example, Mount Pico is located on the isle Pico, the highest peak in Portugal. This island is lush and green throughout the year due to lots of rainfall, and in winter, it often snows.
The Azores islands grow a lot of different types of fruit and vegetables, thanks to the tropical climate. The islands are known for pineapples, bananas, passion fruit, and even citrus, such as oranges. Cheese is big on the islands, too, where you'll have a variety of cheeses to choose from and indulge in.
Madeira is an island closer to the continent of Africa than Portugal— about 860km— so the climate is different from what you'd experience on the mainland. The weather is warm and humid year-round, with slight variations depending on the season.
The mountain range that runs through the middle of Madeira has a significant influence on the climate, so it's easy to experience many different types of weather patterns in a single day, especially if you travel around the island. The northern side of the island receives more rain than the south, and rain is typically throughout the year. Meanwhile, the mountains protect the island's south side, which receives less precipitation. The northeast trade winds from the Portuguese coast often bring big waves to the northern coast, which typically triggers negative and colder weather patterns on the island's eastern side.
Because of the varied and tropical weather, along with diverse geography, Madeira has an abundance of flora and fauna. An array of tropical fruit is grown, including bananas. Seafood and fish are everyday dishes, too.
