Best Time to Visit Portugal

Spring is the best time to visit Portugal as the country remains draped with colourful flowers and lush greeneries after the long and chilly winter. During this time, you can cover numerous historically important castles, palaces, museums and natural attractions without difficulty.

Portugal is a beautiful country adorned with splendid forms of natural beauty, including a broad coastline, islands, mountains, forests, etc. It has some of the most mesmerising beaches in Europe. Nevertheless, before visiting, you must know about the particular season when you can explore the enchanting country comfortably.

Spring Season

• Time Period: March to May
• Temperature range: 15 to 22 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 76 mm

March to May is the best time to visit Portugal and discover the country in its rich enigma. The comfortable temperature and clear, bright sky allow you to hop easily from one beautiful destination in Portugal to another. The balmy weather will welcome you to enjoy the splendid beaches, forests, valleys and mountains. Visiting during this time, you must not forget to get a glimpse of the wine country of Portugal in Douro valley.

Following are a few things that you must go for to make your international trip to Portugal worth remembering:

1. Visit the splendid Algarve beach and go swimming in the sea

2. Go walking amid nature in the Algarve region

3. Participate in wine tasting in Douro Valley

4. Enjoy the springtime delicacies of Portugal, including sea foods like sea urchins, mackerel, cockles, and cherry-based items like cherry liqueur, cherry jam, etc

5. Take a tram ride in Lisbon

6. Cruise through the Douro River

7. Stroll through the Bucaco national forest to engage with the nature

Autumn Season

• Time Period: September to October
• Temperature range: 18 to 26 degree Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 100 mm

September to October is the second-best time to visit Portugal. The weather remains peaceful and warm to let you enjoy your hiking and sightseeing more comfortably. This is the peak time for grape harvesting. The serene beaches and the balmy weather will make your journey unforgettable.

Here are some of the best things to do in Portugal if you visit the country in the dry season of autumn:

1. Explore the extraordinary beauty of Benagil caves

2. Go for a speed boat ride along the Algarve coast

3. Take a catamaran cruise in Funchal to watch dolphins and whales in their natural habitat

4. Go for wine tasting at Douro valley

5. Take a kayak and boat ride in Lagos to explore ancient rock formations

6. Swimming near the Marinha Beach

Rainy Season

• Time Period: November to December
• Temperature range: 15 to 19 degree Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 155 mm

November and December are the two months when you should ideally avoid visiting this country. In this rainy season, it will be hard for you to visit must-go beautiful places in Portugal and explore its cities, markets and culture.

You will have to carry raincoats, an umbrella and anti-slip shoes to travel to the tourist attractions in Portugal. This will increase the weight of your luggage, making the journey cumbersome.

Furthermore, if you want to enjoy your travel to Portugal from India, you should ideally skip your journey in January. However, it is alright if the temperature around 12-degree Celsius is not a big issue for you. Visiting in this month will also increase the volume and weight of your luggage since you have to take additional winter wear with you.

If you want to complete your international trip to Portugal on a low budget, early winter can be the best season for you. In this period, you can see discounts of up to 50% on the booking price of hotels.

Apart from this, you can also enjoy rate cuts on accommodations in March and April. During this time, you can get fewer crowds, letting you explore the museums, architecture and galleries conveniently. Besides, the blooming wildflowers and fresh leaves in trees adorn the country beautifully during this time.

Here are some aspects that you must know about before visiting Portugal to make your journey more enjoyable:

• Dial the emergency number, 112, during any serious situation. You can communicate in English, Portuguese and French.
• Although Portugal is a safe place, you must be responsible for your own luggage and purse to avoid being a victim of theft.
• While travelling in the countryside, enable GPS on your phone so that you do not lose your way.
• Try to stay with your own group during the night.
• The person assisting you in parking your vehicle may want tips.
• Carefully collect and keep your tickets for public transportation to avoid paying fines. The police may ask for the ticket randomly.
• Stay attentive while swimming on the seashore or walking along sea beaches. Otherwise, massive waves may hit you, leading to unexpected mishaps.

Remember the following tips to get the most out of your international trip to Portugal:

• Research about the places to visit in Portugal before going for exploration
• Abstain from confrontation with any of the local public
• Complete your vaccinations before going to the country
• Bargain with local vendors responsibly
• Maintain basic hygiene to avoid sickness during your travel
• Carry mosquito repellents and apply them while travelling along the forests and countryside
• Carry a padlock
• Keep your government ID proofs, passport and visa during your journey

Here are some common Portuguese phrases you must know to communicate necessary things to local people:

• Do you speak English? - Você fala inglês?
• I do not speak Portuguese - Não falo português
• I need a doctor - Eu preciso de um medico
• Where is the bathroom? - Onde fica a casa de banho?
• Please - Por favor
• Excuse Me - Com licença
• Thank You – Obrigada/ Obrigado
• You are welcome - De nada
• No Worries - Sem problemas
• Hello/Hi – Olá/ Oi
• Yes - Sim
• No - Não

Now that you know the best time to visit Portugal and all the things you can enjoy during this time, you can pack your bags to satisfy your wanderlust. However, before you travel to the country, make sure to get yourself covered with a travel insurance policy. It will help you get financial protection to bear accidental hospitalisation expenses. You can also get compensation after a flight cancellation, loss of checked-in luggage, etc.