Spring March to May
Average highs of 18.9–23.1°C in Lisbon and 17.0–20.3°C in Porto. April still brings rain: 71.8 mm on average in Lisbon, 95.5 mm in Porto.
For your trip: Good for the city stops and walking. Pack a rain jacket for the north.
Trip planning
Best time to visit Portugal
Weather by month for Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira, from the official 30-year climate averages, and what each season means for a hostel trip.
29.4°CFaro's July average high
2.6 mmLisbon's July rainfall
6.9°CFunchal's year-round swing
The short answer
For a hostel route that mixes cities and beaches, go in June or September. Average highs are 26.1°C and 26.6°C in Lisbon and 26.8°C and 26.4°C in Faro, just below July and August, the two hottest months. For beaches only, July and August are the hottest and driest on the Algarve. For winter sun, go to Madeira: Funchal's average high never drops below 19.9°C.
Average high by month, °C
Weather by city and month
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 15 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 |
| Porto | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 15 |
| Faro (Algarve) | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 17 |
| Funchal (Madeira) | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 21 |
Lisbon
794 mm of rain a year
Jan 104 · Apr 72 · Jul 3 · Oct 111 mm
Lows: 8.6°C in January, 18.8°C in August
Porto
1,147 mm of rain a year
Jan 151 · Apr 96 · Jul 17 · Oct 149 mm
Lows: 6.4°C in January, 15.7°C in August
Faro (Algarve)
455 mm of rain a year
Jan 49 · Apr 39 · Jul 1 · Oct 56 mm
Lows: 8.3°C in January, 19.9°C in August
Funchal (Madeira)
574 mm of rain a year
Jan 67 · Apr 45 · Jul 2 · Oct 91 mm
Lows: 14.3°C in January, 20.7°C in August
Source: IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere) climate normals 1991–2020, average daily maximum and minimum air temperature and average monthly rainfall, for Lisbon, Porto, Faro (Algarve), Funchal (Madeira). Read 6 Oct 2026. Porto is the wettest of the four and Faro (Algarve) the driest.
Season by season
What each season means for a hostel trip
Summer June to August
The hottest and driest months: average highs of 26.8–29.4°C in Faro and 26.1–28.8°C in Lisbon, and almost no rain in July (2.6 mm in Lisbon). Porto stays cooler at 22.7–24.8°C.
For your trip: Beach season on the Algarve and festival season in the cities. Book beds early around the June festivals and in July and August.
Autumn September to November
September is still summer-warm (26.6°C average high in Lisbon, 26.4°C in Faro). By October the rain is back: 110.6 mm in Lisbon and 148.9 mm in Porto on average.
For your trip: September is the pick for a beach-and-cities route. Later in autumn, plan indoor days for Porto.
Winter December to February
Average highs of 15.1–16.4°C in Lisbon and 14.0–15.0°C in Porto, but January is wet: 151 mm in Porto. Madeira stays at 19.9–20.0°C.
For your trip: Pick hostels with a good common room for the wet days, or head to Madeira for the warmest winter days.
Dates worth planning around
Festivals and events
- Night of 12 to 13 June Santo António, Lisbon The night of Lisbon's popular saints, with the marchas populares parading down Avenida da Liberdade. Official dates
- 23 to 24 June São João, Porto Porto's biggest festival, celebrated on the night of 23 June with fireworks at midnight. Official dates
- 8 to 10 July 2027 NOS Alive, Algés, Lisbon Three-day music festival on the riverfront west of Lisbon. Official dates
- 3 to 14 February 2027 Carnival, Madeira Madeira's carnival programme, set by the regional tourist board. Official dates
- 22 August to 12 September 2027 Wine Festival, Madeira Madeira's annual wine festival. Official dates
Dates checked on each organiser's or tourist board's page on 6 Oct 2026. If your dates overlap, book your bed early.