Portugal
Lisbon and Porto have tiled old quarters, port wine cellars sit across the Douro from Porto, and the Algarve has sandy coves on the Atlantic coast.
Portugal is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, bordered by Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic to the west and south. Lisbon, the capital, climbs a set of hills above the Tagus River. Porto, the second city, sits on the Douro River, across from the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia. The Azores and Madeira, two volcanic island groups in the Atlantic, also belong to Portugal.
Most first trips cover Lisbon's tiled old quarters, its tram rides and fado music, and Porto's streets along the river. Sintra's palaces sit in green hills near Lisbon, and the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley produce the grapes used for port wine. The Algarve on the south coast has sea cliffs and sandy coves. Spring, from April to June, and autumn, from September to October, are mild and quieter than July and August.
Five things to know before Portugal
- Bring shoes with grip
Lisbon and Porto are steep, and the polished stone paving gets slick after rain. Flat soles will slow you down on every hill.
- Split the trip into three bases
Three nights in Lisbon with Sintra, two in Porto, then the Algarve or Douro for the rest. Trains link the first two; the coast and valley reward a car. Lisbon
- Lisbon to Porto is about 3 hours by train
Fast Alfa Pendular trains run the route. Check the CP site for times and fares on your day. Getting around
- Check your passport, then expect EES at the border
Portugal is in Schengen, and the EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps for non-EU short stays, so the first entry can add queue time at Lisbon, Porto or Faro. Visa checker
- Hire a car only where trains stop
Lisbon and Porto work without one. The Algarve cliffs and coves, the Alentejo and Douro villages are far easier with wheels. Algarve
Portugal travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Hills, trams and day trips to Sintra
Read the guidePorto travel guideRibeira, port lodges and the Douro Valley
Read the guideAlgarve travel guideCliffs, caves and beaches by car
Read the guideMadeira travel guideLevadas, peaks and booked trails
Read the guideAzores travel guideCrater lakes, whales and one island at a time
Read the guideThe DouroTerraced wine valley by train, boat or car
Read the guideTrains and transportLisbon to Porto and the Algarve by rail
Read the guideVisa checkerCheck the entry rule for your passport
Read the guide
Destinations in Portugal
CityLisbonExplore
CityViana do CasteloExplore
CityThe BeirasExplore
CityPenicheExplore
CitySintraExplore
CityGuimarãesExplore
CityPortimãoExplore
CityCarrapateiraExplore
CityTaviraExplore
CityVila Nova De MilfontesExplore
CityParque Natural da ArrábidaExplore
CityAlbufeiraExplore
CityNazaréExplore
CityPeso da RéguaExplore
CityThe DouroExplore
CityThe AlentejoExplore
CitySilvesExplore
CityBragaExplore
CityÉvoraExplore
CityEriceiraExplore
CityPinhãoExplore
CityOdeceixeExplore
CityTomarExplore
CityPortoExplore
CityÓbidosExplore
CityCascaisExplore
CityViseuExploreCityParque Natural da Serra da EstrelaExplore
CityOlhãoExplore
CityFunchalExplore
CityAljezurExplore
CityCoimbraExplore
CityThe MinhoExplore
CitySagresExplore
CityMonchiqueExplore
CityAveiroExplore
CityFaroExplore
CityCarvoeiroExplore
CityLagosExplore
CitySetúbalExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- €25
- Food
- €25
- Transport
- €7
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- €55
- Food
- €50
- Transport
- €20
- Sights
- €15
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- €100
- Food
- €100
- Transport
- €60
- Sights
- €50
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Mild, rainyJanuaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rainy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°MildFebruaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°SpringMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Warm, showersAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, clearMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Santo AntónioJuneClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Santo António
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low18°Hot, busyJulyClear
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low18°HottestAugustClear
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°RainyNovemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Lisbon, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Portugal
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 54%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Portugal
07:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°9°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed19°6°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°5°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri19°4°33%Friday: Rain. High 19°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sat18°12°61%Saturday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sun18°13°95%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 95%.
Updated 06:20 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- AprInternational Sand Sculpture FestivalSilves
- May
- Jun
- JulSuper Bock Super RockSetúbalNOS AliveLisbon
- AugVilar de Mouros FestivalViana do Castelo
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in Portugal: Muse The Wow! Signal Tour Lisbon, Jan 10, 2027 · Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Lisbon, Apr 15, 2027 · Karol G Tropitour Lisbon, Jun 18, 2027
Before you go to Portugal
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Portugal FAQ
How many days do I need in Portugal?
A week covers Lisbon, Sintra and Porto. Add three days for the Douro valley or the Algarve.
Do I need a car in Portugal?
Not for Lisbon and Porto, which are linked by fast trains. For the Alentejo and the Douro, a car makes it far easier.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
May, June, September and October bring warm weather without the crowds and heat of July and August. Winters are mild and rainy, good for city breaks.
Do I need a visa for Portugal?
Many passports travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area; check yours. ETIAS is not running yet, but EES registration happens at the first entry.
Algarve or Madeira for a beach week?
The Algarve has the long sandy beaches, caves and a car-friendly coast. Madeira has pebble beaches and cooler water, and suits hiking more than swimming.