Mixing the most cosmopolitan with the most typical, Portugal allows you to get to know, even in the big metropolises, what is best in the city and what remains of ancient cultural traces, since modernity and ancestry live here in harmony. From ancient costumes, present in so many aspects of daily life, such as hospitality and good service, you will also find celebrations, dances, and products. Some examples of this tradition are objects such as clay pots, the Galo de Barcelos or the Filigrana de Ouro; fado, pauliteiros and ranchos; popular festivals, pilgrimages, and religiosity. From north to south you will also find monuments and museums. The history of the country, its people, its customs, and its impact on the world is told, and we are invited to learn about the primordial times of the territory, before it became Portugal, and where it was home to peoples such as the Carthaginians, the Arabs, and the Romans, among others, in the ruins and traces they left in their wake. The rich cuisine will be another constant throughout the territory, as will the careful service and refined food. The art of serving is therefore closely related to the culture of the country, where many of the dishes packed in the boxes trace the history of the men and women dedicated to agricultural practices. Here we talk about, for example, Feijoada Transmontana, Cozido à Portuguesa, or Dobrada. So, although Portugal is a small country at the westernmost point of the European continent, it will always offer a multitude of options in terms of built, historical, natural, cultural and traditional heritage, allowing the creation of a rich route for all those who wish to travel to Portugal.
Destinations
Best time to travel
Portugal is a country that invites visitors to come all year round, with each season including exceptional options of great relevance to travelers. Besides being a country that stands out for its visual richness and historical and cultural heritage, traveling to Portugal also allows contact with a wide range of activities, which vary according to the time of year. Among the activities that can be carried out in Portugal, there are many cultural, leisure and artistic events, and it is worth highlighting the fact that, among these, there are many that are completely free and a lot of fun. As a diverse country, the area of the country you choose to visit will also impact what you will experience and see in Portugal. From north to south, the landscapes are diverse, as are the offerings, celebrations, and customs. It is also worth noting that, in addition to the differences that highlight each region, Portugal is different in every season, with very characteristic visual traits that are directly related to the time of year when you make your trip. The natural environment, city lights and celebrations are clear examples of aspects that change with each season.
March – June Spring in Portugal offers many possibilities for travelers to take advantage of areas of great natural beauty, as the country is full of gardens. At this time, Portugal takes on new colors, with the blooming of the vast flora that characterizes each region, and some events help to further enhance the beauty of spring.
Weather
The weather in Portugal during spring tends to be mild and sunny, with a few rainy days. In a few years’ time, you’ll be able to enjoy Portugal’s beaches.
Events & Parties
In addition, in some regions, the celebration of spring and trees is linked to the celebration of arts such as poetry, as has happened in Sintra with events such as Seiva Poética, a co-organization of the Sintra Municipal Chamber of Commerce, and the Sintra Poetry Slam, which has been held since 2020.
Religious events are also worth highlighting, with particular emphasis on the city of Braga and its Easter festival, whereyou can enjoy concerts, masses and processions that mark the routes of flowers, religiosity and pilgrims, and Fátima, where the celebration of May 13 is the biggest religious event in the country, celebrating the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to the Shepherds.
Price evolution
As it’s not high season, spring can become a more economical time to visit the country, with a small difference in the price of accommodation.
June – September Summer is, par excellence, the favorite time for travelers to get to know the country, and is considered by many to be the best time to visit Portugal. In fact, Portugal’s beaches, which stretch from north to south, are very inviting for those who particularly enjoy seaside tourism, with literally hundreds of beaches, where you’ll find urban and popular options, but also desert paradises and jungles. The summer season is also rich in events, street markets, artistic expressions and offers related to local sports and contact with nature.
Weather
The summer climate in Portugal is convivial for those who enjoy sightseeing by the sea. Temperatures are usually above 23ºC, occasionally reaching 40ºC. The Alentejo and Algarve regions have the highest temperatures. During the summer months, precipitation is quite rare and sunny weather prevails.
Events & Parties
Lovers of music and fun will love summer in Portugal, as the main festivals take place during this period. We highlight, among many others, NOS Alive, Rock in Rio, Sumol Summer Fest, MEO Sudoeste and EDP Cool Jazz. Sunsets and traditional festivals in Portuguese villages also bring tradition and music to the streets, all over the country.
Price evolution
The summer season is, in fact, the country’s main high season and seaside destinations are currently the most expensive. Regions like the Algarve, Gerês, and Lisbon have a higher demand, which may also correspond to a higher price. In contrast, the Portuguese hinterland has very affordable prices.
September – December In the fall, the highlight is the great natural beauty of Portugal’s parks, cities and forests, as the countryside is filled with deciduous trees and sees a change of tones. The lush green scenery quickly turns into a splendor of warm colors, accompanied by deeply rooted traditions such as roasting chestnuts in the street – a unique olfactory and sensory experience – and the performance of “Magustos” all over the country. This is also the time when cafés start putting blankets on their terraces and offering delicious chocolate and hot chocolate options on their menus.
Weather
In the fall in Portugal, the weather starts to get cooler, but it’s still pleasant and convivial. Although there is a greater chance of rain, there are still a large number of sunny days at this time of year.
Events & Parties
In fact, the country’s most emblematic events during the summer are directly related to farming. In addition, at the beginning of the season, the grape harvest is an important event, filling Portuguese vineyards with tradition; magustos, where roasted chestnuts are left out in the rain, also take place all over the country, inviting visitors to taste the fruit and accompany it with the famous national jeropiga.
Price evolution
Like spring, autumn is a season in which you can find some accommodation options at lower prices, since the variation in prices compared to summer increases the value of the traveler’s purse.
December – March Portugal is internationally recognized as a seaside destination, both for its beach characteristics and its temperatures. Even so, the cold winter months bring many surprises for visitors. Skiing in Portugal or getting to know the winter celebrations, markets and events will certainly enhance the travelers’ experience in Portugal. A good example is the practice of winter sports in Serra da Estrela. This mountain range invites you to enjoy and take advantage of the 19 ski and snowboard runs. In addition to this mountain range, many other events and ice rinks in the country become convivial during this time of year.
Weather
The climate in winter is cooler and, depending on the region of the country, even colder. Rain is frequent during this season, although there are also several sunny days, with temperatures rarely below 5ºC in the central and southern region. In Serra da Estrela, you can count on snow, which favors winter sports.
Events & Parties
Winter is very rich in celebrations, all over the country. At this time, religiosity intensifies and religious events related to Christmas are common, and the country, despite being a secular state, remains attached to Catholic practices. At this time of year, you’ll be invited to see the cities lit up and decorated, to attend religious celebrations such as masses and pilgrimages, to visit presepios (some of which are still alive, such as the Penela presepio), to visit wonderful Christmas markets (with special mention for “Natal na Praça!” in Funchal, Vila Natal in Óbidos or Wonderland Lisbon) and to enjoy the magnificent New Year celebrations, of which the celebrations on the beaches of the Algarve and the fireworks display in Madeira deserve a special mention.
Price evolution
Price variations on trips to Portugal during the winter can be seen, as this is the high season in snowy regions (such as Serra da Estrela). In addition, around New Year’s Eve, regions such as the Algarve and Madeira may also become slightly more expensive, although the events of the season fully justify their value.
Itineraries and plans
Visa, currency and restrictions
Where to stay
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