🌞 Best time of year to visit Portugal as a Digital Nomad

🌞 Best time of year to visit Portugal as a Digital Nomad

We've been to Portugal a couple of times and had a great time every time. The country offers a great quality of life, friendly vibes, tasty food and drinks, cool spots and beautiful beaches. But when is the best time to visit this Mediterranean country?

In this article, we will give you information about three main factors influencing the best time to visit Portugal

  • 🌈 Seasonality
  • 💰 Cost of Visiting
  • 🎉 Festivals & Events

Your upcoming adventure to Portugal will be well-planned and stress-free when you finish reading. So, start getting ready; Portugal is waiting for you.


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🌈 #1 Seasons in Portugal

Portugal has a mild Mediterranean climate, which means it has warm summers and mild winters. The weather is often sunny, with some areas enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine yearly.

But the climate differs per region, with cooler temperatures in the north and hotter temperatures in the south.

Portugal has all four seasons - spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Let's explore each season in detail. However, its goo

🌸 Spring 

Spring runs from March to May, and it is the shoulder season in Portugal. It is a lovely time to visit Portugal, with temperatures hovering around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F).

This mild climate provides the perfect opportunity for exploring this beautiful country.

April and May are the best months to visit Portugal as there are few tourists, so you can quickly get affordable accommodation and flight tickets.

Even though it may rain occasionally, most of the time, it is sunny and dry, providing perfect weather conditions for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

🔥 Summer 

Summer runs from June to August and is the high season in Portugal.

It is the perfect time if you love the sun and don't mind the crowds. With over 11 hours of sunlight and temperatures hovering around 30°C (86°F) or higher, it is the best time to do outdoor activities or explore the beaches and the Douro River.

However, it's worth noting that Portugal's high season is also its official holiday season, meaning the country will be jam-packed with crowds.

Nevertheless, with proper planning, you can single out the popular places ahead of time and book flight tickets and hotels in advance, avoiding any last-minute hassle.

🌦 Autumn

Autumn runs from September to November, and it is the shoulder season in Portugal. Autumn is usually mild and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

Although it is not as hot as in August, it is still warm and perfect for swimming and surfing in the ocean waters. Also, hotels and flight tickets are more affordable during this season, particularly in October.

❄️ Winter

Winter runs from December to February, and it is the low season in Portugal.

During the winter in Portugal, temperatures typically range from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), and winter is usually mild and wet.

Some regions in the northern part of the country may experience colder temperatures and occasional snowfall.

If you're interested in finding snow, a great spot to visit is Serra da Estrela village, which has the highest altitudes in Portugal. In this village, temperatures during December, January, or February can drop to as low as -2 to 4º degrees. Perfect if you are interested in skiing.


💰 #2 Cheapest  Months to Travel in Portugal

If you want to save money on your trip to Portugal, consider going during the low season, which falls during the winter from November to March.

Although it might be colder, the reduced airline fares and hotel prices make it an ideal time to visit.

Additionally, there are fewer crowds, so you can explore cities without any difficulties and focus on your work without any distractions.

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It's important to note that December may be more crowded and expensive due to Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

🎉 #3 Festivals and Events

You don't want to overlook the festivals and events that occur throughout the year. This knowledge can help you avoid big crowds and elevated prices or allow you to participate in the celebrations.

Below are some of the key events happening in Portugal throughout the year that you can consider when making your plans.

🥳 Carnaval

Carnival typically takes place in February or March. While Portugal as a whole celebrates Carnival, there are specific cities, including Lisbon, Loule, Nazare, and Viana do Castelo, known for their Rio-style processions with floats, music, and costumes.

🎬 Oporto Film Festival

Fantasporto, also known as Fantas, is an annual international film festival in Porto, Portugal, since 1981. The festival lasts a whole month, from February to March and includes daily screenings of feature films and short films. Perfect if you're a movie lover!

🐚 International Sand Sculpture Festival (FIESA)

Since 2003, the International Sand Sculpture Festival has occurred in Pera, Algarve. The festival covers an area of 15,000 square meters, and the artists use about 40,000 tonnes of sand to create beautiful works of art. From March to August, you can attend various workshops, contests, and demonstrations.

🎷 Somersby Outjazz Lisbon

Don't miss the free concerts on Sundays in various outdoor spaces in Oeiras, Lisbon. They will run from May to September, between 5 pm and 9 pm, and feature a mix of music genres, including soul, Jazz, R&B, and electronic music.

The line-up includes both national and international artists, with a particular focus on Portuguese Jazz. Spread across five gardens and green spaces in the Oeiras region of Lisbon; this festival has a total of 21 concerts over the course of four months.

🎸 NOS Alive

NOS Alive is an annual music festival on the Algés riverside near Lisbon, Portugal, for three days in July. The festival has been organized since 2007 and is sponsored by the telecommunications company NOS. 

Known for its rock music performances, NOS Alive is considered one of the biggest festivals if you're interested in rock music in Portugal.

🦄 Boom Festival

Boom festival takes place for one week every two years in July. When it comes to the Boom Festival, it's not just about the music and partying. This festival is all about alternative culture and actively participating in it. 

It's a place to free yourself from societal norms and meet new, diverse people. But one significant aspect that makes Boom Festival stand out is its emphasis on sustainability. This makes the Boom Festival an enjoyable and significant event.

🏄🏻‍♂️ Best Time for Surfing

Although it's not technically an event or festival, we added a notable mention for those surfing digital nomads who might be planning to catch some waves whilst working remotely in Portugal.

The best time for beginner surfers is in Summer when the swells are less frequent and the waves are smaller. However, it should be noted that popular surf spots on the central coast and near the capital may become crowded from June to August.

Winter to early spring, specifically between September and April, is ideal for experienced surfers to catch the best waves in Portugal. Swells are stronger during this period, resulting in more challenging waves.


Before you depart, make sure to get insured!

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⚡️ Concluding thoughts


We hope the information provided above helped you determine the optimal time to visit Portugal based on your own preferences.

If you consider important factors like high and low seasons, affordable booking periods, and significant events throughout the year, you can confidently plan your digital nomad trip.

Let us know what you decide by dropping us a message on Instagram - @remotevagabond