A Seasonal Guide To The Best Attractions In Portugal

Portugal is a great destination regardless of the season. There’s always something fun, entertaining or delicious to look forward to – and the fantastic weather doesn’t hurt either. From the beaches in July to the comfort food in December, here are the best attractions on offer throughout the year.

Want to visit? Let our local insider show you the best of Portugal on our specially curated nine-day Northern Portugal adventure.

Spring

Winter doesn’t last too long in Portugal, but the warmer weather in spring is nonetheless celebrated with days along the coast and out in the countryside.

Indulge in seafood

Visit a vineyard in the Alentejo

Before the heat of summer kicks in, head to the Alentejo and sip on wine under the warm spring sun while enjoying some fresh air and floral scents. On those days when the sun feels a little too strong, sit under the shade of a cork tree. Wine hotels are less likely to be in high demand during spring, meaning it’s a great time to go. You can visit Alentejo and sample some of the region’s best wines as part of Culture Trip’s specially curated nine-day Portugal tour, led by our local insider.

Souvenir hunt in the Algarve or Lisbon.

Before the tourism rush in the summer, market-hop in the Algarve and Lisbon for some good deals on souvenirs. Azulejo tiles, ceramics and beautiful textiles with intricate needlework are just a few cultural treasures that will be lining the doorways and market tables.

Summer

Summer is the party season in Portugal, with music and aromatic smokey clouds from grilled sardines following pedestrians who wander the narrow streets. Everyone relaxes a bit more this time of year, and the beaches fill with water sports enthusiasts and sunbathers.

Lots of festivals

A highlight of June is undoubtedly the Popular Saints Festivals, when each city/region celebrates their own popular saint. In Lisbon, this is Saint Anthony, celebrated on June 12-13; in Porto, it’s Saint John on June 23-24. Roads close to traffic and open to tables upon tables of grilled food (especially sardines), as well as plenty of beer and wine. Music fills the streets, serenading happily tipsy locals and the lucky tourists who know to visit during this celebratory time.

The perfect time to visit the Azores

While continental Portugal fills with tourists during the summer (especially Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve), the Azores maintain a hidden-gem-like quality. Take advantage to explore these beautiful islands.

All of the beaches

With more than 1,600km (1,000mi) of coastline, visiting the beaches of Portugal in the summer is a no-brainer.

Partying in the Algarve

Summertime attracts many party-hungry tourists to the Algarve, especially along the Albufeira Strip and in downtown Lagos. The bars prepare for these crowds with special themed nights and drink specials.

Douro River tour

Hop on a boat in northern Portugal and cruise past the countryside and vineyards.

Fall

Head to the mountains

From the cloud-covered peaks of Madeira to the remote Serra da Estrela range in central Portugal, there are many areas to go hiking and trekking. Fall may be the perfect time to go, thanks to the warm days and cooler nights.

Wine harvest

Go one step further from enjoying Portuguese wine and participate in the harvest and production process. September is the month when this usually takes place, although it sometimes extends to October (depending on weather patterns).

Web Summit

Lisbon became the new home of the global Web Summit in 2016. Attending the conference is an exciting opportunity in the Portuguese capital that attracts many famous faces and names from around the world.

Winter

Visit the must-see landmarks

Despite the mild weather, ever-present sun and lower prices, winter is the down season for Portuguese tourism. The Belem Tower and Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, and the Clérigos Tower and Lello bookstore in Porto are only a few landmarks that should be visited in the winter, when lines are short or non-existent.

Watch the pros surf

Another major attraction during the winter is surf season. Head to Nazaré or Peniche and watch the pros tackle some monstrous waves. However, if you’re new to the sport, this may not be the best time to try surfing (summer may be a better season to learn).

Eat a francesinha in Porto.

Winter is the time for comfort food, so wear layers to cover the tell-tale signs and indulge in rich recipes. Perhaps the mother of all calorie bombs is francesinha: a sandwich filled with various meats, topped with cheese and smothered in sauce.

New Year’s Eve in Madeira

Madeira island is home to an endlessly popular New Year’s Eve celebration. Why not ring in the New Year right by visiting this subtropical paradise?

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.