When to go to Portugal & the Azores
Portugal has a typical European climate with hot and sunny summers and cool to cold winters. Its location on the Atlantic means that there is often a cooling breeze coming off the sea. The summer holidays, as well as May and October half terms, are perfect for a family holiday. Easter can also be lovely, although the sea will be quite cold for swimming.
January
This isn’t a great time to visit the mainland. It can be quite cold and wet at times, with a strong wind off the Atlantic.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable. In winter it cools down but will be warmer than the mainland (average around 13°C). It can be quite wet in January. This isn’t a great time to visit.
In Madeira temperatures will be pleasant – around 17°C – but there will be rainfall at times. This is a reasonable time to visit, particularly if you don’t mind the odd downpour.
February
This isn’t a great time to visit the mainland. It can be quite cold and wet at times, with a strong wind off the Atlantic.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable. In winter it cools down but will be warmer than the mainland (average around 13°C). It can be quite wet in February. This isn’t a great time to visit.
In Madeira temperatures will be pleasant – around 17°C – but there will be rainfall at times. This is a reasonable time to visit, particularly if you don’t mind the odd downpour.
March
This is springtime and there will be a mix of weather on the mainland, with some sunshine, some rain and everything in between. By the end of the month, there may well be some nice warm sunny days (high teens) but it will not be warm enough for swimming.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable. Temperatures are around 13°C with some rainy days, particularly in the early part of the month.
In Madeira temperatures will be pleasant – around 19°C and the rainfall lessens as the month goes on. This is a pleasant time to visit, with some decent sunshine.
April
Spring has firmly arrived on the mainland and this can be a lovely time to visit, with temperatures in the south sometimes in the low 20s. Many seasonal restaurants and cafes start to open and the hills are carpeted with wildflowers.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable. Average temperatures will be around 15°C and it is starting to get drier, with plenty of sunny intervals.
In Madeira temperatures will be pleasant – around 19°C with the odd rain shower. This is a pleasant time to visit, with some decent sunshine.
May
Generally a lovely time of year on the mainland, with plenty of sunshine and it will get warmer as the month progresses. The sea will still be cool for swimming, but this is a great time to visit for activities and exploring.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable but this is a great time to visit. Average temperatures will be around 17°C with plenty of sunshine, although there will always be some rain too.
This is a lovely time to visit Madeira, with plenty of sunshine and little rain.
June
A beautiful time to visit the mainland, with plenty of sunshine and warm weather.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable but this is a great time to visit. Average temperatures will be around 19°C with plenty of sunshine, although there will always be some rain too.
This is a lovely time to visit Madeira, with plenty of sunshine and little rain.
July
A beautiful time to visit, with plenty of sunshine. It will be very hot in the middle of the day, but there’s often a cooling breeze off the sea. Nights are warm and balmy and perfect for leisurely al-fresco dining.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable but this is a great time to visit. Average temperatures will be around 21°C with plenty of sunshine, although there will always be some rain too.
This is a lovely time to visit Madeira, with plenty of sunshine and little rain.
August
A beautiful time to visit, with plenty of sunshine. It will be very hot in the middle of the day, but there’s often a cooling breeze off the sea. Nights are warm and balmy and perfect for leisurely al-fresco dining.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable but this is a great time to visit. Average temperatures will be around 21°C with plenty of sunshine, although there will always be some rain too.
This is a lovely time to visit Madeira, with plenty of sunshine and little rain.
September
This is a lovely time to visit, as the sunshine usually lingers long into September but there are fewer visitors.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable but this is a great time to visit. Average temperatures will be around 21°C with plenty of sunshine, although there will always be some rain too.
This is a lovely time to visit Madeira, with plenty of sunshine and just the odd rain shower.
October
October is still a good time to visit the mainland, particularly in the south of the country. There will be some lovely sunshine and autumnal colours at times, but clouds and some rain at others. Expect a mixed bag!
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable. Average temperatures will be around 19°C with some sunshine, but it starts to get wetter as the month progresses.
This is a good time to visit Madeira. Temperatures will be very pleasant (around 22°C) and although there will be the odd rain shower, there will also be plenty of sunshine.
November
The weather on the mainland is generally quite variable this month. Winter is arriving and it can be quite cold and wet. City-breaks are worth considering but activity-based holidays are not ideal.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable. In winter it cools down but will be warmer than the mainland (average around 13°C). It can be quite wet in November. This isn’t a great time to visit.
In Madeira temperatures will be pleasant – around 20°C with a mixture of sunshine and rain. This is a reasonable time to visit, particularly if you don’t mind the odd downpour.
December
It will quite cold and can be wet and windy. City-breaks are worth considering but activity-based holidays are not ideal.
The weather in the Azores is always quite unpredictable. In winter it cools down but will be warmer than the mainland (average around 13°C). It can be quite wet in December. This isn’t a great time to visit.
In Madeira temperatures will be pleasant – around 19°C with a mixture of sunshine and rain. This is a reasonable time to visit, particularly if you don’t mind the odd downpour.
Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.
01728 752751
Portugal in pictures
