When Is The Best Time To Visit Portugal For A Road Trip?

We’ve lived in Portugal for several years now, and from our perspective, the best time to visit Portugal is definitely early autumn or late winter/early spring.

These are considered shoulder seasons when the tourist crowds are smaller, the weather is (mostly) still great, and road tripping becomes way more enjoyable.

You’ll find cheaper accommodation, quieter viewpoints, and still plenty of sunshine for exploring. Which is perfect if you’re travelling in a campervan and want to pull up somewhere scenic without a crowd of tourists.

That said, there are a few exceptions depending on what you’re hoping to get out of your trip, whether it’s beaches, surfing, sightseeing, or just soaking up some winter sun.

Here’s how to plan your Portugal road trip around the best weather, smallest crowds, and most authentic experiences.

The Best Time To Visit For Beaches

If you’re planning a road trip around Portugal, and want to hit the beaches, the official beach season runs from May to October.

From early May, you’ll start to notice lifeguards back on duty, beach cafés and kiosks reopening, and a wonderful atmosphere returning to the coast.

The weather is warm but not yet scorching, perfect for dog-friendly beach walks or those first brave dips in the sea.

For van lifers, this is also a sweet time: you can park nearby without hunting for a spot, and the cooler nights make sleeping in the van much more comfortable

By June through August, Portugal is in full summer mode. Expect hot days, busy beaches, and lively coastal towns.

If you’re in a campervan, parking can be really tricky in popular areas. Free camping spots fill fast and campsites often book out quickly so you’ll need a couple of backup options if you don’t book ahead.

Beach huts and parasols will pop up on the main tourist beaches like Nazaré or Lagos, and the sea is at its warmest.

It’s the most popular time for a reason – endless sunshine and golden evenings – but it’s also when crowds are at their peak.

If you prefer quieter beaches and slightly cooler temperatures, May, early June, or late September are golden months.

We always aim for late May, warm enough to swim, but we can still pull up the van near the beach without anyone around.

The Best Time To Visit For Good Weather

Southern Portugal is blessed with mild, sunny weather for most of the year. The only real exception? November, which tends to be the wettest month… sometimes relentlessly so.

Otherwise, it’s pretty rare to get more than a few days of bad weather in a row.

Even in January or February, the Algarve and even the Silver Coast can surprise you with clear skies and T-shirt weather (just maybe pack a jumper for the mornings).

For vanlifers, this is also the perfect time for slow travel because fewer crowds mean empty roads for scenic drives, and the campsites that are open stay pretty quiet.

So, if your main goal is good weather, you really can’t go wrong… just avoid mid-November unless you’re keen to experience Portuguese rainstorms firsthand! 

The Best Time For Smaller Crowds And Lower Prices

If you’re after that peaceful road trip vibe with empty mountain roads, quiet hiking trails, and a bit of extra breathing room… you’ll want to visit outside the summer months.

The best time to visit Portugal for smaller crowds (and lower prices) is March to May or September to October.

Campsites, hotels and guesthouses are more affordable, popular routes like the Algarve Coast or the Douro Valley are calmer, and locals actually have time to chat again.

From our vanlife experience, these months are ideal because there are fewer cars on the winding backroads, there are more options for freedom camping and we’ve never had to book a campsite in advance.

These months are also when Portugal feels most authentic, everything’s still open, but it’s the locals’ Portugal, not the tourists’.

The Best Time For Festivals & Local Events

If you want to experience Portugal at its most vibrant, time your road trip around one of the country’s many festivals.

June is full of life thanks to the Festas dos Santos Populares, especially Santo António in Lisbon and São João in Porto. Expect street parties, music, grilled sardines, and late-night dancing.

July and August bring big summer festivals like NOS Alive, Super Bock Super Rock, and Boom Festival (great if you love music and don’t mind the crowds).

September often sees wine harvest festivals (vindimas) across the Douro and Alentejo, perfect for slow travellers and foodies.

And in February, smaller towns hold colourful Carnaval parades, think mini Rio vibes but with a Portuguese twist.

Even if you don’t plan your trip around an event, stumbling across a local festa is part of the magic of a Portugal road trip.

The first time we visited Aveiro was during the Festa de São Gonçalinho which is probably one of the most unique festivals in Portugal – locals gather around the chapel in the centre of town and catch Cavaca (a hard sweet bread roll) to attract good fortune in the new year!

Best Time To Visit The Algarve

Like the rest of the country, the Algarve really shines in April, May, September, and October.

The weather is perfect for hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail or swimming at Praia da Marinha without the August chaos.

For vanlifers, the shoulder seasons also mean you can find quiet overnight spots along the coast without paying for full-service campsites, and without the heavy parking restrictions of summer.

Winter is also surprisingly lovely here. Mild, sunny, and ideal for longer stays if you’re chasing that slow travel lifestyle.

The downside to winter in the Algarve is that some beach cafés and boat tours close for the season between December and February.

Best Time To Surf In Portugal

Portugal’s surf scene is incredible year-round, but conditions vary all along the coast.

Winter (Nov–Feb) brings bigger swells to the west coast – ideal for very experienced big wave surfers. If you want to watch giant waves, this is the best time to visit Nazare!

Spring and autumn are best for beginners, with consistent waves and fewer crowds.

Summer (June–August) can be great for surfing lessons, especially in the Algarve, though the surf is generally smaller.

If you’re planning a road trip along the coast, October is the sweet spot… warm air, fewer crowds, and plenty of surfable waves from north to south.

When Is Summer In Portugal?

Portugal’s summer officially runs from June to September, but depending on where you are, you’ll feel those warm temperatures creeping in from late April and lingering right through October.

Up north (like Porto), expect slightly cooler evenings but by no means cold, and maybe some rain; down south, it’s sunny almost every day.

Is Portugal Hot In January Or February?

Not exactly hot, but pleasantly mild, especially in the Algarve, where daytime temperatures often sit around 16–18°C and sunny days are common.

It’s a lovely time for hiking, exploring inland towns, and enjoying Portugal without the crowds.

Just be aware that central and northern areas (like Serra da Estrela or Porto) can get chilly and damp – or even snow! Yep, snow in Portugal!! – so pack accordingly.

When Is The Worst Time To Visit Portugal?

I don’t think many people talk about this, so let’s cover when not to come… if there even is such a thing (there is)!

To be completely honest, late autumn can be pretty grim, with November often bringing storms and flooding, especially along the coast.

It’s the time of year most locals hunker down, and driving long distances in heavy rain can make a road trip a bit of a slog.

Of course, a bit of rain is fine (we’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!), but when it’s weeks on end? That can test even the most optimistic traveller.

And if you really can’t stand crowds, avoid August… it’s when both locals and tourists hit the road, and everything from beaches to parking spots is at maximum capacity

Quick Recap For The Best Time To Visit Portugal

• For beaches → May to September
  
• For good weather → Anytime but November
  
• For fewer crowds → March to May or Sept to Oct
  
• For surfing → October to March (best swells)
• For budget trips → Winter and shoulder seasons

Portugal really is one of those countries that works year-round, you just get a different version of it each time.

For us, shoulder season will always win. It’s when Portugal slows down enough to show you its real self – friendly locals, peaceful drives, and the kind of stillness you miss in summer.

Whichever season you choose, you’ll find something special here. Pack your sense of adventure (and a rain jacket, just in case), hit the road, and let Portugal show you why there’s really no wrong time to visit.

And if you’d rather swap the coast for something quieter, check out our 7-day central Portugal road trip route. It’s packed with small villages most travellers never see!