The Best Time to Visit Porto 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Published by: BouncePosted

Porto, Portugal has so much to offer visitors, come rain or shine. Like Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, Porto takes pride in its rich history, vibrant nightlife, must-see tourist attractions, and of course, excellent beaches.

Porto's weather is very pleasant year-round. The climate is Mediterranean, meaning mild temperatures in all of the different seasons, but also rain. In fact, Porto is one of the wettest cities in southern Europe, with 147 rainfall days a year and 48.69" of precipitation.

The hottest months are July and August with high temperatures reaching up to 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). In the past few years the highest reported temperature was 95 degrees F (35 degrees C), a heat wave Porto hasn't seen in years. While Porto may not be an ideal beach destination due to the cold sea fed by the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline of Cape Verde is packed in July and August. In the winter months, the temperature doesn't go below 41 degrees F (5 degrees C) and it hasn't snowed since 1983.

In Porto, it is not uncommon to see a few different seasons in one day. One moment may be bright and shiny, the other it can be grey and pouring cats and dogs. Some days even see a variation of 10 degrees.

With this in mind, you need to plan ahead, check the forecast, and determine what you want to see and do during your stay in Porto. Whatever month you book your trip, make sure to keep your raincoat handy. Not only will it keep you dry but it will also shield you from the strong winds, typical for Porto.

If you arrive in Porto and your hotel is not yet ready for you, look for a Bounce luggage storage location where you can store your bags safely and go about your day.

Summer in Porto: June - August

Summer in Porto is the best time to visit for guaranteed beach weather that lasts from June to September. The high season starts in early June and lasts until September, while July and August (the hottest months) see the most crowds. You'd be really unlucky to get rain during your summer vacation in Porto, as on average, it rains about 4 days a month.

Temperatures can climb to a high of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) and reach a low of 57.2 degrees F (14 degrees C), which is bearable because of the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. However, in the past few years, the temperature has been seen to rise to 95 degrees F (35 degrees C).

For this season it's best to pack light summer outfits and a cardigan for the colder nights. Don't forget your swimming suit and a cool summer hat.

The beach weather and vibrant summer atmosphere in the city come at a price. Make sure to book your hotel stay and flight tickets well in advance as they can either sell out or you'll be left with even more expensive accommodation.

Out of all the summer months, June has got to be the best time to visit Porto. Not only do most music festivals take place in June, but with the Festas Santos Populares (Popular Saints Festival) celebrations starting on the 13th and lasting for whole 9 days, the city festival atmosphere is like nothing you've seen before. From street parties, lots of food, traditional music and dancing, the city will keep you up until the wee hours of the night.

On the 24th of June is the Festa de São João do Porto (Feast Day of Saint John). Crowds flock to the City Centre to pay tribute to Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of Porto. The City Hall organizes numerous São João related activities to keep the crowd entertained day and night. See fireworks, huge celebrations, and traditional boats sailing down the Douro River to people hitting each other with plastic toy hammers.

July is reserved for the Porto Wine Fest and the Marés Vivas Festival – Live Tides Festival taking place in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Overall, if you want the warmest weather, don't mind the hordes of crowds, and don't care about your budget, the best time to visit Porto for you is from June to September.

Fall in Porto: September - November

You may think that now when the summer vacations are over, Porto will be breathing again with fewer crowds, but the truth is not many of them leave until mid-September. Why? The weather is still great, rain hasn't started chasing people away and the city's festive atmosphere is irresistible.

Early autumn sees fewer tourists but the weather is still pleasant, with average temperatures varying between 54 degrees F (12.2 degrees C) and 69.3 degrees F (20.7 degrees C). On average, it rains 10 days a month. This being said, keep your raincoat handy, and pack a few layers to keep you warm on the chillier nights.

When it's not raining cats and dogs, you can spend a few hours walking through the parks of Porto. Fall has by now wrapped the foliage in gold colors giving the parks a picture perfect look. From The Serralves Park and Jardins do Palácio de Cristal to The Botanical Garden and the Parque da Cidade do Porto (The City Park), Porto is no short of beautiful spots where you can relax and have a picnic.

November is one of the rainiest months and rainy days mean spending time indoors. This gives you the opportunity to visit most of Porto's popular tourist attractions like the Lello bookstore, Bolhão market, the port cellars, Porto's museums, SEA LIFE Porto, and historical attractions like the Sao Bento train station, and many more. Given there are fewer crowds in the city this time of the year, you can explore these attractions at your own pace.

When the sun sets, head down to a port wine cellar for a fado performance and Portuguese tapas to wrap up the night. Or attend a concert at the grand Casa da Música. Or even better, book a river cruise and drink wine while sailing on the Douro River in style.

Saint Martin falls on November 11 and locals gather on the streets to celebrate the Saint in a magusto. Get a taste of the local culture and join a magusto where you can roast chestnuts on a bonfire and drink local wine.

Fall is the best time to visit Porto for the harvest season. This is an excellent time to take a day trip to Douro Valley where you can explore some of Porto's top vineyards and taste some of Porto's best wine.

Summer may have the best weather, but come fall, the city welcomes a new wave of tourists, this time those who are not afraid to get a little wet. Don't let the rainy season spoil all the fun, there are still so many great things to do and see when you visit Porto in fall.

Winter in Porto: December - February

Though mild, winters in Porto can be wet with strong winds and heavy rain that may last for a week. The average temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees C) and the last reported snow was in 1983. During winter, on average there are 4 hours of sunshine.

Considering Porto is a windy city, don't even bother bringing an umbrella. For the winter months, you will need a raincoat, warm coat, scarves, warm hats and sweaters.

Though it's low season, things to do in Porto in winter are many, from visiting the Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa) and Porto's cathedrals, to taking a food tour or having a blast with your kids at The World of Discoveries.

Winter is low season in Porto and only comes to life with crowds showing up again between Christmas and New Year's Eve. This is because Porto's magic doesn't end with the romantic summer nights. Come winter, the city lights up with Christmas lights, opens two ice rinks, and attracts tourists with its magical Christmas atmosphere in the markets.

February in Porto is reserved for wine festivals like the Simplesmente Vinho and the Essência do Vinho festival, a wine festival where wine lovers or anyone who prefers a good drink, get to taste about 3,000 national and international wines from over 400 producers from the region. The festival takes place in Palácio da Bolsa and it is an event of the year.

It may be colder and wetter than the other seasons, but visiting Porto in winter means you'll save money on accommodations and flight tickets. Just don't plan around Christmas and New Year's as not only do prices inflate then, but the city is yet again packed with tourists for the winter festivities.

Spring in Porto: March - May

When the temperatures start rising and the flowers start blooming, it is time to visit Porto. It may not be the high season, but even better. Spring time, especially from April until May announces the shoulder season in Porto.

This means that prices may go a little lower, and the crowds haven't arrived yet so it's not a hustle to book a table in a restaurant or go to a museum. Moreover, flights are less expensive too, meaning it's time for a family trip.

Tourists visiting Porto in spring get to enjoy good weather with moderate temperatures reaching a high of 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) and a low of 46.5 degrees F (8.1 degrees C). This calls for a cardigan or a sweater for the colder temperatures and light clothing during the day. Be prepared for some heavy rains, especially in April which is one of the wettest months in this part of northern Portugal.

Beginning of March, the city of Porto becomes the City of Camellias, in a week-long event that attracts flower lovers from all over the world. Come May, there are fewer rainy days and the end of May is ideal to take day trips to northern Portugal, especially to Viana do Castelo and Guimares. But, again, the weather in Porto is unpredictable so it's best to check the weather forecast before planning anything.

May is popular for the Queima das Fitas, a week long event where hundreds of thousands of students are celebrating their graduation. From concerts, and parades, to drinking and excellent food, the city is more lively than ever.

For your spring city break, you can enjoy an hour-long boat cruise with the 6 Bridges cruise, ride on a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, visit a port wine cellar, go cycling through the gorgeous parks, and more.

Overall, spring is the best time to visit Porto for day trips in the region and port wine tasting in the Douro valley. Save money on hotel prices and still enjoy the warmer temperatures. The only downside is the rain and the unpredictable weather.

When is the best time to visit Porto for you?

With pleasant weather year round, what is the best time to visit Porto for you? The main tourist season in Porto starts in June and lasts until the end of September. So if you prefer summer weather, want to hit Porto's beaches, or attend one of the many festivals, then summer is the best season to visit Porto.

On the other hand, fall and winter offer a different vibe, with fewer crowds and colder temperatures and you can save money too. But this time of the year sees a lot of rain, so if you don't like to get wet, avoid traveling to Porto in fall and winter.

Know what you want to do during your trip to Porto? Check out these guides for inspiration!

The Best Hikes In Porto
Porto On a Rainy Day: Things To Do
Music Festivals in Porto in 2022

Newsletter Banner

Love discounts and traveling?

Sign up for our newsletter to get insider travel tips and a 10% discount delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam here, just the good stuff.

Get the
Bounce app

Instantly find locations nearby to drop off your luggage wherever you go.

Download