When is the best time to visit Porto?

14.06.2024 - 19:53 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 14, 2024 • 4 min read

Perfect Porto always has something on the go – a packed calendar full of festivals, cultural celebrations, markets and events means there's rarely a dull moment to be found.

Choosing the perfect time for your visit will most likely depend on weather and visitor numbers. Whether you're in search of warm sunny days and bustling streets or quiet moments at a budget-friendly price, our guide to Porto's seasonal fun will help you find the perfect month for your trip.

Porto’s summer brings long warm days and cloud-free skies. The city gets less rainfall at this time of year, though even in summer, occasional showers are possible. June is also the kickoff to Porto’s busiest time of year for events, with vibrant festivals such as the 50-hour, non-stop Serralves em Festa, and the revelry surrounding the Festa de São João, Porto’s biggest celebration, marking the feast day of St John the Baptist. Unsurprisingly, hotel rates rise as visitors come to experience the joie de vivre and warm weather.

The temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) but periodic heatwaves push temperatures into the high 30°Cs (high 90°Fs). July and August are the warmest months of the year, and you’ll find tripeiros (Porto locals) cooling off at Praia de Matosinhos and other nearby beaches. Keep in mind that even on the hottest days, ocean temperatures can feel brisk on Portugal’s northern beaches.

August is also the busiest time of the year in Porto – be sure to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment. Porto Busker Fest takes over the city with improvised stages popping up everywhere to provide a fun soundtrack to your vacation. The soaring August temperatures plummet in September, though the crowds are mostly still around. Catch the tail end of Porto’s lively open-air summer festival season, hitting markets, joining yoga sessions in the park and seeing open-air performances such as the Concertos na Avenida.

Predictably, summer coincides with the peak visitor season in Porto. You can expect higher hotel prices and bigger crowds wherever you go, and you’ll want to reserve well ahead at top restaurants.

Porto has two shoulder seasons and they fall during the spring and autumn months. Colorful blooms fill the parks around the city from late March to early May, and if you take a day trip to the countryside, you can see wildflowers on scenic hikes through northern Portugal’s nature reserves. April brings fewer rain showers than the previous four months and Easter processions bring color to the streets both in Porto and in nearby Braga, which has Portugal’s biggest Easter festival.

Warmer temperatures and longer days make the month of May an ideal time for scenic walks along the riverbanks and across