When to Go

If you're planning to visit in summer, particularly July and August, you must reserve a hotel room in advance. The best time to experience Lisbon and the south is spring or early fall: the crowds are much thinner than in summer, and even if you want to spend time on a beach, it could be warm enough for a brisk swim in April and October. As for Porto and the north, it's best to visit in summer, when the region is comfortably warm, but be prepared for drizzling rain at any time. Coastal temperatures are a few degrees cooler than in the south, but still mild in comparison to the rest of Europe.

Most festivals in Portugal are held in summer. The season starts in June, with the Festa de Santo António (Saint Anthony's Day), celebrated above all in Lisbon. Porto's big day is that of São João, its patron, on June 24. São Pedro de Sintra is a good place to mark the Festa de São Pedro (St. Peter's Day) on June 29.