The cultural dynamo that is Porto has a packed calendar of festivals, concerts, markets and countless other events throughout the year.
There’s always something going on in the city, so weather and visitor numbers should be the prime considerations for planning your trip. Whether you’re seeking warm sunny days and open-air celebrations or budget deals without the crowds, we can help you find your best time to visit with this month-by-month guide to temperatures, prices and seasonal events.
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Do like the locals do and head to the beach in the hottest months of July and August © Kizaru / Getty Images
June to September is the best time for festivals and beach-going
Porto’s summer brings long warm days and plenty of 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 outdoor music festivals, saintly processions (including one by fishing boat) and some of the city’s biggest celebrations.
The temperatures averages 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.
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.
Enjoy Porto’s wine and mild weather in March to May and October
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.
Late September and October bring bright fall colors to the city’s parks and tree-lined streets. The spectacle is especially dramatic along the banks of the Douro River upstream from Porto. This is also grape-harvest season at wineries in the Douro Valley, so you’ll have the opportunity to see wine-making and grape-stomping in action.
The weather is a bit of a mix at this time of year, with more rain than in summer but fewer wet days than you’ll see in winter. Temperatures are near perfect for outdoor activities, with daily highs of around 17°C (63°F) in March, and around 20°C (68°F) in October.
November to February is the cheapest time to visit Porto
Porto has a reputation for cold, rainy days during the winter months. December is the city’s wettest month, with an average of around 15 days of precipitation. Even on those rainy days, however, you can get patches of dry weather in between the storms.
Traveling at this time of year means dressing in layers. You might have a cold, misty morning, followed by midday sunshine with highs of around 15°C (59°F) and evening showers. January is the coldest month of the year, though the evening lows rarely fall below 5°C (41°F).
In exchange for a bit of chilly, damp weather, you can avail of rock-bottom prices for flights and accommodations. Count on lodging discounts of up to 50% off high-season rates.
The winter months are the time to explore indoor Porto sights such as Casa de Serralves © Carlos Neto / Shutterstock
January is for cultural escapes
When the weather turns dreary, plan your days around visits to art museums, medieval cathedrals and other indoor sights. When all else fails, retreat to a cozy cafe such as Café Candelabro or a candlelit wine bar such as Prova as the rains arrive.
Key events: Dia de Reis, IndieJúnior children’s film festival.
February is cold but still busy with events
Porto’s busy entertainment calendar doesn’t slow down during the cold days of February. In fact, this is a great month for catching concerts at the Casa da Música and other venues. Film lovers won’t want to miss Portugal’s premier fantasy film festival, Fantasporto, which often coincides with the costumed parades of Carnaval.
Key events: Carnaval, Fantasporto film festival, Essência do Vinho wine fair.
March means spring rain showers
The temperatures are rising but the rains are still falling as Porto creeps toward springtime. Pack your umbrella and enjoy verdant strolls through the Jardim Botânico do Porto, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, and other green spaces around town.
Key event: Vinyl records fair.
April brings blooming flowers everywhere
While rain is still a possibility, the showers fall less frequently in April than in the previous four months. Easter processions bring yet more color to the streets both in Porto and in nearby Braga, which has Portugal’s biggest Easter festival.
Key events: Easter celebrations, Liberation Day.
The hazy days of summer are the best time to explore Porto under dry skies © Adrienne Pitts / Lonely Planet
May is a great month for outdoor activities
Warmer temperatures and longer days make the month of May an ideal time for scenic walks along the riverbanks and across Porto’s bridges, as well as boat trips along the Douro and other outdoor activities. The crowds are beginning to arrive, with rising hotel prices, but you can still find better deals than you will in the summer.
Key events: Queima das Fitas, Senhor dos Matosinhos, International Festival of Iberian Expression Theater (FITEI).
June is full of summer celebrations
The summer kicks off 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.
Key events: Serralves em Festa, Festa de São João, Nos Primavera Sound, Festa de São Pedro da Afurada.
July offers long days outdoors
The driest month of the year is a great time to be out and about, though you’ll certainly have a lot of company throughout this beautiful but busy month. Book outdoor dining at terrace restaurants overlooking the city, catch open-air concerts and film screenings, and browse for treasures at street markets.
Key event: MEO Marés Vivas.
August is Porto’s peak month for visitors
Porto packs in its biggest crowds in August, so you’ll need to book flights, accommodations and top-tier restaurants well in advance. This peak month coincides with the hottest temperatures, so be sure to include some days on the beach to escape the heat.
Key events: Porto Busker Fest, Assunção de Nossa Senhora.
Even when it’s raining, you can admire Porto’s famous azulejos tiles in many indoor locations © trabantos / Shutterstock
September brings cooler temperatures
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.
Key event: Concertos na Avenida.
October is filled with autumn color
Cooler days arrive in Porto, and it’s a lovely time to explore the city, though you’ll need to be prepared for increasingly frequent showers. The city is less packed with out-of-towners, especially toward the end of the month.
Key events: Amplifest, Festival Gastronómico Francesinha.
November is for budget-friendly places to stay
Things get even wetter in November, Porto’s third rainiest month. On the upside, you’ll find some amazing deals when it comes to flights and accommodations.
Key event: Porto Marathon.
December is filled with holiday merriment
Those drizzly afternoons and long nights don’t dampen the city’s spirits. Cheery Christmas markets, roasted chestnuts and colorfully decorated squares form a memorable backdrop to visits to Porto in December.
Key events: New Year’s Eve, Artes & Ofícios Christmas market, São Silvestre do Porto race.
