Best Time to Visit Portugal With Kids (Month by Month Guide)

The best time to visit Portugal with kids is May, June, or September. The weather is warm, the beaches are open, and you avoid the worst summer crowds and prices. If you are tied to a school calendar, late June and the last week of August are the best summer weeks.

That is the short answer. The longer answer depends on what kind of trip you want. A beach week in the Algarve and a city trip to Lisbon have very different best months.

When is the best time to visit Portugal with kids?

• Best overall: May, June, and September
• Best for beaches: late June through mid-September
• Best for Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra: April, May, late September, and October
• Best for lower prices: November through March, outside of Christmas and Easter
• Best for babies and toddlers: May, June, and September, when it is warm but not hot
• Busiest and most expensive: July and August

What is the weather in Portugal month by month?

This table shows the average daily high in Lisbon, the Algarve (Faro), and Porto, plus what to expect for crowds and prices.

Month	Lisbon high	Algarve high	Porto high	Crowds	Prices	Best for
January	59°F (15°C)	61°F (16°C)	57°F (14°C)	Low	Low	City trips, museums
February	62°F (16°C)	63°F (17°C)	59°F (15°C)	Low	Low	Carnival, city trips
March	66°F (19°C)	66°F (19°C)	63°F (17°C)	Low	Low	Sightseeing
April	69°F (20°C)	69°F (21°C)	65°F (18°C)	Medium, busy at Easter	Medium	Lisbon and Sintra
May	74°F (23°C)	74°F (24°C)	68°F (20°C)	Medium	Medium	Everything but swimming
June	79°F (26°C)	80°F (27°C)	74°F (24°C)	Medium to high	Medium to high	Beaches, festivals
July	83°F (28°C)	85°F (29°C)	78°F (25°C)	High	High	Beaches, water parks
August	84°F (29°C)	85°F (29°C)	78°F (26°C)	Highest	Highest	Beaches
September	80°F (27°C)	80°F (26°C)	75°F (24°C)	Medium	Medium	Beaches, warmest water
October	73°F (23°C)	74°F (23°C)	69°F (21°C)	Medium to low	Medium	Lisbon, Sintra, Douro Valley
November	65°F (18°C)	67°F (20°C)	63°F (17°C)	Low	Low	City trips, indoor days
December	60°F (15°C)	63°F (17°C)	58°F (14°C)	Low, busy at Christmas	Low to medium	Christmas lights and markets

Temperatures are 30 year climate averages from IPMA, Portugal’s national weather agency. Actual days can run hotter or cooler.

What is the weather like in each region of Portugal?

Portugal is a small country, but the weather changes a lot from north to south.

• Lisbon and central Portugal: mild winters with highs around 60°F (15°C), and hot, dry summers with highs in the low to mid 80s (28 to 29°C). Most of the rain falls from October through March, and July and August are almost completely dry.
• The Algarve: the sunniest and driest part of the mainland. Winters are mild, with highs in the low 60s (16 to 17°C). Summers are hot, with highs in the mid 80s (29°C) and some days well above that.
• Porto and the north: cooler and much wetter. Summer highs are in the upper 70s (25 to 26°C), which is very comfortable. From October through April, plan on rain.
• Madeira: mild all year. A good pick for winter sun.
• The Azores: green, humid, and changeable. June through September is the most reliable window.

One thing that surprises families: the Atlantic is cool. In the Algarve, the water is about 61 to 63°F (16 to 17°C) in January and only reaches about 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C) in August and September. The west coast near Lisbon and Porto is colder than that. 

What is Portugal like with kids in each month?

January and February

This is the quietest and cheapest time to visit. Lisbon and the Algarve have highs around 60°F (15 to 17°C), with a mix of sunny days and rain. It is too cold for swimming, but it is a good time for museums, castles, and the best things to do in Lisbon with kids without lines. Carnival falls in February or early March, and towns like Torres Vedras and Loulé have big, family-friendly parades.

March

Spring starts to show up, with highs in the mid 60s (19°C). Rain is still common, especially in the north. Prices are low unless Easter falls in March. This is a nice month for a city trip if you pack layers and a rain jacket.

April

Highs reach the upper 60s (20 to 21°C) and wildflowers are out. Easter week is busy and prices jump, because Portuguese and other European schools are on break. Outside of Easter, April is a great month for Lisbon and a day trip to see the best things to do in Sintra with kids.

May

May is one of the best months to visit Portugal with kids. Highs are in the low to mid 70s (23 to 24°C), the days are long, and the summer crowds have not arrived. The Algarve is warm enough for beach days, though the water is still cold. If your kids are not in school yet, this is the month I would look at first.

June

June is warm and sunny, with highs around 80°F (26 to 27°C), and it is still less crowded than July and August. It is also festival season.

Lisbon celebrates Santo António in mid-June with street parties and grilled sardines, and Porto celebrates São João later in the month. Both are fun for older kids and loud for little ones, so book a hotel away from the old town if you have a light sleeper.

July and August

This is peak season. It is hot, dry, and busy, with highs in the mid-80s (28 to 29°C) in Lisbon and the Algarve and hotter inland. Beaches are in full swing, every water park and boat tour is running, and prices are at their highest. If summer is the only time you can go, it still works well for a beach trip.

Book early, plan sightseeing for the morning, and consider the cooler north or the Azores. Here is what to know about the best Algarve beaches for families.

September

September is the other best month. The ocean is at its warmest, highs are around 80°F (26 to 27°C), and crowds drop once European schools go back in the middle of the month. Prices come down too. For a beach trip with kids who are not in school yet, September is hard to beat.

October

The first half of October is often still warm, with highs in the low 70s (23°C), and it is a lovely time for Lisbon, Sintra, and the Douro Valley. Rain becomes more likely as the month goes on. Beach days in the Algarve are possible but not a sure thing.

November

November is cool and the rainiest month in Lisbon, with highs in the mid-60s (18 to 20°C). It is quiet and inexpensive. It works for a city trip with indoor backups like the Lisbon Oceanarium, but I would not plan a beach vacation.

December

December is mild compared with most of Europe, with highs around 60°F (15°C) in Lisbon. The cities are decorated, the Christmas markets are open, and it rarely feels crowded outside of the holiday week. See my guide to Christmas in Lisbon with kids for what is open and what to do.

When is beach season in Portugal?

Beach season in Portugal runs from about mid-June through mid-September. That is when lifeguards are on duty at most beaches, beach restaurants are open, and the water is at its warmest.

May and early October can be warm enough to play on the sand, but plan on a pool for swimming. If you are deciding between a city trip and a beach trip, my comparison of Lisbon vs the Algarve with kids will help.

When are school holidays in Portugal?

Two school calendars matter: yours and Portugal’s.

• Summer break: Portuguese schools are out from about mid-June to mid-September, and much of Europe vacations in July and August. Expect busy beaches and higher prices.
• Easter: schools are off for about two weeks. Lisbon, Sintra, and the Algarve fill up.
• Christmas: schools are off for about two weeks. Cities are festive but not packed.
• Carnival: a short break in February or early March.

For American families, spring break and Thanksgiving week are both good options. Thanksgiving is not a holiday in Europe, and US spring breaks often miss Easter week, so you can get shoulder-season prices during a school break.

When is the best time to visit Portugal with a baby or toddler?

The best time to visit Portugal with a baby or toddler is May, June, or September. With little ones, heat matters more than anything else, and those months are warm enough for the beach without the midday heat of July and August. Cobblestones and hills are also easier when it is not 90 degrees. I have more tips in my guide to visiting Portugal with a baby.

What is the worst time to visit Portugal with kids?

There is no truly bad month, but two times are harder with kids:

• Late July through mid-August if you do not like heat or crowds. Lisbon and Sintra are at their busiest, and inland areas like the Alentejo and the Douro Valley get much hotter than the coast.
• November through February if the beach is the point of the trip. It is too cool to swim, and rain is common, especially in Porto and the north.

Best time to visit Portugal with kids FAQ

What is the best month to visit Portugal with kids?

June and September are the best months to visit Portugal with kids. Both are warm enough for the beach and less crowded than July and August. May is just as good if you care more about sightseeing than swimming.

Is Portugal too hot in August for kids?

Portugal’s coast is hot but manageable in August, with average highs in the mid 80s (29°C) and an ocean breeze. Inland areas are much hotter. Plan mornings out, afternoons at the pool or beach, and later dinners like the locals do.

Can you swim in Portugal in May or October?

You can swim in Portugal in May or October, but the water is cold. Most families use a heated hotel pool in those months and treat the beach as a place to play.

What is the cheapest time to visit Portugal?

The cheapest time to visit Portugal is November through March, outside of Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. Flights and hotels are at their lowest.

Is Portugal good in winter with kids?

Portugal is good in winter with kids for a city trip. Lisbon is mild and quiet, and Madeira is warm enough to be outside all day. It is not beach weather on the mainland.

How many days do you need in Portugal with kids?

Plan on at least a week in Portugal with kids. That gives you a few days in Lisbon and a few at the beach. My 3 day Lisbon itinerary with kids is a good starting point.

So, when should you visit Portugal with kids?

If you can travel outside of summer break, go in May, June, or September. If you need to go in summer, aim for late June or late August, and book early. For a quiet, inexpensive city trip, winter in Lisbon is better than most people expect.

More to help you plan:

• A Guide to Portugal With Kids
• Is Portugal Good for a Family Vacation?
• Visiting the Algarve With Kids
• Portugal Packing List for Families
• 10 Best Things to Do in the Azores With Kids
• 10 Best Castles to Visit in Portugal

Portugal Travel With Kids helps families plan stress-free trips to Portugal with practical guides, tips, and itineraries. Did you enjoy this post? I would love it if you would pin it for later! Or share it with friends on social media if they are looking for tips for a family vacation to Portugal.