The weather in Portugal varies across the different regions and, of course, the country also experiences the changing of seasons. Generally, the south enjoys the most amount of sunshine and the least amount of rainfall, but on the whole, all of Portugal has its fair share of clear days.

Spring is a great time to visit Portugal. From March to May, the hills pop with colorful flowers and the weather starts to warm up. Consider hitting the beach in May before the summer crowd gets in. Expect great sunshine and temperatures around 72˚F on the Algarve coast.

Travelers flock to the coast in the summer between June and August. This is when it gets particularly busy, but the holiday vibe ramps up spectacularly and you get to join the revelers on the beach. Keep in mind it may be too hot to tackle a lot of sightseeing or lengthy hikes — for these activities, you can head away from the coast and to more mountainous regions.

For city visits, sightseeing, and general outdoor activities, the autumn months between September and November make a delightful period, with tamer temperatures that reach 74˚F in the Algarve region and Lisbon. Similarly, Porto and the north are splendid in autumn — the annual grape harvest takes place between September and October and it’s a great time to tour the Douro region’s vineyards and wine estates.