How is Portugal in Winter Really Like?
Let’s find out what Portugal is really like in winter and get to know some activities that get better when the weather gets colder.
A little less daylight, a little more rain, and everyone is digging their warm clothes out of storage. This is Portugal in winter. No one would call it beach weather, but winter in Portugal is pretty pleasant compared to the frigid climates many people come here to escape.
How is Portugal in winter really like?
First of all, it does snow in Portugal, but typically only in the Serra da Estrela range in northern Portugal. Otherwise, it rarely gets below freezing anywhere in the country — and the idea of lakes or rivers freezing over is basically unheard of.
You won’t see snowfalls in Lisbon or the Algarve, but the depth of winter in Portugal can be chilling, especially during December and January. The depth of winter in Portugal can be unpleasantly cold. Temperatures at night can get down to 2 degrees C (36 degrees F). Making up for this, though, are mild daytime temperatures that can climb as high as 20 degrees C (68 degrees F).
Probably the most inconvenient part about winter in Portugal is the rain. When it rains in Portugal, it pours. Unlike the endless drizzle that you would experience in London, you will often see a month’s worth of rain in a couple of hours.
Now you won’t see snowfalls in Lisbon or lakes in the Algarve ice over in winter, but the depth of winter in Portugal can be extreme, especially during December and January. This is mainly due to the extreme variation in temperatures that each day has. Temperatures at night are the coldest, sometimes reaching 2°C (36°F) while day time temperatures can be as high as 20°C (68°F).
Probably the most inconvenient part about winter in Portugal is the rain, which often causes cities to come to a halt. When it rains in Portugal, it pours. Unlike the endless drizzle that you would experience in London, you will often see a month of rain in a couple of hours.
Winter in Portugal is still winter. When there are clear skies overhead, that is usually a sign that a warm winter day will be a cold winter night once the sun sets.
Winter in Portugal is always nicer in the Algarve
Located in the southern region of Portugal in the Algarve, is Faro, one of the warmest cities in Portugal, and even in Europe. If you’re used to snowy skies and freezing wind, there is no “real” winter in Faro. It’s more like a long, pleasant spring, with more than 10 hours of sunshine on most day. This doesn’t mean that weather conditions are always suitable for the beach, but you can usually count on fair weather that doesn’t require more than a long-sleeved shirt to be comfortable.
That being said, the nights can still get cold because of the wind, so we suggest you bring a jacket and at least one pair of pants — rather than shorts — if you head to the Algarve over the winter.
The coldest area of Portugal is around Porto, in the north. Porto sees a lot of rain in the winter. We mean really a lot. The winter months here are also not so friendly, temperature-wise, but the city takes on an atmospheric, mysterious beauty. And of course, you can still enjoy the city’s scenic beauty and famous Port wine.
