An all-season guide to the best time to visit Porto

Porto is a city of endless, tiled beauty on either side of the Douro River. Famed for its port wine, this coastal city is also home to architectural gems like the Dom Luís I Bridge, designed by a protégé of Gustave Eiffel, and Livraria Lello, the bookshop said to have inspired J.K. Rowling. Taste francesinhas, ride vintage trams, and sip wine over the roofs of Vila Nova De Gaia. From the blue-tiled façades of São Bento Station to views at Clérigos Tower, the best time to visit Porto is any time, as every month tells an unforgettable story.

Choosing the best time to go to Porto

Best time for outdoor lovers

Spring (March to May) and early fall (September to October) are best for outdoor adventures. Stroll through Porto’s parks like Palácio de Cristal, bike along the Douro River in Foz do Douro, or visit nearby beaches like Matosinhos to enjoy the sun without the summer crowds.

Best time to see traditional celebrations

June is the highlight for traditional celebrations in Porto, thanks to the Festa de São João. Expect to see locals grilling sardines in the streets. Visit Porto at Easter to see religious processions and feast on traditional foods like folar (a sweetbread filled with cured pork).

Best time for Port wine

September is perfect for port wine lovers, marking the Douro Valley grape harvest. Join a feet-first stomping session or visit a vineyard to taste the year’s freshest wine varieties.

Porto throughout the seasons

Spring in Porto

March to May
Spring in Porto means blooming lavender and milder weather, with fewer rainy days than winter. Don’t miss the almond blossoms in the Douro Valley or traditional Easter parades around Porto Cathedral.

Summer in Porto

June to August
Summer in Porto brings golden beaches, lively festivals, and hot, sunny days. Festa de São João in June is a must for live music, firework displays, and mountains of grilled sardines. Cool off with a dip in the Atlantic at Matosinhos Beach.

Fall in Porto

September to November
Fall in Porto is harvest season in the Douro Valley, with cooler breezes and the smell of roasted chestnuts on street corners. Don’t miss a day trip to a vineyard or cozy evenings at Ribeira’s riverside.

Winter in Porto

December to FebruaryWinter in Porto is mild and rainy, but December’s Christmas markets still attract many visitors. January and February are quieter, ideal for crowd-free attractions and warming bowls of caldo verde (a green soup made with kale and potato).

January in Porto

Porto in January is delightfully quiet for the off-season adventurers who want the city to themselves. Sip on a glass of tawny port at Casa Ramos Pinto and take advantage of attractions such as Livraria Lello and the Clérigos Tower without the tourist mob. Dig into a steaming francesinha (a wet sandwich popularly made with ham, cheese, egg, tomato and beer sauce) as you indulge in Porto’s winter cuisine. Join the Dia de Reis celebrations on January 6, when locals honor the Three Kings with music and sweet treats like bolo-rei (a ring-shaped candied fruit and nut cake).

Weather:

Cool and fresh, with an average temperature around 50 F (10 C). Expect a mix of crisp sunny days and a few rainy spells — layer up.

February in Porto

February in Porto is moody and romantic. Take your sweetheart (or yourself) for a sunset stroll along Ribeira or a candlelit dinner with riverside views. Sci-fi fans flock to Fantasporto in February, the city’s legendary film festival showcasing indie and cult classics. If you visit during Carnival, the first three weeks of February, expect parades and outrageous costumes in nearby towns like Ovar. Winter sales are ongoing, so it’s also an excellent time to shop for those much-coveted Portuguese ceramics.

Weather:

Mild and rainy, with an average temperature around 52 F (11 C). Showers can be frequent, so waterproof gear is a good idea.

March in Porto

In March, the almond trees in the surrounding countryside bloom with white blossoms, making it the most scenic time of year for a day trip to the Douro Valley. Back in the city, take advantage of the warming weather to explore the gardens at Palácio de Cristal or enjoy a riverside bike ride in Foz do Douro. Foodies, it’s lamprey season — a slightly terrifying-looking yet surprisingly tasty jawless fish with a sucker-shaped mouth and a Portuguese delicacy. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, especially at Adega São Nicolau, and wash it down with a glass of whisky.

Weather:

Spring is creeping in, with an average temperature of 57 F (14 C). Warm enough to ditch the heavy coats, but keep an umbrella nearby.

April in Porto

If you’re unsure what to do in Porto in April, Holy Week is a fascinating time to witness traditional processions, particularly the Procession of the Steps, and other celebrations around Porto Cathedral. It’s traditional to share folar between family and friends. Wander through streets like Rua das Flores to see the birth of spring blooms. Seafood lovers, rejoice: April is the start of sardine season, best enjoyed grilled and served fresh at local markets or taverns. Enjoy the best port wines for Easter in Porto at The Wine Experience Museum.

Weather:

Mild and pleasant, with temperatures around 61 F (16 C). Rain showers are less frequent, so plan to eat those sardines outside.

May in Porto

May might be the best time to go to Porto. It’s full of sunny days and perfect for rooftop bar hopping with views of the city on either side of the Douro River, whether in Ribeira or Vila Nova de Gaia. Students let loose during Queima das Fitas, a week-long blowout with parties and lots of beer sold in makeshift tents around the city. Each night of the week, a concert series takes over the Queimódromo. Nature lovers can enjoy a train ride through the Douro Valley at its greenest in May.

Weather:

Warm and sunny, with an average temperature of 66°F/19°C. Rain is rare, so the outdoors is all yours.

June in Porto

June is the festival season in Porto, with the famous Festa de São João on June 23 as its highlight. Expect music, dancing, and grilled sardines everywhere — and don’t be surprised if locals tap you on the head with a plastic hammer for good luck. Escape the summer heat with a cruise on the River Douro or soak up the sun as you dine alfresco in the Ribeira. Music lovers shouldn’t miss NOS Primavera Sound, a major music festival. Beach season is officially here, so pack your swimwear and head to Matosinhos Beach with the locals for surfing, or Praia de Sereias for family swimming.

Weather:

Summer begins with an average temperature of around 72 F (22 C) and plenty of sunshine.

July in Porto

July’s long sunny days and warm nights are perfect for enjoying a glass of vinho verde (a young Portuguese wine) on a riverside terrace. Foz do Douro and Matosinhos beaches are full of water lovers who like paddleboarding or surfing. For something quieter, escape to the shaded gardens at Serralves or take a scenic tram ride along the Douro. Porto’s warm evenings are for people-watching over petiscos (small plates of different foods).

Weather:

Warm and dry, with temperatures around 77 F (25 C).

August in Porto

The Douro River is alive with boat cruises during August, and sunset picnics at Miradouro da Vitória are a must. Cool off with a day trip to the Douro Valley vineyards for wine tastings, or spend lazy afternoons on the beaches of Leça da Palmeira. Head to breezier heights and glide high above the Douro River on the Teleférico de Gaia, a cable car with views of Porto's red rooftops and the Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellars below. Summer nights bring open-air concerts and movie screenings at the Palácio de Cristal.

Weather:

Hot and sunny, around 79 F (26 C).

September in Porto

September is harvest time around Porto, and wine lovers won’t want to miss the grape-stomping in the Douro Valley. The summer crowds fade, but the warm days remain — enjoy rooftop drinks or wander Ribeira’s cobbled streets, and catch the open-air performances by the Porto Symphony Orchestra on Avenida dos Aliados on September 7-8. The city also celebrates literature and the arts at the annual Porto Book Fair held at the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal in the first week of September.

Weather:

Warm and pleasant, with temps averaging 73 F (23 C). Perfect outdoor exploring weather.

October in Porto

Porto in October is cozy. The crisp air makes it ideal for long walks along the Douro River or ducking into São Bento Station when it rains to study its stunning blue and white tiles. As fall sets in, roasted chestnuts appear on every corner, filling the air with their smoky scent. Stop at Confeitaria do Bolhāo outside the Mercado do Bolhāo, a 120-year-old bakery, to try every sweet treat, from chocolate and pasteis de nata to sweetbreads. Wine connoisseurs can enjoy quieter vineyard explorations in the Douro Valley without the summer crowds.

Weather:

Mild and crisp, with an average temperature of 66 F (19 C) and occasional rain.

November in Porto

November in Porto is for foodies and wine lovers. Hit the Mercado do Bolhāo for food and drinks, including fall produce such as pumpkins, mushrooms, and persimmons, or warm up with a hearty feijoada, a flavourful Portuguese bean and meat stew. Warm up with a bowl of caldo verde or a glass of port by a crackling fire. Movie buffs can catch cutting-edge documentaries at the Porto/Post/Doc film festival. Tourist crowds are long gone, making it a great time to visit Porto Cathedral without the long lines.

Weather:

Cool and rainy, with temperatures around 57 F (14 C). Bring a coat and an appetite for comfort food.

December in Porto

In December, Porto is draped in sparkling lights, with the main Christmas tree lighting up Avenida dos Aliados, and carols sing out across the city from Clérigos Church. Warm up with rabanadas, Portuguese-style French toast, and mulled wine as you explore Porto’s Christmas lights and markets — don’t miss the Mercado da Alegria. Dance on the ice at the rink at Largo do Amor de Perdição. On New Year’s Eve, Ribeira is the place to be, with live music and fireworks illuminating the Douro River.

Weather:

Chilly but festive, with temps averaging 52 F (11 C) and occasional rain.

Best time to visit Porto: FAQs

What’s the best month to go to Porto?

If you want festivals and warm beach days, June is the best month to visit Porto, thanks to São João festivities. For wine lovers, September is the grape harvest season in the Douro Valley. March to May sees blooming gardens and much less rain, while the fall months between October and November set the aroma of roasted chestnuts on street corners. Winter is quieter, making it great for exploring without crowds, but rainy, so make the most of Porto’s best museums.

How many days do you need in Porto?

You can see the highlights of Porto in two full days, but a long weekend in Porto is the ideal time for seeing every side of the city. Spend a day exploring Ribeira and the historic center, another day delving into Vila Nova de Gaia’s wine cellars, and the last day on a trip to the beaches or Douro Valley.

Is Porto a cheap city?

Compared to other European cities, Porto is budget-friendly. Public transportation is affordable, dining out won’t break the bank (mainly if you stick to traditional taverns), and even a glass of port wine comes at a sweet price. In fact, many of Porto’s unmissable landmarks are free. That said, visiting during peak summer months may push up accommodation costs. For the best value, consider going in late spring or early fall.

What is the prettiest part of Porto?

The Ribeira district is the rainbow-colored heart of Porto. With its narrow streets, colorful waterfront buildings, and views of the Dom Luís I Bridge, it’s utterly stunning. Add in sunsets over the Douro River, which is one of the most romantic places in Porto.

Does Porto have a beach?

Yes, Porto has beaches, and they’re stunning. Just a short tram or bus ride away, you’ll find Foz do Douro and Matosinhos, ideal for sunbathing, surfing, or seafood feasting. For the ultimate beach days, summer is the best month to go to Porto, but the beaches remain beautiful in spring and fall, too.