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With its lively cities, blissful beaches, and no shortage of activities to do with children, Portugal is a prime destination for the entire family to enjoy. Portugal has everything from the vibrant cities of Lisbon and Porto to the coastal towns of the Algarve. Year-round festivals, including traditional Easter and Christmas celebrations, invite travellers to experience Portugal's rich culture like a local. As do the many restaurants that dish up delicious Portuguese gastronomy.
Thanks to Portugal's prime location, at Europe's southeastern edge and alongside the Atlantic Ocean, the country has one of the most pleasant climates in Europe. The relatively mild temperatures all year-round makes it an ideal destination for a family holiday. To help you pick the best time to visit Portugal, we've highlighted the advantages of each season below. No matter what time of year you travel, you're guaranteed to have a great time in one of our luxury villas.
In spring, the temperatures hover between 20-25°C, making it a great time for outdoor activities. Marvel at ochre cliffs, turquoise waters, and multicoloured wildflowers while hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in the Algarve. This popular region on Portugal's southern coast is also home to the Ecovia do Litoral, a 214 km cycling trail that weaves past parks, quaint villages, lagoons, and beaches. April and May are best for oceanside strolls though it is warm enough to swim in June—plus less tourists means there is more room to spread out your towel out in the sand.
Spring is also a great time for exploring cities in Portugal. Spend a long weekend in Lisbon diving into its historic heritage and delicious plates at the city's best restaurants. In the north of Portugal, Porto enchants with its cultural sites, Douro river cruises, and port wine for the adults. Both cities also are home to Portugal's beloved football clubs. Join fervent fans at a match before the season ends in late May.
With its long days and hot weather, summer is a wonderful time for your family to enjoy the bevy of beautiful beaches in Portugal. Comporta, the darling of the jet set, is a natural paradise of beaches, rice paddies, and fragrant pines. Just over an hour south of Lisbon, the restaurants in Comporta serve the freshest fish in convivial settings. Head to the Museu du Arroz to learn about the region's rice-growing tradition.
Families will appreciate the array of sports in the Algarve from magnificent golf courses to paragliding. Amusement parks and water parks are fun for the whole family. You can swim with dolphins or take a boat tour in the ochre Benagil caves —ask your Villanovo concierge to book these unforgettable excursions for you. The Algarve also has some of the most beautiful coastal villages of Portugal off the tourist track like Tavira, a calm fishing village with 14 kms of beach. To experience one of the most fun cultural traditions in the Algarve, head to the FolkFaro festival in August to delight in Portuguese fado music and corridnho dancing.
The Atlantic Ocean is still warm enough for swimming in September. It is also the best time to surf, with the best waves in the Alentejo or north of Lisbon in Ericeira and Nazaré. September marks the wine harvest season in the north of Portugal. The Douro Valley grape harvest invites travellers of all ages to take part in this annual tradition.
Fall is ideal for families looking for thinner crowds and mild weather for outdoor activities. Spend a few days in Lisbon riding the vintage trams and tasting traditional egg custard tarts, pastéis de nata. Take a nature break out of the city in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. In Sintra, an e-bike tour of the lush gardens around the 19th-century palace will please young and old alike. Or head to one of Portugal's prettiest seaside towns, Cascais, to surf, kite-surf, and rock-climb.
October and November are the best months to witness Portugal's parks bedecked in autumnal yellows, oranges, and reds. See them in their prime at Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the country's largest park between Lisbon and Porto. Explore over 375 kms of hiking trails, including Portugal's highest mountain. Be sure to sample the famous, buttery sheep-milk cheese with the same name.
Families like to visit Portugal in the winter when the climate is more mild than other European destinations. Since the weather is a bit cooler, it is the best time to visit cities or a coastal towns without the crowds. In Lisbon, stroll through history at the 11th-century castle, Castelo de São Jorge. In the Algarve, visit Lagos, an historic artsy town or Albufeira, the region's liveliest, and largest town. Sunny days and temperatures as high as 15°C are ideal for winter beach walks.
Portugal is a charming place to celebrate the holidays abroad. Families can have a gourmet Christmas by eating cod at the typical Christmas eve dinner, La Consoada, followed by the candied-fruit Bolo Rei cake. Other holiday traditions include nativity scenes and festive Christmas markets. The most famous market is in Obidos, an hour north of Lisbon, whereas both Lisbon and Porto host markets and other festivities. When February rolls around, the entire country comes alive for one of Portugal's not-to-miss cultural traditions: Carnival. To ring in the revelry with costumes, floats, and music at Rio-style parades, head to Loulé, Lisbon, and Nazaré.
Want more tips for the best time to visit Portugal? Spring is a prime season for traditional festivals. In April, Easter celebrations begin on Palm Sunday and extend throughout the holy week. The Fiestas de los Santos Populares, the Festivals for St. Anthony, St. John, and St. Peter, light up towns across the country in June. Locals take to the street to eat, drink, and dance, with the biggest festivals in Lisbon and Porto. In June, Midsummer's Eve, known as São João, rings in the summer solstice with bonfire jumping, paper lanterns, and grilled sardine feasts. Kids will love the martelinhos, toy plastic hammers that make a sound when you hit your friends, family or strangers on the head.
Mild, fall temperatures are ideal for beach activities. Go horseback riding on the beach in Comporta, surf big waves in Sagres, or walk or bike the Via Algarviana, a 300-km path that weaves between villages, streams, and cork forests in the Algarve. Though winter is the rainy season, the weather is rather mild, particularly in the south of Portugal. You'll have the beaches to yourself, plus this time of year is easiest for getting a table at restaurants in the Algarve or elsewhere. Your Villanovo will be happy to make a reservation or book other excursions for you and your family.
Choose a Villanovo villa from our extensive catalogue of luxury holiday villas in Portugal. Looking for villas with a private swimming pool, villas by the sea, villas on a golf course, or villas with house staff? We've got you covered.
Villanovo has handpicked villas in the best spots across Portugal, including the Algarve, Comporta, Porto and the North, Cascais, Faro and the Lisbon region.
Our attentive, hands-on concierges handle every detail so you can focus on enjoying your holidays. This personalised service tailors each trip to perfectly suit your needs including excursion reservations, water sports, a private chef and more. The pièce de résistance? Every Villanovo villa rental comes with a travel booklet packed with our insider picks, including where to eat, drink, and shop and what to do in Portugal.
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