As per different web reports, more and
more people are looking for information, to know the best time to go
to Portugal. Some people say spring is the best time to go to
Portugal, some others say spring and summer. But the truth is that
tourism in Portugal is good to do at any time of the year.
However, the Portuguese tourism activities differ from season to
season. For smart holiday planers, before setting out, it is a good
idea to know the geographical and climate conditions of Portugal.
This will help them to know the best time to go to Portugal.
Portugal belongs to Iberian Peninsula
and share political border with Spain in the north and east. The coastal
region of mainland and archipelagos is famous for its beach tourism
and extends up to 943 km along the coast with some breath taking
cliff coastlines in Algarve and Alentejo. Beach tourism in Portugal
is famous during Spring and Summer. However because of the strong sun
during Summer, people prefer to have their beach holidays in Portugal
during Spring and in the beginning of Summer. But, if you have
special sun protector then you can enjoy beach holidays both in
Spring and Summer. Spring and Summer is the best time to do water
sports and rural tourism in Portugal. People who prefer to surf, swim
and fish or to do any other kind of water sport can visit any of the
beaches in Portugal. So, Spring and Summer is the best time to go to
Portugal for beach tourism.
Spring and the beginning of Summer is
the right time for rural tourism in Portugal. Adventure Portuguese
tourism include mountain climbing, tracking, biking upon the
mountains rope climbing is good to do in Spring. Because of the
Mediterranean climate condition, Summer will be so hot and dry. In
terms of out door activities the best time to go to Portugal is
Spring (May) and the beginning of summer (June - July).
There are people who love to visit
historical sites and Museums. Historical tourism in Portugal can be
done at any time of the year. Throughout Portugal one can visit
several distinct type of Museums. So, it is a better travel plan to
visit Museums during winter and can know more about culture and
architecture in Portugal. Considering other European countries the
winter is Portugal is too mild. Average low temperature in Winter is
about 12ºC – 17º C. However, some people consider the best time
to go to Portugal is Winter. Winter is considered as Off season and
the hotel prices normally go down a lot than in Summer. Tourism in
Portugal is for all seasons with different activities, so a travel
don´t need to bother about the best time to go to Portugal. What one
should do is to plan his holidays in Portugal in accord to the
seasonal activities.
I disagree a bit. Here are my reasons:
ReplyDelete1 - The worst months in terms of sunburn risk are between May and July, with June being the strongest in solar radiation. This has nothing to do with heat. It has to do with exposure to the photonic rays of the sun. The northern hemisphere is at closest to the sun in June. However, June is a beautiful month for visiting Portugal. Day light time lasts until 10pm.
2 - Spring and Summer are no good for surfing. The surfing season beginns in September with the high tide season and it goes through the winter.
3 - The best time for swimming at sea is from August to October. It's when the sea water is less cold. It warmed up through the whole summer. The air temperature is still warm, but because the earth is heading toward winter the sun light is weaker, which it's good to avoid sunburn.
4 - The best time to visit the countryside of Portugal is by spring/beginning of Summer. Portugal has mediterranean climate, which mean rainy/cool winter versus hot/dry summer. If you tour the countryside by spring the landscape is beautifully green because of the previous winter rains, even if it starts to get warm and sunny. If you tour the countryside by late summer/autumm, the countryside is dry and dusty. Here's the difference.
4 - If you're looking for snow, it only happens with some regularity in the northeastern third of the country. Obviously the best time is January/February.
5 - If you're looking for a warm sea, oddly go to the Azores. Here the sea temperature is warmer than in the mainland or in Madeira. Outside, the air can be dump/rainy though. The reason is that mainland Portugal and Madeira have a cold ocean stream: the Canary current, normal is eastern sides of oceans at temperate latitudes. The Azores are to the west, way off that current. Besides, the Azores being by the mid-Atlantic rift, have geysers and submarine hotspots, helping to warm up the water.
6 - The mildest winter in Portugal is in Madeira. It's often over 20º celsius in Funchal in January. Madeira is the most southern part of Portugal. It can be rainy though, but not always. This winter, with dry weather, it can be beautiful there.
7 - Coming of a budget? Come to Portugal in the first fortnight of December, or in January/February. Hotels have the cheapest rates in these months.
8 - Willing to visit Portugal without willing to tan and swim? Come in the winter. You'll have lower prices, better service, and more space to yourself. Even if you want to walk through an empty beach in the winter, it can be a beautiful walk. The winter in Portugal is bearable. It's NOT -15º celsius here. It's a lot more bearable than elsewhere in Europe.
I mostly agree with this precisions.
ReplyDeleteAbout snow and winter sports only Serra da Estrela has some facilities mainly good for children and teenagers,means a good place for families.
About Madeira Island and Azores i ve never been there but i was told by frdz that Azores is an amazing totally different place.And about the fortnight in beggining of December and jannuary/February i did 2 years ago and it was a successtull trip!Cheap!and graet winter food!!
Claire Writer