Portugal In Winter — 4 Places For A Winter Break In Portugal
With the winter weather creeping in, you might think of Portugal as your next holiday destination. While you won’t find yourself sunning on the beaches if you visit for Christmas, Portugal has a ton of beautiful sights and fun events across the winter months that you won’t regret seeing. Winter is one of the best times to experience Portugal authentically and without the crowds.
While visiting during winter does require some planning to avoid bad weather and other inclement conditions, you’ll enjoy the ease of travel and cheap flights that characterize this low season. And once you arrive in Portugal, you can expect to enjoy discounted hotel rooms and easy access to most businesses.
Why Should I Visit Portugal For Winter Break?
There are lots of great reasons to visit Portugal for winter break!
Because tourism is at its lowest during this season, you can expect that most necessary services will be easier to access and significantly cheaper. Rather than fighting through a crowded airport just to get to an expensive and hard-to-find room, you’ll likely find that your flight and hotel were cheap — as long as you aren’t traveling right before the holidays!
And while the unpredictable weather conditions can make some areas of Portugal in winter unpleasant, there’s still plenty to enjoy. Southern and eastern Portugal enjoy charming conditions throughout the winter season, and you’ll find many ways to enjoy these areas — whether cycling along a Roca Vicentina trail or seeing the beautiful sights of Lisbon.
What Is Portugal Like During Winter?
Portugal, known for its warm and pleasant weather, still enjoys mild winter temperatures. You can expect inclement weather, but most days will be cool and pleasant, with a temperature high of 68 degrees F (20 degrees C). You’ll need to make sure that you pack a warm jacket for chillier evenings, with the temperature dipping to a cool 36 degrees F (2 degrees C) on its coldest nights.
Generally, Portugal has better weather the further south and east you go. But the climate can also be generalized into three regions:
- The Algarve experiences a mix of sunny days and dry gray days
- Porto and northern Portugal experience cool weather, with lots of heavy rain
- Lisbon and central Portugal experience a mix of bright days and rainy gray days
Some of the worst weather results from moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, which gathers over the northern regions of Portugal and causes heavy rains. You should expect to spend a winter vacation in Portugal focused on activities, and if you prefer to avoid rain, you should steer clear of the north.
What Are The Best Places To Visit In Winter?
There’s no debate about the best place to visit during the winter, but you might be wondering what some of the best towns in southern Portugal or eastern Portugal are.
For a beach getaway, Tavira is the place to go. Aside from the gorgeous beach at Praia do Barril and pleasant winter weather, this is a great place to experience Portugal’s culture. And if you want to enjoy a snowy Christmas, there’s no better place than Serra da Estrela. At Portugal’s most famous mountain range, you’re guaranteed to see snow — and to enjoy lots of winter sports activities, like snowboarding and skiing!
While it might not have the best winter weather to offer visitors, Penafiel makes itself a worthwhile destination with its incredible history and gorgeous views. And you can’t forget to consider Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, with all of the fantastic offerings and attractions necessary to back its reputation as a dream destination.
Tavira
A gorgeous coastal town located on the Algarve’s eastern coastline, Tavira offers the perfect setting for a peaceful winter vacation. While it cools down too much during the winter to enjoy typical beach activities like sunbathing, you’ll love viewing Tavira’s lush nature and gorgeous shoreline.
Best Activities In Tavira
While you might not be able to enjoy all of the summer activities Tavira is known for, this gorgeous town offers plenty to do during any season.
You can’t take a Tavira vacation without visiting its famous beach. The Praia do Barril is an excellent destination during any season, with soft white sand and beautiful, clear waters. You can cross the shoreline and view its natural beauty or visit an old fishing community’s historic beach restaurant and museum.
Afterward, you can nourish your mind by visiting the Fado com História and listening to the Fado genre of Portuguese music with complimentary Port wine and traditional Algarve snacks. The Tavira Camera Obscura is also a great destination, offering an incredible view of the town and mind-blowing insights into how the projection is made possible.
Where To Stay In Tavira
An excellent traditional destination is the Pousada Convento Tavira, which overlooks a gorgeous 16th-century colonnaded courtyard. This hotel is located in the historic center of Tavira and offers a magnificent garden and pool to enjoy during your visit.
Another great option is the Colégio Charm House, a renovated boys’ schoolhouse that now offers some of the best services and stays in Tavira. The authentic design of the building is charming, and the meals served at the hotel are highly rated.
Serra da Estrela
Serra da Estrela is the most famous mountain range in Portugal, and it’s a perfect destination for anyone wanting a snowy vacation. This mountain range has the highest peak in the country and sees significant snowfall every year. Whether you prefer the excitement of skiing or relaxing by a fire, Serra da Estrela has a lot of fun to offer visitors during the winter.
Best Activities In Serra da Estrela
Serra da Estrela is known as a winter attraction, so luckily, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in this gorgeous winter wonderland.
Winter sports are one of the best activities in Serra da Estrela! Skiing is the main activity that draws visitors to Serra da Estrela. Because most of Portugal doesn’t receive snow, Serra da Estrela is a winter destination for tourists and locals alike. An excellent ski resort you can go to is Estância de Ski da Serra da Estrela, which is open from November to April and supports all experience levels.
You should also enjoy all the views this magnificent landscape has to offer! The highest point in Portugal is accessible from the Torre, so this is a can’t-miss activity. You should also visit Covão dos Concho, a strange hole in the center of the Lagoa Comprida lake. Man created the famous hole nearly a century ago to redirect water from the Ribeira das Naves to the Lago Comprida, but it’s a strange sight worth seeing.
Where To Stay In Serra da Estrela
If you’re looking for luxury, one of the finest choices available to travelers is the mountain retreat at Madre de Água Hotel Rural. Set on a traditional and gorgeous farm outside Gouveia, you’ll enjoy fun activities like wine, cheese, and olive oil tastings in the hotel’s restaurant.
If you’d prefer something contemporary and budget-friendly, the Casas da Lapa is an excellent destination. This hotel offers accommodations that suit couples or families and even have a table d’hote you can book!
Penafiel
The Penafiel in Porto is an excellent winter destination for its historical sights. While you should anticipate going through some unpleasant weather conditions due to its location in northern Portugal, that doesn’t draw away from the wonder of visiting destinations like the Menir de Luzim, Dolmens of Portela, or even the Quinta da Aveleda.
Best Activities In Penafiel
Whether you’re enjoying the gorgeous valleys and hills of the Norte Region or experiencing the incredible history and culture of Penafiel itself, there’s no shortage of things to explore and scenery to enjoy here.
If you’re looking to see beautiful sights, a great start is visiting Santuário do Sameiro. Once a large hill, the Santuário do Sameiro is now a public park capped with a 19th-century sanctuary church. The building’s white dome and majestic architecture contrast beautifully against the surrounding coniferous foliage, making a beautiful painting-like scenery to enjoy.
Afterward, you can visit plenty of places to learn about Portugal’s history. One of the best destinations is the Museu Municipal de Penafiel, a 17th-century mansion museum designed by the architect Fernando Távora as his departing work. Whether you prefer to examine Penafiel’s archaeology, history, or cultural identity, the Museu Municipal de Penafiel has something to teach everyone.
Where To Stay In Penafiel
If you’re looking to stay somewhere just as culturally enlightening as the attractions found in Penafiel, there’s no better choice than the Solar Egas Moniz. This B&B is located in a gorgeous manor half an hour from Porto and combines a stay in a decadent and classical room with offerings like swimming, wine tastings, and a magnificent countryside view.
If you prefer to stay closer to the action, the Casa da Calçada offers luxury and proximity at a great price. After spending a night resting in one of the Casa da Calçada’s baroque-style rooms, you can easily walk to the Igreja de São Gonçalo church or the historic gardens and parks surrounding this beautiful hotel.
Lisbon
And last but not least, one of the best destinations in Portugal for any time of year is the capital, Lisbon. When you visit Portugal in winter, you might expect things to be quiet, but in the weeks leading up to the holidays, you can enjoy Christmas with all your senses as the festive lights tinker, music fills the air, and the scent of roasted chestnuts wafts through the streets of Lisbon.
Whether you venture down to Baixa to visit the famous Rossio Christmas Market and Praça do Município market or take one of Lisbon’s trains to Sintra to see the beautiful castles and excellent cafes, there’s no shortage of things to enjoy and savor in Lisbon on a winter day.
Best Activities In Lisbon
As one of the best metropolises in Europe, there’s no shortage of fun things to see and do in Lisbon. From the history of Berber pirates and Reconquista knights to the modern nightlife of Bairro Alto and the sunny shores of Tagus Estuary, Lisbon never ceases to fascinate visitors.
There are many attractive areas within and outside of Lisbon that is worth a visit. The Alfama district is a great choice, whether you prefer to admire the historical buildings scattered along the compact streets or to taste a bit of Portugal’s culture in the cafes and restaurants. Sintra, just outside Lisbon, is also famously visited due to its incredible history and colorful baroque architecture.
You should also visit some of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks! The Torre de Belém is a great first choice, with a gorgeous view of the Lisbon quays and an eye-catching architectural style dating back to the 16th century. You can also ride the historic Tram 28 down through Escolas Gerais and into the old Alfama district and admire the beautiful sights and mulling crowds of people as you go.
Where To Stay In Lisbon
If you’re looking for an exquisitely luxurious stay, The Lumiares is a great destination. This hotel is situated in the Bairro Alto area. It allows you to enjoy a sleek and spacious studio or penthouse suite with comfortable elegance and proximity to all the city’s action.
The Ivens offers a more artistic stay, with the theme being the journey of Ivens and Capelo, a famous pair of 19th-century Portuguese explorers known for their exploration of Africa. Each room is colorfully decorated and pays homage to their journey with details like tropical flora, beetle designs, golden detailing, and parrot and macaw motifs.
Is Winter a Good Time to Visit Portugal?
Winter is a fantastic time to visit Portugal if you’re looking for a fun-filled trip full of adventure, sightseeing, and excellent food. While you shouldn’t expect to lie on the beach and bask in the sun during a winter stay in Portugal, this is one of the best times to visit to see the many beautiful sights this country offers.
