Travel
The best time to swim in Portugal
Algarve, Lisbon coast, Porto and the Azores: Atlantic temperatures through the year.
5 min read
Portugal is Atlantic-facing, so it is cooler than Spain at the same latitude. The Algarve is the warmest mainland option; the Azores are mild but rarely warm by beach standards.
Month-by-month
- May: Algarve 17–19°C, Lisbon coast 16–18°C; refreshing but not yet warm.
- June–September: Algarve 20–23°C, Lisbon 18–21°C; peak in August.
- October: Algarve still 19–21°C; Lisbon and north cool faster.
- November–April: 14–17°C in the south, 12–15°C in the north; wetsuit or cold-water swimming.