When people think of Portugal, they often picture sun-soaked beaches, golden cliffs, and bustling summer streets. But what happens when the temperatures drop, the tourists thin out, and the coastal breeze carries a crisp chill?
Winter in Portugal is a season of hidden charms—quieter, more intimate, and brimming with unexpected delights. Whether you’re considering a winter trip or wondering what it’s like to live here during the colder months, there’s much to love about Portugal in the off-season.
Is Winter a Good Time to Travel to Portugal?
Absolutely! While Portugal does experience cooler temperatures in winter, it remains one of the warmest destinations in Europe. In cities like Lisbon and Porto, daytime temperatures often hover between 10–17°C (50–63°F), while the Algarve enjoys even milder weather.
Snow is rare outside of the Serra da Estrela mountains, where skiers can find Portugal’s only ski resort. You will need to bring your umbrella though, as it does tend to rain a lot during these months.
The biggest advantage of visiting Portugal in winter is avoiding the crowds. Popular spots like Sintra, the Douro Valley, and the Algarve are far more enjoyable without the peak-season influx of tourists.
Flights and accommodations are also significantly cheaper, making it an ideal time for budget-conscious travelers. If you don’t mind occasional rain showers and shorter daylight hours, winter in Portugal can be a magical experience.
Things to Do in Portugal During Winter (Beyond the Beach)
Portugal’s beaches may be less inviting for sunbathing in winter, but there are still plenty of activities to enjoy.
Explore Portugal’s Historic Cities
Winter is the perfect time to visit Lisbon and Porto without the long lines and crowds. Wander through Alfama’s winding streets in Lisbon or take in the stunning azulejo-covered buildings in Porto. The milder weather makes city exploration much more pleasant than in the scorching summer heat.
Visit Portugal’s Vineyards
Winter is the low season for Portugal’s wine regions, which means more personalized wine tastings and an opportunity to chat with winemakers without the usual rush. The Douro Valley, Alentejo, and Dão are all excellent options for wine lovers.
We went to the Douro in March and although it was a bit chilly, the scenery was still beautiful and the wine was fantastic!
Experience Fado in an Authentic Setting
Portugal’s traditional Fado music is even more enchanting on a chilly evening in a cozy tavern. Head to a Fado house in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto or Alfama, or try one of Porto’s lesser-known Fado venues for a more intimate experience.
Coimbra is also known for its fado shows and you can catch some of the University students singing in the main square for their supper (or a few Euro).
Go Hiking Without the Heat
Portugal has fantastic hiking trails, and winter offers a cooler, more comfortable experience. The Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north is stunning year-round, and the Rota Vicentina on the Alentejo coast offers dramatic cliffside views without the summer swelter.
You can also check out the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in the Algarve. The milder temperatures during the winter make this hike much more enjoyable (in our opinion).
What It’s Like to Live in Portugal During Winter
Living in Portugal in winter has its own rhythm. While the days are shorter and the rain can be persistent, it’s a season of festivals, traditions, and cozy gatherings.
The first winter we were here, we spent it with friends inside cozy cafes and learning Portuguese. The second winter, after the Christmas Holidays, we hunkered down and hybernated because we had traveled a great deal during the fall and beginning of December.
Christmas and New Year’s in Portugal
The holiday season in Portugal is a special time. Christmas markets pop up in cities like Lisbon and Porto, selling handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and local sweets. There are also fun festivals this time of year where the villages decorate, and have dances, and dinners.
One of the most beloved traditions is eating Bolo Rei (King’s Cake), a fruit-filled pastry enjoyed throughout December.
On Christmas Eve, families gather for Consoada, a traditional dinner featuring bacalhau (salted cod), boiled potatoes, and cabbage. Midnight Mass, known as Missa do Galo, is an important part of the celebrations for many families.
We also noticed that during the day on Christmas, many families popped in to say hello to their friends and neighbors.
New Year’s Eve in Portugal is marked by fireworks and festivities. Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio and Porto’s Ribeira district host large public celebrations, while smaller towns celebrate with music, dancing, and the tradition of eating 12 raisins at midnight—one for each month of good luck in the coming year.
We celebrated New Year’s Eve at our local restaurant in town and they gave us these raisins at midnight!
**Please note, most places are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Bus and train schedules will be different (or may not run at all). We advise that you do not plan to travel these two days (I’m sure the airport is running fine) but other places in Portugal will be closed for the holiday, especially those outside the larger cities.
How Houses Handle the Cold
One of the biggest surprises for newcomers to Portugal is that many homes lack central heating. Older buildings, in particular, can feel damp and chilly in winter.
Portable heaters, dehumidifiers, and plenty of blankets become essential during the colder months. While the winter temperatures aren’t extreme, the lack of insulation in some homes can make it feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Our home is well insulated because it is a newer building and our landlord was adamant about making it dry and comfortable. However, we do not have a heating system so we use a dehumidifier most of the winter. It keeps our living space quite warm. We also have a space heater for the office on the other side of the flat and use it during the colder days.
Hotels and most vacation rentals will have a space heater and a towel rack in the bathroom that will heat the space rather well. When in doubt, pack a few extra layers to make sure you stay warm.
How Some Places Feel Different in Winter
Winter transforms certain areas of Portugal, giving them a completely different vibe than in summer.
In Peniche where we live, it is hot and crowded in the summer. The surfers and vacationers take over the beaches and restaurants. But in the winter, is much quieter and still has great surfing!
Nazaré is another town that is different in the summer. Sure, the surfing is still there, but the waves are smaller and the beaches are full! In the winter, the town is much quieter and the waves are bigger!
The Algarve: A Quieter Paradise
In summer, the Algarve is packed with beachgoers, nightlife, and buzzing resort towns. But in the winter, it is quiet and intimate, and much more Portuguese.
Beth thinks that winter is the best time to go to the Algarve. It is not a good time to enjoy the water or sit on the beach but the towns are less crowded and not as hot. The weather usually stays in the 60’s and 70’s.
Serra da Estrela: Portugal’s Winter Wonderland
While most of Portugal enjoys mild winters, Serra da Estrela becomes a snowy retreat. It’s the only place in Portugal where you can ski, but even non-skiers can enjoy the mountain landscapes, warm up with traditional cheese and sausages, and visit the charming mountain villages.
Sintra: A Fairytale in the Mist
Sintra’s palaces and forests look like something out of a fantasy novel in winter. The morning mist rolling through the hills adds an air of mystery to sites like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
The summer crowds are gone, making it easier to explore these magical places at your own pace.
Final Thoughts: Why Winter in Portugal is Underrated
While summer in Portugal gets all the attention, winter has its own quiet allure. It’s a season for slow travel, rich traditions, and experiencing the country more intimately. Whether you’re visiting for a short trip or settling in for the long term, winter in Portugal offers a unique perspective—one that’s every bit as charming as its sun-drenched counterpart.
Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.