If you're looking for a European destination that offers handsome beaches, historic towns, delicious food, and friendly people, consider a trip to Portugal. This small country packs a big punch when it comes to travel experiences, and the best time to visit depends on what you're looking for.
January: Lisbon
Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, is a great place to visit in January. The weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from 8-15°C, and there are fewer crowds than in the high season. Take a stroll through the historic Alfama district, visit the Lisbon Cathedral, and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal at one of the city's many restaurants. Don't forget to try the pastel de nata, a delicious custard tart that is a Portuguese speciality.
Getting there and around
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is well-connected to many European destinations, and there are also direct flights from the US and Canada. From the airport, take the metro to the city centre, which takes around 20 minutes and costs €1.50. Once you're in the city, walking is the best way to get around, although there are also trams, buses, and a metro system.
February: Sintra
Just a short train ride from Lisbon, Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to several handsome palaces and gardens. In February, the crowds are smaller, and the weather is cooler, with temperatures ranging from 8-14°C. Visit the colourful Pena Palace, explore the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira, and take a walk through the lush gardens of Monserrate Palace.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to Sintra is to take the train from Lisbon's Rossio station, which takes around 40 minutes and costs €2.30. Once you're in Sintra, you can take the historic tram to the top of the hill, where the palaces are located, or walk up the steep roads. There are also buses that connect the different sites.
March: Porto
Portugal's second city, Porto, is a charming and historic destination that is worth visiting any time of year. In March, the weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from 10-18°C. Stroll along the Douro River, visit the Livraria Lello bookstore, and sample the famous port wine at one of the city's many wine cellars.
Getting there and around
Porto Airport (OPO) is well-connected to many European destinations, and there are also direct flights from the US and Canada. From the airport, take the metro to the city centre, which takes around 30 minutes and costs €2.50. Once you're in the city, walking is the best way to get around, although there are also trams, buses, and a metro system.
April: The Algarve
The Algarve region in the south of Portugal is famous for its handsome beaches, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful cliffs. In April, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 15-22°C. Visit the historic town of Lagos, take a boat tour of the caves and grottos, and relax on one of the many beaches.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to the Algarve is to fly into Faro Airport (FAO), which is well-connected to many European destinations. From the airport, take the bus or a taxi to your destination. Once you're in the Algarve, renting a car is the best way to get around, although there are also buses and trains.
May: Coimbra
Coimbra is a historic university town located in the centre of Portugal. In May, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 14-23°C. Visit the Coimbra University, take a stroll through the historic centre, and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal at one of the city's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to Coimbra is to take the train from Lisbon or Porto, which takes around 2-3 hours and costs around €20. Once you're in the city, walking is the best way to get around, although there are also buses and taxis.
June: Évora
Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Portugal. In June, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 16-28°C. Visit the Roman Temple, explore the historic centre, and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal at one of the city's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to Évora is to take the bus or train from Lisbon, which takes around 1-2 hours and costs around €10-20. Once you're in the city, walking is the best way to get around, although there are also taxis and a tourist train.
July: Madeira
Madeira is a handsome island located off the coast of Morocco. In July, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 20-26°C. Visit the Funchal Botanical Garden, take a cable car ride up the mountain, and enjoy a traditional Madeiran meal at one of the island's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to Madeira is to fly into Madeira Airport (FNC), which is well-connected to many European destinations. Once you're on the island, renting a car is the best way to get around, although there are also buses and taxis.
August: The Azores
The Azores are a group of nine islands located in the Atlantic Ocean. In August, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 19-25°C. Visit the Sete Cidades crater lake, take a whale-watching tour, and enjoy a traditional Azorean meal at one of the island's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to the Azores is to fly into Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) on São Miguel, which is well-connected to many European destinations. Once you're on the island, renting a car is the best way to get around, although there are also buses and taxis.
September: The Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is a handsome region in the north of Portugal that is famous for its port wine production. In September, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 15-24°C. Take a river cruise, visit a port wine cellar, and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal at one of the region's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to the Douro Valley is to take the train from Porto, which takes around 2 hours and costs around €20. Once you're in the region, renting a car is the best way to get around, although there are also buses and taxis.
October: Guimarães
Guimarães is a historic town located in the north of Portugal. In October, the weather is cooler and rainier, with temperatures ranging from 12-20°C. Visit the Guimarães Castle, explore the historic centre, and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal at one of the city's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to Guimarães is to take the train from Porto, which takes around 1 hour and costs around €5. Once you're in the city, walking is the best way to get around, although there are also buses and taxis.
November: Braga
Braga is a historic city located in the north of Portugal. In November, the weather is cooler and rainier, with temperatures ranging from 8-15°C. Visit the Bom Jesus do Monte, explore the historic centre, and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal at one of the city's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to Braga is to take the train from Porto, which takes around 1 hour and costs around €5. Once you're in the city, walking is the best way to get around, although there are also buses and taxis.
What flights LON to LIS actually cost
Prices below are live fares from Aviasales. We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
The cheapest return found right now is €61 with Ryanair, departing 31 Oct 2026 (2h 50m each way). See current fares.
Cheapest dates to fly
| Departure | Price | Airline | Stops | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Oct 2026 | €61 | Ryanair | Direct | Check |
| 2 Sept 2026 | €63 | easyJet | Direct | Check |
| 30 Sept 2026 | €65 | Ryanair | Direct | Check |
| 10 Oct 2026 | €73 | Ryanair | Direct | Check |
| 15 Sept 2026 | €79 | Ryanair | 1 stop | Check |
Live fares, checked 16 Aug 2026. Prices change daily.
Booking in Lisbon: where to look
We may earn a commission from the links below, at no extra cost to you. We only list services we would use ourselves.
- Tiqets — Instant mobile tickets for museums and landmarks
- Klook — Attraction tickets and passes, strong in Asia
- KKday — Local experiences and day tours
- Welcome Pickups — Fixed-price airport transfer, driver waits for you
December: The Alentejo
The Alentejo is a rural region in the south of Portugal that is known for its rolling hills, historic towns, and delicious food. In December, the weather is cooler and rainier, with temperatures ranging from 8-15°C. Visit the medieval town of Monsaraz, explore the historic centre of Évora, and enjoy a traditional Alentejo meal at one of the region's many restaurants.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to the Alentejo is to take the bus or train from Lisbon or Évora, which take around 2-3 hours and cost around €10-20. Once you're in the region, renting a car is the best way to
