The (official) swimming season in Portugal runs from the beginning of June to mid-September.
Outside these months, outdoor pools and beach facilities may be closed. In July and especially August, coastal resorts are at their busiest month, and prices are at their highest.
Some hotels, restaurants, camping and water parks are only open around Easter until September.
The best times of year to visit are spring (which starts in February, but the best time is late May) and early autumn (early October), when the weather is still warm but not too hot.
In the middle of August, it is scorching weather to visit the Alentejo or hike over its medieval villages and archaeological sites.
It is a little cooler in the mountain areas in the centre and north, but there is little shade at altitude, and, again, summer is not the ideal time for hiking.
Northern Portugal is particularly prone to rain. With such a verdant landscape, it should be no surprise that Portugal also has high levels of rainfall.
The temperature is mild throughout the year in the centre and south, especially on the coast. Most of it falls from November to March, although changing weather patterns mean you can experience dry winter and rain in May.
The north can be frigid in winter, especially in the northern interior. At this time in Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve, there are drastic reductions in hotel prices.
