Portugal Weather in January: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Portugal's winters are mild, except in the north where it is cooler and in the mountains, and there is moderate rainfall. January's weather is comfortable for visiting the natural and historical highlights and enjoying the urban culture, dining, and relaxation.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rainfall, places to go, and travel tips…

Portugal in January: Weather and Travel

Averages:

• Temperature range: 9–16°C (48–61°F)
• Rainfall: 10 cm (4 inches)
• Rainy days: 13
• Sunshine hours/day: 5

January Climate Comparison (Averages) for Portugal's Top Tourism Areas

January's mild weather often feels comfortable during the day at the tourist highlights in the low elevations because it is sunny about half the daylight hours (9½ hours). January's weather is good for comfortably touring Portugal's historical sites and urban attractions, sightseeing, and experiencing the culture.

Northern Portugal: The region has an Atlantic oceanic climate with more storms and rain and cooler temperatures. Daily highs reach 14°C (57°F) when the sun is shining. The higher the elevation, the more the likelihood for snow and freezing temperatures.

Central and southern Portugal: The climate in the central region around Lisbon and in the south is generally Mediterranean, mild and comfortable. The sea makes the temperatures milder. Sightseeing, touring, and hiking activities are not affected by the weather as much as in the north.

Madeira Island: See below.

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The Best Places to Visit in Portugal in January

You can enjoy some sunny weather in January since Portugal is one of the sunniest places in Europe. The weather is suitable for pleasant walks and tours and for visiting historical places and ancient ruins. You can have good hikes in the Algarve region and Madeira.

1.Lisbon — Tour the Highlights

Lisbon's weather is usually pleasant in January. Freezing temperatures are rare, and Lisbon is the sunniest capital city in Europe with 5 hours of sunshine a day. The daily highs are 15°C (59°F), and the lows are 9°C (48°F). The weather feels a little damp since the humidity is 80%.

There is moderate rainfall with rain falling about half the days of the month. So when the weather is bright, you might plan day excursions to places such as Sintra to see the Castelo dos Mouros or Évora (see below) where there are Roman ruins.

On rainy days, you could shop in Lisbon at the Avenida da Liberdade or in the Chiado area. The big castle, Castelo de São Jorge, and its museum is a highlight and a place to learn about history. It is too cold to swim since the sea temperature is 16°C (60°F).

2. Algarve — Dining, Hiking, Seeing Historical Sites and Resting along the Mediterranean

Along the Algarve's 200 km (124 miles) stretch of Mediterranean coast, there are dozens of resort towns, quiet small villages, sandy beaches, waterparks, posh shopping, and entertainment. It is a warmer and sunnier than Lisbon with daily highs of about 16°C (61°F) and 6 hours of warm sunshine.

There is less rainfall with 11 days with low rainfall in January, so you can enjoy natural and countryside walks. Beach resorts with low occupancy and rates allow for extended, relaxed vacations. A mountain range extends across the north of the region and blocks off the cold, stormier Continental weather.

Albufeira is the most popular resort town with about 40% foreign residents. English is commonly spoken, costs are higher, and luxury is afforded. It has the best beaches in the Algarve, and the hiking trails are scenic. The sea temperature is 16°C (60°F) and too cold for swimming.

Transport: It is about a 30-minute drive from the international airport at Faro.

3. Madeira — Hiking, Relaxed Resort Stays, and Beaches

Madeira is popular because there is a diversity of things to do packed into a small subtropical island. It is the warmest of the Portuguese islands with comfortable average high temperatures of about 20°C (68°F) and sunshine about 5 hours a day. You could recreate and relax when prices are low.

It is called the "Hawaii of Europe." Funchal is the capital of about 110,000 people and has luxury resorts, and it could be your convenient base. The natural highlights draw most tourists. There are nature preserves, a tall volcanic mountain, great beaches, many waterfalls, and good hiking trails.

Everything is easily and quickly accessible since the island is small and the road system is good. The sea temperature is 19°C (66°F), so it is too cold for comfortable swimming. There is moderate rainfall about 15 days in January. Flights to Funchal's airport takes about two hours from Lisbon.

4. Évora — Super Ancient Megaliths, Roman Ruins, Gothic Cathedral, Less Crowds

Évora is a town of about 60,000 people, and there are a range of historical highlights, ranging from megalithic (big rock) assemblies dated at 2,000 years older than Stonehenge in Britain to the biggest Gothic cathedral in Portugal that was built about 1250. It is a good choice for a countryside daytrip from Lisbon.

There is also a Roman temple and the Museum of Évora to learn about its history. Travelers like to visit Évora's palaces and enjoy the cuisine in a less touristy town. You can walk among and touch the 100 monoliths at Almendres Cromlech that is 15 kilometers from Évora.

The picturesque town is cooler than Lisbon with daily highs of 13°C (55°F) and chilly nights of 7°C (43°F). There is less rainfall than Lisbon with 10 days of moderate rain in January, so it is better for historical and countryside hikes. Évora is 90 minutes from Lisbon by driving.

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Low Tourism Season: Touring Advice for January

Portugal's highlights are less crowded and more affordable in January. The hotels are less expensive, and you will have better availability. You can see the highlights without the crowds. After the Christmas and New Year festivities, the Portuguese seem to relax more in a winter slumber.

You can use the quiet time to visit the galleries and museums, the castle and ruins, and relax at the cafes and patisseries. Open hours at museums and historic sites are fewer, and they close earlier. It is too cool for the beaches.

Since there is rainfall about half the days of January, consider staying at a nice tourist base such as Lisbon, the capital, or at Vilamoura or Albufeira.

Public holidays in January:

• January 1, New Year's Day, is a national holiday. Businesses and government offices close.
• January 6, 2024, Epiphany, is a festival day. It is not a national holiday. Carolers sing in the streets.

What to Wear in January

You will need a jacket or a coat for comfort, and if you are planning to go to the mountains or to the north of Portugal, take some cold weather clothing. Since there are rainy days, have an umbrella or poncho handy.

Shoes: Since it is rainier, wear sturdy shoes with good traction for the nature trails, the cobbled stone streets and historical sites to prevent slips and fall. The historic old towns and cities have lots of old cobbled stone streets.

Wetsuits: The average sea temperature is about 16°C (60°F) or lower at most of Portugal's beach highlights in January. This is too cold for swimming for most people without a wetsuit.

Recommended Tours for Portugal in January

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Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Portugal

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