Portugal Weather in May 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Spring weather in May in Portugal is sunny, and it's warm or mild most days along with some showers. The south turns dry. The weather is good for nature hikes amid flowers and green vegetation, relaxing on beaches, and sightseeing Portugal's highlights in mostly dry weather.

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

Portugal Weather in May: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 14–22°C (57–71°F)
• Rainfall: 5 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 7
• Humidity: 70%
• Sunshine hours/day: 9 hours

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

In May, Portugal is mild or warm and fairly dry at low elevations, and because there are 9 hours of sunshine, you will often feel warm or hot during the day at the tourist highlights. It's a good time for extended hikes amid green vegetation and touring Portugal's urban and historical attractions.

Northern Portugal: The region has an Atlantic oceanic climate. There are more storms, moderate rainfall, and cooler temperatures. Daily highs reach a warm 20°C (68°F) with 9 hours of sunshine.

Central and southern Portugal: The Algarve and the Alentejo region west of Lisbon experience Mediterranean-like weather. These regions are warmer, sunnier, and drier. There is good weather for hiking, sightseeing, and touring, but it is too cold for comfortable swimming. The area near Lisbon has good surfing conditions.

Madeira Island: See Funchal below.

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The Best Places to Visit in Portugal in May

Portugal is one of the sunniest places in Europe, and in May, it is as sunny as Greece except that Madeira is cloudier. You could enjoy the sunshine and warm weather while visiting historical places and hiking.

1.Lisbon — Enjoy Strolling around the Highlights, Beaches, and Watersports

Lisbon is the sunniest capital city in Europe with 10 hours of sunshine a day in May, and it is sunnier than bright Athens. The 67% humidity makes daily highs actually feel warmer under the sun, especially those above the average of 22°C (72°F). There are about 8 days of rain in May.

You could stroll, shop, and sightsee at historical places such as the main square, called Praca do Comercio. It is an interesting place to walk around and one of the largest squares in Europe. The Avenida da Liberdade offers luxury shopping. The Castelo de São Jorge is a castle with a museum.

There are good beaches near Lisbon and beaches with good surfing and watersports all along the coast from Lisbon to Porto. Ericeira is a 35-minute drive away and has about the best surfing in May. The sea temperature is about 17°C (63°F) making a wetsuit necessary.

2.Rural Alentejo — See the Beauty of the Countryside and the Old Towns and Historic Places

Eastern Alentejo is a rustic agricultural area with lower prices and less tourism than the coastal highlights. It is beautiful in the spring but scorching hot and arid in the summer, so May might be the best month for fun and sightseeing and seeing the area's historical sights and countryside.

The daily highs of 25°C (77°F) feel a couple of degrees warmer with the 63% humidity. There are 10 hours of bright sunshine to be enjoyed on average, and 6 days with low rainfall. The main city, Évora, was the imperial capital when Portugal was empire building and exploring in the 1400s.

About 35 minutes away from Évora is the walled town of Estremoz and Estremoz Castle, and it is 35 minutes again from the medieval walled town of Reguengos with old architecture, and half an hour from Almendres Cromlech's ancient stones. For more about Évora, see Portugal in March.

3.Funchal — Relax, Have Fun, in the Subtropics during Shoulder Season

Funchal is the capital of the warmest of the Portuguese islands with high temperatures of around 22°C (72°F), sunshine about 7 hours a day, and 70% humidity that makes the highest temperatures feel a couple of degrees warmer. There are only 6 days with light rain, and it is semi-arid, so you can enjoy the city comfortably.

Taking the cable car to Monte Palace allows you to see the city and seascape, and you can walk in the tropical gardens. The island abounds with flowers in May, and the Madeira Flower Festival is held there yearly from about the end of April to the middle or end of May.

There is a black-sand beach in Funchal, but the other beaches are rocky. The best resorts are at Funchal Lido. The water temperature is about 20°C (68°F), and therefore it is not suitable for comfortable swimming. Flights to Funchal's airport take about two hours from Lisbon.

4.Lagos — Visit Popular Tourist Towns in the Algarve

Along the southern coast of the Algarve there are natural preserves, dozens of good beaches, and popular towns. Lagos is popular with younger people and people on a budget. With 11 sandy beaches, hidden coves and caves, an old historic walled town section, and a laid-back attitude, it is a fun place to be and not ostentatious.

Kids love to ride the Mini Train — you can see the sights of the area on it. Beginners like to surf there in May since the swells are small, and there are surfing coaches available.

Vilamoura is the place to go for a luxury tour base, and Albufeira is the most popular overall with middle and high budget facilities. In May, you can enjoy the 10 hours of sunshine. You can sunbathe since the weather is semi-arid and the highs reach 23°C (73°F) with 68% humidity.

• For more about Vilamoura, see visiting Portugal in February.
• For more about Albufeira, see visiting Portugal in March.

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Moderate Tourism Season: Touring Advice for May

In May, Portugal's sun, blue skies, and bright light might intoxicate you. Many people consider May one of the best months for touring since the tourist crowds are less, the prices are moderate. The sunny days are ideal for hikes, bike rides and activities in the beautiful green outdoors.

This is a time to check out Portugal's top natural wonders without the heavy crowds. You could be saving money while you enjoy good weather. If you don't like hot weather, May is probably the best month to tour.

The visitor numbers start to steadily rise in May, particularly in hotspots like the Algarve where often the days seem like summer with warm bright weather. The last week of May is busy due to school vacations.

Public holidays in May:

• May 1 is Labor Day, a national holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and businesses, schools and government offices close. They celebrate the revolution in 1974 that ended the dictatorship and started their era of democracy.

What to Wear in May

Bring summer, clothes, beach clothes, a jacket, and raingear just in case.

Shoes: Sturdy shoes with good traction would help you walk safely on the smooth cobbled streets and historical sites and to prevent slips and falls. The history-filled cities and old towns have old cobblestone streets.

Wetsuits: The average sea temperature is about 18°C (64°F) or lower at most of Portugal's beach highlights in May even along the Algarve, so it is too cold for swimming comfortably without a wetsuit.

UV protection: If you have sensitive skin, you would need to wear a sunhat, and cover up with long sleeves and long trousers or dresses. Polarized glasses would help to protect you from glare.

Recommended Tours for Portugal in May

Our personalized tour service was developed to make your dream trip a reality. We at Global Highlights would create your tour according to your specifications, considering your travel goals and working flexibly with the weather and local conditions. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Portugal

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