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

November's weather is mild on the Portugal mainland except in mountainous areas, and it is warm in Madeira. There are about 11 days of moderate rainfall at almost all the highlights, but more around Porto and higher elevations. The weather is suitable for touring and hiking, biking, and sightseeing.

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

Portugal Weather in November: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 13–20°C (55–67°F)
• Rainfall: 12 cm (5 inches)
• Rainy days: 11
• Humidity: 76%
• Sunshine hours/day: 6 hours

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

We loved our experience in Bangkok with… We loved our experience in Bangkok with our guide Ying. She made everything easy to understand and enjoyable. She guided us through crowded areas with ease and always provided a detailed description of the sights. She also took pictures for us and sent them at the end of every day. We had an unforgettable experience. We highly recommend Ying! You won’t be disappointed! More Jennifer McMinn, Apr 2024

Tour in Bangkok My sister and I had a fabulous 3 days with Ying in Bangkok. She was informative, fun and took dozens of pictures of us that we never would have had for memories without her! It was wonderful. Thank you Ying! More Sara Cragun, Apr 2024

Top Notch Services Kaya at Asia Highlights helped make our honeymoon in Thailand the perfect trip. It was truly the best balance between structured and unstructured time abroad. They cater their services to exactly what you're looking for. Also, their responsiveness is uncanny. Kaya at Asia Highlights in particular deserves special mention. She out our trip together for us, put up with us, and was always available for any hiccups during the trip. We plan to use their excellent services again for our next trip to Asia. Highly recommended, and ask for Kaya! More Neema Sahebi, Apr 2024

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

November's weather is mild generally, but sometimes blustery and rainy, and on average there are only 6 hours of sunlight with about 10 hours of daylight. The weather is good for touring the cities and sightseeing highlights, but there is a good chance of rain during your tour.

Northern Portugal: The region has a mild Atlantic oceanic climate, and it rains half the days of November and is slightly cooler than the south. Daily highs reach a mild 17°C (63°F) with only 5 hours of sunshine. It is cloudy half the days. Surfing is better in the south.

Central and southern Portugal: The Alentejo and Algarve regions experience mild Mediterranean fall weather. The Algarve is warmer than Lisbon. The south is sunnier, drier, and warmer. The western coast from Peniche southwards has advanced surfing conditions on storm swells that are dangerous for beginners.

10-Day Portugal Family Adventure Explore & Create: Portugal's History, Nature & Family Fun!

The Best Places to Visit in Portugal in November

Portugal is one of the sunniest places in Europe, and it is sunnier than Greece in November. Many tourists prefer the slightly cooler and cloudier weather to Portugal's hot, sunny summer. In November, you could visit urban and sheltered highlights when it rains, and recreate more outdoors in the drier southern regions.

If you would like to visit the following recommended areas in Portugal (or anywhere else) your way, it is worth knowing that Global Highlights customized trips are highly-rated on Trust Pilot. Let us know your travel goals, and we'll make the best of the local tourism resources and weather. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.

1.Lisbon — Enjoy the Outdoors, Hiking, Beaches and Watersports

Lisbon has rain half the days of November and low tourism. When it rains, you can still enjoy urban tourism relatively unaffected, and then go outdoors when the weather is more suitable.

Lisbon has 5 hours of sunshine a day, 78% humidity, and average highs of 18°C (64°F). When it is sunny, you can enjoy strolls on local beaches. The famed local surfing beaches such as Ericeira have huge autumn surf. The sea temperature is chilly at 18°C (65°F).

However, most tourists might prefer just to dine, shop, and see the historical highlights such as the Castelo de São Jorge. If the weather is inclement, perhaps visiting the National Museum of Archeology or the Museum of the Orient for Asian art and artifacts might interest you.

2. Eastern Alentejo — See Fall Scenery, the Harvest, and Historical Sights

The Alentejo region east of Lisbon is warmer and drier than much of the country. You could visit during harvest season, see the fall colors, and visit historic old towns with old architecture. Évora is a good touring base since it has a range of accommodations at lower seasonal prices.

You can expect about 12 days with low rainfall in November, 6 hours of sunshine daily, and average highs of about 16°C (63°F). It is a good time to simply relax and enjoy the local fresh produce at the end of harvest season. For more about Évora, see visiting Portugal in March

3.Duoro Valley — Take a Duoro River Cruise

The Duoro Valley area east of Porto is a little chilly and rainy in November with about 8 days of rainfall, less than 5 hours of sunshine, and cool weather averaging 13°C (55°F) highs and 6°C (42°F) lows in the central regional river towns such as Pinhão.

Taking a cruise provides the best combination of good, warm accommodations, great food, comfort and scenery. Many cruise boats operate in November. They typically start at Porto, and many end at Vega Terron near the Spanish border.

Some cruise tours offer tours of Coimbra and Porto. For more about these two cities, see visiting Portugal in August

4.Algarve — Enjoy Hikes on the Nature Trails

For more warmth than Lisbon and northern areas and no crowds, the Algarve is the place to go on the Portugal mainland in November. Most resorts close by the end of the month, and unless you love watersports such as surfing, you might find little to do in the resort towns.

You would find more open hotels and guest houses at the larger towns such as Lagos and Faro. The Algarve water temperature is about 21°C (70°F), and this means it is too cold to do watersports without a wetsuit.

However, the weather is suitable for enjoyable hikes when it is not raining. There are forests, coast trails, and beautiful inland countryside villages to explore. If you walk the Pontal da Carrapateira trail along the western coast, you'll be impressed by the dramatic coastline, the spectacular cliffs and the enormous waves.

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

14-Day Best of Spain and Portugal Tour Encounter the Charm of Iberia

Low Tourism Season: Touring Advice for November

Storms from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic roll in, and in the last few years, there have been unusually big autumn storms. However, for low prices, solitude, and being able to tour and visit places in quiet and peace, you might really enjoy touring in November.

November is a very low season for tourism, and tourism picks up in December. Though many resorts close, especially the beach resorts, you can find accommodations for half of high season prices, and flight costs are low too.

The beaches of the Algarve and Atlantic west coast are virtually empty, but if the weather is dry, it is a good time for hiking and enjoying the nature and countryside.

Public holidays in November:

• November 1 is All Saints Day, a national holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses close. It originally started as a Catholic holiday. After a devastating earthquake in Lisbon on November 1, 1755, the traditions changed. Now, the tradition is that children go out in the morning and collect bread and pastries by knocking on doors in their neighborhood.

What to Wear in November

Have clothes suitable for cooler rainy weather including a jacket and raingear. Take a coat if you go into the mountains.

Shoes: You will need shoes with good traction to safely hike on the trails and walk on the smooth cobbled streets in historical areas.

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Portugal

Previous month:Portugal in October

Next month:Portugal in December