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

October's weather is warm at Portugal's main highlights in October except in the north, and there are about 10 days of moderate rain each October at almost all the highlights except around Porto and higher elevations. The weather is good 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 October: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 15–23°C (59–73°F)
• Rainfall: 10 cm (4 inches)
• Rainy days: 10
• Humidity: 73%
• Sunshine hours/day: 7 hours

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

Portugal starts to cloud up in October, and though most of the country is warm, it rains about 1 day in 3 in October. There are 7 hours of sunshine a day on average at most of the tourist highlights. The weather is good for touring the cities and sightseeing.

Northern Portugal: The region has a mild Atlantic oceanic climate in October, and it is rainier and cooler than the south. On average, daily highs reach a mild 21°C (70°F) and there are 6 hours of sunshine. The coast south of Porto has good surfing conditions.

Central and southern Portugal: The Alentejo and Algarve regions experience warm Mediterranean fall weather. Lisbon is as warm as the Algarve. These regions are sunnier, warmer, and drier. The coast has good surfing.

7-Day Portugal Jewish Tour Echoes of Sephardic History

The Best Places to Visit in Portugal in October

Portugal is one of the sunniest places in Europe, and it is as sunny as Greece in October. Many tourists prefer the slightly cooler and shadier weather to the hot sunny summer. You could visit urban and sheltered highlights when it rains, and recreation outdoors is best in the drier southern regions.

If you would like to visit the recommended areas in Portugal below (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 weather that is good for touring. There is often good weather for going outdoors and to beaches since there are 7 hours of sunshine a day on average. The high 73% humidity makes it feel pleasant and warm under the sun. The average high is 23°C (73°F).

There are about 11 days of moderate rain in October. On rainy days, you could visit the Lisbon Oceanarium that many consider to be the best in the world and has 1.5 million visitors annually. There is a popular museum at a big castle called the Castelo de São Jorge.

October's weather is often fine for beach going too. The average sea temperature in October is 20°C (67°F), so you will probably need a wetsuit for watersports. Ericeira is one of the best surfing beaches, and big swells start to arrive. It is a 35-minute drive away.

2. Évora — Enjoy Fall Scenery and Historic Sights While It Is Warm and Dry

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 low season prices.

There are an average of 7 days with moderate rainfall in October and 7 hours of sunshine daily. The daily highs are typically around 22°C (71°F). Évora has a medieval walled town with a fortress and has notable historical architecture and megaliths. For more about Évora, see visiting Portugal in March

Great day trips include Arraiolos and Estremoz that both have castles. For the best hiking in the Alentejo region, along the Spanish border is Vale Do Guadiana Nature Park. You can walk along a river, see a famed waterfall 30 meters (100 feet) tall, and enjoy wide expanses and blue sky.

3. Algarve Resort Towns — Bask in the Sun, Relax, and Enjoy the Surf

The weather is usually sunny and dry in the Algarve in October. The daily highs are around 23°C (73°F), and on average there are 9 days of low rainfall and 8 hours of daily warm sunshine. In the early part of October, there are fewer tourists and children.

Couples arrive at the resorts to enjoy the beaches and relative solitude. Vilamoura and Lagos have luxury resorts, gourmet restaurants, and luxury boutiques. Albufeira is more middle budget. The water temperature is about 20°C (68°F) in October, and the surfing in October along these south coast towns is for beginners mainly.

The west coast beaches of the Algarve have the best big Atlantic waves. Sagres and Aljezur are for serious and advanced surfers. There are also beautiful and rugged hiking trails. You could see the Fortress of Arrifana during a 5-hour hike along the coast from Aljezur.

• 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.

4. Southern Natural Parks — Enjoy Nature in the Algarve and Alentejo Regions

To get out of the resorts and enjoy nature, you could go to the nature parks. Just east of Faro is Ria Formosa Natural Park. It is a vast lagoon system that covers about 180 square km (70 square miles). Faro is the capital of the Algarve region with an international airport.

Arrabida Natural Park is 50 km (31 miles, 40 minutes) south of Lisbon and has picturesque mountain and coastal scenery in about 180 square km (70 square miles) too. Fewer people visit its very beautiful beaches. You could relax well there, resting at a hotel, hiking, biking, and kayaking.

A much larger coastal preserve area is Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park that is along the west coast of the Algarve region. It is where locals go when the southern coast of the Algarve is crowded. There are golden sand beaches, and Aljezur mentioned above is in it.

10-Day Portugal Highlights History, Food & The Allure of the Coast

Moderate Tourism Season: Touring Advice for October

October is a great month to tour Portugal for scenic beauty, moderate prices, and a lack of crowds at the highlights. The weather in the south is fine until around the end of the month usually, and the Mediterranean and Atlantic are warm from summer sun. There is vibrant seasonal color.

In October, you also have the chance to watch the farmers harvest their crops and fruit and enjoy all the fresh fruits and vegetables, grape juice, wine, and fresh olives of harvest season.

School vacation ends in Europe in September, so the cost of flights and hotels are low, perhaps 50% lower than the summer peak. There is a rise in tourism when there are school holidays at the end of October.

Overall,there are bargain prices in coastal resorts by late October when smaller resorts may close down.

Public holidays in October:

October 5 is Republic Day, a national holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and businesses, schools and government offices close. They celebrate the overthrow of the Portuguese monarchy in 1910.

What to Wear in October

Bring summer and beach clothes and have clothes suitable for cooler weather too. Keep a jacket for cold nights. If you are going to the north or the mountains, take raingear.

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

UV protection: With so much sunshine in Portugal even in October, you should protect yourself with suncream or a sunhat, long sleeves, and long trousers or dresses. Polarized glasses help to protect your eyes from glare.

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Portugal

Previous month:Portugal in September

Next month:Portugal in November