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

September's weather is sunny, warm, and dry at the main highlights. In September, there are about 5 days of scant rain at almost all the highlights except around Porto and higher elevations. The dry, sunny weather is excellent for touring and for being outdoors 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 September: Overview

Averages: 

• Temperature range: 18–26°C (64–79°F)
• Rainfall: 4 cm (1 inches)
• Rainy days: 1
• Humidity: 70%
• Sunshine hours/day: 11 hours

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

Portugal starts to cloud up by the end September, and it is the third warmest month of the year. There are 8 hours of sunshine per day on average at most of the main highlights. The weather is good for touring the cities, hiking, beach basking, and touring.

Northern Portugal: The region has a warm Atlantic oceanic climate in September, and it is cooler and rainier than the south. Daily highs reach a warm 24°C (75°F) with 7 hours of sunshine. The area around Porto has among the best surfing conditions in Portugal.

Central and southern Portugal: The Alentejo and Algarve regions experience warm Mediterranean fall weather in September, and Lisbon is as warm as the Algarve. These regions are sunnier, hotter, and drier. The Lisbon area also has among the best surf in Portugal.

Madeira: See below.

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The Best Places to Visit in Portugal in September

Portugal is one of the sunniest places in Europe, and in September, it is almost as sunny as Greece. Many travelers prefer the slightly cooler weather to hot sunny summer. You will generally have sunshine and warm, dry weather at most of the highlights.                                   

If you would like to visit the suggested places 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 weather and local tourism resources. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.

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

Lisbon receives 9 hours of bright sunshine a day. There is an average of 6 days of light rain in September. The high 70% humidity makes the average 27°C (81°F) daily highs feel like about 29°C (85°F), and it feels hot under the sun. Sweltering days make people want to go outdoors.

Both the locals and tourists like strolling and shopping in the plazas such as the main square, Praca do Comercio. For sightseeing, there is the unique Santa Justa Lift to see the downtown area or the Tagus River cruise through Lisbon.

September's weather is good for beach going. The average 21°C (70°F) sea temperature is ok for swimming or watersports. If there is a heatwave in early September, you might really enjoy a dip then. Ericeira is a 35-minute drive away and has about the best surfing in Portugal in September.

2. Madeira — Enjoy the Beaches and See the Dolphins

In September, Madeira experiences low rainfall and among the highest temperatures of the year with daily highs of around 26°C (79°F). For most people, hiking, beach going, watersports, and being outdoors are at their best because the crowding and costs ease after early September.

September is in moderate tourism season, so you can hike the often narrow trails in more solitude, and the water temperature is the highest of the year at about 24°C (75°F) in Funchal and other southern beaches of Madeira that face the sun. The sea feels comfortable for many people.

There is 71% humidity and 7 hours of sunshine is the norm. The temperature feels like a pleasant 27°C (81°F). September is one of the better months for seeing whales and is an average month for dolphin sighting.

3. Duoro Valley — Experience the Countryside, Visit Highlights, and Take a Duoro River Cruise

The Duoro Valley is about its most beautiful in September when the weather is fine and fall gives its first tint of color lighting up the hillsides, woods, and vineyards in shades of gold and russet. The grape harvest begins and produces fresh grape juice and new wine.

The best way to see the scenery and visit the major highlights along the Duoro River is to take a Duoro River cruise. The Duoro River goes through Porto. The various cruise boats stop at different attractions.

You might embark at Porto, visit Coimbra, stop at Pinhao and Vega Terron, and then take an excursion to Salamanca in Spain and see Spain's oldest university. Douro International Natural Park is on the Spanish border and has high cliffs, spectacular scenery and Roman ruins.

For more about Coimbra and Porto, see visiting Portugal in August.

4. Northern Natural Parks — Enjoy the Mountain Park Areas

You can marvel at the colorful fall scenery at the northern natural parks before the rains and cool weather of fall descend in October and when there is less crowding at the trails and highlights.

The region has great natural parks such as Serra da Estrela Natural Park that is about 1¾ hours east of Coimbra. There is the tallest mainland mountain in Portugal that reaches 1,993 meters (6,539 feet). There are numerous hiking trails among deep ravines and valleys.

Peneda-Geres National Park covers 700 square km (270 square miles) in the remote northeast corner of Portugal and borders Spain. It is a 4-hour drive from Lisbon. The relative remoteness makes tourism lower, and it is a wild animal haven.

There are about 22 villages and small towns within the park that are well connected with roads, and it is a scenic driving area. There are resorts that have cabins or hostels for comfortable accommodation. There are beautiful natural places such as Homem Waterfall that you have to walk to see.

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Moderate Tourism Season: Touring Advice for September

September is a great month to tour Portugal for scenic beauty and moderate prices. The weather is fine, the ocean is warm from summer sun, and the crowds thin out. The first whisper of fall enriches the seasonal color.

School vacation ends in Europe in early September, so the cost of flights and hotels falls as the shoulder season kicks in. There are bargain prices in coastal resorts by late September when things get quieter still. Harvest season provides abundant produce.

Heatstroke: With the high humidity, be careful when exerting yourself under the hot sun. Drink a lot of water to prevent heatstroke, and perhaps try to stay out of the sun.

Portugal has no public holidays in September.

What to Wear in September

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

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

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

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Portugal

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