When to go to Portugal for families
Weather & best places to go during the school holidays
Portugal is a great destination for families, with a mild climate and warm, sunny weather for much of the year. Spring is particularly good for families as it’s warm enough to spend days on the beach but cool enough to explore without being uncomfortable. During the summer months, it can get very hot inland, but the cool sea breeze along the coast helps keep things comfortable. We have broken down what to expect in each of the UK school holidays so you can plan the best time to travel with your family.
School holiday travel
Easter Holidays
During the spring months of March and April, the temperatures are mild (around 15-20°C), with landscapes in full bloom and fewer crowds than later in the year. This is a great time to explore the city streets of Lisbon, sleep under the stars in the heart of Alentejo and enjoy some early beach days in the Algarve.
May Half-term
Get a taste of the summer during the May half-term with warm temperatures around 22-26°C and lots of sunshine around. It will be great for exploring the outdoors and getting stuck into some of the activities on offer in this adventurous country. If it’s beach time you are searching for, then head to the beautiful coastline of the Algarve and paddle a kayak along the towering cliffs or ride the iconic trams through Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods.
Summer holidays
The summer months of July and August bring the warmest temperatures of the year, with highs getting up to 30°C along the coast and up to 46°C inland. With the most intense heat in the cities and further inland, the coastal regions are going to be much more enjoyable this time of year, so we recommend sticking to the sea so you can cool off. Try surfing together on the Algarve‘s wild coastline, or trade the ocean waves for the calm waters of Peneda-Gerês National Park and explore the river by paddleboard.
