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Portugal has a packed calendar of traditional celebrations, decadent food festivals, outdoor concerts and many other events. Summer is the time to catch the biggest range of activities, but in truth, there’s always something happening here.

Festivals aside, it’s not easy to pin down the best month to visit Portugal – that really depends on what you’re after. For outdoor activities in the south, go in winter when the crowds are thinnest, the prices are lowest, and the weather is pleasant but not hot. For beach days with plenty of time in the surf, summer is when the water temperatures are warmest. A shoulder season visit to the north, when it's not so rainy and there aren't crowds of tourists everywhere, is the perfect time for urban exploration and hiking adventures.

Plan your time in Portugal with this seasonal guide.

The summer months (June to August) are the best time for the beach

Early summer is one of the liveliest times to visit Portugal, as the festival calendar is packed. Warm, sunny days are the norm, and while tourism picks up, the hordes have yet to arrive, particularly in the first half of June.

During the summer months, you’ll also find warmer ocean temperatures, especially as you head south to the Algarve. Water temps and crowds both peak in July and August, though, so plan on sharing those pretty beaches with plenty of other sunseekers. Lisbon and Porto also swell with crowds, and prices soar in July and August. Book outdoor dining at terrace restaurants overlooking the seaside, catch open-air concerts and film screenings and browse for treasures at street markets. August is Portugal’s busiest tourist month, and reserving months ahead is essential.

Expect to be paying more wherever you go though, as accommodation prices typically increase by 30% or more during the summer high season. On the plus side, summer is one of the most festive times to be in Portugal, with big national celebrations and lots of local outdoor events.

Budget travelers should visit in November to March

If you want to escape the crowds and enjoy rock-bottom prices on accommodations, plan your trip for the low season months of November to March. Many museums and other attractions keep shorter hours, though you’ll still find a full lineup of performances in cities and bigger towns. Prepare for changing weather conditions – expect rain in Porto and the north, and freezing temperatures at higher elevations. The south, however, has ample sunshine, so it’s a fine season for clifftop walks in the Algarve.

Stay along the coast in November and you’ll have lovely seaside views all to yourself – but you'll need to pack a light jacket for cooler days and nights, plus the odd rain shower.

Long nights and cooler days can’t dampen the Christmas spirit in December, with holiday markets, roasted chestnuts and colorfully decorated squares. Days are mostly pleasant in the south but brisk at night, while the north sees cold, rainy days and nights. The sea is quite cold, too, but arrive in December, so this is a good time for surfers (and enthusiastic wave spectators).

January is a peaceful time to visit, though the weather can be patchy and cool. Dia de Reis (Three Kings' Day) brings the Christmas festivities to a close on January 6.

February is one of the quietest times for overseas visitors, meaning you won’t have to book lodging months in advance. It can be quite rainy in the north, and you can even go skiing at Torres (Portugal’s sole ski resort). Coastal temperatures are cool but mild.

March days are rainy and chilly in the interior and the north of Portugal, though the south sees ample sunshine. Prices and visitor numbers remain low.

Go in spring or fall for outdoor adventures

During the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, you’ll find mild, often sunny days that are ideal for hikes, bike rides and other outdoor activities. This is a great time to check out Portugal’s top natural wonders without the heavy crowds.

Spring (April to May) arrives with a flourish, bringing warmer temperatures and abundant sunshine in both the north and the south, as well as some major religious holidays, like Holy Week. April sees a profusion of wildflowers in the south, and Easter processions add excitement, as does Liberation Day (April 25), when you can see parades and fireworks in some towns.

Lovely sunny weather makes May an ideal time to visit, especially if you’re hitting a long-distance trail, such as the Via Algarviana or the Rota Vicentina. The crowds are beginning to arrive in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, though it’s still a fairly relaxed scene compared to the summertime high season.

The fall (September and October) can be a magical time to visit Portugal, with changing leaves in the north coupled with grape harvests and harvest festivals. As in spring, the beaches are much quieter and quite inviting, though ocean temperatures can be bracing. Ongoing warm weather ensures beaches remain packed until mid-September, when peak tourist season officially ends. Then things cool down a bit and prices dip, as the crowds dissipate toward the end of the month.

As the temperatures cool, head to the vineyards of the Douro, where you can see grape harvesting and treading, and even help out. October is also a great month for bird-watching, with many species passing through en route to Africa during the annual fall migration.