Recently updated on March 28th, 2025 at 05:09 pm
Portugal is one of Europe’s best and most popular destinations that brings tourists back in their droves every year. If you’re travelling to Portugal in May, you should brush up on what’s going on in its cities, towns and beaches, and also on the latest entry requirements, to make sure your trip goes smoothly. Here’s what you need to know.
With longer days, plenty of sunshine and temperatures climbing steadily higher, Portugal in May is a good time to explore the coast, cities, vineyards and mountains of the country. Go now before the peak season tourist crowds of summer begin to show up.
Weather in Portugal in May
If you’re travelling to Portugal in May you’ll want to know what the weather is going to be like. The rainy days of Portugal in spring start to fizzle out in May and the weather starts to get hotter. How hot is it in Portugal in May? There are plenty of dry, sunny days to enjoy – in the north of the country, you can expect highs of 54°F (12°C), though some showers should still be expected. It’s balmier and drier as you move further south to Lisbon, where highs around this time can reach 72°F (22°C). Beach days get likelier in May as temperatures in the Algarve, in Portugal’s south, hit up to 72°F (25°C).
Is it warm enough to swim in Portugal in May?
While it’s very much possible to swim in Portugal in May, because of its Atlantic coastline the water temperature is generally pretty cool, averaging around 18°C (64°F). Sunbathing on the beaches (especially in the Algarve in southern Portugal) is definitely on the cards, but getting into the sea might require a bit of bravery.
Is Portugal crowded in May?
Portugal is starting to look its best come the month of May as tourists and locals swap their jumpers for T-shirts and pack away their jackets. The crowds of Easter holidaymakers will have left by now, but you may want to avoid the final week of May as it’s school holiday time in Europe. Apart from this, you’ll find things still fairly quiet if you’re travelling to Portugal in May. You’ll also find many restaurants, cafes and bars will yet to have upped their prices to the levels of July and August.
Best places to visit in Portugal in May
May is the best time to visit Portugal if you want to explore all over the country. For a culture fix, you could spend a few days sightseeing around the historic, tram-filled centres of capital Lisbon, riverside Porto and upbeat university city, Coimbra (come for the Queima das Fitas). Enjoy museums, antique stores, alfresco dining and plenty of pastel de nata, of course.
Porto
Home to one of Portugal’s most famous exports, port, but there’s so much to do in Porto aside from cellar tours and tastings (which are a must-do). The city’s cobbled streets will take you past countless cafes and bars, while a trip into Livraria Lello bookstore will leave any bibliophile speechless.
Douro
If you want to head off-the-beaten track, head east of Porto and you’ll arrive in Duoro, a beautiful wine region producing excellent port wines with steep, terraced vineyards to stroll through and romantic quintas where you can spend the night.
Alentejo
Even further south, Alentejo is an enticing alternative for a late-spring road trip, with whitewashed towns brimming with medieval history, and some of Portugal’s best food.
Algarve
Find breathtaking natural beauty along the Algarve coastline from golden beaches to dramatic cliffs and picture-perfect waters. Whether you’re a golf lover, beach bum, hiker or surfer, the Algarve is one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
What events are in Portugal in May?
There is plenty to occupy your time if you’re planning on travelling to Portugal in May. From student parties to folk festivals and contemporary art events. Read on to find out more:
Queima das Fitas
Held from the 1st-7th May in the medieval town of Coimbra, home to the country’s oldest university (dating to 1290), Queima das Fitas is a huge party to celebrate the end of the academic year. Expect to see parades, concerts and all-round fun in the streets if you’re travelling to Portugal at this time.
Festa das Cruzes
If you’re travelling to Portugal in early May, you may want to travel to the town of Barcelos, located in Minho about 100km north of Porto, where you can witness the celebrations of the ‘Festival of the Crosses’. Prepare yourself to see concerts, folk dancing, exhibitions, food, and craft markets come to life in one big street festival.
Festa do Mar
An ode to the sea and celebrated on the first weekend of May, the Festa Do Mar festival brings colourfully decorated boats and floats to the west coast town of Nazaré, as well as parties that are an overwhelming treat to the senses – expect nothing but a feast of local food and drink.
Serralves em Festa
On the last weekend in May, Porto hosts its biggest contemporary arts festival, with exhibitions, concerts and theatre across the city. In its easy-to-reach location, this is a must for anyone travelling to Portugal this month.
Portugal entry requirements
From November 2024 the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) has been in effect, meaning non-EU travelers must apply for a special permit to visit certain European countries. That means goodbye stamped passports – instead, the EES will electronically register the time and place of entry and exit of non-EU (known as ‘third-country’) nationals and citizens of the Schengen area, and calculate the duration of their authorized stay.
It will apply to those travelling for a short stay (a duration of up to 90 days and taken within a 180 day period) on holidays or business trips. Generally the EES checks will take place in Europe, both when you arrive at your destination airport or port, and when you leave at the end of your trip.
Travelers will have their fingerprints and photograph taken before having their passport processed – the system will then check the data against EU security databases. If you’re a British passport holder with EU residency or an Irish passport holder, then you’re exempt from EES.
See the beauty of Portugal for yourself on a Trafalgar Portugal tour.