Portugal in April: Weather, Events and Where to Go

April is a beautiful month in Portugal: wildflowers, green hills, warm sunny days and blossoming jacarandas soon to come. It’s perfect for sightseeing and walking before the summer heat and crowds, though you might get the odd shower. Here’s what to expect.

Quick answer: expect highs of about 20°C in Lisbon and the Algarve, mostly sunny with some rain. Highlights: Freedom Day (25 April), the start of Madeira’s Flower Festival (late April), outdoor cafés and terraces reopening, and quiet beaches. The sea is still cool (about 16°C).

Why go in April

April gives you long, bright days without the heat of July and August. The countryside is at its greenest, the hills of the Alentejo are covered in wildflowers, and you can walk all day in comfort. Hotel prices are usually lower than in summer, and the big sights in Lisbon, Sintra and Porto are busy but not packed. The main exception is Easter week, when Portuguese families travel too.

The clocks go forward at the end of March, so April evenings are long. In Lisbon the sun sets at around 8pm at the start of the month and closer to 8.30pm by the end. That leaves plenty of light for a late walk or dinner on a terrace.

Weather

Expect a mix of sunny days and passing showers. The south is drier and warmer than the north, and evenings can still feel cool everywhere.

• Lisbon: highs around 20°C, lows around 12°C to 13°C.
• Porto: around 18°C, with more rain than the south. Pack an umbrella.
• The Algarve: around 21°C and mostly sunny. Warm enough for the beach on calm days, though few people swim.
• Madeira: around 21°C. The north of the island and the mountains are cloudier and wetter than Funchal.
• The Azores: mild and changeable, often several kinds of weather in one day.
• Inland: the Alentejo and the Douro can be warm by day but chilly at night, and the mountains of the north and centre stay cool.
• The sea: still cool, usually about 15°C to 17°C. Surfers wear full wetsuits.

What’s on

• Easter (Holy Week): Easter often falls in April. Braga holds Portugal’s best-known Holy Week processions, and many towns have their own. Easter Sunday is a family day, so some restaurants and shops close. Note that in 2027 Easter Sunday is on 28 March, so Holy Week falls in March that year; in 2028 it’s back in April (16 April). See Easter in Portugal.
• 25 April (Freedom Day): celebrations of the 1974 Carnation Revolution, with red carnations everywhere. It’s a public holiday, so expect parades in Lisbon and some closures. See a quick history of Portugal.
• Madeira Flower Festival: usually starts in late April or early May and runs for several weeks, with flower carpets and parades in Funchal. In 2026 it began on 30 April, and Madeira’s official calendar lists 29 April to 30 May for 2027. Check the dates for your year. See Funchal.
• Water parks: some start reopening. Slide & Splash in Lagoa opened on 1 April in 2026. Others open later in spring, so check before you go.

For the rest of the year, see the Portugal festivals calendar.

Where to go

• Anywhere! April is great everywhere: cities, the Douro, the Alentejo and the Algarve.
• Cities: Lisbon, Porto, Évora and Coimbra are pleasant for long days on foot before the summer heat.
• Hiking: the Rota Vicentina, Madeira and Peneda-Gerês. Rivers and waterfalls are full after winter rain. See Peneda-Gerês.
• The Douro: fresh green leaves on the vines. See the Douro itinerary.
• The Alentejo: rolling green plains and wildflowers, with quiet roads for a slow drive.
• The Algarve: coastal walks and sunny lunches on near-empty beaches. See Algarve hiking.
• Sintra: the gardens are in bloom. Pena tickets are for a set date and time, so book ahead, and remember private cars can’t drive up to the palace. See visiting Sintra.

A sample 10-day April trip

• Days 1 to 3: Lisbon, with a day trip to Sintra.
• Days 4 to 5: Évora and the Alentejo for the wildflowers.
• Days 6 to 8: the Algarve for coastal walks and sunny lunches.
• Days 9 to 10: back to Lisbon, or fly on to Porto for the Douro.

What to eat

• Easter treats: folar, a sweet or savoury Easter bread that varies by region, and sugared almonds (amêndoas).
• Spring lamb and kid: roast cabrito is a traditional Easter dish in many parts of the country.
• Seafood: grilled fish is good all year, and terraces start filling up for long lunches.
• Strawberries: local fruit starts appearing in the markets.
• Broad beans and peas: spring vegetables turn up in stews and with chouriço.

See what to eat in Portugal.

Tips

• Book Easter week early if it falls in April. Prices and demand rise, especially in the Algarve.
• Check public holidays: Good Friday and 25 April are national holidays. Museums and shops may have shorter hours.
• Pack layers, sun cream and a light jacket. A light waterproof is useful in Porto and the north.
• Shoulder-season prices are still good outside Easter.
• Sun: the sun is stronger than the temperature suggests, so wear sun cream on walks.
• Beach services: lifeguards and beach bars usually start the season in May or June, so many beaches are unstaffed in April. Swim only where it’s calm.

FAQ

Is April a good time to visit Portugal?

Yes. It’s one of the best months for sightseeing and walking, with mild weather, green countryside and smaller crowds than summer. Expect some rain, especially in the north.

Can you swim in Portugal in April?

You can, but the sea is cold, usually about 15°C to 17°C. Most visitors stick to hotel pools, and surfers wear full wetsuits.

Is it warm enough for the beach in the Algarve in April?

On calm, sunny days it’s warm enough to sit on the beach, with highs around 21°C. Wind and cool evenings are common, so bring a jumper.

Is anything closed on 25 April?

It’s a national holiday, so some shops, offices and museums close or keep shorter hours. Many restaurants stay open, and there are parades and events in Lisbon.

More: March, May and Portugal in spring.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.