Portugal in May: Weather, Festivals and Where to Go

May might be the perfect month to visit Portugal: warm, sunny days, long evenings, purple jacarandas in Lisbon, green countryside and the beaches still quiet. Here’s what to expect in May.

Quick answer: expect highs of about 22–24°C in Lisbon and the Algarve, mostly dry and sunny. Highlights: the Fátima pilgrimage (12–13 May), Madeira’s Flower Festival, Queima das Fitas in Coimbra, and the Lisbon Book Fair from late May. The sea is about 17°C, refreshing for brave swimmers.

Why go in May

May sits in the sweet spot between spring and summer. Days are long, with sunset in Lisbon at about 8.20pm early in the month and close to 9pm by the end, and rain is much less likely than in March or April. The countryside is still green and full of wildflowers, so it’s a great month for walking. Prices and crowds are lower than in July and August, and the big sights are easier to enjoy.

It’s also a month with plenty going on. Religious festivals, student parties and the first outdoor events of the summer fill the calendar, so it’s worth matching your route to the dates.

Weather

• Lisbon: highs around 22–24°C, cooler evenings, and only a few rainy days.
• Porto: around 20°C, with more chance of showers and morning cloud.
• The Algarve: around 24°C and sunny. The driest part of the mainland.
• The Alentejo and Douro: warm inland, often reaching the high 20s by the end of the month.
• Madeira: around 22°C, mild and steady.
• The Azores: around 18–20°C, changeable, with sun and showers on the same day.
• The sea: about 16–17°C around Lisbon and a little warmer in the Algarve.

What’s on

• Fátima pilgrimage (12–13 May). Huge crowds of pilgrims gather for the candlelit procession on the night of the 12th and the mass on the 13th, the anniversary of the first reported apparition in 1917. See Fátima.
• Madeira Flower Festival with flower carpets and parades. It runs over several weeks in spring, and in 2026 lasted from 30 April to 31 May with parades on 3 and 17 May. Madeira’s official calendar lists 29 April to 30 May for 2027, with the big parades on 2 and 16 May. Check the dates for your year. See Funchal.
• Queima das Fitas, Coimbra’s student festival (mid to late May). Expect a night-time serenade at the old cathedral, a big parade of students in black capes and lots of concerts. In 2026 the serenade was on the night of 21 May. See Coimbra.
• Lisbon Book Fair in Parque Eduardo VII (26 May to 13 June in 2027). Hundreds of stalls, author talks and food trucks, open into the evening.
• Santo Cristo festival in Ponta Delgada, the biggest religious festival in the Azores. It’s held on the fifth Sunday after Easter, so it often falls in May; in 2027 that’s 2 May. See Ponta Delgada.
• Labour Day (1 May) is a public holiday, so some shops and museums close. See Portugal public holidays.
• Corpus Christi is a national holiday that moves with Easter. In 2027 it falls on 27 May, so expect some closures that day.
• Jacarandas start flowering in Lisbon at the end of the month and peak in early June.

Where to go

• Everywhere: May is ideal for a full road trip. See the Portugal road trip.
• The Algarve: warm beaches without the crowds. See the 7-day Algarve itinerary.
• The Azores: hydrangeas start to bloom. See Azores island hopping.
• The Douro Valley: the vines are green and the river cruises are running, but it’s not yet too hot.
• Hiking areas: the Rota Vicentina, Madeira’s levadas and Peneda-Gerês are at their best before the summer heat. See hiking in Portugal.
• Madeira: walk the levadas and catch the Flower Festival. Most official trails need a SIMplifica booking, about €4.50, or €10.50 for the PR1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. See Madeira levada walks.

A sample week in May

• Days 1 to 3: Lisbon and Sintra. Book Pena Palace tickets for a set time in advance.
• Day 4: Fátima or Coimbra, depending on the festival dates.
• Days 5 to 7: Porto and a day in the Douro Valley.

What to eat

Early summer brings fresh produce. Look for broad beans, peas, strawberries and cherries in the markets. Grilled sardines start to appear towards June, ready for the Santo António festivities. It’s also warm enough for long lunches on outdoor terraces.

• Cherries: the Fundão area in central Portugal is known for them, and the season starts in late May.
• Seafood: clams, prawns and grilled fish on the coast. See Portuguese seafood.

What to pack

• Layers: T-shirts for the day and a light jumper or jacket for the evening, especially near the coast and in the north.
• A light rain jacket for Porto, the Minho and the Azores.
• Comfortable shoes: cobbled streets and hills everywhere.
• Swimwear: you may not swim much, but you’ll want it for hotel pools.

Tips

• Book Fátima accommodation early for 12–13 May.
• Sun protection: the UV index can be high even when it feels mild.
• Prices start rising towards June, so book ahead.
• Coimbra and Funchal: book rooms early if your dates overlap with their festivals.
• Public holidays: 1 May and, in some years, Corpus Christi bring closures. Check before you plan museum days.

FAQ

Is May a good month to visit Portugal?

Yes, it’s one of the best. Expect warm, mostly dry weather, long days and fewer crowds than in summer, with highs of about 22–24°C in Lisbon and the Algarve.

Is the sea warm enough to swim in May?

It’s cool, at about 16–17°C around Lisbon and a little warmer in the Algarve. Brave swimmers go in on hot days, but most people prefer a pool.

When do the jacarandas bloom in Lisbon?

They usually start flowering at the end of May and are at their best in early June.

Is Fátima busy in May?

Very. Around 12 and 13 May the town fills with pilgrims, so book rooms well ahead or visit on a different day if you want it quieter.

More: April, June and Portugal in spring.

See also: the Madeira Flower Festival.

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