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).
People Also Ask
Sea temperatures, which range from 18 to 20°C, are still not suitable for swimming. The average daytime temperature in Lisbon is around 22°C during this month, while nights do not go below 13°C. Porto sees temperature shooting up to 20°C during the daytime, while evenings see the mercury drop to 12°C.
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).
The hottest place is Portugal in May is Évora (24ºC) in the beautiful Alentejo region between Lisbon and the Algarve. Both Lisbon (22ºC) and Faro (22ºC) on the Algarve coast will feel warm in May, with temperatures likely to reach the high 20s.
Lovely sunny weather makes May an ideal time to visit, especially if you're hitting a long-distance trail like 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 best month to visit Portugal, specifically the Algarve, is during the shoulder season. I personally love visiting in May-June or late Sept-October. If you're looking to make the most of the Algarve, the sweet spot lies in the shoulder season — May-June and September-October.
On the coast and especially in the tourist resorts of the Algarve, dress is far more casual. Shorts, t-shirts and camisoles are perfectly acceptable. In the summer wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection) and a sunhat. Pack sunglasses whatever time of year you go.
How Often Does It Rain in May? During May, Lisbon will feature about 17 mostly sunny, 4 partly sunny, and about 10 mostly cloudy days. You can also expect that 9-10 days will record some rainfall. However, only about 5 days record at least 1 mm (0.04 inches) or more, and only 2 days will see 10 mm (0.4 inches) or more.
In May the average maximum temperature is 25 degrees during the day. These are gorgeous summer temperatures where you can hit the beach and go tanning. The sea water is about 17 degrees Celsius, so do get a cold and refreshing dip in between your tanning sessions.
This one is a close call with both destinations seeing temperatures sitting in the balmy mid- to late-twenties during the summer months. Out of the peak season, the Greek island of Crete warms up as early as May hitting around 25C, while the Algarve isn't far behind at around 22C.
The cost of living in Portugal is generally considered about 46 percent cheaper than in the United States. This, coupled with the country's excellent quality of life, beautiful beaches, stunning mountain ranges, reliable public transport, and rich history and culture, make it very easy to fall in love with Portugal.
Like many places in Europe, July and August are the peak tourist season in Portugal. August, in particular, is very busy due to the fact that it's Portugal's holiday month, so Portuguese travelers join the throngs of international tourists.
In nine to 12 days, you can expect to see a generous chunk of all that Portugal has to offer, from its most sensational cities to sublime vineyards and beaches, on a north-to-south trip.