2 min summary Best time to visit All our Portugal guides

Best time to visit Alentejo

High summer can be too hot inland, although the coast is breezy and cooler, so the best time to visit Alentejo if you’re walking or cycling is spring or autumn, when temperatures are pleasant and the sun is out. There’s nothing to stop you exploring year-round though, soaking up this region’s relaxed vibe and perhaps popping in on the northern Algarve while here. Read on for weather, rainfall and some top tips from travellers who’ve been.

Home\Europe\Portugal\Alentejo

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE ALENTEJO

Spring and autumn are lovely in Alentejo, when the temperature is comfy, the sun is out and landscape pops with colour

The Alentejo is sunny and dry. In summer, it can hit the mid 30°Cs inland, but Atlantic breezes keep the coast in the high 20°Cs. Walking and cycling trips still run here in Jul-Aug, but beaches will be crowded with holidaying Portuguese. Ideally, come from late Mar-Jun, or Sep-early Nov, when temperatures average 20°C. In Feb, almond blossom lights up the landscape, while May means wildflowers and white storks nesting on the cliffs. Autumn has glorious colour inland as the leaves turn while winter sees four to six hours of sun a day, with occasional frost. Most rain falls in Dec.

Call us for the best time to go to Alentejo

Alentejo Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

ALENTEJO TRAVEL ADVICE

Graham Hughes from our partner Activities Abroad has this advice:

Tips on what to eat

“The food is awesome! During my visit, there was not a thing I did not love and the fresh fish, seafood, local cheeses and the region’s famous ham (produced from acorn fed black pigs) simply must be tasted during a visit to this region.”

When to visit

“Compared to some other areas of Portugal and also neighbouring Spain, the Alentejo region is unspoilt and very well protected against mass tourism. This is where the native Portuguese population comes to relax, unwind and holiday themselves. Rain during the summer months is really rare, and there is still glorious sunshine in spring and autumn and a wonderfully warm climate. April is my favourite time of year.”

Walking in Alentejo tips

Ricardo Estevao, from our partner Aventuractiva:
“Hiking boots are a must if taking the sandy trails along the coast, as well as a hat and sun protection. I would also suggest a 25-litre backpack to carry a picnic and plenty of water. The Fishermen’s Trail in Alentejo is the most spectacular area, ideal if you only have a few days. Walk along deserted beaches with stunning cliff areas and a great landscape variety. I love the stretch from Porto Côvo to Odeceixe village.”

Cycling tips

Catherine Mack, one of our travel writers, offers her Alentejo travel advice after a recent cycling trip there:
“Everyone knows the Algarve, but if you love cycling, you really want to head to the Alentejo region. Here lies a cycling paradise of the Parque Natural Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Think rolling hills, with beaches at the bottom. Tiny villages with chilled vinho verde. Seafood everywhere and not an English-a-la-Algarve breakfast in sight.”

Contact Us

Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.

01273 823 700 01273 823 700

Call us tomorrow after 9am

Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

TIPS FROM OUR TRAVELLERS IN ALENTEJO

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Alentejo travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.

On a summer activity holiday, high factor sun cream and plenty of water are needed

- Amanda Barber

“If you’re walking the Fishermen’s Trail, bring plenty of socks as the sand may well end up in your shoes, as it did ours! Be prepared for spells of walking/ploughing through tracts of soft sand which inevitably slows down the pace a bit.” – Rosemary Cunniffe

“Make sure you become acquainted with the marker system of the trails before you begin. The Rota Vicentina is very reliable and marked with great frequency compared to some of the other routes in Europe. The markers even go so far as to let you know when there may NOT be anything to follow for a while.” – Jeffrey Fish

Be mindful of the wind when cycling close to the edge of the cliff on a sandy track!

- Arnold Nickel

“For those afraid of heights, parts of the Fisherman’s Trail will prove challenging. The fishermen who carved this original trail were, in a word, crazy! There are times the trail literally skirts a sheer vertical edge 130m above a pounding sea. It is very stable ground, but intimidating. Most of the time there is an alternate route you can find.” - Jeffrey Fish

“Be prepared for weather to be unpredictable in March. Bring a fairly heavy rain poncho and a warm hat that covers the ears - it can also get windy at the coast - or come in April when the sun is more common.” – Kathy House

“On an activity holiday, take a rucksack, water shoes and old T-shirts for daytime activities that can get wet and dirty.” – Julia Waddilove

More relevant guides

Written by Joanna Simmons

Best time to visit Alentejo