James K. Says:
What is it like to live in Portugal? What is the average summer time and winter time temperatures? Where is the best place to move to in Portugal?
IL Portugal Correspondent Terry Coles Says:
Hello James,
Thanks for your question and for your interest in IL and Portugal, my adopted country.
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe with vibrant cities like Lisbon and Porto to tiny medieval villages with narrow, cobbled, lanes, castles, whitewashed homes, and everything in between. So, just like in the U.S. there are many options of places to live. There are local markets that sell fresh produce, fish, and meat along with modern shopping malls with multiple levels, designer stores, and movie theaters.
Despite its compact size (it’s about as big as Indiana) the weather varies a lot from the north to the south of Portugal.
In the north winters are cold and rainy with highs averaging between 35 F and 45 F depending on location. Lows can dip below freezing but only in the extreme north or mountains. Summers in the north can be warm to hot, depending on the year with highs around 75 F to 80 F and lows in the 60’s. The only place that gets snow in Portugal is in the mountains and we even have one ski area.
Weather in central Portugal is a bit milder in the winter, averaging highs of 40s F to 50 F with slightly less rain. Summers are much the same as in the north.
In the south of the country, the Algarve and Alentejo have the hottest, and driest summers with temperatures averaging 80 F to 95 F (even higher in the Alentejo) and mild winters, highs of 70 F and lows of 40 F. The south gets much less rain than the rest of the country, evident by the dry, arid landscapes.
You ask where is the best place to live in Portugal? That again depends on you and what you want and need. Some people love busy, city life while others wish to be surrounded by rural farmland and have no neighbors. Some people like cooler temperatures while others, like myself, are cold most of the time and seek the sun. We spent our first two years on the Silver Coast (on the Atlantic, roughly between Lisbon and Porto), which was too cold and rainy for us, so we now live in the Algarve (along the southern coast). Many expats love the Silver Coast and don’t mind the rain and cold.
So, my advice to you is to plan a vacation and visit Portugal for as long as you can afford to. Rent a car and drive from one end to the other. Stop in lots of tiny villages, cities like Port and Lisbon, and everything in between. Meet up with expats along the way and pick their brains for information. You can find expats to connect with on many of the Facebook groups that pertain to Portugal. Americans & Friends PT is one of the big ones but there are many!
We have lots of detailed guidance about all the regions in our Escape to Portugal guide, too.
Hope this helps. Safe travels and enjoy!
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