Portugal in November: What’s Portugal Like In November?

November isn’t often a month that is associated with Portugal. It’s early in the low season and as autumn arrives the weather often makes a turn for the worse.

That said there’s still magic to be found, Portugal’s vibrant cities host lively events, and as November rolls towards December things start to feel a lot more festive. The climate is still Mediterranean, so you can still expect it to be typically mild. Sunshine is not guaranteed. but you can still score lots of bright sunny days for exploring.

The best part? Crowds are gone, and the prices are at there lowest. You can get some very significant deals on some of the best hotels and view some of the main tourist attractions with almost none of the crowds.

What’s the Weather like in Portugal in November?

Lets cover the weather first, as for most people it is an important part of choosing a destination to visit. Portugal is widely considered to have three main areas, its Northern region centered around the city of Porto. The Lisbon metropolitan region based around the capital, and the sunny Algarve, the most southern region.

Temperatures in the north are the coolest and often wettest, and you can usually expect highs of around 17°C (62°F), but the lows can drop to around 9°C (48°F). Lisbon is usually somewhat warmer, bright sunny days will easily be 18°C (64°F) or higher. The Algarve is the warmest of Portugal’s regions in October, with highs of 19°C (66°F), and lows of 11°C (52°F).

How often does it Rain during November in Portugal?

November is often seen as the official start of the rainy season. Some parts of Portugal, like the Algarve and Alentejo region often don’t get rain between May and October, and November is when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

The most recent averages for rain in Portugal published by its weather agency suggest that in the Algarve, you can expect around 9 days of rain in November. In Lisbon you can expect around 10 rainy days, and in Porto around 15 rainy days.

This means that November is a great time to experience Lisbon or Porto, as if you do get caught in the rain? There are more than enough museums and activities to keep you indoors and dry, alternatively you can pack a raincoat and continue exploring. It might be wet, but it’s really not that cold. In the Algarve, these temperatures mean that you might even still have a beach day or two during November!

Beach Weather in November?

If you are lucky, then you might be able to squeeze in a beach day or two in the Algarve. If you’re brave enough to go for a swim, or you’re used to cold water swimming then you can still go for a dip too! Although there is a noticeable drop in water temperatures compared to the traditional summer months.

The microclimates of the Algarve suggest you should probably consider the east Algarve, over the west Algarve if you’re looking for a reasonably warm beach to visit. The west is much windier and the seas can get rougher, which is great if you’re interested in surfing and wind sports. Less great if you’re a lazing on the beach type.

Take a look at the average sea temperature below to see how they match up to your usual beach destinations, and if you think you’re brave enough to go for a swim!

What to wear during November?

The keyword is layers. The bright sunshine can heat things up quickly and you’ll find yourself wanting to shed a layer or two during the daylight hours. However, temperatures do quickly drop during the evening, and there can be very cold mornings for the early explorers. A rain coat is essential too, for anyone that might be far away from shelter during a rain storm.

We always advise solid footwear for visitors, the cobblestones and calçada can be uneven and slippery on the best of days. When wet, it can easily be a slip hazard so good sturdy footwear is essential during the wet season.

How busy is Portugal in November?

As November is fully part of the low season in Portugal, you can expect there to be a lot less crowds. Long queues for the major attractions are now a thing of the past, those hour-long queues you read about to ride Tram 28 in Lisbon? They’re now long gone. The hustle and bustle and the hectic nature of many of its popular areas has now largely gone and you can take a much more relaxed pace to your visit.

November is also when you can take advantage of some of the lowest prices of hotels and accommodation. We’ve had stays in accommodation that usually costs around €200 a night in the summer, for less than €50 a night in November. It’s even still been warm enough to take advantage of the pools and the full facilities of the hotels!

What to see and do in November?

November is a fantastic time to really to get to grips with the cultural side of Portugal, and also it’s natural side. With the hot weather and mass crowds gone it’s a great time to explore it’s UNESCO Heritage Sites – The National Palace of Pena in Sintra, and Covento de Cristo in Tomar are both great options.

Heading inland to the Alentejo is also another great option to consider. During the summer the Alentejo heat can rise above 40 degrees and in November it’s much more comfortable. Evora holds another of Portugal’s Heritage sites, and its wineries and rural attractions are open year round!

Read More: The Seven Wonders of Portugal

We’ve already mentioned Lisbon and Porto a few times, these are fantastic cities to visit any time of the year. However, without their summer crowds you can really get under their skin and discover what makes them tick. You can also experience some of the best museums, restaurants, and historical sites with a bit more freedom.

What Events Happen in November?

Maratona do Porto: The Porto Marathon takes place on the first Saturday of November, starting and ending in the Parque da Cidade. The marathon course shows the best of this region by going over bridges and past wine cellars in the coastal cities of Porto, Matosinhos, and Gaia. If you’re feeling very adventurous then for for €50 you can register for the race, or if you’re less adventurous join in the sporting festivities and celebrations for free with an estimated 15,000 spectators.

Lisbon and Sintra Film Festival: Set in both in Lisbon and nearby Sintra, this annual festival offers film screenings, conferences, readings, master classes and debates, and exhibitions for two weeks in mid-November each year. The festival hosts a diverse array of both international and domestic artists and film makers.

Feira de Sao Martinho: Saint Martin’s day falls on November 11th each year, and the city of Portimao holds it annual festival celebrating the feast. It’s been held since 1662 and is one of the longest running fairs in Portugal. Today it’s a large fair with rides, concerts, local arts and crafts, and food, that usually takes place over ten days starting a few days before Saint Martins day, and ending a few days after. It’s a wonderful slice of Algarve culture.

Feira Nacional do Cavalo Golegã. Portugal is famed within the horse world for its breed of horse, the Lusitano. Feira Nacional do Cavalo Golegã is where this breed and the country’s equestrian heritage is celebrated. As it’s also part of the Saint Martin’s Day celebration, this is yet another Portugal’s traditional fairs in Trás-os-Montes this time. You’ll find traditional food and drink – it’s part of the local harvest celebrations, as well as folk songs and dance, and of course festivities dedicated to the horse fair.

Christmas Lights in November

Oh yes, for fans of Christmas lights and seeing towns and cities lit up in the evening, Portugal is spectacular. Traditionally, you’ll see many of the switching on ceremonies take place from around mid to the end of November. Visiting cities after dark makes a fantastic evening activity, as does seeing many of its attractions lit up in innovative ways during the evening.

Visiting Portugal in November?

Visiting Portugal in November offers a very different experience to what most people think of when they think of Portugal. Wind and rain can be a factor, but the smell of roasted chestnuts on the chilly streets of many of its towns and cities is something we adore.

So is taking a stroll around so many of its town centers lit up with Christmas lights towards the end of the month. Portugal’s cities are as vibrant as they are during the usual tourist season, with the added benefit of a lot less tourists.

Are you planning a visit to Portugal during November?