Portugal in June: Weather, What to expect, Travel Tips, Best places

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If you are looking for a compact size country that has a stunning coastline and mild Mediterranean climate, Portugal meets the requirement. Cities with cobbled streets like Lisbon, Mediterranean climate and golden beaches, wilderness of the Azores islands, vineyards of Douro valley: the Portugal experience can be many things.

Portugal has a unique cultural heritage an there is lots to see not only in the capital city of Lisbon, but many smaller towns spread across the country. The 850 km of splendid coastline offers beaches for relaxation, amazing surfing and water activities. Apart from the mainland, Portugal also includes Madeira and Azores archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean. If you are visiting Portugal in June, this post covers the weather here in June, travel tips, best places to visit, and things to do in summer.

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Weather in Portugal in June

The average daily temperatures in Portugal during June range from 18°C (64°F) to 26°C (79°F). April to early June is considered as shoulder season in Portugal. So this is a good time to visit to experience lesser crowds than the busy summer months of July and August.

Beaches and parks start to fill up in June because the ocean is not cold. June is warm and dry in Lisbon, so perfect for sightseeing. June is particularly pleasant in northern Portugal. The average maximum temperature in Porto in June is 73°F/23°C.

The coastal area of Algarve has sunny, warm days throughout the year, and June is no exception. The Douro Valley can still be comfortable in June and with less rain than the winter, this is a good time to do some sightseeing. While you’ll likely be quite warm during the day, the temperature drops at night.

What to wear in Portugal in June

Casual summer attire is what you should pack for Portugal in June. T-shirts and shorts or summer dresses in cotton / linen would work well with sandals. You may find it easier to navigate the cobbled hilly paths of Lisbon better with comfortable shoes instead of sandals. Opt for a smart casual look with nice shoes for Portugal cities.

Dressing is even more casual at coastal areas and tourist resorts near beaches. Sun protection is important both for city sightseeing and for beaches. So pack good quality sunscreen, sun hats and sunglasses. It goes without saying that you need swimwear as essentials for beach vacation packing list. At least 2, for beach fun and water activities.

I like to pack few dresses for dinner attire, nothing super fancy, just a change to feel refreshed. And do pack a light jumper / jacket / stole with the evening dress. Take some nice heels for night time, but smart shoes or sandals is also fine.

Do remember to cover your shoulders and knees if you visit any religious sites across the country.

What to expect regarding crowds and cost

As the weather warms in June, the pace picks up in both cities and coastal regions of Portugal. But the crowds are nowhere close to the busy summer moths of July and August. So enjoy the major attractions at Lisbon and elsewhere without elbowing people out of your way.

Lisbon is not as crowded as peak summer season.

The weather is warm but not scorching hot in June, so it is a good time to hit the beaches and the ocean. Flight and hotel rates haven’t shot up as yet, so look around to get some deals.

Best places to visit in Portugal in summer

The whole country is inviting for a visit during summer months. Lisbon is warm to pleasant during the daytime in June, perfect for sightseeing. You can easily spend 2 days exploring Lisbon and its top attractions. You can take a day trip from Lisbon to visit Sintra and some of the top attractions there.

Beyond Lisbon, there are plenty of coastal areas and fishing towns waiting to be explored. June is warm to take a dip in the ocean, but no so crowded. Cascais is a beautiful coastal town nestled a 45-minute drive from Portugal’s capital. Cascais has a rich cultural heritage, and also boasts beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.

Head to Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the north, for warm sunny days in June. Porto is famous for its azulejos, Port wine production, and historic centre. The gorgeous churches, street art, glazed blue ceramic tiles or azulejos, will wow architecture and art connoisseurs.

Or head to Algarve in the southern part of Portugal for its breathtaking coastal scenery. Renting a car in Portugal may be better to explore the smaller towns in this region. Portimao and Lagos are famous towns along the Algarve coast. Beasides beach fun, there are adventurous activities like sea kayaking. You can visit the Benagil Caves.

For those wanting a taste of smaller towns with medieval history, there are plenty of options. These could be part of your road trip or just day trips from Lisbon: Aveiro or the ‘Venice of Portugal’, Batalha famous for its monastery, Evora for its magnificent Church, the Catholic pilgrimage site of Fatima, Obidos for its castle.

Things to do in Portugal in summer

See castles, palaces and monuments

There is more than enough for cultural immersion in Portugal. Lisbon offers several historic monuments: Sao Jorge Castle, Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and more. Nearby Sintra town has several top attractions: Pena Palace, Moorish castle, and Quinta de Regaleira.

Visit religious sites and monasteries

Tomar is known as the City of the Knights Templar, as the order was founded in the Convent of Christ. The Order of Christ was a religious order that acted as an elite fighting force for the church. Fatima is a famous Catholic pilgrimage site that draws over 6 million visitors per year. The main attraction is the Sanctuary of Fátima, a giant complex that has a large church and very impressive architecture. Batalha is famous for the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, also known as the Batalha Monastery.

Indulge in food and wine

Whether it is Lisbon or Porto or the smaller towns, you will get fresh seafood all over Portugal. Cataplana de Marisco is a local dish from the Algarve region. This seafood stew of prawns, clams, fresh fish, ripe tomatoes and seasonal Mediterranean vegetables is delicious. Then there is traditional Portuguese dish of Piri-Piri chicken, full of fresh spices and punchy flavours. No trip to Portugal is complete without a taste of famous custard tarts – Pastéis de Nata.

Do try the local cherry liquer Ginjinha. Porto is famous for the sweet port wine, served as an after-dinner aperitif. For those interested in visiting vineyards, nothing better than the Duoro valley.

Surfing big time

Portugal has so many great surfing spots, both for beginners and pros. Peniche is renowned for having some of Europe’s best surf spots, particularly at Supertubos beach. Peniche also offers beaches for beginner surfers, such as Catinho da Baia.

Costa da Caparica is the perfect day trip from Lisbon. You can opt for a surfing lesson at popular beachside spots like Praia Irmão. Ericeira is a picturesque fishing village turned surfer’s hangout only 35 kilometres northwest of Lisbon. Head to Praia da Baleia for surfing here.

Relax at golden beaches

With a 850 km of splendid coastline, there are too many amazing beaches to list down. Cascais offers beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, such as Praia da Ribeira de Cascais and Praia da Rainha. Comporta takes you to the coastal Alentejo region filled with rustic landscapes, and pristine beaches. Praia da Comporta and Praia do Carvalhal are some of the most popular beaches in the area.

Algarve is a southern part of Portugal with breathtaking coastal scenery. Portimao is a coastal town with many facilities and over 5 beaches. Some of the best beaches in Portimao are: Praia dos Três Castelos, Praia dos Careanos, and Praia da Rocha.

Hiking fun

You can find a diverse range of the best hiking trails in Portugal to suit your needs. The island of Madeira is immensely popular with hikers, as are the Azores. On the mainland, nature lovers can visit Arrábida Nature Park. The park covers over 100 square kilometres with plenty of hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. There are moderate to challenging trails along the Algarve coast.

Events and Festivals in Portugal in June

The festival calendar is packed in June.

Festa de Santo António: This is one of the most popular and traditional festivals in Lisbon. It takes place annually in June, with the highlight of the celebrations on the 13th. June 13th is the day of Santo António, the city’s patron saint. Streets are strung with garlands and lanterns, sardines are grilled and the feasting, drinking, dancing, music-making and partying begins.

Festa de São João: São João festival in Porto is celebrated on June 23^rd. This festival originated as a pagan festivity back in the 14th century as a thanks to the sun god for a good harvest and abundance. This festival has been celebrated in Porto for about 700 years and is truly part of the city’s identity. Porto pulls out all the stops for St John with a mammoth street party. The fireworks at D. Luís bridge is the high point of the night of São João festival in Porto.

Nos Primavera Sound: This is an annual music festival held in Porto. This massive music festival has rock, pop, indie gigs, all held in the city’s huge Parque da Cidade.