Weather: what to expect
| Month | Temperatures (min–max) | Rain (average) | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 9 to 15 °C | about 164 mm | mild autumn, first heavy rains |
| December | 7 to 13 °C | about 169 mm | the wettest month |
| January | 6 to 12 °C | about 155 mm | the coolest, changeable sky |
| February | 6 to 13 °C | about 114 mm | a little drier |
| March | 8 to 16 °C | about 121 mm | more frequent sunny spells |
These 30-year averages come from Climatempo. The cold is felt mostly because of the damp and the Atlantic wind: pack a real raincoat, shoes that grip wet cobblestones and a warm layer. To compare with other months, read the best time to visit Porto.
What to do under cover
There is plenty indoors: the Livraria Lello, the Stock Exchange Palace, the museums, Serralves or the azulejo chapels. Our page Porto when it rains ranks them with opening hours, so we do not repeat them here.
Three outings to book ahead in winter:
- A Gaia cellar. Tastings run all year and take place indoors. To choose the house, see which tasting to pick in Gaia.
- An evening of fado. The best way to spend a cool evening. The fado show at Casa da Guitarra with a glass of port can be booked online for about $18 to $22 (GetYourGuide offer, rated 4.8 from over 3,000 reviews). To compare venues, see fado in Porto.
- A pastel de nata class. A 1.5-hour indoor activity from about $37 (pastel de nata class with port, rated 4.9 from over 1,400 reviews).
The Douro Valley in winter
This is the day trip worth taking if the sky is clear. From November to March the vines are bare, or in autumn colours in November, the roads are quiet and the quintas welcome small groups. The full day with tastings, lunch and a cruise runs from about $61 to $78 depending on the date (indicative prices, to be checked), for 6 to 10 hours. Check the forecast the day before: in very wet weather it is better to move the trip by a day if your booking allows it. Details are in the Douro Valley from Porto.
Cruises and the sea in winter
The six bridges cruise keeps running in winter, but departures stop earlier: with Cruzeiros Douro, from 10:00 to 16:00 from October to March, and a departure can be cancelled in bad weather. The Atlantic is more powerful: this is big-wave season in Nazaré (see Nazaré from Porto), but forget swimming.
Christmas and New Year
The city lights up at the end of the year. The programme is in Christmas and New Year in Porto. Book early for late December dates.
Where to sleep in winter
In winter, favour a central hotel, from the Baixa to Cedofeita, to limit trips in the rain, and ask before booking whether the room is well heated: in old buildings it is not always the case. Prices are usually lower than in summer, except around Christmas and New Year. To compare neighbourhoods, see where to stay in Porto, then rooms in the Baixa on Booking.
What is worth it, what is not
- Worth it: fado, a Gaia cellar, the Douro on a clear day, museums, historic cafés.
- Postpone: the beach, Ribeira terraces in the rain, day trips on a weather-alert day.
- Good to know: days are short, so put outdoor visits in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Is Porto cold in winter?
Not very cold: 6 to 16 °C depending on the month, but damp and windy, which makes it feel colder.
Which is the rainiest month?
December, with about 169 mm of rain on average, ahead of November and January.
Can you visit the Douro Valley in winter?
Yes, tours run all year. Pick a clear day and book with free cancellation when it is offered.
Do you need to book ahead in winter?
For fado, classes and day trips, yes, especially at weekends. For museums, often not, except the Livraria Lello.
