Tag: travel

Portugal is blessed with plenty of sunshine, a long Atlantic coastline and a climate that makes outdoor travel possible for much of the year. But if you are planning a hiking or cycling vacation, some months are definitely better than others. After nearly two decades of guiding hiking and biking tours across Portugal, we have learned that the best conditions are usually found in spring and fall. The days are long enough, temperatures are comfortable for being active, the countryside is at its best, and popular destinations are generally less crowded than during the peak summer vacation season. There are also important regional differences. Hiking the Atlantic coast near Lisbon and the Algarve is very different from cycling across the inland plains of the Alentejo, walking among the vineyards of the Douro Valley or exploring the volcanic landscapes of the Azores. So, when is the best time to hike or bike in Portugal? Here is our month-by-month guide. February: Quiet, Green and Unpredictable February can offer beautiful sunny days, particularly in southern Portugal, but it is still winter. Rain is more frequent, daylight hours are shorter and conditions can change quickly. The countryside is wonderfully green, and on a clear day walking along the coast can be spectacular. However, for a multi-day hiking or cycling tour, the possibility of several wet days makes February less predictable than spring. We generally consider February a transition month rather than the beginning of Portugal's main active-travel season. March: Spring Begins By March, Portugal begins to feel like spring. Days are getting longer, temperatures are generally comfortable for hiking and cycling, and the landscape becomes increasingly colorful. This is an especially attractive time for the Alentejo, where fields that will turn golden later in the year are still green and wildflowers begin appearing beside