Spring has finally sprung, the countryside is blooming, there's lots of sunshine between the showers, and Easter is on the way, making April one of the most enticing Months to visit Portugal. Avoid the school holidays and you can still bag a good deal (and beat the crowds).

Weather 

The Portuguese don't much like the cold, and you can tell from the increasing number of smiles in April that they're looking forward to the brighter, sunnier, warmer days on the horizon. It's time to ditch the coat and perhaps swap sweaters for lighter layers (but still keep an umbrella handy!).

In Lisbon, the average daily temperature is 59°F (15°C), with highs of up to 68°F (20°C), though showers are still plentiful, with around seven days of rain. Porto is only a shade cooler, with highs of up to 64°F (18°C) and nine rainy days. Mildest of all is the Algarve in the country's south, with an average temperature of 61°F (16°C) and highs of 73°F (23°C)—warm enough for T-shirts but not for swimming in the sea just yet.

Crowds & Costs

While the crowds of summer are still a long way off, visitor numbers start to steadily rise in April, particularly in hotspots like the Algarve, where milder temperatures and the first proper rays of sunshine are beginning to make the beaches seem more tempting.

The ever-popular cities of Lisbon and Porto are upping their game, too, with longer days and longer opening hours at sights and attractions making exploring that bit more appealing. You can still pick up some decent deals on flights and hotels at this time of year, with the exception of Easter week, when schools are on vacation and rates are at a premium. 

Where to Go

April is a fabulous month to slow-tour Portugal. The Algarve in the south is now bursting with wildflowers, and this is a wonderful time to go hiking along its ravishing cliff-backed, gold-sanded coastline or to take a road trip through its hilly, cork oak-wooded interior, stopping at little villages en route. The blissfully peaceful Alentejo is a great alternative for a trip focused on gentle rambles, farmstays, and hearty, home-cooked food.

While you'll need to be prepared for the odd shower, mild (but not too hot) days make this prime time to explore some of the country's cities and towns on foot. Beyond the obvious appeal of Lisbon and Porto, check out the likes of spiritual capital Braga, with the country's oldest cathedral and an extraordinary clutch of Baroque churches; the walled medieval town of Évora, the crown jewel in the Alentejo, with its Roman remains and fortress-like cathedral; and the historic, high-spirited university city of Coimbra.

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What to Do

If you're into the outdoors, this is the month you've been waiting for, with longer, brighter, warmer days for hiking, cycling, and more adventurous pursuits such as canyoning, climbing, kayaking, and diving.

You could tackle a long-distance trail (in part or in full), such as the Portuguese leg of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, running 371 miles (598 km) from Santiago in Spain to Lisbon, say, or the 186-mile (300 km) Via Algarviana down south for a beautiful blend of coast and countryside. Or strike out along the Alentejo's 75-mile (120 km) Rota Vicentina Fisherman's Trail, revealing a staggeringly lovely, little-known section of the Atlantic coast.

While crowds are still relatively thin on the ground, April is a good month to visit popular UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Sintra near Lisbon, a fairy-tale town of whimsical castles and palaces, Braga in the far north, where a striking Baroque staircase sweeps up to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, and the exquisite Manueline monastery of Batalha in central Portugal.

Events in April

Semana Santa, Nationwide. Holy Week (the week preceding Easter) is a big deal in Portugal, and you'll find fairs, festivals, and captivating religious parades (costumed, torchlit, and cross-bearing) keeping the Catholic faith up and down the country. The most striking of these is in Braga, Portugal's spiritual center, with elaborately decorated churches, Gregorian chants, and a soul-stirring parade of barefoot, black-hooded penitents bearing torches as they shuffle through the medieval streets.

Ovibeja, Beja. Showcasing the Alentejo region at its rural best, Beja pulls out all the stops for this huge, five-day agricultural fair in late April, with displays of prized animals, workshops, exhibitions, and, naturally, plenty of excellent farm-to-fork food.

International Chocolate Festival, Óbidos. There's no better time to visit the delightful medieval walled town of Óbidos than late April, when it's the backdrop for this irresistible festival, with chocolate tastings, cookery classes, sculptures, and more.

Traveling to Portugal in April? Check out this great itinerary

Portugal Road Trip: Lisbon, Évora, Douro & Porto - 10 Days. Portugal's historic cities and unspoiled countryside are the main focus of this self-drive adventure. Heading north from Lisbon, you'll take your time exploring the hilltop villages of the Alentejo and the famed wine country of the Douro Valley before reaching riverside Porto and its vibrant culinary scene. Loop south again to return to the capital at a leisurely pace—discovering medieval towns, fishing villages, and the wild Atlantic coastline along the way.

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