Weather in Portugal in April: A Region-by-Region Guide

The mild weather in Portugal in April is warm and fresh. On the mainland, it averages highs of 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) and lows of 10 to 12°C (50 to 54°F). In reality, the weather can differ greatly from one region to the other. Southern Portugal is milder and drier than northern Portugal. Faro has approximately half the number of rainy days as Porto. Furthermore, the warmest sea temperatures of Portugal in April are in Madeira, at a cozy 18°C.

In this guide, we examine the main regions of the country in turn. We also look at how early April compares to late in the month, compare April to May, and offer some beach tips and a simple packing list.

April is a changeable month with periods of sunshine alternating with brief Atlantic showers. They become less frequent the further south you travel.

Temperatures during the day are usually warm enough for a T-shirt. By the afternoon, though, it can get cooler. The temperature can drop by as much as 8°C during the night.

The table below shows average April conditions in Portugal's three main cities.

Averages based on IPMA's 1991-2020 climate data. Rainy days are days with at least 1mm of rain.

Temperatures rise consistently in Portugal in April and throughout the month. Lisbon averages highs of 19.9°C (68°F), about 1.5°C more than in March.

Hot days are rare but possible. Lisbon gets 3 to 4 days of 25°C or more in an average April. Its April record is 32.7°C, set on April 30, 1997.

Rain in April usually comes in short showers rather than all-day downpours. Porto gets about 95mm of rain over 10 rainy days, while Faro gets just 39mm over 5 days.

The days are long, too. The clocks go forward at the end of March, so in Lisbon the sun sets around 8 pm in early April and close to 8:30 pm by the end of the month. That gives you 12.5 to almost 14 hours of daylight for sightseeing.

In the Atlantic, it’s still quite cool in April. Temperatures average around 16°C (61°F) off the coast of Lisbon and 17°C (63°F) off the coast of Faro in the south of Portugal.

Madeira (with an average temperature around 18°C/64°F off Funchal) is an exception to this rule.  It has the warmest sea temperatures of all of Portugal in April.

Temperatures can vary greatly from one region to another in Portugal. Here is what you can expect in the different parts of the country.

Portugal is a small country, and the weather in April greatly varies from one region to the other. Main factors that determine the weather in April are how far south you are and how close to the Atlantic you are.

Below you can find information about the weather in different regions of Portugal, as well as in Madeira and the Azores.

Lisbon in April is lovely and warm, with average temperatures of 20°C (68°F) during the day and 12°C (54°F) at night. There are about 8 rainy days in April, and they are mostly short and intense.

Lisbon’s coastal areas are even more variable in terms of climate, with Sintra often feeling cooler and more misty than the centre of Lisbon. Cascais and Guincho can be chilly enough in the afternoon to warrant a light jacket.

Local tip: Go to the palaces of Sintra, a gem of cultural and historical Portugal, on the clearest day of your trip. The views from Pena Palace are wonderful!

April is the coolest and wettest month in Portugal’s capital city. The Porto weather in April features highs of 18°C (64°F) and lows of 10°C (50°F). On average, it has about 10 rainy days.

The weather is changeable and can bring Atlantic fronts. There are, however, lots of warm and sunny periods. There are plenty of things to do in Porto, such as a stroll along the Ribeira and a tour of the port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Inland in the Douro Valley, the weather is much hotter. In April 2026, Pinhão experienced almost 2 weeks of a heatwave. The steep valley sides create small pockets of high temperature. In April, it’s already very warm in the villages.

The Algarve has the best weather in mainland Portugal in April. Faro averages 21°C (70°F) by day and 12°C (54°F) at night, with only 5 rainy days in the month.

The region has two sides. The eastern Algarve around Tavira is calmer and warmer. The west around Sagres is windier. It also feels a few degrees cooler.

Local tip: April is one of the best months for coastal walks, like the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, a favorite for Portugal adventure travel. The clifftops are green and full of wildflowers, and the summer heat is still weeks away.

Inland Portugal has the warmest days and coolest nights. Évora in the Alentejo region has average high temperatures of 21°C (70°F) and average low temperatures of 8°C (46°F) in April.

In the mountains of Serra da Estrela, it can still be cold. There might even be some snow in the highest peaks by early April. Down on the flat plains of the Alentejo, it’s wildflower season, though. Lovely place for a slowish road trip.

Madeira is mild and stable all year round. April is no exception. The island has strong microclimates. The south coast around Funchal is the sunniest, while the north is greener and wetter. In the same month, Santana in the north had some rain on 19 days, and the summit of Pico do Arieiro averaged just 7.5°C (45°F).

Local tip: Pack a warm layer for sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, even if Funchal feels like summer.

The weather in the Azores changes a lot across the Portuguese islands. In Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island), it is usually in the high teens. But the weather can change quickly within the space of an hour, going from sunshine to rain.

April is low season in the Azores, but it marks the beginning of spring whale-watching, a highlight of Portugal nature and wildlife. It’s best to pack a waterproof jacket and to be flexible.

April is one of the warmest months for mainland Portugal, and the Algarve region is the hottest. Faro averages high temperatures of 21°C (70°F) in April, and it’s also the driest and sunniest region.

For the warmest sea with the most stable temperatures, head to Madeira. The interior of the country, such as the Alentejo region and the Douro Valley, can reach similarly high temperatures on sunny days but will drop significantly at night.

April in Portugal starts cooler, with more rain than the weather in Portugal in March, and showers during the day. By late April, it starts to feel like early summer with warm days.

This table shows the average high temperature in Portugal for March, April and May.

It is also worth bearing in mind that 2027 is a leap year, and in that year Easter falls on March 28. This means that Holy Week will end before the start of April, and so early in the month will be quieter than usual.

Also keep in mind that April 25th is Freedom Day, a national holiday celebrated in Lisbon as well as in most towns and cities of Portugal.

Both months are excellent for sightseeing, but they suit different trips. April is fresher and quieter, while the weather in Portugal in May is warmer and sunnier, with more beach days.

Choose April for city breaks, hiking and wildflowers. Choose May if you want to combine sightseeing with a few days on the beach.

It’s possible to sunbathe on sunny days in April at some of the best beaches in Portugal, in the Algarve and Madeira. However, swimming in April is for brave people only.

With the temperature of the water ranging from 16 to 18°C, most people limit themselves to a single dip in the sea. Choose a beach that is out of the wind, like the coves around Lagos or Calheta beach in Madeira. With the UV index reaching 8 (very high) in Madeira in April, don’t forget your sunscreen. If you would rather have a local expert pick the best spots for your dates, Tailored By Locals can build a trip to Portugal around the April weather.

The average temperature for April in Portugal is only part of the story.

The month of April 2026 was the 6th warmest April since 1931, according to the IPMA monthly climate report. On the mainland, the average temperature reached 22.6° C, with two heatwaves of special note. It was also the 10th driest April on record.

Make sure to check the IPMA 10-day forecast a week or so before you travel.

Yes, April is a great month to go to Portugal. The weather is mild, the countryside is green and full of flowers, and prices are lower than in summer.

April is ideal for:

If warm swimming is your top priority, the best time to visit Portugal is June to October instead.

The key to packing for April is layers. Days can feel like summer, but mornings and evenings stay cool.

April weather requires some flexibility in your plans and bookings, and a few sensible decisions.

Leave one or two days in each city open. Save the outdoor activities, like sightseeing, for sunny days and move the indoor activities to the rainy ones.

You may also want to consider the order in which you visit the regions of your route. Starting from the north of Portugal and finishing in the Algarve region means the weather will be getting warmer as your trip progresses. Your local expert can adapt your itinerary on the day to swap a boat trip, for example, with a wine tasting.

The weather in Portugal in April is mild, green, and ideal for exploring. The Algarve and Madeira are the warmest, Lisbon is pleasant for city walks, and Porto brings a few more showers. Pack layers, stay flexible, and enjoy the quiet weeks before the summer season.

Want a trip that makes the most of the April weather? With Tailored By Locals, a local expert who lives in Portugal designs your itinerary around your dates and travel style. They'll also stay on call while you travel. Request your free, no-obligation proposal today and get your own personal plan!