When buying property abroad, the climate of the area is often an important consideration, and this holds true when buying property in Portugal. Located just west of Spain, Portugal has a similar warm climate to that country, with warm summers and relatively mild winters.
Those who look for real estate in Portugal will discover that the area has long, warm, dry summers with very little rain. Fortunately, refreshing ocean breezes prevent the atmosphere from becoming too humid. Visitors used to British winters will find Portugal sunny, while not overbearingly hot. Temperatures in July and August average at a maximum of 27C to 28C, with only 4 to 5 millimetres of rainfall during those months.
Winters in Portugal can be cold and rainy, particularly in the Northern and West Coast regions. Temperatures in November and December may drop to 9C to 11C, with an average rainfall of up to 100 millimetres. Those who find other areas of Europe uncomfortably warm may find Portugal’s climate absolutely perfect for a second or retirement home.
Visitors may wish to choose autumn or spring in order to view properties. Portugal is often less crowded in these seasons, with fewer tourists. The climate is also milder, with temperatures of 11C to 19C in April. The climate remains warm until November; temperatures in October can still be as high as 22C. However, rainfall in spring and autumn may be slightly higher than in summer, with an average of 59 millimetres in April and 75 millimetres in October.
Visitors and those who purchase property in Portugal will find the coastal areas more humid, with milder weather inland. Portugal is subject to varying influences on its temperature, so if one area is not absolutely perfect, another may be. The south and east of Portugal have slighter higher temperatures and dryer weather than the north and west, something prospective property owners may wish to consider when looking for Portuguese real estate.
As a general rule, the north-east area of Portugal has a higher average rainfall and longer winters, while the south and west areas have long, hot summers, often moderated with a cool, refreshing breeze. The Portuguese coasts are more humid than inland areas, and the temperature also varies according to altitude; the warmest areas are in the lowest regions of southern Portugal.