For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Portugal during May have been around +19°C.
In Portugal the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +19°C in Faro to +15°C in Terceira Island. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in May
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
☀️
+19°C
Avg. max. temperature
+5°C
Min.
+36°C
Max.
42 mm
Total precipitation
73%
Avg. humidity
4 m/s
Avg. wind
8 ☀️
Sunny Days
12 ⛅️
Cloudy
10 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Portugal has OK weather in May.
Portugal in May – what city is the…
rainiest? Porto, with an average of 3 mm of rain and humidity of 75%;
warmest? Faro, with daytime temperatures averaging +22°C;
windiest? Terceira Island, with an average of 4 m/s;
coolest? Terceira Island, with daytime temperatures averaging +15°C;
How good is the weather in Portugal in May?
During May, the Portugal usually offers good weather overall, with air pressure around 1018 HPa. This means you may encounter some rainy weather too – May brings around 60 mm of rain and winds averaging 3 m/s. Humidity ranges between 67% in Faro and 81% in Terceira Island. In general, it tends to be more humid near the sea and lake and drier inland.
The weather is usually pretty good this time of year, with daytime temperatures around +19°C.
This is how hot it usually is in May
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in Portugal. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for May:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
Average maximum temperature for the month: +19°C;
Average minimum temperature for the month: +14°C;
Highest monthly temperature: +20°C;
Lowest monthly temperature: +13°C;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
Warmest: August with an average +25°C during the day;
Coldest: January with an average +15°C of the day;
Hottest month in hottest city: July in Faro;
Coldest month in coolest city: February in Terceira Island;
Winds in Portugal during May
Wind speed in Portugal in May based on historical data:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
May tends to offer light winds averaging 4 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in May:
Highest average wind speed: Terceira Island with 4 m/s;
Lowest average wind speed: Faro with 3 m/s;
Windiest day of the month: Terceira Island with 4 m/s;
The least windy day of the month: Faro with 3 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Portugal in May
Amount of rainfall in mm during May in Portugal based on historical data:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
May tends to be an extremely humid month with 75% humidity and 60 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.
Comparison between cities in May:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
Highest average rainfall: Porto with 80 mm;
Lowest average rainfall: Funchal with 16 mm;
Most number of rainy days: Terceira Island with 14 rainy days;
Least number of rainy days: Faro with 6 rainy days;
Highest risk of rain during the day: Terceira Island with 45%;
Least risk of rain during the day: Faro with 19%;
Highest average humidity: Terceira Island with 81%;
Lowest average humidity: Faro with 67%;
Tips for traveling to Portugal in May
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Portugal? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Portugal based on the weather that May is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
rainy, mild weather with light winds and very high humidity in May
Pack right for May
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Portugal in May:
What can you do outside when it's warm in Portugal?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is May a good time to visit Portugal?
It’s always a good time to visit Portugal, but the weather is changeable in May, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Portugal, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.