When to visit Sintra without the crowds
Sintra (Portugal) is calmest in January, February, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in June, July, August and September. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
Nov–Mar
When everyone heads home
The second half of September.
Tip
Book a timed Pena Palace ticket and arrive at opening; mist rolls in later.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm | 13 °C (56 °F) | New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm | 13 °C (56 °F) | |
| March | 3/5 · moderate | 14 °C (56 °F) | School holidays: Easter holidays, Good Friday, Easter Sunday |
| April | 3/5 · moderate | 14 °C (58 °F) | Freedom Day |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 16 °C (60 °F) | Labour Day, Corpus Christi |
| June | 4/5 · busy | 17 °C (62 °F) | St Peter festivities (Jun 29), School holidays: Summer holidays, National Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy | 17 °C (63 °F) | School holidays: Summer holidays |
| August | 5/5 · busy | 18 °C (64 °F) | School holidays: Summer holidays, Assumption Day |
| September | 4/5 · busy | 18 °C (64 °F) | School holidays: Summer holidays |
| October | 3/5 · moderate | 18 °C (64 °F) | Republic Day |
| November | 2/5 · calm | 16 °C (60 °F) | All Saints Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm | 14 °C (58 °F) | School holidays: Christmas holidays, Restoration of Independence, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day |
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, Greater Lisbon, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Sintra without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February and December (crowds 1/5). In December the average high is 14 °C (58 °F). All the calm months: January, February, November and December.
When is Sintra most crowded?
The busiest season is June, July, August and September. The second half of September.
What is the weather like in Sintra?
Average highs range from 13 °C (56 °F) in January to 18 °C (64 °F) in September, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What festivals are there in Sintra?
The main ones: St Peter festivities (Jun 29) (June).
More places in Portugal
- Lisbon calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Porto calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Lagos (Algarve) calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Faro calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Funchal (Madeira) calm in January, February, March, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Ponta Delgada (Azores) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Évora calm in January, February, March, October, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Coimbra calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Douro Valley (Peso da Régua) calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Aveiro calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Nazaré calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August