Guimaraes, in northern Portugal, features a temperate oceanic climate with warm, short summers and cool, wet winters. The city experiences significant rainfall, lush green landscapes, and distinct seasonal changes. With long daylight hours in summer and atmospheric mists in winter, Guimaraes is a charming destination for history, culture, and outdoor exploration year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Guimaraes enjoys four distinct seasons, shaped by its inland position and Atlantic influences. Summers (June–September) are warm, short, and mostly dry, with average highs of 25–28°C in July and August and nighttime lows around 15–17°C. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 14–15 hours of daylight at the solstice, and humidity is moderate. Rainfall is lowest in July, averaging just 33 mm over 7 days, making this period ideal for outdoor activities and festivals. Gentle breezes provide relief during warmer spells, and heatwaves above 32°C are rare.
Winters (December–February) are cool, wet, and often cloudy, with average highs of 12–14°C and lows near 5°C. December is the wettest month, receiving up to 218 mm of rain over 16 days, and mist or fog is common in the mornings. Snow is rare but possible, with light accumulations a few times each winter. Days are short, with about 9 hours of daylight and 1–2 hours of sunshine. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (15–22°C), frequent showers, and lush vegetation. Winds are generally light to moderate, averaging 10–20 km/h, but can be brisk during storms. Annual precipitation is high, around 1,650 mm, supporting the region’s verdant scenery and gardens.
| Average climate data for Guimaraes, Portugal | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 25 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 110 | 78 | 82 | 79 | 40 | 28 | 9 | 10 | 34 | 106 | 127 | 114 | 817 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 137 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81 | 78 | 74 | 76 | 72 | 74 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 79 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 43 | 39 | 37 | 38 | 29 | 27 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 31 | 44 | 40 | 32 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Guimaraes is from late April to September, when temperatures are warmest (20–28°C), rainfall is lowest, and the city is lively with festivals, outdoor events, and vibrant gardens. These months offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, walking tours, and enjoying the region’s historical sites and natural beauty.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when temperatures are lowest, days are shortest, and frequent rain or occasional fog can limit outdoor activities. While winter is atmospheric, the cool, damp, and dark conditions may not appeal to all travellers, though the city remains charming for those seeking a cosy ambiance.
Guimaraes has a temperate oceanic climate with warm, short summers and cool, wet winters. Rain falls year-round, with peaks in winter and spring. Summers are sunny and pleasant, while winters are damp and often misty.
The best time to visit Guimaraes is from late April to September, when the weather is warm, rainfall is low, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor activities. Spring and summer are especially popular for tourism.
Snow is rare in Guimaraes but possible during the coldest winter months. When it does occur, it is usually light and short-lived, with accumulations of just a few centimetres per month.
Guimaraes receives significant rainfall, averaging around 1,650 mm annually. The wettest months are December and January, while July is the driest. Rain falls frequently in winter and spring, supporting lush green landscapes.
Summer highs in Guimaraes typically reach 25–28°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Heatwaves above 32°C are rare, and evenings are usually cool and comfortable.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket for showers, and sun protection for summer. Even in summer, a jumper is useful for breezy evenings. In winter, bring waterproof shoes and warm clothing.
Winds in Guimaraes are generally light to moderate (10–20 km/h), but can be brisk during storms, especially in winter and spring. The city’s inland location means breezy conditions are common, particularly during unsettled weather.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (25.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (12.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (15.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (7.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 11.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (127.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (9 mm). Over the whole year there are 817.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (16.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (4.7 days). Over the whole year there are 137.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (80.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (68.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 74.4 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (12.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is September (9.7 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (43.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (18.7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 32.4 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 7.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.2.
