The best time to visit Sintra is May, June, September and October, when average highs sit in the comfortable low-20s and rain stays light — May reaches 20.2 °C with just 7 rain days, and September climbs to 23.9 °C with only 5 rain days. July and August are the warmest and driest months but form the peak season, crowded with school-holiday visitors around Pena Palace. Winter is the quiet low season: mild but damp, with highs near 14.1 °C in January and frequent rain.
Best months MayJuneSeptemberOctober
Sintra month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.1 °C | 8.4 °C | 10 | 7.3 h |
| February | 15.3 °C | 9 °C | 9 | 8.2 h |
| March | 15.9 °C | 9.6 °C | 13 | 9.5 h |
| April | 17.7 °C | 11.1 °C | 12 | 10.7 h |
| May | 20.2 °C | 13.1 °C | 7 | 12.1 h |
| June | 21.9 °C | 15.1 °C | 7 | 13 h |
| July | 24.1 °C | 16.5 °C | 2 | 13 h |
| August | 25 °C | 17 °C | 1 | 12.1 h |
| September | 23.9 °C | 16.2 °C | 5 | 10.9 h |
| October | 21.7 °C | 14.9 °C | 11 | 8.8 h |
| November | 16.9 °C | 11.4 °C | 13 | 7.3 h |
| December | 15 °C | 9.5 °C | 12 | 7.2 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Ideal for walking the palace grounds in comfortable warmth — May is the pick.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is the sweet spot; July and August suit sun-seekers who don't mind crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September and early October are excellent; pack a jacket later on.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For travellers who prize empty palaces over warmth and don't mind rain.
Notable events
- February
- Carnival (Carnaval)
- Spring
- Sintra Music Festival (Festival de Sintra)
- June
- Feast of São Pedro
- December
- Christmas and New Year festivities
Frequently asked
Is Sintra too hot in August?
Not extreme — August highs average 25 °C with just 1 rain day and 12.1 hours of sunshine. The bigger issue is crowds, as it's peak school-holiday season.
What is the rainiest month in Sintra?
March and November both see 13 rain days, the most of any month. October is also wet with 11 rain days despite mild highs of 21.7 °C.
Is winter worth visiting Sintra?
It can be, if you want quiet. Winter stays mild with January highs of 14.1 °C, but expect 10 rain days and just 7.3 hours of sunshine, so pack for damp weather.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Sintra area guide →
Areas of Sintra
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Sintra — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.