May extends April's favourable conditions into consistently warm, dry weather, and is often the last month before the Alentejo interior begins its full summer heat.
Lisbon typically settles into the low-to-mid twenties Celsius with mostly dry conditions. The Alentejo warms further, still comfortable for daytime walking though beginning to show early summer intensity by late month. Belmonte and Trancoso remain pleasantly mild, and the Douro valley enters a warm, sunny stretch well suited to vineyard visits.
Daylight now extends past 21:00, giving ample time for both morning museum visits and unhurried evening meals. Labour Day (1 May) is a public holiday with typical closures. Visitor numbers rise steadily through the month as May is a popular season for European travel generally, though heritage sites in the interior remain far less crowded than Lisbon's main attractions.
May brings the height of the Alentejo's cherry season in some areas and continued strong asparagus and fresh vegetable availability. Douro wine estates are typically in a quieter pre-harvest phase, well suited to unhurried tastings and cellar visits.
May supports the fuller journeys particularly well — the 10-day and 14-day routes benefit from consistent weather across every region visited, from Lisbon to the Serra da Estrela and, for the longer itinerary, into Spain.
Complete immersion from the Atlantic to the Serra da Estrela, at an unhurried pace with luxury accommodation throughout.
From €8,900 pp
14 DaysPortugal and Spain in one continuous narrative — Lisbon, the mountain communities, Toledo, Girona and beyond.
From €12,900 pp
Generally not; May precedes the most intense summer heat, so daytime temperatures remain comfortable for walking and outdoor visits with a mid-afternoon rest built in on warmer days.
It is a popular month in Europe overall, though the interior heritage towns we visit remain considerably quieter than major coastal destinations.
Share your plans — we cover the whole country with private tours, transfers and curated experiences.
Tell us your dates, group size and interests so we can craft the perfect experience.