Weather in Porto in April

How April compares

April is the 7th warmest month of the year in Porto and ranks 98th of 134 destinations we compare for April - see where else is hot in April. Within Portugal it is 13th of 13 (Portugal in April). Against London's average high of 13.5°C in April, Porto is 4.0°C warmer by day and 4.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in April

The typical April day in Porto peaks at 17.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 23.1°C or more. Roughly 1 in 24 days top 25°C. Nights average 9.8°C; one night in ten drops to 6.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest April day here reached 28.3°C (2011-04-06) and the coldest night 3.6°C (2016-04-01).

Rain in April

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 123 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest April was 2000 with 346 mm, the driest 2017 with 18 mm. Humidity averages 77%.

Sea temperature in April

The sea averages 14.1°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 13.3°C to 14.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (17.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:55 and sets about 20:14 local time in mid-April. Average cloud cover is 56%.

Is April a good time to visit Porto?

April is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Porto on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Comfortable afternoons, cool evenings

The daytime average suits exploring on foot without strong heat being the usual concern. A light jumper or jacket is a sensible starting point, with something warmer for sitting outside after dark. There can be a warmer spell: the warmest 10% of days reach 23.1°C or more, but days reaching 25°C account for just 4%, so do not pack for a summer holiday. At the other end, the coldest 10% of nights fall to 6.8°C or below. The practical choice is clothing you can add or remove, rather than relying on a warm afternoon to carry through into the evening.

Leave room in your plans for rain

Rain is the main catch in April, and it deserves more than a token space in your packing. Bring a waterproof outer layer and shoes you are comfortable wearing on wet streets. About 5.8 hours of sunshine within 13.1 hours of daylight leaves scope for time outdoors, but does not promise a sunny day from start to finish. Keep your outdoor plans flexible and use brighter spells when they arrive, rather than committing everything to a fixed schedule. April suits travellers who can enjoy a city break despite interruptions from rain; it is a less convincing choice if most of your plans depend on staying outside.

Think city break, not swimming holiday

The sea averages 14.1°C, which is cold rather than merely refreshing. Even the stated year-to-year range of 13°C to 15°C offers little reason to expect comfortable swimming. A warm afternoon should not be taken as a sign that the water will feel warm too. For most travellers, time by the sea makes more sense with clothes on and a layer handy than with swimming as the main plan. Overall, April is better suited to people who prefer mild conditions and can tolerate wet weather. If warmth carries more weight in your decision, July, August and September are the better-rated months here.