7 Hottest Places in Portugal

Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, but there is some variation between regions. The country’s climate is influenced by its position at the southwestern tip of Europe and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The north of the country is cooler, with an average temperature of roughly 15°C (55°F). It is warmer in the south, where the average temperature is approximately 18°C (64°F). The northwest sees the highest rainfall while the southeast receives the least. Portugal is also a very sunny country, getting 2,500 to 3,200 hours of sunshine per year, an average of 4 to 6 hours in winter and 10 to 12 hours in summer. The Algarve gets the most sunshine in Europe. Ready to feel the heat? Here are some of the hottest places in Portugal.

Hottest Places in Portugal

1. Amareleja – Alentejo region

The highest temperatures in Portugal tend to occur inland. The town of Amareleja is one of the hottest places in Europe during the summer, with a high temperature of 47.4°C (117.3 °F) recorded on August 1, 2003. Amareleja is located in the municipality of Moura, in the district of Beja in the Alentejo region. This sleepy town is famous for its hot weather, full-bodied red wines, and a large outdoor thermometer at the local Farmácia. Amareleja also recorded the fifth tighter temperature in Portugal with a record-high of 46.5 °C (115.7 °F) on July 23, 1995.

Hottest month: August 34.4°C (93.9°F)

Average annual temperature: 23°C (73.4°F)

2. Pinhão – Norte region

Located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão rivers, the pretty town of Pinhão claims the title of the second hottest place in Portugal, with a high temperature of 47.0°C (116.6 °F) recorded on July 14, 2022. Pinhão is one of the most popular towns in the Douro Valley and is famous for its wines and vineyards, historic steam train rides and scenic boat tours.

Hottest month: August 27.7°C (82.0°F)

Average annual temperature: 13.5°C (56.3°F)

3. Viana do Alentejo – Alentejo region

The town of Viana do Alentejo claims the title of the third hottest place in Portugal, with a high temperature of 47.0°C (116.6 °F) recorded on August 1, 2003. Located in the District of Évora, Viana do Alentejo is famous for its architectural riches, for example, the Marian shrine of our Lady of Aires, Viana Castle, and the main church of Viana do Alentejo, a temple of 16th-century Manueline architecture.

Hottest month: August 33.7°C (92.7°F)

Average annual temperature: 23°C (73.4°F)

4. Alvega – Centro region

The fourth hottest place in Portugal is the parish of Alvega, which recorded a record-high temperature of 46.8 °C (116.2 °F) on August 4, 2018. Alvega is famous for its ts riverside walks due to the fact that it is located at the Tagus River and the Lampreia River confluence. Due to its location in the Tagus floodplain as well as its far distance from the Mediterranean Sea, Alvega has a very high diurnal temperature variation (the difference between the high and low air temperature during the same day). On 10 July 2021, the nighttime temperature was 10.9 °C (51.6 °F), and it soared to 42.1 °C (107.8 °F) during the daytime.

Hottest month: August 32.2°C (90.0°F)

Average annual temperature: 22.9°C (73.2°F)

5. Santarém – Lisboa region

The fifth hottest place in Portugal is Santarém, a city located on the right bank of the Tagus River, some 65 kilometres (40 miles) northeast of Lisbon. Santarém recorded a record-high temperature of 46.3 °C (115.3 °F) on August 4, 2018 (the same date as Alvega above). The city is located in a fertile wetland and is known for farming and cattle breeding. It is also famous for its many beautiful buildings, including Portugal’s largest and most varied ensemble of gothic churches.

Hottest month: August 31.1°C (88.0°F)

Average annual temperature: 22°C (71.6°F)

6. Lousã – Centro region

Another one of the hottest places in Portugal is Lousã. It recorded a record-high temperature of 46.3 °C (115.3 °F) on July 13, 2022. Apart from its soaring temperatures, Lousã is famous for its natural beauty and features, including the Serra da Lousã mountains and the natural pools in the hills. It is also known for its rich patrimonial and architectural history, for example, the many manors, religious temples and military outposts that dot the landscape.

Hottest month: August 31.8°C (89.2°F)

Average annual temperature: 19°C (66.2°F)

7. Alcácer do Sal – Alentejo region

Rounding out the list of the hottest places in Portugal is Alcácer do Sal. It hit a record-high temperature of 46.2 °C (115.2 °F) on August 4, 2018. This is the same date as Alvega and Santarém above). Alcácer do Sal is famous for its salt production and for the industries derived from curing and fish paste. It is also famous for its statuesque medieval castle.

Hottest month: August 30.8°C (87.4°F)

Average annual temperature: 21°C (70.0°F)