Portugal

Temperatures in Portugal typically don't dip too low, even in winter the lowest it will get is around 5-10°. In the south, it will generally be warmer than this and winter still allows for some decent cycling days. Summer, on the other hand, can be very hot depending on where you are in the country, with highs soaring into the mid-high 30 degrees Celsius in the south. For this reason, we recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons of late spring/early summer (May or early June) or late summer (late August to September and into October) to avoid the extreme heat. 

Spring 

If you are looking for warmth with fewer crowds this is a great time to visit the Algarve in the country's south. Spring and early summer are also one of the best seasons for festivals. The beginning of April brings Holy Week celebrations as well as the annual Seafood Festival in Lisbon, which is well worth a visit.

Summer 

If the hot summer months of July and August are the only time you can travel, consider visiting the north of Portugal where temperatures don't soar quite as high. Here you'll still be able to enjoy comfortable cycling temperatures whilst also taking to the beach of an afternoon if you are so inclined. Check out the regions of Minho and Douro in the north and Porto, one of Europe’s great cities with its UNESCO World Heritage centre and famed for producing port (as well as some of the best wine in Portugal!). 

Autumn   

September temperatures are ideal for cyclists, but it can still be quite hot in the south. However, it's much more bearable than the height of summer, making it a good time to explore the rugged coastline and white-sand beaches (and beach bars) of the Algarve. In October, temperatures begin to dip across the country, so trips in the north around the Minho and Douro may be too chilly for some, while for others who don't like the heat these regions provide ideal cooler weather. 

1) The nation was founded in 1139, making it the oldest nation-state in Europe, and it's borders haven't changed much since 1297 when the region of the Algarve was handed over to the Portuguese by the Spanish. 

2) Portuguese, spoken by over 220 million people, is the official language of 9 countries; Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Macau, Mozambique, Sāo Tomé and Principe, and is also spoken in Goa in India. 

3) Lisbon, the Portuguese capitol, is home to Livraria Bertrand the oldest book shop (now a chain) in the world, with records dating back to 1732. The first physical shop was destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1755, but the chain of shops remains. 

4) The Portuguese have a rich artistic culture, including a unique genre of music called fado thought to date from the 1820s, though likely much older. Traditionally sung by the working class these melancholy songs, often about the sea or a deep longing are often accompanied by guitar or violin. The genre is also recognised by UNESCO as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage". 

5) Portugal is the world's biggest exporter of cork (approx. 70% of exported cork comes from Portugal) - the mild climate provides ideal growing conditions for cork trees. It is illegal to fell a cork tree without informing the government! 

6) Portugal's colonial empire spanned around 600 years until 1999, making it the oldest in Europe. In the 15-16th centuries during the so called "Age of Discovery". Ferdinand Magellan was the first person to sail around the world, and Bartholomew Diaz sailed around the tip of Africa, naming it the Cape of Good Hope. 

7) Since 1373 Portugal and England have diplomatic allies, making this the world's oldest political alliance. 

8) In 2020 approximately 60% of Portugal's energy needs where fulfilled by renewable sources like wind, solar and wave power, with wind power being the biggest contributor.