What's the Weather Like in Porto in April
Unlike March, April experiences a bit more rain, as well as a bit more warmth along with a further bloom of flora everywhere, both in and around the city. This is a very good month for having picnics in the park or walking down the Ribeira district alleys, wher the trees are bursting with green and colourful petals.
Temperature
The average temperature is 13°C (55°F), particularly in the first and second week of the month. The nights stay cool, recording low average of 9°C, slightly better than the previous month, while the warmer sunny days encounter up to 17°C as a high average. The days get significantly longer as well, with up to 8 hours of sunshine, and chances of bright sunny days increase to 27% on average.
Humidity and Rainfall
Humidity is constant at 75%, which favors consistent showers over 15 cumulated days at a volume of up to 100mm. Chances of full on rainy days drop gently to 43%, which means you're more likely to get mixed days with sun and rain rather than consistently gloomy days so it might be worth checking the forecast.
Clouds
Chances of cloudy days drop to 14%, which clearly favors clear and gloriously sunny skies, a good sign that summer is slowly making its way back into Porto.
Wind
Wind speeds stay heady at 5m/s, and chances of windy days drop to 12% on average, as the warmer currents from the south and southeast begin to flow freely in anticipation of an oncoming summer.
Sea Temperature
The gorgeous North Atlantic Ocean also cranks it up by one degree, its average temperature hanging gently at 15°C (59°F). While we don't normally advise swimming during this time of the year, those bold enough to do so are free to give it a try. On the other side, this is a good time to start practicing your surfboard skills, so pack up the neoprene and maintain a steady supply of hot drinks if you're looking to take a surfing trip to Porto in April, where the waves on certain parts of the coast are just great for training.
Hotels for Porto in April
HF Ipanema Park
April is a good month to experience the perks of 5 and 4-star treatments for lower prices. The weather is gracious enough to make your stay in Porto enjoyable, and the hotels are yet to enter their peak season period. For example, you can book yourself into a sweet double room at the splendid 5-star HF Ipanema Park just £56 per night! The Ipanema sports an outdoor swimming pool, a beautiful rooftop bar with view of Porto and the Douro River, and it's only half a mile away from the Serralves Museum and Garden.
It offers a variety of rooms and suites, all of them featuring cable TV (including sport channels), minibar, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. You can certainly enjoy a good meal at the Jardin d'Inverno Restaurant or a snack at the Twin Trees snack bar. The seaside area of Foz de Douro is only a 5 minute drive away, and most importantly, you get access to the hotel's on-site gym, racquetball court, and you can even book massage sessions in the privacy of your own room.
Cale Guesthouse
The Cale Guesthouse is situated in the heart of Porto, and it offers modern and brightly colored rooms, complete with air conditioning and patio or balcony for your personal enjoyment. It's only minutes' walk from Ribeira's historic monuments and landmark buildings, and each of Cale's rooms feature stylish décor with wooden parquet flooring, white painted walls and large French-style doors which open out to breathtaking views of the city.
They all feature flat screen TVs, en suite bathrooms decorated with lovely mosaic tiles, and there's a daily breakfast buffet available with homemade cakes and jams, along with a very chic communal lounge, a furnished terrace and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown
Another good place to try is the 4-star Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown, which offers stunning suites for £68 per night for couples, and has even better deals for a longer stay. It's a recently renovated hotel in the heart of the Ribeira district of Porto, featuring the classy Panoramic Bar with live music and scenic views from its deck; it also houses the Alem-Mar Restaurant, which specializes in traditional Portuguese cuisine and features a beautiful tiled wall created by Julio Resende, a famous contemporary Portuguese artist.
There's a 24-hour front desk service available which organizes city wide excursions and car rentals for its guests. The rooms are decorated with warm colors and modern furniture, and are fitted with air conditioning, the unmissable minibar, satellite TV and en suite bathroom.
Beaches for April for Porto
As we previously specified, it's not exactly the best time for swimming, or even splashing around by the shore, unless you are very brave and undisturbed by the cool water temperature. However, with April being more generous in sunshine and warmth, it's a good time to pack a picnic and enjoy a glass of wine somewhere on the beaches of Porto.
Praia Castelo do Queijo
This month's pick is Praia Castelo do Queijo, a beautiful slice of golden sand overlooking the deep blue waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Fort of Sao Francisco Xavier stands tall and proud as the silent guardian of this stunning stretch of natural sand, a quiet companion to anyone looking to inhale the salty ocean air and revel in the sunshine of April.
Restaurants and Bars for Porto in April
Taberna dos Mercadores
A wonderful and cozy restaurant is Taberna dos Mercadores, which offers a taste of the local flavors, accentuated by excellent and friendly service and an impressive selection of Portuguese wines. The meat is prepared with extra love and attention, and often complemented by fresh and locally grown ingredients.
Bacalhau
For the serious foodies out there, we can happily recommend Bacalhau, its choice of name carrying a very important cultural meaning. The bacalhau is a salted cod specialty is a dish which comes in hundreds of varieties and with so many different ingredients. This particular dish is a delight to the senses in any of its combinations, and this exact feature is what makes its namesake restaurant resemble it so well. The Bacalhau is situated right next to the Douro River and offers a truly relaxed dining experience with a menu rich in cod and other fish specialties.
ACT
For the fun, drinks and dancing part of your nights in Porto, you should definitely make your way down to ACT, a club known for its exuberant events related to fashion, music and the arts. Its resident DJs make a fine job of playing the best tunes in house, pop and hip hop, catering to a predominantly young, hip and slightly artsy crowd.
Hot Five
For a smooth evening in the company of friends or your significant other, you can definitely try the Hot Five, a jazz and blues bar dedicated to real music fans. It often puts together live music acts, before and after which you can relax with a glass of Port wine or whiskey on the rocks, accompanied by a very cool soundtrack. Wednesdays are particularly busy for their jam sessions.
Things to Do in Porto in April
Rua Miguel Bombarda
With the weather getting just better and better in April, it's a good time to go sightseeing all over the marvelous city of Porto. You absolutely must take a long walk down the Art Galleries Street, Rua Miguel Bombarda, a wonderful collection of art galleries showcasing both local and international artists from all genres traditionally classic and impressionist to bold contemporary and rejuvenated art nouveau, with splashes of cubism and expressionism along the way. All the artwork is for sale, and more often than not, it's recommended that you buy your art before the summer season starts, when prices tend to go up on account of the tourist wave.
Bolhao Market
If you want to check the pulse of the old Oporto and revel in artisanal delights, get a taste of fresh local produce and a cup of freshly brewed coffee, visit the multifaceted Bolhao Market, Porto's main open market, bustling daily with street vendors from all parts of the city, as well as from the surrounding organic farms. This is where you go for natural and untainted ingredients for your home-cooked meals, if you're a self-respecting gourmand, basically. It's also a good place to shop for all sorts of knick knacks.
Avenida dos Aliados
And since you're already out and about, grab your camera and spend a whole sunny day browsing through the shops and cafes of Avenida dos Aliados, the monumental heart of the city, where you can simply take a seat at one of its many terraces and simply watch the world go by. There is nothing better than the simplicity and elegance of Baroque facades, majestic historical buildings and modern days cafes coming together to give you an unforgettable experience of Porto.
Se Cathedral
Don't forget to visit Se Cathedral, also known as the Porto Cathedral, proudly hailed by the city's residents from early morning until the sun sets behind its magnificent structure. This is a Romanesque Cathedral built in the 12th century, one of the city's oldest buildings, and a wonderful sight to behold, both on the outside and on the inside.
