What's the Weather Like in Porto in July
The peak of summer begins with July and thus brings with it more heat, more sunshine and warmer waters to bathe in. This month is also the driest of the calendar year, so don't worry too much about rain, the worst you'll probably get is a 5-minute shower on an early morning, and by noon it will all be dry and sunny again.
Temperature
The average temperature hangs steady at a beautiful 20°C (59°F), with breezy nights at a low end of 15°C. The high average expected is 24°C, so rest assured that your summer holiday in Porto will be wonderful altogether.
Sunshine Hours
The days are long, with up to 11 hours of uninterrupted sunshine, and lower humidity at 71% on average.
Rainfall
This means that rainfall will barely reach a volume of 20mm, and chances of rainy days are as low as 15% on average, spread over a total of 7 days at most.
Wind
Chances of cloudy days are steady at a timid 14% and the chance of windy day's drops to 4%, the lowest of the yearly expected wind movements. The air is generally still, with mellow wind speeds of 4m/s, best felt out on the waters.
Sea Temperature
Speaking of which, the North Atlantic Ocean graces the Tripeiros with an ongoing average water temperature of 17°C (63°F), good enough for splashing and swimming around. The shallow entrances of Foz and Villa Nova da Gaia tend to be warmer than deeper waters, but either way the ocean is perfect if your intention is to cool off in between sunbathing sessions.
Most importantly, do not forget to pack some SPF protection while the temperatures are great for basking in the sun and enjoying a smooth July breeze by the shore, the best way to take in the natural vitamin D without the damage of ultraviolet radiation is by making sure that your skin has at least minimal protection during exposure to the sun.
If you're looking for a weather forecast for Porto, you are advised to visit this page.
Hotels for Porto in July
Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa
July is also a good month to start spoiling yourself in terms of Porto hotels. Clearly you're looking at the beginning of the peak season in Portuguese tourism, but the prices are actually better than other popular European destinations. Ideally, you can book yourself a splendid double suite at the Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa for just £73 per night for couples this is a deal usually available if you book at least 6 months in advance. The Sheraton is a renowned 5-star complex, featuring a prestigious décor and top level service, as well as a modern spa and fine dining restaurant with a glass wine cellar.
The design guest rooms are decorated with a mix of wood, steel and glass furnishings, complete with a minibar, sitting area, en suite bathrooms with tub. The spa alone holds 8 different treatment rooms, an indoor pool and yoga studio, as well as a relaxation area and juice bar. You can also enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine at the Porto Novo restaurant, a drink at the lobby piano bar and some sweet views of the garden.
Intercontinental Porto - Palacio das Cardosas
Another top choice is the Intercontinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas, a 5-star extravaganza with rooms starting at £158 per night. It is a wonderful hotel inside a renovated 18th century palace, its spacious rooms featuring stunning views of Porto's historic Ribeira district, and it's only 200 yards away from the iconic Clerigos Tower. The suites have free Wi-Fi, high ceilings and stylish designs, and they all come fitted with flat screen TVs and marble bathrooms with a tub and walk-in shower.
The executive and junior suites also feature a cozy sitting area with plush chairs, and you will find a 24-hour fitness center boasting the latest equipment and weights. There's also an on-site spa with 3 different treatment rooms and sauna, as well as the sumptuous Restaurant Astoria which serves Portuguese cuisine with a contemporary twist. The Galerias de Paris is also within walking distance.
River Front Oporto House
The River Front Oporto House offers beautiful and charming self-catering apartments from £99 per night during the month of July. It's situated in the historical center of Porto, on the Douro riverbank, within walking distance from the Dom Luis Bridge, giving you easy access to the wonderful Vila Nova de Gaia.
These are modern units housed in a renovated 18th century building, and include a lounge area with sofas and flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and DVD player, as well as a private bathroom with full amenities, and a fully equipped kitchenette. You will certainly appreciate the modern design versus features of exposed stone walls, as well as the view of the Vila Nova de Gaia riverside from the balcony.
Beaches for July for Porto
Vila Nova de Gaia
'Tis the season for beaches and swimming, obviously. And there is no better way of fully enjoying what Porto has to offer than by spending the days in Vila Nova de Gaia, renowned for its diverse landscape, particularly close to the river and ocean front. You'll find anything here from lush woods and meadows, to beautiful gardens with impressive manor houses.
Gaia's Coastline
Most importantly you will find yourself irreparably in love with its stupendous coastline, covered in sandy beaches like Madalena, Lavadores, Miramar and Salgueiros, unspoiled and all proud bearers of the Blue flag, which makes them perfect for good family fun. There was also a considerable amount of investment made in the wooden walkway which runs the full stretch of Gaia's coastline, making it perfect for long walks by the beach. The sand is soft and the ultramarine waters with a not so shallow entrance are perfect for long sunbathing sessions and swimming.
There is also a marina, recently built for a variety of luxury boats, so you can feast your eyes on the breathtaking view of deep blue waters intensely freckled with white sails and smooth boat designs in shades of white, beige and pale blue. It truly is a sight to behold.
Restaurants and Bars for Porto in July
SHIKO - Tasca Japonesa
You probably know by now that Porto does not shy away from dazzling both its residents and visitors with phenomenal food around every single corner, taking you on a round the world culinary voyage, from the intense Portuguese flavors to international and contemporary twists. An excellent example of how Porto is so adept at replicating the fabulous tastes of the world is the SHIKO Tasca Japonesa, a small but fierce Japanese restaurant which specializes in fresh sushi and other Japanese delights. Note that the fish comes fresh from local waters, and is lovingly wrapped in delicious rice and algae, topped with original wasabi and a hearty soy sauce, just the way you will find it in any Tokyo eatery.
As 7 Maravilhas
As 7 Maravilhas should be the next stop on your foodie map over here they serve true wonders of the world, and lucky for you, it's not only seven of them here! You'll find anything from fusion to International and Diner style cuisine, as well as some excellent vegetarian dishes. All their ingredients are locally sourced and the chefs pay extra attention to detail and plate presentation, so make sure you have your smartphone ready for some cool food pics.
O Comercial
O Comercial is a unique opportunity to dine and wine at a stock exchange, as this famous restaurant is integrated in Porto's renowned stock exchange building. It's a sophisticated but laidback venue which is a popular destination for the suits, so we do recommend less casual attire for this place it is worth it though, since you get to eat some truly exceptional Portuguese dishes with modern trends inside one of Porto's most iconic buildings. The design incorporates traditional glazed tiles and imposing architecture with some sleek seating clusters and very modern accessories much like its menu, O Comercial is a fascinating mix between traditional and contemporary, down to the very last line.
Industria
When the night falls and the sky is riddled with myriads of stars and pearly moon, make your way down to Industria, Oporto's top club and trendiest nighttime destination. Over 1000 people walk through its doors every night, most of them aged below 40, and the resident and well-known guest DJs spin everything from drum'n'bass to reggae, house and electro music.
Things to Do in Porto in July
Serralves Festival
Currently established as one of Portugal's biggest festivals of contemporary art, the Serralves Festival started in 2004 and takes places every July, over the course of one weekend, encompassing over 40 hours of non-stop music, film, theatre, lectures and art exhibits. There will be some interesting food stalls scattered around the place, so don't worry too much about packing a lunch for this one, just make sure you attend, it's an absolute delight for art and music lovers worldwide!
Cais de Gaia
July is a perfect month to enjoy the view of the city's postcard skyline and the birthplace of one of the world's most famous wine: the intense and dark red Port. By this we mean that you most certainly have to visit Cais de Gaia, as it's virtually impossible not to stop and simply stare at the stunning city scape sprinkled with boats and the majestic Ponte de Dom Luis. Besides, this is where you find some of Porto's finest wineries, cafes and terraces, with all kinds of shops and boutiques hidden in between. It's particularly beautiful in the summertime, when people from all over the world come see the splendors of Gaia, making it a hot spot from morning until late at night.
Boat Tours
Summertime is also perfect for taking one of Porto's popular boat tours down the Douro River these can last from an hour to several days, taking you all the way up to Regua or Pinhao. This is the perfect opportunity to admire some of the best sights that northern Portugal has to offers, as its diverse photography has made it into a Mecca for photographers and travelers worldwide.
Foz do Douro
And if you really want to spoil yourself or your significant other, make your way to Foz do Douro, the city's posh side of town, a district rattled by high end boutiques, cafes and terraces, art galleries and some pretty fancy fashion stores, where the top brands can be found. You will find yourself surrounded by beaches, beautiful pathways and piers which offer absolutely stunning view of the North Atlantic Ocean and the sumptuous riverside of Foz.
