What's the Weather Like in Porto in November
The last month of autumn in Porto brings with it more cloudy skies and an equal amount of precipitation, so expect a mixture of both sunny and rainy days if you're planning a holiday during this time of the year.
Temperature
The average temperature drops to a cool 13°C (55°F), which is a natural level for this season in northern Portugal, and a well-felt change from October. The average high temperature also drops to 17°C even on sunnier days. While it may no longer be a good time for short sleeves, it's still quite enjoyable outside. The nights are quite chilly on the other hand, with an average low temperature of 9°C, so the heating in your room will be a definite.
Sunshine Hours
The days also get shorter, with up to just 3 hours of sunshine, and chances of sunny days are lower at an average of 26%. Chances of cloudy days increase to 18%, which overall is not too bad, meaning that there is still a healthy amount of sunshine to enjoy during this month, particularly on the first and second week.
Rainfall
But as December draws near, particularly on the third and fourth week of November, you will notice an increase in chances of rainy days, at 49% on average. Rainfall volume is just slightly lower than October, but remains pretty high, at 150mm on average, spread over a total of 15 days. Humidity is also high at 80%, another typical sign that the wet winter of Porto is certainly on its way.
Wind and Sea Temperature
Winds get cooler as well, with crisp influences from the north and northeast, and wind speeds are average at 5m/s, strong enough for good surfing and sailing conditions. The beautiful North Atlantic Ocean keeps its temperature at 17°C (63°F), which does not encourage much swimming, but the waters are still good for cutting some tubular waves on the rockier parts of the coastline.
If you're looking for a weather forecast for Porto, you are advised to visit this page.
Hotels for Porto in November
Grande Hotel do Porto
The 3-star Grande Hotel do Porto offers beautiful double suites from £77 per night for this period, and it is situated in Porto's central pedestrian zone, in the splendid Ribeira District. It's a 5-minute walk from Sao Bento Station and features a rooftop terraces and a classy Portuguese restaurant. Its rooms are elegantly designed and fitted with a flat screen TV, minibar and an en suite bathroom with a tub and shower.
You can certainly enjoy the romantic atmosphere at Dom Pedro II Restaurant inside the restored ballroom, where they serve authentic Portuguese dishes with locally sourced ingredients. The panoramic views of the Grande Hotel can only be matched by the spa with massage services and fitness center to further enhance your holiday experience.
Porto Trindade Hotel
The 4-star Porto Trindade Hotel offers double rooms for £70 per night for couples, and it's just 150 yards from the Trinidade Station, offering direct connections to Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport. Its trendy suites are spacious and decorated in warm tones, featuring flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms with full amenities. There's a wonderful breakfast buffet served every morning in the Mediterranean themed lounge, and there is also a splendid lounge bar area with access to the rooftop terrace.
Premium Porto Downtown
The Premium Porto Downtown offers great deals of just £53 per night for November, and it is situated in the historical center of Ribeira, only 900 yards from the popular Avenida dos Aliados. It's a modern and tranquil accommodation, with a sun terrace featuring beautiful scenic views, and it sports a total of 56 modern and elegant rooms fitted with air conditioning, flat screen TV, minibar, safe, free Wi-Fi and a work desk. The superior rooms also feature stand-alone bathtubs in their bathrooms.
Beaches for November for Porto
Matosinhos and Foz de Douro
While the time for long sunbathing and swimming sessions is long gone now, you can still visit some of the beautiful beaches that Porto has to offer, as most of them come fitted with wooden walkways and green spaces for joggers and bikers. The Matosinhos and Foz de Douro beaches are excellent examples even in a gloomier November, as they have long stretches of fine golden sand overlooking both the river and the ultramarine Atlantic Ocean.
Vila do Conde Beach
You can also go for a long walk along the Vila do Conde beach, part of a lovely town just 21 miles from Porto, easily accessible via the red Metro Line. Just make sure you alight at Povoa de Varzim if you still want to crash some waves and do some surfing the waves on that side of the coast are great during this time of the year in particular!
Restaurants and Bars for Porto in November
With less time to spend outside or at the beach, you can certainly take more time instead to spend in many of Porto's fabulous restaurants. Given that you happen to be in one of the world's prime gastronomical centers, chances are that any café, corner shop, terrace or restaurant will surprise you with delicious food, often paired with excellent Portuguese wines.
Bufete Fase
A good example is Bufete Fase, where the obvious choice is bound to be the francesinha. This dish is originally from Porto but it has come to define many local cuisines in northern Portugal, as well as further down south. It's essentially a sandwich but it comes in abundant layers of ham, sausage, cheese, roast meat and other local goodies. Bufete Fase is certainly the best place for an authentic francesinha, and its humble and basic décor should not deter you from setting foot inside and experiencing this delicious meal.
D Tonho
D Tonho is the elegant choice if you're looking to get an original Portuguese fine dining experience. Its menu is rich in codfish, lamb, sausage and trout, with much emphasis on flavor and the use of local spices to bring the Portuguese cuisine to a whole new level. The restaurant's décor is also impressive and inviting, sporting fine white tablecloths and splendid views of the Douro River. We must warn you though; you might get slightly addicted to the pork with clams.
Passos Manuel
Live bands and popular DJs draw some impressive crowds to the Passos Manuel, a bar set in an old movie theater of the same name. It's a mix of contemporary and Art Deco designs, and its programs often alternate between live music performances and theatre plays. You can also try the Labirintho, a bar and art gallery rolled into just one venue, bursting with progressive sounds from local artists in a very attractive environment. The place also features a small bar/café area perfect for chats and a rich selection of drinks.
Things to Do in Porto in November
Se Cathedral
November offers both the opportunity to go out and explore the dramatic hillsides around Porto on the sunnier days, as well the opportunity to dive into the local history and culture. One of the places that you must definitely see while in beautiful Oporto is the Sé Cathedral, dating back from the 12th and 13th centuries. Substantial parts of it underwent a serious makeover later in the 18th century, and the façade makes this cathedral resemble a genuine fortress, while the interior is gentler and more artistic. This splendid building features 14th century images of Nossa Senhora da Vandorna, a gothic cloister, a beautiful and intricate silver altar, along with the stunning Sao Vincente Chapel and an absolutely impressive collection of religious sculptures from the 14th and 18th centuries.
Oporto Golf Club
On the bright and sunny days of November you can go play some golf at the Oporto Golf Club laid out in 1890 by British wine exporters, who introduced this game to Portugal. It is considered one of Europe's oldest golf courses and it sports and absolutely gorgeous and scenic historic view. This 18-hole delight was heavily remodeled by course architect Philip Mackenzie Ross in the 1950s and is, to this day, a popular attraction for golf-lovers worldwide.
