What's the Weather Like in Porto in October
October marks the beginning of a short and mild autumn, consisting mostly of a mélange of bright, sunny days and grey and rainy periods in between.
Temperature
The average temperature drops by a couple of degrees to 16°C (61°F), a drop best felt towards the third and particularly the fourth week of the month, as November draws near. The average low is a cool 12°C, which is not too cold, but is often accentuated during the night by the shifting ocean breeze, and is sometimes felt during rainy days as well. The expected average high is a good 20°C, which makes the sunny days still an absolute delight to be out and about in Porto.
Sunshine Hours
Chances of sunny days slowly descend to 24% on average, with up to 5 hours of sunshine in the day.
Rainfall
Humidity increases to 80% on average, which favors the formation and onset of rain. Rainfall reaches an augmented volume of 160mm, a good double compared to October's predecessor, summery September. It spreads over up to 15 cumulated days, and chances of rain jump to 47% on average.
Clouds
Chances of plain cloudy days rise to 20% on average, and the winds begin to shift as well, giving way to colder northern currents rather than the southern African warm winds.
Wind
Chances of windy days also increase to 20%, significantly more than in the previous month, but the wind speeds only gain an extra unit, at 5m/s.
Sea Temperature
Unfortunately the time for ocean baths has pretty much gone away until the next year, but if you're brave you can still dip in the water. The North Atlantic comes down by a degree to 17°C (64°F), which is still ok for a quick dip maybe, and particularly good for surfing, given the autumn tides and shifting winds. You can still enjoy a walk on the beach or a picnic on the coastline on the warmer sunny days, but we do recommend bringing an umbrella due to the increased chances of precipitations.
If you're looking for a weather forecast for Porto, you are advised to visit this page.
Hotels for Porto in October
Pestana Palacio do Freixo - Pousade & National Monument
This is a good time to start taking advantage of some of the hotel deals. With the holiday season drawing to an end, Porto hotel prices tend to go significantly go down, particularly for weekend packages. You can certainly book a gorgeous suite at Pestana Palacio do Freixo Pousade & National Monument, for £132 per night. This is a stunning 18th century Baroque building, featuring impressive and stately architecture.
The rooms come into contrast with a modern design, fitted with free Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, air conditioning and lounge area, as well as en suite bathrooms with luxurious amenities. You will find lounge chairs by the hotel's infinity pool which overlooks the Douro River, and the spa comes with a Turkish bath, massage treatments and heated indoor pool with sauna.
Fine Arts Guesthouse
The Fine Arts Guesthouse is an excellent choice for October, with just £49 per night for couples, and its obvious connection with the fine arts doesn't stop at the name. This hotel features contemporary design furniture and art pieces, both original and reproductions of 20th century masterpieces. This is a central property with a green garden and a sun terrace, with spacious rooms fitted with air conditioning, living room area and a fully equipped kitchenette. A scrumptious continental breakfast is served in the lounge every morning.
Hotel Sao Jose
Another great option is the Hotel Sao Jose, a 3-star delight with rooms going for £64 per night. It was chosen as Hotel of the Year 2014 by several notable booking websites and for good reason too. It's situated on the lovely Rua da Alegria in the heart of the Ribeira District, and it's only a 5 minute walk from the bustling Bolhao Market and the popular shopping avenue of Rua Santa Caterina. It features spacious guestrooms with traditional furnishings and satellite TV, minibar, air conditioning and even a balcony. City wide tours and excursions can be easily organized at Sao Jose's front desk reception.
Beaches for October for Porto
Viana do Castelo and Caminha
You can easily jump in a rental car or simply board a train and go up to Viana do Castelo and Caminha. The gorgeous Arda Beach in Viana, also known as Afife, has been a top surfing destination since the 1970s, when the sport made its way into Portugal. There is a wide variety of waves that roll over here, thanks to good winds and some very strong currents.
Moledo Beach
Moledo Beach in Caminha also has some quality waves thanks to a sandbank formed by the Minho River. This particular stretch of sand comes with a breathtaking landscape which includes the mountain of Santa Tecla, of neighboring Spain. You will want to pay attention to the current that sometimes takes hold at the mouth of the river, but also note that Moledo also offers some excellent windsurfing conditions as well.
Restaurants and Bars for Porto in October
Taberna Sao Pedro
For a classic taste of Porto, Taberna Sao Pedro is probably one of the most relevant options out there. This is a typical Portuguese eatery, a classical tavern with fado music playing all day long, and fish specialties coming out of the kitchen, one plate after another. This is where you will find plump and oily sardines roasted on the sidewalk grills, their smell drawing away from the streets and into this traditional tavern. The food here is always fresh and locally sourced, and the service is friendly, welcoming and of a very high quality altogether.
Caldeireiros
Caldeireiros is renowned for its variety of excellent tapas, specializing in European and Portuguese food. They place a very good accent on grilled specialties, particularly in the meat and fish sector, and their wine bar is essential to any evening when out and about in Porto. Their selection of fortified Port wine alone is great, especially when combined with some of their snacks or cheese platters.
A Sandeira
A Sandeira is a very popular stop not just for tourists but for locals as well, from morning until the evening. This a quaint café in the heart of the city, best known for its abundance of sandwiches and naturally and locally sourced toppings and salad ingredients, as well as their European cuisine and excellent coffee quality. The service is great and the music provides a good atmosphere at any time of the day.
Era Uma Vez No Porto
Era Uma Vez No Porto is a bar/tea house situated on the first floor of a building that is just steps away from the wonderful Lello & Irmao Bookshop. Once Upon a Time in Porto, as the name translates into English, has splendid views of the Clerigos Tower from the balcony, and features 1950s vintage furniture, complete with an edgy vibe and indie rock playing until late in the evening. This is where you come for some of that good Porto wine, as well as a nice selection of cocktails and hot teas.
Things to Do in Porto in October
Douro Valley hike
October is a fine month for hiking through the hills in the nearby Douro Valley, as well as along the multifaceted Atlantic coastline. Trilhos organize great mountain treks for all proficiency levels, and their trips often include mountaineering, rock climbing and exploring the canyons, along other equally exciting outdoor adventures. You fill find that northern Portugal's flora is a wonder to behold particularly in October, when the land is covered in shades of yellow, orange, burnt reds and deep dark green.
Cycling on the hills
The surrounding hills of Porto are actually a good challenge for cycling as well. You'll definitely enjoy taking a bike out, especially if you take one of the guided trips by Blue Dragon Tours, who offer a wicked 3-hour tour that also includes the Sé and the Clerigos Tower. If you're not looking to strain yourself on your holiday though, you can always opt for an electric bike provided by Porto Rent a Bike, perfect for tackling the 43 miles of bike lanes all around the city. Imagine just how wonderful it will be to cycle through the old historical center or by the riverbanks of Douro!
Sightseeing
Alternatively, you can always go on a full sightseeing tour of beautiful Porto, from the magnificent Dom Luis Bridge, all the way to Sao Bento Station, as well as the splendid Avenida dos Aliados. For a more posh experience, you can go to Foz do Douro, Oporto's high end district, riddled with super brand fashion stores, jewelry boutiques and classy restaurants and terraces.
