AI-generatedPorto da Cruz at a glance
- Best time
- Jul – Sep
- Warmest month
- Aug · 26°
- Warmest sea
- Sep · 23.7°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,570 h
- Rain a year
- 511 mm
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 220 m
Climate in Porto da Cruz
Porto da Cruz has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 26 °C, while February is the coolest at 17 °C. With around 2,570 hours of sunshine a year, Porto da Cruz is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 9.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Porto da Cruz
The best time to visit Porto da Cruz is from July to September. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from July to October. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, the weather is pleasant all year round. The wettest month is December with 82 mm of precipitation.
Porto da Cruz through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Porto da Cruz in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 18–21 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 7.3 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Porto da Cruz in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 23–26 °C by day
- Sea 22 °C
- 9.3 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days in all
Porto da Cruz in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 20–25 °C by day
- Sea 23 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
Porto da Cruz in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 17–18 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Jul – Oct
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
All year
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Porto da Cruz for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: July – September
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forBeach & swimmingSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 18°
- Midday, 13:00: about 22°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 23°
- Evening, 20:00: about 21°
- Night, 23:00: about 20°
08:1019:36
Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:55–08:43 · evening 19:02–19:51
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:45–07:55 · evening 19:51–20:00
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Porto da Cruz compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 24° at the start of the month to 22° at the end. The sea cools from 23° to 22°. The days get 0.9 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 24° | 22° |
| Night-time low | 18° | 17° |
| Sea | 23° | 22° |
| Daylight | 11.9 h | 10.9 h |
What is the weather like in Porto da Cruz in October?
In October, Porto da Cruz is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 23.0 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 62 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 25 min08:10 – 19:36
- UV index
- 6 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 3 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 14 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 61 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+1offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %67 %
- Seaweight 25 %86 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %52 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %47 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Porto da Cruz
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
August has the better holiday weather in Porto da Cruz: score 98 against 65. In August, days are 3 °C warmer than in October. The sea is about as warm in both months. August has 8 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 65 | 98better |
| Daytime high | 23° | 26° |
| Night-time low | 18° | 19° |
| Sea | 23.0° | 23.4° |
| Sunshine | 6.1 h | 9.1 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 11 | 3better |
| Rainfall | 62 mm | 7 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 3better | 5 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Porto da Cruz month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
26January17° · Sea 19° · 5.0 h
In January, Porto da Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 58 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in January28February17° · Sea 18° · 5.7 h
In February, Porto da Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 18.2 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 55 mm. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in February25March18° · Sea 18° · 6.6 h
In March, Porto da Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 18.0 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 60 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in March32April19° · Sea 19° · 7.1 h
In April, Porto da Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 49 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in April52May21° · Sea 19° · 8.3 h
In May, Porto da Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 19.4 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 28 mm. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in May77June23° · Sea 21° · 9.2 h
In June, Porto da Cruz is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 20.9 °C – refreshing for a swim. With around 9.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 16 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in June93July25° · Sea 22° · 9.7 h
In July, Porto da Cruz is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 22.3 °C – refreshing for a swim. With around 9.7 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in July98August26° · Sea 23° · 9.1 h
In August, Porto da Cruz is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.4 °C – pleasant for swimming. With around 9.1 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 7 mm in total. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in August87September25° · Sea 24° · 7.3 h
In September, Porto da Cruz is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.7 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 25 mm. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in September65October23° · Sea 23° · 6.1 h
In October, Porto da Cruz is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 23.0 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 62 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in October40November20° · Sea 22° · 5.2 h
In November, Porto da Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 21.5 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 65 mm in total. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in November27December18° · Sea 20° · 5.0 h
In December, Porto da Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 19.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 82 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Porto da Cruz.
Porto da Cruz in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Porto da Cruz
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
PleasantOctober: nights around 18°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open. Muggy on about 3 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in February (13°), the warmest in August (19°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from May to December.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 26 | 17° | 14° | 18.9° | 5.0 h | 10 | 58 |
| FebruaryFeb | 28 | 17° | 13° | 18.2° | 5.7 h | 8 | 55 |
| MarchMar | 25 | 18° | 13° | 18.0° | 6.6 h | 11 | 60 |
| AprilApr | 32 | 19° | 14° | 18.5° | 7.1 h | 9 | 49 |
| MayMay | 52 | 21° | 15° | 19.4° | 8.3 h | 7 | 28 |
| JuneJun | 77 | 23° | 17° | 20.9° | 9.2 h | 4 | 16 |
| JulyJul | 93 | 25° | 19° | 22.3° | 9.7 h | 2 | 4 |
| AugustAug | 98 | 26° | 19° | 23.4° | 9.1 h | 3 | 7 |
| SeptemberSep | 87 | 25° | 19° | 23.7° | 7.3 h | 8 | 25 |
| OctoberOct | 65 | 23° | 18° | 23.0° | 6.1 h | 11 | 62 |
| NovemberNov | 40 | 20° | 16° | 21.5° | 5.2 h | 11 | 65 |
| DecemberDec | 27 | 18° | 15° | 19.9° | 5.0 h | 11 | 82 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
32.77° N, 16.83° W · 220 m · Atlantic/Madeira
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Porto da Cruz
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 22.5 – 23.4 °C
Swimming season: Jun – Nov
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Porto da Cruz ranges from 18.0 °C in March to 23.7 °C in September. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to November.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in September, while the air already peaks in August. From November to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in September, eight out of ten years were between 23.2 and 24.4 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 18.9° | 18.1° | 19.5° | fresh |
| FebruaryFeb | 18.2° | 17.5° | 18.8° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 18.0° | 17.3° | 18.6° | fresh |
| AprilApr | 18.5° | 17.9° | 19.1° | fresh |
| MayMay | 19.4° | 18.7° | 20.1° | fresh |
| JuneJun | 20.9° | 20.1° | 22.0° | refreshing |
| JulyJul | 22.3° | 21.6° | 23.0° | refreshing |
| AugustAug | 23.4° | 22.6° | 24.2° | pleasant |
| SeptemberSep | 23.7° | 23.2° | 24.4° | pleasant |
| OctoberOct | 23.0° | 22.5° | 23.4° | pleasant |
| NovemberNov | 21.5° | 20.9° | 22.2° | refreshing |
| DecemberDec | 19.9° | 19.1° | 20.5° | fresh |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Porto da Cruz
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 6.1 of 11.4 hours of daylight in Porto da Cruz, 54 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain
Rain in Porto da Cruz: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Porto da Cruz has about 11 rainy days with 62 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Porto da Cruz
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 6 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 11).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 25 min
- Fair skin
- about 30 min
- Light brown skin
- about 40 min
- Olive skin
- about 50 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & clouds
Wind and clouds in Porto da Cruz
How breezy and how cloudy Porto da Cruz is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Porto da Cruz typically peaks at 14 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 61 % of the sky over Porto da Cruz: variable cloud, with about 6.1 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat & humidity
Heat and humidity in Porto da Cruz
How often the day gets hot in Porto da Cruz (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Porto da Cruz has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 23 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Planning a trip to Porto da Cruz
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Porto da Cruz in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Porto da Cruz has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 96) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 27).
- 30
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 57
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 21 °C by day
- Sea 20 °C
- 8.5 h of sun a day
- 7 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 96
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 26 °C by day
- Sea 23 °C
- 9.3 h of sun a day
- 2 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
- 65
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 23 °C by day
- Sea 23 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
- 27
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 18 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 5.0 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 3 h 30 min
- Distance
- 2,470 km
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: Portugal
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Portuguese
- Sockets
- Type C, F · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +351
- Emergency number
- 112
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Porto da Cruz compared
Put Porto da Cruz side by side with another destination.
Porto da Cruz vs Santana
In October Porto da Cruz has the better holiday weather (score 65 vs 56). During the day Santana is 1 °C cooler than Porto da Cruz. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Porto da Cruz | Santana |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 65 | 56 |
| Daytime high | 23° | 22° |
| Sea | 23° | 23° |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 11 | 11 |
| Best time | Jul – Sep | Jul – Aug |
Through the year
Best places in the country
Portugal in October: the best places
In October, Porto da Cruz ranks 17 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
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- 6Funchal23°23°74
- 7Machico24°23°72
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- 17Porto da CruzThis page23°23°65
Places nearby
Near Porto da Cruz
Other destinations close by.
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Places with a climate like Porto da Cruz
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Porto da Cruz's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Porto da Cruz
When is the best time to visit Porto da Cruz?
The best time to visit Porto da Cruz is from July to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Porto da Cruz?
The sea temperature in Porto da Cruz ranges from 18.0 °C in March to 23.7 °C in September. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to November.
Can you swim in Porto da Cruz in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 23.0 °C – pleasant for swimming.
What is the warmest month in Porto da Cruz?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 26 °C and nights around 19 °C. February is the coolest month at 17 °C.
When does it rain most in Porto da Cruz?
The wettest month is December with 82 mm of precipitation. The driest month is July with 4 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Porto da Cruz get?
Porto da Cruz gets around 2,570 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 9.7 hours a day; in January there are 5.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Porto da Cruz in?
Porto da Cruz is on UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Porto da Cruz?
A nonstop flight from London to Porto da Cruz takes about 3 h 30 min, for a straight-line distance of about 2,470 km.
Which school holidays are best for Porto da Cruz?
Porto da Cruz has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 96) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 27). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 30, May half-term 57, summer holidays 96, October half-term 65, Christmas holidays 27.