September is a month of transition in Portugal. Summer is still very much present, especially in the Algarve, but the rhythm of everyday life begins to change. Holidaymakers start to leave, children return to school, and families settle back into their routines.
It is also a wonderful month for experiencing Portuguese culture. From the grape harvest and wine traditions to food festivals, local celebrations and the changing seasons, September offers plenty to discover.
In this guide, you’ll discover what September is like in Portugal, learn about the return to school, explore the Feira da Dieta Mediterrânica in Tavira, and discover some of the important dates and traditions associated with the month.
- 🌤️ Weather in Portugal in September
- 🍅 Feira da Dieta Mediterrânica in Tavira
- 🎒 Back to School in Portugal
- 🍇 September and the Grape Harvest
- 🍷 10 September – Dia do Vinho do Porto
- 🚗 22 September – Dia Europeu Sem Carros
- 🍂 22 or 23 September – The Beginning of Autumn
- 🎉 Other September Festivals
- 🇵🇹 Portuguese Vocabulary for September
- FAQs About September in Portugal
🌤️ Weather in Portugal in September
September is still a warm month in Portugal, particularly in the south. The days can remain very hot, but temperatures are usually more comfortable than during the height of summer.
Average temperatures:
- North (Porto, Braga): 14–25°C
- Central (Lisboa): 17–28°C
- South (Algarve): 19–29°C
In the Algarve, September can still feel like summer, with plenty of warm and sunny days and sea temperatures that remain pleasant for swimming. Towards the end of the month, however, you may begin to notice cooler evenings and the occasional change in the weather.
September can also bring some rain, particularly as the month progresses. This is one of the first signs that Portugal is moving towards autumn after the long, dry summer.
Is September a good time to visit Portugal?
For many people, September is one of the best months to visit Portugal.
- Warm but generally more comfortable temperatures
- Fewer tourists than in August
- Warm sea temperatures
- Plenty of sunshine
- Local festivals and cultural events
- The beginning of the grape harvest
September gives you many of the pleasures of summer without quite the same intensity as July and August. It can be an excellent time to explore Portugal, particularly if you want warm weather without the peak summer crowds.
🍅 Feira da Dieta Mediterrânica in Tavira
One of the highlights of September in my hometown of Tavira is the Feira da Dieta Mediterrânica, a major celebration of Mediterranean culture, food and traditions.
The fair takes place in the historic centre of Tavira and celebrates the Mediterranean Diet as a living cultural tradition. The Mediterranean Diet was recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, with Tavira representing Portugal as part of the multinational heritage.
The event brings together food, music, traditions and people. Visitors can enjoy:
- Local and Mediterranean food
- Cooking workshops and demonstrations
- Traditional music and dancing
- Markets and local producers
- Exhibitions and cultural activities
- Activities celebrating Mediterranean traditions and ways of life
The fair is more than a food festival. It celebrates conviviality, sharing, local products, tradition and community – all important parts of Mediterranean culture.
In 2026, the Feira da Dieta Mediterrânica took place from 3 to 6 September, with free entry.
For anyone learning European Portuguese, it’s also a fantastic place to hear Portuguese being used in a real cultural setting and to discover vocabulary connected with food, cooking, agriculture and everyday life.
🎒 Back to School in Portugal
September also marks the return to school for children and young people across Portugal. After the long summer holidays, families begin getting back into their normal routines.
The new school year usually begins in September, with the exact start date varying by school and level of education. But in general, public schools begin the first term around the 15th of September.
For Portuguese families, this means buying school supplies, organising timetables, preparing school bags and getting used to early mornings again. You may also hear the phrase regresso às aulas, meaning “back to school”.
The return to school is also a noticeable change in the atmosphere of Portuguese towns. After the busy summer holiday period, streets and cafés become filled with people following their normal routines again.
For language learners, September is a useful time to learn vocabulary connected with school, routines and daily life.
Useful vocabulary:
- as aulas – classes/lessons
- a escola – school
- o ano letivo – school year
- o material escolar – school supplies
- a mochila – school bag/rucksack/backpack
- o regresso às aulas – back to school
🍇 September and the Grape Harvest
September is also the beginning of vindimas – the grape harvest. Across Portugal’s wine-producing regions, grapes are collected and taken to the wineries where they begin their transformation into wine.
The grape harvest is particularly important in regions such as the Douro, where the landscape is closely connected to wine production. September and October are popular months for wine tourism, when visitors can experience the harvest and learn more about Portuguese wine traditions.
Harvest traditions can include picking grapes by hand, transporting them to the winery and, in some traditional settings, pisar as uvas – treading the grapes.
September is therefore a particularly good month for discovering vocabulary related to agriculture, wine and Portuguese food culture.
🍷 10 September – Dia do Vinho do Porto
10 September is celebrated as Dia do Vinho do Porto – Port Wine Day.
Port wine is one of Portugal’s most famous products and is closely associated with the Douro Valley and the city of Porto.
September is an especially appropriate time to explore Portugal’s wine traditions, as the grape harvest is taking place in many wine-producing regions.
🚗 22 September – Dia Europeu Sem Carros
Dia Europeu Sem Carros, or European Car Free Day, takes place on 22 September. The initiative encourages people to leave their cars at home and explore alternative ways of getting around, such as walking, cycling and public transport.
It is a useful opportunity for Portuguese learners to discover vocabulary related to transport, cities and the environment.
🍂 22 or 23 September – The Beginning of Autumn
The equinócio de outono, or autumn equinox, usually takes place on 22 or 23 September. It marks the astronomical beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
In Portuguese, autumn is o outono. Although September can still feel very much like summer in Portugal, the days gradually become shorter, and temperatures begin to fall as the season progresses.
The autumn equinox is therefore a lovely opportunity to learn the names of the seasons in Portuguese:
- a primavera – spring
- o verão – summer
- o outono – autumn
- o inverno – winter
🎉 Other September Festivals
September is also a month of traditional festivals and harvest celebrations across Portugal.
- Feiras Novas – Ponte de Lima: Held in honour of Nossa Senhora das Dores, this famous celebration combines religious traditions, folklore, music and popular festivities. In 2026, it takes place from 9 to 14 September.
- Feira das Colheitas – Arouca: A long-running harvest festival featuring fairs, concerts, exhibitions, folklore, children’s activities and plenty of food. In 2026, it takes place from 24 to 27 September.
- Festa das Vindimas – Madeira: The grape harvest is celebrated in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos with traditional festivities, gastronomy and music.
These celebrations show that September isn’t simply the end of summer. It is also a month of harvests, traditions, food and community across Portugal.
🇵🇹 Portuguese Vocabulary for September
Here are some useful words and expressions connected with September in Portugal:
- o setembro – September
- o outono – autumn
- o equinócio – equinox
- a vindima – grape harvest
- as uvas – grapes
- o vinho – wine
- a escola – school
- o ano letivo – school year
- o regresso às aulas – back to school
- a feira – fair / festival
- a colheita – harvest
- a dieta mediterrânica – Mediterranean Diet
If you’re learning European Portuguese, September gives you a wonderful mix of vocabulary connected with school, food, wine, festivals, seasons and everyday Portuguese life.