The best time of year to shoot in Portugal

The most common question we get after "how much" is "when". Portugal is a year-round production country, and that is exactly why the answer deserves more than "summer".

Spring (March to May)

Our favourite season for most briefs. Everything is green, the light is clean, temperatures are comfortable for crew and talent, and the beaches are empty on weekdays. Easter and May bank holidays affect availability for a few days. Wildflowers in the Alentejo in April are a location in themselves. Expect occasional showers in March; by May the weather is reliable.

Early summer (June)

Long days, warm sea, cities full of energy. Lisbon's June festivals bring colour and noise – wonderful for some stories, a scheduling factor for others, as streets in the old neighbourhoods fill up at night. Still before the peak tourist crowds and prices.

High summer (July and August)

Hot, dry and bright, with the hardest light of the year at midday. Coastal towns and beaches are busy, hotels are at their most expensive and many local businesses close for holidays in August. It works for sun-drenched summer campaigns if you shoot early and late and accept crowds in the frame or control them. Inland it is genuinely hot.

Early autumn (September and October)

The second sweet spot. The sea is at its warmest, the light softens again, tourists thin out after mid-September and crews are fresh from the summer. September in particular gives you summer looks without summer problems. October brings the first Atlantic fronts to the north, while the Algarve and Alentejo stay warm.

Late autumn and winter (November to February)

Mild compared with northern Europe, with more rain and variable skies. The reward is dramatic light, big Atlantic surf, empty locations and the best rates of the year. Winter is when we shoot moody coastal and architectural work, as well as spring-summer fashion that needs to be ready early. The Algarve and Madeira stay green and shootable throughout.

Things that do not depend on the season

• Sunrise and sunset times swing by hours between June and December; we build schedules around them.
• Public holidays and local saints' days close offices and change traffic.
• Big events – festivals, marathons, visiting fleets – take over cities for a weekend.
• Permit lead times are the same in January as in July, so the calendar starts when the brief does.

Our short answer

For most commercial and fashion work: late April to mid-June, or September to mid-October. For drama, surf and architecture: November to February. For summer campaigns: shoot in June or September and sell it as August.

Tell us your dates and we will say honestly whether they are the right ones.