Weather by Month and Things to Do in São Jacinto, Aveiro

With that in mind, what kind of weather can you expect when you visit São Jacinto, Aveiro? Its unique location between the lagoon and the ocean makes São Jacinto a magnet for couples looking to spend a romantic weekend, digital nomads looking for peace and quiet, families with a knack for exploring and adventure, and active seniors who enjoy being out and about close to nature.

So what's the best time to visit? Which sightseeing and other activities, indoors and outdoors, are recommended for the time of your visit? And where to stay in São Jacinto?

Best Seasons to Visit São Jacinto and Aveiro

The Warm Season

The warm (never really hot) season lasts for roughly three and a half months, from mid-June to the end of September, with a daily high temperature above 22°C / 72°F on average. The warmest month of the year in Aveiro is August, which brings an average high of 24°C / 75°F and low of 15°C / 75°F.

Over the summer months, São Jacinto's built-in air conditioning - the breeze from the Atlantic - comforts visitors, many of whom flee the scorching heat in southern Spain and Italy during the peak summer season.

The Cooler Season

The cool-ish (never really "cold") season spans more than three months, from the second half of November to usually around the first week of March. During this period, the average daily high temperature is below 16°C / 61°F. The coldest month in Aveiro is January, with an average low of 5°C / 41°F and an average high of 14°C / 57°F.

Think "mild, rarely wild": moderate Mediterranean climate all year, in the colder season combined with warm drizzle for a few days, on and off, and the occasional Atlantic storm that can pack a punch. Lots of sunshine, occasional rain, a few thunderstorms, dense fog, crisp mornings, balmy nights: weather-wise, this small fishing community has it all - almost.

Because to enjoy ice and snow in winter or for skiing, you'd have to drive inland, up into the Serra da Estrela mountains. That's not exactly a lure for most visitors São Jacinto attracts during winter. After all, even in winter, São Jacinto offers bright sunshine without a cloud in the blue sky for days in a row, over sandy beaches and dunes that stretch all the way to the horizon.

São Jacinto and Aveiro: Weather by Month with Tips for Activities

What kind of weather can you expect when you arrive? What to do in São Jacinto and Aveiro during your visit? Here's an overview by month, with tips for sights and activities.

Because the weather in Aveiro is predominantly mild and pleasant, you'll find it easy to mix and match many of the recommended sights and activities below to match your travel itinerary and preferences. January 2024, for example, saw a whole week of warm and sunny spring-like days, with many locals and visitors flocking to the area's beaches.

January: Crisp and Cool

January in São Jacinto tends to be colder on average, with highs around 14°C / 57°F. It's perfect for a brisk walk on the Praia de São Jacinto beach, watching contestants in the Aveiro Bodyboard Invitational, or taking a morning bike ride along the Aveiro estuary, followed by a visit to the cozy Progresso bakery and café.

Winter guests and locals alike also take a ferry ride and join the São Gonçalinho festivities in downtown Aveiro across the Ria. They take place in the Beira-Mar neighborhood (next to the São Gonçalinho Chapel) in early January.

The program includes afternoon and evening rock concerts on the Rossio Square that warm you up quickly on a winter day. Bring an umbrella: it will be raining "cavacas" (dry-hard cakes coated with sugar) from the top of the chapel.

February: A Hint of Spring

February is slightly warmer, with temperatures nudging up to 15°C / 59°F and higher occasionally. This month is ideal for extended hikes through the Dunas Natural Reserve. Visitors also enjoy soaking in some sun on one of the restaurant or bar patios along São Jacinto's fishing harbor promenade.

Rain in the forecast? Plan an excursion to downtown Aveiro with a tour of the Aveiro City Museum or  visit Ílhavo and enjoy the newest exhibit at the modern Maritime Museum and Codfish Aquarium. Both provide ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the region's rich cultural roots and seafaring traditions, elements of which can be traced back to the Phoenicians about 3,000 years ago.

March: Bloom Around the Lagoon

In March, temperatures average 17°C / 62.6°F. Flowers bloom around the Aveiro lagoon, a colorful invitation for locals and guests alike to venture outdoors again and shed the extra pounds accumulated over the winter. Temperatures are ideal for hiking and biking.

São Jacinto visitors with small children find several playgrounds within easy walking distance from Casa dos Jacintos. Are you venturing into the city? Aveiro welcomes its youngest visitors with downtown playyards at the Rossio Square, the Forum shopping arcade, and its largest green space, the city park.

March can still see a fair amount of rain, so having a Plan B ready for rainy days is advised. Need insider tips for exploring on a rainy day? Ask the host of your vacation rental in São Jacinto or the front desk team at your Aveiro hotel or holiday rental. They will be happy to help.

April: Mild and Pleasant

April offers mild weather, around 18°C / 64.4°F. This is an excellent month for exploring the region's cultural spots, biking and birding around the Ria de Aveiro, or excursions to nearby Porto and Coimbra (~ 45 min. by train from Aveiro).

Birdwatchers flock to the Dunas de São Jacinto Nature Reserve. Its boardwalks and viewpoints provide year-round unique opportunities to observe a wide variety of birds in their natural habitat.

Every two years, the ObservaRia Birdwatching Fair in Estarreja also attracts ornithologists, environmentalists, teachers, and birding enthusiasts with their families from around the globe for presentations, lectures, workshops, and guided excursions into the Ria wetlands. The next ObservaRia is scheduled for 2025. Birdwatchers who don't want to wait that long can arrange for their own guided tour.

On April 28, Aveiro is hosting the Europe Marathon. Are you a runner planning to visit? Register here, and tack on a few days of training and relaxation in São Jacinto! 

May: Warm and Welcoming

In May, the warmth sets in with averages of 20°C / 68°F. Beach days begin, and Aveiro buzzes with life. So do the waters off the Atlantic coast. Many dolphin species are home or traversing the waters off São Jacinto Beach, Barra, and Costa Nova.

Sightings of common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and Risso's dolphins are frequent off the coast, and visitors can book whale and dolphin-watching tours with local guides. On land, it's a perfect time for discovering Aveiro's old neighborhoods on both sides of the central canal. Browse its shops and indulge in people watching from a street café in one of the downtown squares.

Since the COVID pandemic, the number of families, active couples, and solo travelers who prefer visiting São Jacinto in May and June has steadily increased. They come to enjoy the best of Aveiro on both sides of the Ria, without the summer crowds. Experienced travelers take advantage of the low airfares to Portugal and the special rates for São Jacinto vacation rentals well ahead of the primary travel season in Europe. 

June: Sunny and Lively

June is sunny, with temperatures around 22°C / 71°F. June is perfect for longer bike rides, beach trips to the quiet Praia de São Jacinto, and visiting the bustling beach communities to the south, Barra and Costa Nova. Discover downtown Aveiro on a leisurely (shopping) stroll.

What about a bike ride around the Ria down south to the Vagos bridge, with a picnic stop at an observation point to watch flocks of flamingos feeding? Then ride back on the wooden bike path on the west side of the lagoon and plan to reward yourself with an ice cream break in Costa Nova, selfies with candy-striped houses as a backdrop included.

Or explore the park-like historic site of porcelain manufacturer Vista Alegre (founded 1824) on the banks of the Ria near Ilhavo. The sprawling ensemble of buildings, including a theater, a hotel, and a tea room, is arranged around the Capela of Vista Alegre, a 17th-century chapel.

Bring time to learn about the history of dinnerware design, design, and production in the state-of-the-art Vista Alegre Museum, watch porcelain painters at work, and pick up a gift or two for friends or family back home in the company store and the Vista Alegre outlet shop.

July: Bright and Balmy 

July is the heart of summer, averaging 24°C / 75°F. This month is excellent for activities in or near the water and enjoying the cultural summer programs and festivals in downtown Aveiro, which has been crowned "Portuguese Capital of Culture" for 2024. Do not miss a tour of the Salinas de Aveiro, the salt flat open-air museum.

Need a fresh breeze on a warm July day? Take a Moliceiro cruise on Aveiro's canals (~45 minutes). The colorful Moliceiro boats have been integral to the city's history and culture for centuries. Initially, they were used for harvesting seaweed. Today, they serve as a symbol of the city's maritime heritage.

From July 17 to 21, 2024, for the Festival of the Canals (Festival dos Canais), the entire Aveiro downtown turns into a stage and party space for creators, performers, and spectators from all around the globe. Performances in various disciplines, from music, theatre, dance, and new circus to visual arts, encourage locals and guests to see the city's unique culture and spaces through a new lens.

Prepare to be amazed: the Festival dos Canais received the EFFE Label, a European quality distinction awarded to leading festivals for their contribution to the arts, community involvement, and international openness. In 2024, the Canal Fest will be one of the highlights of Aveiro's reign as the Portuguese Capital of Culture.

August: Summer in the City, in the Parks, on the Beaches

August continues the warmth. It can get toasty and crowded in downtown Aveiro. To cool down and avoid the crowds, duck into the Aveiro Museum (Santa Joana) to enjoy its awe-inspiring historical and cultural treasures - and air conditioning.

Only a short walk down the street from the museum, you'll find another oasis ideal for families to chill on a warm summer day: Aveiro's largest green space, its tranquil 19th-century city park. The Parque Infante D. Pedro features plenty of shade trees, an art nouveau bandstand, ponds, bridges, ducks, picnic tables, and playgrounds for children.

During the third week of August each year, Ilhavo puts on its famous Cod Festival (Festival do Bacalhau). It takes place at Jardim Oudinot Park in Gafanha da Nazaré, which you'll see on your right when coming off the ferry from São Jacinto. It's an event for the whole family that attracts visitors from all over Portugal and abroad. 

All cod, with a side of crazy watercraft

The Cod Festival offers the travel season's best opportunity for visitors to sample Portugal's broad range of cod specialties. It features show cookings of healthy Portuguese dishes, a regional Arts & Crafts Expo, tech, science, and art workshops for children, nightly pop concerts, and The Ria's Craziest Regatta (Corrida mais Louca da Ria – Corrida de Embarcações Originais). This canal race of homebuilt watercraft - unofficial motto: "Will it float?" - is one of the main attractions of the cod fest each year.

In the evening, rock out at a Portuguese Capital of Culture 2024 open-air concert or street party in downtown Aveiro, or return to quiet São Jacinto for an outdoor dinner in one of its restaurants. Not ready to call it a night yet? Beach parties beckon in Barra and Costa Nova (a short boat ride from São Jacinto or 20 minutes by ferry and bus or car). Vistors staying in downtown Aveiro will find late night entertainment in the bars and nightclubs around the Praça do Peixe.

São Jacinto Dunes Festival

You're not into summer nightlife (anymore) and prefer it quiet? Then stay put in São Jacinto. It fits the bill even during peak season. Except for three days in late August:

...because that's when Aveiro's outpost beach community on the other side of the lagoon is hosting its biggest annual event: the Festival Dunas de São Jacinto (São Jacinto Dunes Festival).

The 2024 edition, including an airshow and open-air pop concerts on the Ria promenade, is scheduled for August 23, 24 and 25. Watch this space for updates and program announcements. 

September: Gently Cooling

As September rolls around, the average temperature subsides to a comfortable 23°C / 73°F. Most summer guests have left, and São Jacinto is reclaimed by the locals and those visitors from outside Portugal who didn't have to plan their vacations around the summer school holidays.

"São Jacinto time" is best discovered during the shoulder season. Enjoy the September sun on the vast São Jacinto Beach. Take long walks on the beach or ride your bike along the Ria de Aveiro. Or read that book you never got around to on a balcony overlooking the Aveiro estuary.

São Jacinto also makes for an excellent "basecamp" for exploring Aveiro and neighboring towns. Visit the area's museums and workshops for a deep dive into the rich history of ceramics arts and crafts in and around the Aveiro region.

In early September, Torreira - São Jacinto neighbor to the north - holds its Festa do S. Paio. The Feast of St. Paio is the town's biggest annual event. A regatta for Moliceiro and Arte Xávega boats, off-shore fireworks at sea and in the estuary, and a traditional procession traveling from the sea to the lagoon attract thousands of spectators every year.

October: Autumnal Charm

It cools down to around 19°C / 66°F on average in October. October brings autumnal charm to the villages and towns around the Ria de Aveiro. Professional photographers and amateurs alikeFAL take advantage of the golden afternoon light and the fog shrouding the Ria to hone their creative eye and composition skills.

Plan a photo outing north to Ovar, also known as Portugal's Living Tile City Museum, to capture the interplay of fall foliage, azulejo art, and historic architecture. Or venture into the hills between Aveiro and Agueda to enjoy the autumn

colors and crisp air on a hike along the Pateira de Fermentelos, the largest natural lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula. Fall is also the perfect time for browsing the Aveiro region's arts and crafts markets to stock up on locally-made gifts for the holidays back home.

Instead of adding to your luggage, would you prefer to order Aveiro gifts or São Jacinto souvenirs once you've returned home? Find some guest favorites in the Casa dos Jacintos Gift Shop!

November: Crisp and Quiet

In November, temperatures dip to 15°C / 59°F. With fewer tourists, sleepy São Jacinto turns into a weekend getaway and remote work destination for digital nomads from colder climates. Most visitors at this time of the year are couples and solo travelers "in the know", mainly from Portugal and northern Europe.

If you have a flexible travel schedule, you can score great deals on stays for one or more weeks at one of São Jacinto's apartments and vacation villas this time of the year. You'll find several family-owned and operated "alojamentos locais" (AL), properly registered and inspected local accommodations, close to the Ria de Aveiro waterfront or the São Jacinto beach.

Casa dos Jacintos, for example, is conveniently located a few steps from the lagoon on Avenida Ria Mar, a quiet street with a wide bike path that connects the Aveiro estuary with the Praia de São Jacinto. Do you prefer to leave the car and explore Aveiro by bike, public transportation, or ride sharing? The São Jacinto ferry terminal is only a short walk away.

November is also one of the best months for exploring Aveiro's diverse arts and culture scene, by attending local workshops.Are you passionate about traveling for creative inspiration, human connection IRL, and life-long learning?

Then, the annual Exodus Aveiro Fest has your name written all over it. This world-renowned festival brings together top travel photographers, videographers, and other traveling storytellers from around the globe.

Exodus Aveiro features talks (many in English), presentations, and photo exhibitions. It describes itself as a "festival of human, cultural, social, and environmental values" that brings the local community together with an international dimension of "journeys, adventure, curiosity'."

After all, this is what brings you to Aveiro - right? 

December: Cool and Festive

In December, it cools to around 14°C / 57°F, with strings of sunny days and festive holiday lights at night in Aveiro and the smaller towns around the Ria. December is a magical time for visiting Aveiro and São Jacinto. Think long walks on the beach in the morning or jogging along the Ria de Aveiro while patches of fog are still lingering over the silent estuary.

Grab a hot cappuccino and warm pastry at the Progresso café and bakery while waiting for the ferry to Forte de Barra. Then it's off to lunch and holiday shopping in downtown Aveiro, with a stop at the Vista Alegre porcelain factory village in the afternoon to pick up a few holiday gifts in one of its stores. Or browse the region's Christmas markets and sample the tempting seasonal treats on display in the Aveiro region's many pastry shops. 

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São Jacinto, Aveiro's unique outpost between the Ria and the ocean, is prepared for all kinds of weather and vacation styles. Except if you're night owl who likes to live it up - a party place it's not.

Whether it's the sunny beaches in summer or the cozy atmosphere in winter, Aveiro, the Portuguese Capital of Culture 2024, and the Aveirenses make you feel welcome year-round.

São Jacinto is a treasure trove for couples, families, and active seniors, offering a blend of stunning nature, outdoor adventure, and rich cultural heritage - no matter the season.

Alex Alves
Alex writes about travel, tech, and business.

Where to Stay in São Jacinto (Aveiro)

Are you planning to visit Portugal's Silver Coast? Book your stay in São Jacinto, Aveiro and get tips for your upcoming visit during this and other months from your host at Casa dos Jacintos. Rent a vacation home only a few steps from São Jacinto's quaint fishing harbor promenade and in walking distance from its unspoiled beaches.