Hello,
Flights right now late November are pricing well and I don't mind traveling during the off-season; however, wondering if its really rainy is it worth to go? I would like to visit some museums, and indulge in all the great food...and hopefully take a river trip (day) in Porto.
I would go around Thanksgiving thru the first week in December. Any thoughts?
We visited Porto and did a Douro River Cruise in early May and had visited Portugal before.
We found that the Atlantic coast of Portugal that the ocean has a huge influence on the weather. The water at the beach we visited was colder than we thought it would be. Also, the air was chillier than we thought.
Not sure that I would go in November.
Thank you for your quick response - I should add I live in Wisconsin by the lake so used to the lovely "lake effect" weather!
We just returned from a trip that included Bilbao and San Sebastian. (We cannot offer any insight on Porto.)
A big part of the experience of these cities is enjoyment of walking around. I inferred from your follow-up response that you're not afraid of some inclement weather, in which case IMO you can still enjoy walking around, although there may be somewhat less people watching, and your dining will be inside, as opposed to out on a sidewalk or plaza. Furthermore, we're not each people, and as such we'd likely enjoy watching some stormy weather on the shore more than calm beach waves!
IMO the true artwork of the Guggenheim is the building itself, inside and out, plus exterior content. (The interior content of the museum is best left to a different conversation.) The photos of it don't begin to approach the experience of seeing it IRL. I would think that the textures and forms of the exterior will be just as spectacular in inclement weather.
On a separate note, assuming the San Sebastian funicular is running, be sure to sit in the first (most downhill) passenger compartment, especially going up. Even if the small amusement park (yes, really!) at the top is completely shut down, and even if it's a grey day, the views will still be impressive, and the funicular ride itself is worth the trip.
I love off season travel,too. In 2024, we went to Porto for a week the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was great. No problem with weather then. We took walking tours and the 6 Bridges boat ride and a side trip to Coimbra. We stayed at the least expensive hotel on Rua das Flores. I think that was the name. Also great.
In Spring, 2025 we went to Bilbao. The museum was a bucket list item for me and exceeded my expectations. We stayed at the hotel closest to it, which I think was Hotel de l’Arte. That was great.
Have never been to SanSebastan.
Enjoy!!
The hotel facing the entrance of the Guggenheim is The Artist, formerly known as Dómine.
I will only speak to San Sebastián. The joy for a first-time traveler is probably visiting the bars of the old quarter, going in and out to try a different pinxto in various places. You might have great weather, but think about how it would be for you if it is raining..ducking in and out of crowded bars with an umbrella...
I'm sure Porto would be fine, and Bilbao okay,..but a river tour in the rain, with little visibility?
I don't' think I would go again at that time of year, but you might be okay....could you choose a different itinerary. maybe focusing on the south, or even including some larger cities where there are more indoor activities? (I don't know where else on the Peninsula you have been before....)
This is probably not relevant for you, but we took a nice trip at the same time of year in 2024; flew to Madrid for about 3 nights, then train to Cuenca (three nights but would advise two you have no car); train to Valencia for 9 nights; rented car and drove to Denia for a 5-night stay.
There are so many places within an easy drive of Madrid--not only the famous Toledo, el Escorial, and Segovia--but others easily reachable with a car....and that's a good time to be in Madrid.
A real outlier would be one of the Canary Islands....I know that's probably not on your radar but Lanzarote deserves to be more well known to American tourists... (at least, I loved it!!). and it's a good time to go there; not yet high season.
Thank you all for your responses!
