July 2026 was classified by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere as "very hot" in mainland Portugal, becoming the seventh hottest July since 1931. The average monthly temperature reached 24.04°C, 1.41°C above the 1991-2020 normal, with the highest value of 44.3°C recorded in Mora, in the district of Évora, on July 3. The inland Algarve also exceeded the 40°C barrier, with Martim Longo, in the municipality of Alcoutim, reaching 42.3°C on July 1. The heat wave that ended on July 11 was considered by IPMA one of the most significant since 1981.
An investigation by the European Travel Commission concluded that 76% of respondents stated that climate-related factors influence their travel behaviour, including the search for destinations with milder temperatures and the decision to avoid places prone to extreme heat. However, the study itself indicates that 86% of travellers plan to continue travelling between June and September, and southern Europe
