Sintra has a microclimate, which means that its location on hills jutting out from the ocean, catches the breeze from the sea. This makes it much cooler than most of the beach towns just 20 kilometers down from it (and this is what the high rolling Aristocrats from Lisbon found so appealing about the location in the first place). Thus, the most popular time to come to Sintra is during the summer. This is when the whole of Lisbon escapes to the beaches, the height of the season being in late August early September. Like other locations in Portugal at this time, the weather is hottest in Sintra in July and August; during this time, the weather averages about 85 to 90 degrees. Late September still enjoys rather warm days, appropriate for the beach, though it may be a bit chilly in Sintra towards the tail end of September. Winter can be rather chilly in Sintra and is definitely when one will get a feel of the ‘real’ Sintra, since the tourists and vacationers have abandoned the town by this time. One should pack warm sweaters and wool during this time as the breeze can be very very chilly during this time of year. In the spring, it is mostly gray days and rain with little slivers of sun here and there throughout the day, but the gardens are in full bloom at this time and the crowds are not in full fling yet so springtime here has its appeal.