Portland FAQs

Find out all you need to know about visiting Portland.

When is the best time to visit Portland?

The best time to go to Portland, Oregon is in the summer months between June and September when the consistently warm and sunny weather allows the city’s outdoor culture to thrive. Festivals abound during this time and the city’s roses can be seen in full bloom. Expect daytime temperatures between 23°C and 27°C and lows down to 12°C.

The shoulder months of April to May and October tend to be inconsistent with milder temperatures – daytime highs between 16-20°C – balanced by cloudy, rainy weather. However these months are still good times to visit as Portland is awash with blossoms and wildflowers in spring and filled with festivals, food trucks and indoor fun come autumn. Not to mention some of the most stunning foliage in all of the United States.

Winter, which runs tends to run from November to March, is chilly and wet and not recommended for travel. Daytime highs stay around 10°C and nighttime lows remain above freezing in single digits.

What is the time difference between the UK and Portland?

GMT – 8 hours

What places combine well with Portland?

Portland is considered the entrance to Oregon, and in many ways, also the entry point to the Pacific Northwest. Its international airport has direct flights to and from the UK, and its somewhat central position within the state of Oregon encourages many road trips to other destinations. Drive an hour to the majestic Mount Hood and its neighbour, the Columbia River Gorge, or travel a bit further to see the many sights along Oregon’s beautiful coast. Portland is situated at the northernmost point of Oregon’s wine country, Willamette Valley, so venture into the charming towns and award-winning wineries of the region.

What are the main cultural events in Portland?

January – Portland Folk Festival (annual folk & American music festival)
February – Portland Winter Light Festival
February – PDX Jazz Festival
May – Portland Rose Festival
June – Festival of Balloons
June – PDX Beer Week
July – Waterfront Blues Festival
July – The Portland Craft Beer Festival
July – Cathedral Park Jazz Festival (the longest-running jazz fest west of the Mississippi)
July – Chamber Music Northwest Summer Festival
July – Oregon Brewers Festival
September – Portland Fashion Week (the world’s only sustainable fashion week)
October – Portland Film Festival
November – Portland Book Festival