Santarém is pleasant year-round, but spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable seasons, with warm temperatures and low rainfall. Summers are hot — the Tagus plain reaches 38–40°C in July and August — but the old town's narrow streets and shaded viewpoint garden offer some relief.
The Feira Nacional de Agricultura in June is the biggest draw on the calendar and worth timing a visit around if you want to experience the Ribatejo's rural culture at its most concentrated. The agricultural fair includes bullfighting shows, campino demonstrations, and an enormous food and wine pavilion representing the whole of Portugal.
October brings the olive harvest and slightly quieter roads, while the Christmas markets in December have grown in recent years and attract visitors from Lisbon.