Best time to visit the Algarve
Anytime is good to visit the Algarve. The coastal region sees little rain and lots of sunny days throughout the year including winter.
The best time to visit the Algarve for a beach holiday is during summer from June through to mid-September.
For walking and hiking, the best time to visit is in April and May during the spring season.
Algarve weather
The Algarve has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and warm, sunny summers.
Winter, from December to February, is mild with sunny days alternating with wet and windy days.
Spring, from March to May, is mild and sunny, with some rainfall in March and early-April.
Summer, from June to mid-September, is warm and sunny. The peak holiday season on the Algarve is July and August, which are also the hottest months of the year, with an average high temperature of 29°C (84°F).
Autumn, from September to November, is initially warm and sunny, turning cloudy and wet by November.
While spring and autumn are perhaps too chilly for swimming, they are excellent for sailing and land-based activities such as golf and exploring the region on foot and car.
What is the best month to visit the Algarve?
July and August are the best months to visit the Algarve – the climate is perfect with hot, sunny weather and little or no rainfall.
However, the months of May through September are all good for a range of outdoor activities.
July and August are especially popular, however this is peak tourist season in the Algarve with greater crowds and higher prices.
Which is the hottest month in the Algarve?
The hottest time of year in the Algarve is normally July and August, with an average daily high temperature of 29°C (84°F), with moderate heat and humidity, and a low of 20°C (68°F)
However, on the warmest days of the month, the temperature may reach around 35°C (95°°F).
The warm season lasts from mid-June to mid-September, with an average daily high temperature above 26°C (78°F).
Which is the coldest month in the Algarve?
The coldest month of the year in the Algarve is January, with an average high of 16°C (60°F) and a low of 8°C (46°F).
The cool season lasts from mid-November to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature below 19°C (66°F).
Which is the sunniest month in the Algarve?
The sunniest time of year in the Algarve is usually August with an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day; that's on average 83% of daylight hours.
What is the humidity in the Algarve?
The Algarve experiences significant seasonal variation in perceived humidity, with approximate average relative humidity calculated at between 59% – 81% over the course of the year.
The more humid time of year lasts from mid-June through October, when you can expect the comfort level to be muggy at least 7% of the time.
The month with the most muggy days in the Algarve is August, with around eight days that are muggy.
We derive the humidity comfort level from the dew point temperature, which measures moisture content in the air. A higher dew point feels muggy and uncomfortable.
December through May is generally comfortable, with no days in any month that are muggy.
When is the sea warmest in the Algarve?
The sea is usually at its warmest in the Algarve in August when the water temperature reaches 21°C (69°F), which is cool for swimming.
The Atlantic Ocean is not warm to swim in.
Which month has the most rain in the Algarve?
December is usually the wettest month in the Algarve with 110mm (4in) of rainfall on average. There are normally eight days in December with some rain.
The wetter season lasts from early-October to early-May, with a greater than 13% chance of any given day being a wet day.
There's little or no rainfall from early-May through September.
Which is the windiest month in the Algarve?
The windiest month of the year in the Algarve is December, with an average hourly wind speed of 21 kilometres per hour (11 knots; 13 mph).
The windy part of the year lasts from late-October through April, with average wind speeds of more than 18 kilometres per hour (9 knots; 11 mph).
The less-windy time of year lasts from May through to late-October. The calmest month of the year in the Algarve is September, with an average hourly wind speed of 16 kilometres per hour (8 knots; 10 mph).
The predominant average hourly wind direction varies throughout the year in the Algarve.
Algarve Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average high temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 17 |
| Average low temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 10 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| Average relative humidity (%) | |||||||||||
| 79 | 77 | 74 | 68 | 69 | 63 | 59 | 63 | 70 | 76 | 77 | 81 |
| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 60 | 45 | 50 | 35 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 55 | 65 | 110 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
| Faro, Algarve, Portugal | |||||||||||
Holiday seasons
High season: From July through August; advance bookings are generally necessary at the top hotels.
Low season: Spring and autumn is a good time to visit as the weather is generally warm and the crowds have gone home. Although the water may be somewhat chilly, winter (November to March) on the Algarve is sunny and warm.
Low season travel brings great hotel deals with savings of up to 70 per cent at many hotels.
Source: Meteorological data for the Algarve is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) at the closest weather station: Faro Airport (FAO), also known as Algarve Airport, located 4km (2mi) west of Faro, the capital of the Algarve.
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Best time to visit the Algarve: 11 May, 2024
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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