Best Time to Visit Algarve

Praia da Bordeira (Paulo Valdivieso)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Algarve. We created climate tables and charts for the location of Faro. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Algarve for your holiday.

Climate Overview

Thermometer Symbol 8 °C to 29 °C
Waves Symbol 15 °C to 20 °C
Rainy Cloud Symbol 0.043.7 in (0 – 9 Days of Rain)
Show temperatures in degree

Geographical location

The Algarve is a coastal region in southern Portugal. The easternmost city of the Algarve is Faro, which is also the capital.

In the south of the Algarve, the popular towns of Albufeira and Portimao are very popular with beach holidaymakers. In the west of the Algarve you find the village Sagres with the most south-western tip of Europe, Cabo de Sao Vicente.

The port city of Lagos is also located in the west of the Algarve. Lagos is a small surfing village where time seems to have come to a standstill. An absolutely relaxed atmosphere, small shops, cafés and restaurants line the streets of the village.

The steep coast offers ideal conditions for wave surfers and kitesurfers. Outside the villages there are many nature reserves with deserted bays and beaches.

The Algarve has an area of 3100 square miles and about 441,000 inhabitants. South of the Algarve lies Lisbon and can be reached from Faro in about 3 hours by train.

Climate in the Algarve

Postcard from Portugal (F Mira)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources' The Algarve has a mild climate all year round. With almost 12 hours of daily sunshine in the summer months of June to September, the Algarve is one of the sunniest regions in Europe. The temperatures are also correspondingly pleasant in summer. Thus the daily values in this travel time range between 25 °C to 29 °C.

However, the water temperatures are pleasantly fresh despite the high air temperatures. The Atlantic has a temperature of 18 °C to 20 °C between June and September. Thus it offers ideal conditions for cooling down after extensive sunbathing. Pleasantly mild summer nights at temperatures between 16 °C to 18 °C invite you to enjoy a glass of wine outside even after sunset.

In the autumn months of October and November, temperatures begin to fall slowly. Daytime temperatures drop below 20 °C. Precipitation is also increasing. From October to February there can be rainfall of 2.95 in and average temperatures of 12 °C to 15 °C. The winter remains quite mild with daily values of 16 °C to 18 °C.

Best Time to Visit Algarve: Overview

JanuaryJan
TemperaturesTemp. up to 16 °C
Water max. 15 °C
FebruaryFeb
TemperaturesTemp. up to 17 °C
Water max. 15 °C
MarchMar
TemperaturesTemp. up to 18 °C
Water max. 15 °C
AprilApr
TemperaturesTemp. up to 21 °C
Water max. 16 °C
MayMay
TemperaturesTemp. up to 22 °C
JuneJun
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in the Algarve
JulyJul
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in the Algarve
AugustAug
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in the Algarve
SeptemberSep
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PerfectPerf. climate in the Algarve
OctoberOct
TemperaturesTemp. up to 23 °C
NovemberNov
TemperaturesTemp. up to 19 °C
DecemberDec
TemperaturesTemp. up to 17 °C
Water max. 16 °C

When to travel to the Algarve?


With the spring months of March, April and May, temperatures begin to rise significantly again, so that by the end of May day temperatures of up to 23 °C are already reached. The values are ideal in spring for round trips by rental car or for exploring the landscape, but they are not yet sufficient for a bathing holiday.

We therefore recommend the months of June to September as the best travel season in the Algarve in Portugal. This travel season is truly summery and presents the sun-drenched Algarve at its best. The whole region now shines in a lush green with a great variety of flora and fauna. Already starting from May 10 sun hours per day are reached – thus absolutely sun cream pack!

Climate Chart Algarve

Faro

Climate Chart Faro
Show temperatures in degree

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Table Algarve

In the following, you will find the climate table for Algarve, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Faro (Algarve)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature16°17°18°20°22°25°29°29°27°23°19°17°
Night Temperature10°13°16°18°18°17°14°11°
Water Temperature15°15°15°16°17°18°19°20°20°19°17°16°
Precipitation (inch)3.072.831.541.50.830.310.040.160.552.643.393.7
Rainy days895631012678
Hours of Sunshine6688101112119765
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Faro is 17.2 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: August (23.4 °C)
Coldest month: January (11.9 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Faro is 20 °C. Comfortable bathing is possible at water temperatures of about 21 °C.

Months with water temperature of at least 17 °C (Limited bathing is possible):
May, June, July, August, September, October, and November

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 20.55 inch on 56 rainy days

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).

You cannot expect snow in any month in Faro.

Sunshine
As our climate table shows, July is the sunniest month with an average of 11.9 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 8.3 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Highlights and Attractions


For all sports enthusiasts the Algarve offers the ideal base for numerous activities. Smaller trails through the nature reserves near the coast offer a great backdrop for extensive mountain bike tours or hiking excursions. This can be combined with a visit to the Cabo de Sao Vicente, where you can eat the legendary”Last Sausage before America”.

In the east of the Algarve you will find the small ancient port city of Tavira, a historic city with a very pleasant atmosphere. This excursion can be combined with a visit to the village of Fuseta, which has an absolute dream beach off the coast. This can be reached after a 5-minute crossing by ferry.

Our favourites of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve in Portugal are Praia da Marinha near Carvoeiro and Praia da Falesia near Olhos de Agua. We also recommend Tavira, Praia Sao Rafael (Albufeira) and Meia Praia in Lagos. Families with children love the Zoomarine Algarve Park in Guia, although we generally reject the keeping of captive dolphins.

More information about the best things to do: Algarve | Portugal

Popular Activities

More attractions

Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour | Faro: Dolphin and Wildlife Watching in the Atlantic Ocean | From Faro: Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach Guided Day Trip | From Olhão: Ria Formosa 3-Island Full-Day Tour | Faro: Ria Formosa Boat Tour with 2 Island Visits | Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Albufeira & Olhos De Água | Faro: Ria Formosa Natural Park Segway Tour & Birdwatching |

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Faro
few clouds     few clouds, 15 °C
Clouds: 20 %       Wind: 8 mph SSW
Air Pressure: 1016 hPa       Humidity: 72 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 02:18 pm
The next days …
8th Feb 20239th Feb 202310th Feb 202311th Feb 202312th Feb 202313th Feb 2023
light rain11 °C to 15 °Clight rain13 °C to 16 °Covercast clouds12 °C to 14 °Covercast clouds13 °C to 15 °Cmoderate rain14 °C to 16 °Cbroken clouds14 °C to 15 °C
11 °C to 15 °C13 °C to 16 °C12 °C to 14 °C13 °C to 15 °C14 °C to 16 °C14 °C to 15 °C
Clouds: 46 %Clouds: 65 %Clouds: 96 %Clouds: 96 %Clouds: 100 %Clouds: 70 %
0.18 in of rain0.24 in of rainNo PrecipitationNo Precipitation0.2 in of rainNo Precipitation
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree

Portugal: Regions

Algarve is part of the holiday destination Portugal. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:

Algarve: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 9 reviews for Algarve holiday already. Average rating is 3.9 of 5 stars.
  1. Avatar Preview
    Barbara , 47 years old was there in June

    One week in June
    Cold and windy
    Only one day was sun
    Otherwise a lot of clouds

    Weather Rating: 2 stars – Tricky

  2. Avatar Preview
    Monika, 78 years old was there in November

    Pleasant 20 – 22 degrees, sunny, little wind, water temperature 20 degrees,
    pleasant for hiking, swimming, relaxing

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  3. Avatar Preview
    Thomas, 75 years old was there in March

    Nine of 10 days were rainy. Nevertheless satisfied, as the surroundings are very beautiful in the Eastern Algarve

    Weather Rating: 2 stars – Tricky

  4. Avatar Preview
    Hans, 69 years old was there in February

    1 week of bright blue sky and
    Sunshine! Only the wind is still a little cool, but in wind-protected places it can be browned wonderfully.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  5. Avatar Preview
    Rolf, 53 years old was there in July

    Very sunny, not too hot with a little wind, very pleasant

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  6. Avatar Preview
    Michael , 56 years old was there in June

    Excellent we had 33-36 degrees and no cloud in the sky. Recommended only

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  7. Avatar Preview
    sybille, 50 years old was there in April

    it was much cloudy from one week only 1 sunny day

    Weather Rating: 2 stars – Tricky

  8. Avatar Preview
    Ute, 52 years old was there in January

    during the day T-shirt weather, wonderful for long walks on the beach or for lounging in the sand.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  9. Avatar Preview
    Thomas, 57 years old was there in April

    It rained from time to time, but it was warm

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

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Marinha beach - Algarve (Luis Ascenso)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
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Dream destination Algarve in Portugal

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