Seasons & Weathers

With hot dry summers and warm winters with some rainfall, the Algarve has the largest number of hours of sunshine in any country in Europe. Sea temperatures are on average lower than the Mediterranean, despite being warmed by the Gulf Stream, and are cooler the further west you go.

Spring
Spring starts early, and is probably the best time to visit, before the temperatures soar and the hordes of tourists arrive. Temperatures range from 13 to 24 degrees celsius, with 9 hours of gorgeous daily sunshine and 24mm of rain.

Summer
Hot and sunny days are common, but are often refreshed by cooling breezes on the coast; the further west you go the windier it gets. There is a constant wind on the West Coast. July and August are the hottest months and everywhere is packed with tourists and Portuguese returning from other countries where they work such as France, Germany, Canada, etc. 12 hours of sunshine fall during the days which average around 28 degrees celsius. Rainfall is rare with only 6mm falling during the season. Temperatures drop in the evenings to make it light and cool and you might even need a jacket.

Fall
Autumn days are mild, but you will need a jacket in the evening and some kind of heating in your lodgings. Late October and November are good months to travel as the tourist season is over and prices are cheaper, however some of the restaurants and shops close until Spring. Temperatures range from 10 to 20 degrees celsius, with 8 hours of sun and 70mm of rain.

Winter
January is the coolest month and you can expect wet weather lasting four days or more any time between November and April. The golfers flock to the Algarve at this time to enjoy the great golf weather and over 30 golf courses. See Freemaps for special golf offers. The beautiful almond also begins to blossom in January. Days are much shorter with 6 hours of sunshine and temperatures range from 7 to 18 degrees with up to 60mm of rain.

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