Best time to visit the Algarve

The Algarve is Portugal's popular southern region. It's a holiday favourite with those who come for its long sunny days in summer, wide open beaches, pretty villages, golf courses and stylish hotels.

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The busiest resorts, such as Albufeira, Faro and Tavira, are found along the coast while inland remains rural and the western part of the region around to Sagres is still truly wild.

Top Algarve destinations

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in the Algarve. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

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When is the best time to visit Algarve?

The best time to visit Algarve (Albufeira) is May, June, July and August based on the following average weather conditions.

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Hours of Sunshine (daily)

Which is the hottest month in the Algarve?

The hottest time of year in Albufeira, Algarve is normally August. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 82°F with moderate heat and humidity.

Which month has the most rain in the Algarve?

In terms of rainfall, December is usually the wettest month in Albufeira, Algarve with 3.9 inches on average. There are normally 12 days in December with some rain.

When is it sunniest in the Algarve?

The sunniest time of year in Albufeira, Algarve is normally August with bright sunshine on average for 82% of daylight hours; that's 11 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in the Algarve?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Albufeira, Algarve in August when the water temperature reaches 70°F.

Best time to visit

The weather guide for Algarve (Albufeira) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C)  |  Imperial (°F)

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An overview of Algarve weather

The Algarve is by far one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations, and the Algarve's weather plays a major role in this. It's known for its abundant sunshine and settled conditions during the summer months.

The Algarve is Portugal's southern coastal region, renowned for its dramatic Atlantic coastline, fine beaches and crumbling cliffs.

Although the Algarve isn't actually in the Mediterranean, the weather in the Algarve has typically Mediterranean characteristics, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Typical Algarve weather in summer
Typical Algarve weather in summer © Ruigsantos - Fotolia.com

Summer

June to September is the most popular season with holidaymakers, and for good reason. The weather in the Algarve at this time is controlled by the semi-permanent region of high pressure that sits over the eastern Atlantic, 2,000 km or so to the west, known as the Azores or Bermuda High.

This high-pressure system produces settled weather when, on a typical summer's day, you can expect 11 to 12 hours of bright sunshine, some light winds and almost certainly no rain.

During the height of summer in July and August, daytime temperatures along the coast generally hover just below 30°C, falling to a pleasant 18°C overnight.

Light west to north-westerly winds help to take some of the heat out of the days, and the cool ocean waters also help to moderate the weather in the Algarve so it rarely feels too hot.

As for the sea temperature, the water around Albufeira is usually, at its best, a cool 22°C towards the end of August and beginning of September, compared with 26°C in Majorca in the Mediterranean.

The reason the sea is quite cold in the Algarve is partly because the Atlantic is such a large ocean and takes time to warm up but also because there's a cold ocean current which flows down the west coast of Portugal.

Albufeira in March
Albufeira in March © Simplethrill - Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The sun, however, is fairly strong and normally shines for more than 80% of the daylight hours in July and August.

The fact there is little, if any, rainfall in summer is one of the reasons it continues to be a favourite with those after some sun, sea and sand - at most, you'll encounter a passing thunderstorm. It's easy to see why the Algarve entices so many holidaymakers during this time.

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Autumn

The Algarve's autumn ranges from the end of September to the middle of November and is one of the best times of year to visit this region of Portugal thanks to comfortable temperatures and abundant sunshine.

Although the weather at this time is cooler and the days are noticeably shorter, it's a very pleasant period with relatively settled conditions.

No longer is a walk in the country or a round of golf such a sweaty affair, and you can still expect seven to nine hours of sunshine a day.

Algarve weather is cloudier in winter
Algarve weather is cloudier in winter © Andy Laurence - Fotolia.com

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Winter

From November the weather in the Algarve turns a little wintry, and daytime temperatures take a tumble, not surpassing 20°C.

November and December tend to be the wettest months, however, most days are rain-free and more than half of the daylight hours are, on average, sunny ones. Winter also tends to see more easterly winds, which is the opposite of summer.

Ground-frosts rarely occur thanks to the proximity of the now relatively warm Atlantic Ocean, which helps to prevent temperatures falling too far.

Daytime temperatures usually peak in the mid-teens with an average of five to six hours of sunshine a day between December and the end of February.

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Spring

The spring months of March to May are when the winds are at their strongest and the protection offered by the Azores High is at its weakest.

Consequently, low-pressure systems can creep in from the Atlantic occasionally bringing winter storms with them, disturbing the normal pattern of weather.

West-facing windy beach in the Algarve
West-facing windy beach in the Algarve © Tagstiles - Fotolia.com

However, from March onwards, rainfall decreases, the days become warmer and, as they lengthen, sunshine hours increase. By May the weather produces 10 to 11 hours of sunshine per day and temperatures start pushing towards the mid-twenties again.

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What to pack for Algarve weather

From the middle of May to the middle of October, you really only need light clothing, but from November to the end of March, warmer layers are essential, including a raincoat for the odd days when it rains.

Overall, the 100 miles of south-facing coastline that make up the Algarve has one of the best climates of anywhere in mainland Europe.

There's plenty of sunshine all year round: in summer the Atlantic Ocean helps moderate temperatures, while in winter its southerly position and the ocean prevent the weather from becoming too cold.

If you fancy holidaying in the Algarve, check out our collection of Algarve deals on holidays, flights, hotels, car hire and more.

Algarve travel features

Do you want to learn more about the Algarve? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in the Algarve.

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