Algarve weather guide
The Algarve is one of the sunniest regions of Europe. With a warm climate and over 300 days of sunshine a year, you can enjoy a great holiday throughout the year. If you are looking for a beach holiday, then the Algarve is the perfection destination. You can swim in the ocean comfortably from March until October. And in the winter months, you can take long refreshing beach walks. Find out what the weather in the Algarve is like from January until December.
Current weather in the Algarve
Below you see the current weather in the Algarve in real time. Find out today’s weather in the Algarve and the weather forecast of the upcoming days.
Algarve weather overview per month
Below you see an overview of the average temperatures in Celsius, broken down per month.
January
- Maximum temperature: 16 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 6 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 14 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 5 hours
In January the average maximum temperature is 16 degrees during the day. The sea water is slightly colder with 14 degrees Celsius. This temperature is not that comfortable for swimming. For surfers, however, it is a great time to hit the waves. January is usually the coldest month of the year. However, the temperature doesn’t go below 0 degrees. The nights are cold, with an average minimum temperature of 6 degrees. In January you can enjoy on average 5 hours of sunshine a day. January is a great time to visit the Algarve without having the be surrounded by the big crowds. It is an excellent month to enjoy the nature. Go hiking, have a beach walk or go surfing.
February
- Maximum temperature: 18 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 7 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 14 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 6 hours
In February the average maximum temperature is 18 degrees during the day. The sea water is colder, with an average temperature of 14 degrees Celsius. Most people wouldn’t go swimming with these temperatures. However, February is a great time for surfers to enjoy the waves. In February the nights are cold, with an average minimum temperature of 7 degrees. In February you can expect about 6 hours of sunshine a day. Looking for a February winter break? Then the Algarve is an excellent choice. Flight and hotel costs are lower than in summer and there is always a lot going on in the Algarve.
March
- Maximum temperature: 21 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 9 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 16 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 7 hours
In March the average maximum temperature is 21 degrees during the day. This makes for lovely spring weather. The sea water is on average 16 degrees Celsius. Some daredevils go swimming with these temperatures. In March, the nights have an average minimum temperature of 9 degrees. So do bring a warm coat if you go out late at night. On average, you can enjoy 7 hours of sunshine a day in March. It is a wonderful time to explore the nature and enjoy the wonderful flora and fauna of the Algarve by bike or foot.
April
- Maximum temperature: 23 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 11 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 16 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 9 hours
In April the average maximum temperature is 23 degrees during the day. This makes for wonderful no coat spring weather. The sea water is 16 degrees Celsius. Most people don’t go swimming, but there are still plenty of people who love to take a refreshing dip. In April the nights are 11 degrees on average, so don’t forget to bring a coat if you go out in the evening. On average you can enjoy 9 hours of sunshine a day in April. This is a perfect time for everybody who loves to enjoy the outdoors.
May
- Maximum temperature: 25 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 9 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 17 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 7 hours
In May the average maximum temperature is 25 degrees during the day. These are gorgeous summer temperatures where you can hit the beach and go tanning. The sea water is about 17 degrees Celsius, so do get a cold and refreshing dip in between your tanning sessions. May is a lovely time to visit the Algarve with children. The days are long with 12 hours of sunshine a day on average. There are many great family resorts where you can have endless pool days. In May the nights have an average minimum temperature of 14 degrees. It is a great temperature for sleeping inside without the AC. Alternatively if you love to go camping, you can expect mild nights. If you want summer in May, then the Algarve is the place to be.
June
- Maximum temperature: 28 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 17 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 19 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 12 hours
In June it is full on summer in the Algarve. The average maximum temperature is 28 degrees during the day. The nights are a lovely 17 degrees Celsius. And the sea temperature is a warm 19 degrees Celsius. It is the perfect time for beach and pool days. In June the prices are still slightly lower than during July and August. So if you have the opportunity to go on an early summer holiday, then June is the best time to visit the Algarve. Expect 12 hours of sunshine a day, where you can enjoy the outdoors, such as go surfing or play golf.
July
- Maximum temperature: 33 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 19 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 20 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 12 hours
July is the hottest month of the year in the Algarve. The average temperature rises to well over the 30 degrees Celsius, so always bring your sunscreen. With 12 hours of sunshine a day, the days are long and the nights continue to be warm, dropping to about 19 degrees. The sea temperature is about 20 degrees, which is perfect for swimming and surfing. July is a busy season with international and national tourists all traveling down to the coast of the most beautiful region of Portugal.
August
- Maximum temperature: 28 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 17 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 21 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 12 hours
August is the most popular month to visit the Algarve. The days are long and hot, with average temperatures rising well over the 30 degrees range. The nights continue to be hot, with minimum temperatures dropping to 19 degrees. Sleeping with airconditioning is a good idea. The sea water is excellent, bringing much needed refreshment on tanning days. August is the peak of summer and the Algarve is the place to be for sunseekers and lovers of hot temperatures.
September
- Maximum temperature: 29 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 17 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 21 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 12 hours
In the Algarve, summer continues in September. On most days, the temperature rises to 30 degrees or above. September is a perfect month to go on a beach or pool holiday. The sea temperature is warm with 21 degrees, which is lovely for swimming or snorkeling. At night you can go out without bringing a coat and with 12 hours of sunshine a day, you can really enjoy most of the day outside. With lesser crowds, September is an excellent month to have a relaxing end of summer break.
October
- Maximum temperature: 25 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 14 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 19 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 7 hours
If you are searching for a sunny autumn holiday in Europe, then the Algarve is your best choice. With an average of 25 degrees during the day, it is still a great month to hit the beach or relax by the pool. The sea temperature is warm and the sun shines for 7 hours a day. During the nights it is advised to bring a coat, as the temperature drops to 14 degrees. October is a popular month to go birdwatching, hiking and cycling.
November
- Maximum temperature: 20 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 11 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 17 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 6 hours
The November month in the Algarve is very mild, with average temperatures of 20 degrees during the day. In November you do have the most chance of the year to have a rainy day on your trip. On average the sun comes out 6 hours per day. The nights are cold and does require wearing sweaters and coats. The sea temperature is about 17 degrees and there are some waves, which are good for surfers.
December
- Maximum temperature: 17 degrees Celsius
- Minimum temperature: 9 degrees Celsius
- Sea temperature: 15 degrees Celsius
- Sun hours per day: 5 hours
If you like to escape the cold of December, then go to sunny Algarve. With temperatures of around 17 degrees during the day, you can enjoy the outdoors peacefully. During beach walks, you will find that most beaches are deserted. The sea has a temperature of about 15 degrees. It is possible to surfers to hit the big waves. Bring a warm coat, but expect crisp blue skies on most days. Especially the nights are cold. With Christmas and NYE, you do get that special winter feeling and have the opportunity to celebrate the holidays on the beach.
When is the best time to go to the Algarve?
It depends on what you want. The Algarve is warm throughout the year. If you want to enjoy the food and culture when it is not too hot, but still nice, you can best visit in the early spring or late autumn months. There are also less tourists in spring and autumn, compared to the summer. If you want to enjoy maximum beach time and get the most out of the sun, then you can best visit in the summer months. The summer is also the busiest time of the year in the Algarve. It will be more crowded everywhere. A reason to visit the Algarve in the winter is to escape the weather of your current hometown. And if you like surfing, the winter is also probably the best time to go to the Algarve, due to the higher waves.
