Best Time to Visit the Algarve: When to Go
The best time to visit the Algarve for beaches, warm sea, golf, hiking and fewer crowds, with a month-by-month guide and the quietest, best-value months.
December 20, 2022 • 5 min read
Best Time to Visit the Algarve: When to Go
The best time to visit the Algarve for most travellers is June or September: hot, dry days, a sea above 20°C (68°F) and fewer crowds than in July and August. Choose July and August for the warmest sea and the liveliest resorts, May and October for warm weather with quieter beaches, and March, April or November for golf and hiking. Winter, from December to February, is mild and the quietest time of year, with highs around 16 to 17°C (61 to 63°F).
Below you will find the best months by type of trip, a month-by-month guide and what each season is like.
The Best Time to Visit the Algarve, by Type of Trip
| If you want... | Go in | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beach holiday and warm sea | June to September | Highs of 26 to 29°C (79 to 85°F), sea around 21°C (70°F), almost no rain |
| Beaches with fewer crowds | June and September | Summer weather without the peak of July and August |
| Golf | March to May, October and November | Warm, mostly dry days without summer heat |
| Hiking and coastal walks | March to May, October and November | Green hills in spring, mild temperatures, low wildfire risk |
| Sightseeing and old towns | April, May and October | Comfortable temperatures for walking |
| Families | July and August | School holidays, warmest sea, all boat trips running |
| Quiet and best value | November to March, except Christmas and New Year | Low season, mild weather, fewer visitors |
The Algarve Month by Month
Temperatures are IPMA's 1991 to 2020 averages for Faro. For full monthly figures, including rain and sunshine, see our Algarve weather guide.
| Month | Avg high | Sea | Rainy days | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C / 61°F | 17°C / 62°F | 6 | Mild and quiet; good for golf, walks and old towns |
| February | 17°C / 63°F | 16°C / 61°F | 5 | Quiet and mild; Carnival in some years |
| March | 19°C / 66°F | 16°C / 61°F | 6 | Spring begins, longer days; good for golf and hiking |
| April | 21°C / 69°F | 17°C / 63°F | 5 | Green and pleasant; sea still cool for most swimmers |
| May | 24°C / 74°F | 19°C / 65°F | 4 | Warm and sunny with few crowds; one of the best all-round months |
| June | 27°C / 80°F | 20°C / 69°F | 1 | Summer weather and a warming sea, before peak season |
| July | 29°C / 85°F | 21°C / 70°F | 0 | Hot, dry and the busiest month; book early |
| August | 29°C / 85°F | 22°C / 71°F | 0 | Hottest sea and peak crowds; book early |
| September | 26°C / 80°F | 22°C / 71°F | 2 | Summer weather, warm sea and quieter beaches after the first weeks |
| October | 23°C / 74°F | 21°C / 71°F | 6 | Warm, often sunny, sea still warm; first autumn rain |
| November | 20°C / 67°F | 19°C / 67°F | 7 | Mild and quieter, with more rain; good for golf |
| December | 17°C / 63°F | 18°C / 64°F | 7 | Quiet and mild, the wettest month; festive old towns |
Weather in detail
Season by Season
Spring (March to May)
Spring brings long, sunny days and green hills, with highs climbing from about 19°C (66°F) in March to 24°C (75°F) in May. It is the best season for hiking, golf and sightseeing, and May already has more than 300 hours of sunshine. The sea is still cool, around 16 to 19°C (61 to 66°F), so most people swim only from late May. Easter can be busier, especially with visitors from Portugal and Spain.
Summer (June to September)
Summer is hot and almost dry, with highs around 27 to 29°C (80 to 85°F) and the sea at its warmest, about 21 to 22°C (70 to 72°F). Every boat trip, beach bar and water park is open, and lifeguards watch the main beaches. July and August are the busiest months, with full beaches, more traffic and higher demand for hotels, so book early. June and September give you almost the same weather with more space.
ALGARVE ESSENTIAL PACKAGE
Flights, hotel and airport transfers in the Algarve, available across the year, from summer beach weeks to winter escapes.
See the Algarve package →Autumn (October and November)
October is still warm, with highs around 23°C (74°F) and the sea above 21°C (70°F), and many visitors consider it one of the best months to visit. The first autumn rains arrive, spread over about six days a month. November is milder and wetter, with highs near 20°C (67°F), and a good month for golf.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is mild by European standards, with highs of 16 to 17°C (61 to 63°F) and plenty of sunny days between spells of rain. December is the wettest month. It is the quietest time of year: some beach restaurants and seasonal businesses close, and boat trips run less often, but the old towns, golf courses and coastal walks stay open. Christmas and New Year are busier.
ALGARVE + MADEIRA: THE WINTER COMBINATION
A longer winter trip that splits your time between the mild Algarve and Madeira, where January highs average around 20°C (68°F).
See the winter package →Cheapest and Quietest Time to Visit
The low season runs from November to March, outside the Christmas and New Year holidays. Hotels, flights and car hire are usually in lower demand then. The shoulder months of April, May and October balance warm weather with less demand than summer. July and August, and Easter, are the busiest periods.
Events Through the Year
- February or March: Carnival, with the region's largest parade in Loulé.
- June: summer saints' festivals in many towns, with grilled sardines and music.
- August: the Medieval Fair in Silves, below the castle.
- Summer: village festas, open-air concerts and fireworks along the coast.
- December: Christmas markets and lights in the old towns.
Plan it your way
Custom Your Trip
Tell our local travel advisors which towns, dates and experiences you want and we build the Algarve trip around you, at the right time of year.
Start your custom trip →Limited time
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