Algarve, Portugal Weather and Climate

Geographical location

According to abbreviationfinder, Algarve is a coastal region in southern Portugal. The easternmost city in the Algarve is Faro, which is also the capital. The Aeroporto de Faro is served by many airports in Germany. For example, it is 2,390 kilometers from Berlin to Faro.

In the south of the Algarve are the popular places Albufeira and Portimao, which are particularly popular with beach holidaymakers. In the west of the Algarve you will find the place Sagres with the south-westernmost 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 surfer village where time seems to have stopped. An absolutely relaxed atmosphere, small shops, cafes and restaurants line the streets of the village.

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

The Algarve has an area of ​​4989 square kilometers and around 441,000 inhabitants. Lisbon is located south of the Algarve and can be reached by train from Faro in around 3 hours.

What is the climate like in the Algarve?

The Algarve has a mild climate all year round. With almost 12 hours of sunshine a day in the summer months from June to September, the Algarve is one of the sunniest regions in Europe. The temperatures are also correspondingly pleasant in summer. The daily values ​​move between 25 and 29 ° C during this travel time.

The water temperatures are pleasantly fresh despite the high air temperatures. The Atlantic has a temperature of 18 to a maximum of 20 degrees from June to September. Thus, it offers ideal conditions for cooling off after extensive sunbathing. Pleasantly mild summer nights with temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees invite you to enjoy a glass of wine outdoors even after sunset.

In the autumn months of October and November, temperatures slowly start to drop. The daytime temperatures drop to below 20 degrees. Precipitation is also increasing. From October to February there can be rainfalls of 75 millimeters and temperatures averaging 12 to 15 degrees. The winter remains quite mild with daily values ​​around 16 to 18 degrees.

When is the best time to travel to the Algarve?

With the spring months of March, April and May the temperatures start to rise again significantly, so that by the end of May daytime temperatures of up to 23 degrees will be reached. In spring, the values ​​are ideal for round trips by rental car or for exploring the landscape, but they are not yet sufficient for a beach holiday.

We therefore recommend the months of June to September as the best time to travel to the Algarve in Portugal. This travel time is truly summery and presents the sun-kissed Algarve from its best side. The whole region now shines in a lush green with a great variety of flora and fauna. As early as May, 10 hours of sunshine per day are achieved – so make sure to pack sunscreen!

Temperatures, precipitation, sunshine in Faro (Algarve)

Temperatures

The annual average temperature in Faro is 17.2 ° C. For comparison: Munich reaches an average of 8.6 ° C, in Berlin it is 9.6 ° C. The warmest month is August (23.4 ° C), coldest month of January with mean values of 11.9 ° C. The maximum water temperature in Faro is 20 ° C. Pleasant bathing is possible from temperatures of around 21 ° C. The months of May, June, July, August, September, October and November have a water temperature of at least 17 ° C. Bathing is then possible to a limited extent.

Precipitation

The annual precipitation is 522 mm on 56 days with precipitation. For comparison: In Munich, 967 mm, in Berlin 570 mm, precipitation is measured annually. There is no rainy season, i.e. months with more than 175 mm 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. On average over the year, the sun shines for 8.3 hours per day. For comparison: In Munich and Berlin, the sun shines an average of 4.7 hours per day throughout the year.

Highlights and attractions

For all sports enthusiasts, the Algarve offers the ideal base for numerous activities. Smaller paths through the nature reserves near the coast offer a great backdrop for extensive mountain bike tours or hiking trips. You can combine this with a visit to Cabo de Sao Vicente and eat the legendary “Last Bratwurst Before America” there.

In the east of the Algarve you will find the small, ancient port town of Tavira, a historic town with a very pleasant atmosphere. You can combine this excursion with a visit to the place Fuseta, which has an absolute dream beach upstream. This can be reached after a 5-minute ferry ride.

Our favorites of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve in Portugal are meanwhile Praia da Marinha near Carvoeiro and the cliff beach 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 dolphins in captivity.

Algarve weather in March, April and May

Average daily temperatures between 18 ° C and 22 ° C can be expected over the next three months. In Faro, it gets warmest in May, but March is a little cooler.

Do you want to go on a beach holiday? The water temperatures are in March, April and May 15-17 ° C.

You can expect around 5 days of rainfall in March, around 6 days in April and around 3 days in May.

In the period from March to May the sun shines on average between 8 and 10 hours a day. The sunniest weather in Faro is in May, but with less sun you will have to get by in March.