Best time to visit Algarve

May to June and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

May to June and September to October

Late spring and early autumn give warm weather, sunshine and fewer crowds; July and August are the busiest and hottest.

“The best time to visit the Algarve is in spring or fall” tourlane.com
“The overall best time to visit Portugal is at the beginning of the summer, between May and June, or towards the end of the summer, from September to October.” shebuystravel.com
“late spring and early autumn stand out as the ideal times to experience Portugal at its finest.” quintadolago.com

5 of the 8 travel guides we read name these months.

Algarve month by month

Average high and low in Algarve, and days with rain

January61°F / 46°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…Coolest month: mild days, cool evenings, rain over about six days; good for golf and walking.Faro averages: high 16C, low 8C, sea 17C.
February62°F / 48°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Still mild, less rain than December or January, and a very quiet coast.The February carnival in Loulé is called the best in the region.
March66°F / 51°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Days get longer and sunnier, more than 240 hours of sunshine; coastal walks are good but the sea is still cool.March is the best time for Portugal's good weather, before tourist crowds, per one specialist (Portugal-wide).
April69°F / 53°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Pleasant and green, highs around 21C; the sea is still too cool for most swimmers.April to June is good for outdoor activities such as the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
Best timeMay73°F / 57°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…One of the best months overall: warm days, over 300 hours of sunshine, little rain, before summer crowds.Faro averages: high 24C, sea 19C, rain 26 mm over about 4 days.Rain is rare between May and September.
Best timeJune80°F / 63°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…Summer starts with highs near 27C and almost no rain; beaches busy but not yet at their peak.The high season runs June to September, coinciding with summer vacations.
July85°F / 66°F · 1 rainy daysChecking fares…Sunniest month, about 360 hours of sun and highs near 29C; beaches and resorts at their busiest.July and August can be very hot.
August84°F / 67°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…As hot as July with the warmest sea of the summer, about 22C.August can get uncomfortably crowded, with popular spots such as Benagil Cave jam-packed.
Best timeSeptember80°F / 64°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…Still summer weather and a warm sea but fewer crowds after the first weeks; one of the best beach months.Many locals call it the best time to visit; crowds fade and the ocean is calm.Rain is only about 22 mm over about 2 days.
Best timeOctober74°F / 60°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…Warm and usually sunny, highs around 23C, sea above 21C; first autumn rains arrive over about six days.September and October are shoulder season: pleasant temperatures and only occasional showers.
November67°F / 53°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Milder and wetter, highs near 20C; good for golf and hiking.Low-season hotel rates run from November 1 to March 31 in Portugal.
December63°F / 49°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…Faro averages: high 17C, low 10C, the most rain of the year (90 mm over 7 days) and only 5.1 hours of sun a day.Winter days hover around 15C-20C; bring a warm jacket for wind and rain.

Weather: Algarve averages (long-term averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Faro from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to September (July and August busiest)Hot, dry summer weather and school holidays draw Portuguese and international visitors.
July to OctoberRecommended for beach lovers, but expect many tourists.

Quietest

December to FebruaryThe Algarve becomes noticeably quieter, with cooler temperatures and more rain.
WinterBeauty without the crowds, though some restaurants and shops close.

Watch for

October to JanuaryMost of the year's rain falls in these months.
July and AugustVery hot, and the busiest time; book hotels, cars and tours well ahead.
SpringThe sea is coolest in early spring, about 16C.
WinterMost bars stay closed, so nightlife is a summer option.

Questions people ask

What's the weather in Algarve, Portugal in May?: Warm, with a Faro average high of 24C, over 300 hours of sunshine, little rain and a sea around 19C.
Can you sunbathe in Portugal in May?: Yes for sunbathing: warm days and little rain. The sea is still cool, around 19C, so swimming is chillier.
Does Portugal have a rainy season?: Yes, winter is Portugal's rainy season; storms are most common in the north, and the south stays sunnier.
How long to spend in Portugal?: Two specialists suggest about 10 days for a first visit, with two to three nights each in Lisbon, Porto and the Douro Valley or Algarve.

Best time to visit Algarve

May to June and September to October

Algarve month by month

Every date to Faro from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Algarve

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Algarve

May to June and September to October

Algarve month by month

Every date to Faro from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Algarve

Best time to visit other places