The weather
March"March is, in everything, an intermediate month. Tourism is already picking up but is still far from what we are used to in summer. Overwinterers are still plenty, because in Northern Europe it is still quite cold. The sun continues to grow stronger, but the sea water is still far from warm." April
"Pascal, as a family celebration, is almost as important as Christmas, and has the peculiarity that tourism is technically much more interesting. It lasts three days (Good Friday is a real holiday) while Christmas is over in a day and a half. And it falls at a time when spring has already started and the days are already quite stretched." April
"Easter is the real start of the holiday season. Officially the bathing season has not yet begun, but in April people are already on the beach, walking, and sunbathing. The usual number of rainy days in April is only 6. And that does not mean it rains all day; it only means there are six days with some rain. One beach is still more picturesque than the other!"
May"May in the Algarve is, by Dutch standards, a great summer month. Maximum temperatures range from 20 to sometimes 28 degrees, and minima do not go below 10. It may rain occasionally, but then you’re in your shorts on a terrace watching it pass until it clears. The summer season is now fully underway and there are many tourists." June
"The days in June are at their longest and temperatures rise quickly. The sun is high in the sky, there are as many as 12 sunshine hours per day out of a total of more than 14 hours of daylight. There is no rain at all. It is pleasantly busy because the month is just as nice as the high‑season months and a lot cheaper." July
"July is warm and busy. Portuguese heat is fortunately dry, and because of the very low humidity, 37 degrees in the Algarve feels more comfortable than 30 degrees in the Netherlands. When there are periods of several very hot days in a row (35 and above) it usually happens in July." "However, air conditioning is not always necessary; if you adjust your daily rhythm to the heat cycle and seek coolness or a pool at the beginning of the afternoon, you can have a lovely day without air conditioning." "The month of July has on average zero rainy days and it rains on average 1 mm in July throughout the month. That little rain evaporates before it reaches the ground. Fortunately, the Algarve has enormous water reservoirs in the mountains behind large dams that also provide a substantial amount of ecological (hydroelectric) energy." "Portugal ranks at the top of Europe in terms of ecological energy consumption, with 54% of consumption being renewable energy. You can do cave tours at various places in the Algarve, both in summer and winter."
August"The traditional vacation peak month brings many Portuguese by car to the Algarve. There are many festivals and events with a Portuguese character, very enjoyable for those who like a local flavour." "The typical Portuguese holiday daily schedule is: early to the beach, a long lunch around midday, then a “sesta” (afternoon nap), then back to the beach around four and staying there until the sun sets. Restaurants and supermarkets are, after all, open late into the evening." September
"In terms of weather, September may be the most pleasant month of the year. The sun has lost some power, with the advantage that you are not burned so badly as when you lie in the sun for a few days in a row. And the air and water remain warm." "The big tourism wave has passed and everything is less under high tension. Local commerce runs at peak days. Evenings are often sultry. For me, September can be every day. At midnight it is still delightful outside."
October"There is always some rain in October but there are also always many lovely days. Of course it gets darker faster and for evenings you bring a jacket just in case. But the heating does not need to be on yet. Swimming works fine during the day, the sun is still strong enough. Tourism often experiences a slight revival because there are some school holidays in October. And the first overwinterers already start driving into the country, fleeing gray and cold."
November"November is scheduled as a winter month but that is certainly not the case. Sometimes nights can be as cold as 10 degrees but during the day it is often lovely. The sun is low in the sky because the shortest day is approaching. Dining outdoors happens less and less, but lunching outdoors definitely! And sunbathing works fine too, but the pool starts getting chilly." "There is of course always a period with rainy days, so November is not so suitable for the “week tourist”. But anyone who is in the Algarve for the whole month of November will have a wonderful time. A beach is always a party!"
December"December is a true festive month. Colorful street lighting appears everywhere and every village wishes you a grand “Boas Festas”. The days get shorter but not as short as in the Netherlands; you always have two full hours more daylight. No long dark days for Christmas, so that saves quite a bit in the mood." "The main Christmas moment is Christmas Eve; on 24 December shops close early and government services often are not even open. Family gathers together, a lot is eaten, and gifts are distributed (we do not know Sinterklaas here, after all)." "In winter the shadows are long but the water and air remain crystal clear. In December stores are full of nice offers and shopping centers organize various activities to attract people." "Where Christmas is mainly a family celebration, New Year's Eve is mainly celebrated in cafés. Fireworks are only lit under municipal control, so there are no unsafe situations. And in the last week of the year a lot is organized. December is a cozy month! Fortunately the serene calm of January is just around the corner ;-)" Faro
"Many weather measurements and forecasts are based on Faro, the district capital of the Algarve. However, keep in mind that Faro is on a protrusion of the coast in a fringe of the Atlantic Ocean. The weather in Faro is therefore actually not representative for the rest of the Algarve. Outside Faro it is often warmer, drier and sunnier during the day, and in the evening often cooler." And the rest of Portugal?
"The Algarve has a microclimate behind a mountain range due to its southern location. In the rest of the country the weather is relatively less good and often more unpredictable than in the Algarve. In the interior it can get cold in winter and blisteringly hot in summer. Snow in Guarda is quite normal." "Along the coast of North Portugal the wind can be painfully cold, also in spring and autumn. In Lisbon it rains just as much as in Amsterdam (with far fewer rainy days, though). But all that does not make it any less interesting to visit. Absolutely do it!" "This (slightly modified) article about the weather in the Algarve is written by the author Cees Groenewegen, also known from the nice book: “Portugal stukje bij beetje”, a real recommendation! The photos were made and processed by us in his text."
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