When’s the best time to visit the Algarve?

June and September are our personal favourites. Both months deliver warm temperatures (around 24–27°C), sea water that’s actually swimmable, long sunny days, and far fewer crowds than the July–August peak. Prices for accommodation also drop noticeably outside high season.

December is the wettest month, with an average of 90–100mm spread across roughly 10 rainy days. November and January aren’t far behind. That said, “rainy” in the Algarve is relative — even in deep winter you’ll get plenty of bright, blue-sky days between the showers.

Comfortably from mid-June through early October. Sea temperatures climb from around 19°C in May to a peak of 22–23°C in August and September, then drop back below comfortable swimming temps by mid-October. The Atlantic stays cooler than the Mediterranean year-round — even in summer, expect a refreshing first plunge.

January is the coldest month, but cold here means daytime highs around 15–16°C and nights dropping to 8–10°C. By Northern European standards, that’s still mild — you’ll often see locals having coffee outside in the sunshine wearing a jumper.

November through February is the cheapest stretch, with flights and accommodation often 30–50% cheaper than in summer. January and early February are absolute rock bottom — perfect for a slow, local-style holiday but expect some restaurants and beach businesses to be closed.