Month guide · Algarve · Portugal
Algarve in March
What March is really like in Algarve: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The original uploader was Husond at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 11.9 hours of daylight. Spring wildflowers and comfortable walking weather on the cliff paths; the sea is still cold.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Algarve: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with February (17°C (63°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:43
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:39
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea
- 16°C (61°F)
Spring (March–May). Wildflowers, comfortable walking weather and moderate prices; sea still cool for swimming.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
March has no major recurring festival in Algarve, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in March
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Viewpoint · Carvoeiro
Algar Seco and the Carvoeiro boardwalk
Come at low tide on a calm morning to explore the rock pools below; there is a small bar built into the rocks.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
- Outdoors
Beach · Tavira
Praia do Barril and the anchor cemetery
On the Ria Formosa barrier island near Tavira, hundreds of rusting anchors from the old tuna-fishing industry are lined up in the dunes at Praia do Barril.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- History
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Vila Real de Santo António
Cacela Velha
Visit late in the day for the sunset and a seafood dinner in the village; it is very busy at midday in August.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Experience · Lagos
Dolphin-watching boat trips
Common and bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen off the Algarve coast, and fast RIB boats or larger catamarans head out from Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura marinas, often combined with a pass along the cliffs and caves.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 11°C and 4 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Algarve?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Algarve in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Algarve?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Spring wildflowers and comfortable walking weather on the cliff paths; the sea is still cold.
+How warm is Algarve in March?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Algarve in March?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.