Season guide · Algarve · Portugal
Algarve in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Wildflowers, comfortable walking weather and moderate prices; sea still cool for swimming. Expect highs up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 10 rainy days across March–May. May is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 11°C (52°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 10
- Sea
- 16°C (61°F) to 18°C (64°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 19°C (66°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 4 | 11.9 h | 2/5 |
| April | 21°C (70°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 | 13.1 h | 3/5 |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 2 | 14.1 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 21°C (70°F) against a yearly 22°C (72°F), and 10 of the year's roughly 39 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Easter processions in towns such as Loulé and São Brás de Alportel
Make the most of the weather
Nature · Lagoa
Benagil Cave
A domed sea cave with a round hole in its roof opening onto the sky, a small sandy beach inside and light pouring down onto the water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours by boat or kayak
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Nature
Nature · Lagoa
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
Walk it early in the morning or in the late afternoon; there is little shade and the cliff edges are unstable, so stay on the marked path.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Nature
Viewpoint · Lagos
Ponta da Piedade
South of Lagos, a headland of sandstone pillars, arches and grottoes stands above turquoise water, with a lighthouse and a long wooden stairway down to a small landing stage.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
Viewpoint · Sagres
Cape St Vincent
Bring a jacket; the wind is fierce even on warm days, and it gets cold quickly after sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Historic site · Sagres
Fortress of Sagres
On a flat promontory jutting into the Atlantic, this fortress is associated with Prince Henry the Navigator and the early Portuguese voyages of discovery.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Day trips in spring
- Seville (About 2 hours by car or coach) — Andalusia's capital has the Alcázar palace, the Gothic cathedral with its Giralda tower and the tiled Plaza de España.
- Lisbon (About 3 hours by train or car) — Portugal's capital, with the Alfama, Belém and the castle, is a long day trip; it works better as a two- or three-night add-on at the start or end of an Algarve holiday.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Algarve?
Yes: May is among the best months. Wildflowers, comfortable walking weather and moderate prices; sea still cool for swimming.
+What is the weather like in Algarve in spring?
Highs of up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 10 rainy days over the season.