Home > Europe > Portugal > Algarve > April Averages

Averages for Algarve in April

Weather lowdown

April is a good time to visit the Algarve for those who prefer modest warmth. At Faro close to the Mediterranean coastline, the long-term average maximum temperature is 20°C, while the temperature falls just below 12°C during an average night, and frosts are entirely absent.

Aprils tend to be quite dry, although rain does crop up on occasion and can be fairly heavy and thundery when it does arrive. The average April rainfall at Faro is 39mm, and rain falls on an average of 10 days per April, and there are usually significant dry sunny spells in between the infrequent wet ones.

With an average of 252 hours of bright sunshine at Faro, typical daily sunshine durations in the Algarve are in the range of 8 to 9 hours, with the most reliably sunny weather generally found near the Mediterranean coast.

The sea temperature off the coastline starts to creep up at this time of year, but averages only 16°C during April, which is rather chilly for swimming in.

Things to do

Those into walking and hiking can consider the scenic Alvor Boardwalk at Alvor, Portimao, which is well-received by most tourists, boasting spectacular views along the sea front and also leads to numerous good restaurants.

Magic Moments: Photo Walks & Photo Sessions at Sagres is primarily a photography company, but also offers a wide range of walks with an emphasis on finding good locations to take photographs, and also has sessions for sports and water activities, so this company covers a wide range of interests.

Algarve by Segway is one of the most well-received tour operators, and offers birdwatching trips to Ria Formosa, cultural trips around Faro, sunset trips to Faro Island, and themed tours for weddings and birthday parties. For a comprehensive guide to the main walks and trails in the Algarve, visitors can check out the online booklet, Trails in the Algarve.

There are also some good entertainment parks in the Algarve, and with the weather being reliably dry and sunny at this time of year, water parks are a good way to cool off and have fun. Aqualand at Sitio das Areias - Apartado 11, Alcantarilha offers rapids, a crazy leap, a helter-skelter-style “crazy race” and a mega slide, among other attractions.

The other two main choices are Slide & Splash, which boasts a helter-skelter and reptile shows and a “tornado” slide, and Aquashow Park, which boasts a water roller-coaster. While the water-based entertainment at all three parks is mostly highly rated by customers, note that the dining facilities receive mixed reviews, so it may be worth bringing your own lunch.

Dates for the diary

On the 25th April, Liberation Day is celebrated across the Algarve to commemorate the Carnation revolution, and at most of the major towns, cities and tourist resorts, it is celebrated with a variety of music, fireworks and parties.

The Baja Tarras d’el Rei (off-road championship) is held in April each year, though the locations vary from year to year and the championship is done in a series of rally stages- this is worth checking out for motorsport fans.

Where to eat & drink

There are many good restaurants available in the Algarve, catering for almost all tastes. Fans of Indian restaurants can consider Saffron at Praia da Luz, Luz, which is particularly good for tandoori and also has an outdoor patio area overlooking the sea.

For those after a relatively light snack, high quality snacks are served at the Il Cappuccino café at R. Quinta da Correira, Albufeira, alongside a selection of main courses.

For pub and nightlife entertainment, Angelus Bar is a highly-rated beach-side bar, which serves good pub meals and also has regular karaoke and quiz nights. Roskos at Rua Candido dos Reis N0 79, Lagos is well-established for its frequent musical entertainment, including funk, rhythm & blues and soul music.

Hit the beach

April is quite a good time of year to hit the beach, since the beaches are not generally as popular as during the summer months, but during fine spells the weather can be quite conducive for sunbathing and relaxation. Ilha de Culatra is an island situated off Olhao and contains a wide range of facilities including villages, a mini market, fishing outlets, and pleasant beaches for sunbathing.

On the Portuguese mainland, Praia de Amoreira near Aljezur is close to a good restaurant, and children are likely to be kept entertained due to numerous rock pools along the beach.

Where to stay

Accommodation options in the Algarve are numerous and there are many good hotels to choose from. Those with large budgets can consider Four Seasons Fairways at Quinto do Lago, which has numerous luxury villas which are available for rent, and a clubhouse with numerous sporting facilities and a restaurant, and on-site golf facilities, which are provided at a discount for those who rent one of the villas.

Memmo Baleeira Hotel at Sagres has high-quality accommodation and facilities and is particularly recommended to those who would like to try surfing, as there are surfing facilities nearby. A less expensive option is the Herdade da Corte hotel at Santa Catarina Da Fonte Do Bispo, Tavira, which contains a lounge bar, a swimming pool and a relaxed atmosphere.

There are also some good budget options, including the three-star Velamar Hotel at Olhos d'Agua, Albufeira. Self-catering accommodation options include Praia Village at Vilamoura.