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Averages for Algarve in May

Weather lowdown

May is an excellent time to visit the Algarve for those after moderate warmth and reliably dry sunny weather. At the region’s capital, Faro, the daytime temperature reaches an average high of 23°C, while the temperature falls to 14°C during an average night. Temperatures do occasionally fluctuate significantly either side of the long-term mean, however, and highs in excess of 30°C are possible.

Rainfall is observed occasionally during May, but there are usually prolonged dry spells. When it does rain at this time of year, the rain is often quite heavy and thundery. The average rainfall at Faro in May is just 22mm, and rain falls on an average of 7 days out of a possible 31.

May is a reliably sunny month with an average of 313 hours bright sunshine at Faro, which amounts to an average of just over ten hours per day. The Mediterranean coastline is generally the sunniest part of the Algarve region.

The sea temperature off the coastline continues to rise at this time of year, with a May average of about 17°C, but this is still rather cool for swimming in.

Things to do

With the heat not as excessive as in the summer months, and the weather generally reliable, May is a good time of year to try mountain biking. The Mountain Bike Adventure Day Tours at Lagos offer a range of cross country and mountain trips, and also offer all-inclusive holidays. Bike hire is available, or users can bring their own mountain bikes. These trips offer opportunities to see spectacular scenery that visitors would not normally find while driving around or visiting the main tourist hotspots.

For motor racing fans, Algarve Racing at Mexilhoeira Grande, Portimao offers a wide range of racing-related options. These include packages for watching racing events around the race track at the establishment, going on holiday tours in the surrounding areas, going karting, and going for a drive or passenger ride in a Touring Car.

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, situated at the Sitio do Escampadinho, Portimao is the main alternative, which is good for go-karting facilities. Karting enthusiasts can also consider the Algarve Indoor Kart Centre at Ria Shopping, Olhao, which is one of the largest karting centres in Europe and makes karts available for rental.

Dates for the diary

The “May Sweet May” jazz festival is held in the Portimao riverside area each May, held over four days, and features jazz performances. The “May Fair” is held annually in Azinhal, and enables crafts specialists to show off their skills, for example bobbin lace, basketwork, embroidery and tapestry, and some also wear esparto grass, a craft that is often used for baskets and cords.

Where to eat & drink

The Algarve boasts a range of good restaurants, and most tastes are well catered for. For something expensive and luxurious and a little out of the ordinary, Restaurante Ruccula at Rua Poeta Joao de Deus, Alvor, Portimao is a good choice. A Tasquinha do Rossio at Rua Dr. Santos, Albufeira, sells a range of seafood with a mainly Portuguese theme, and offers good value for money.

There are also numerous good pubs in the region. The Tunes Bar at Praca Miguel Bombarda 32, Albufeira, serves a variety of traditional pub food including cooked English breakfasts, and those who wish to view important sporting events are also well covered thanks to numerous TV screens across the bar.

A reasonable nightclub is Libertos Club at Travessa Antero de Quental 59, Albufeira which has a good disco area for dancing, and music is played well into the early hours of the morning.

Hit the beach

May is quite a good time of year to visit the beaches in the Algarve, for the weather tends to be good for relaxing and sunbathing, while the main crowds of tourists tend not to arrive at the Algarve until July and August. Praia de Falesia, between Vilamoura and Albufeira, is a Blue Flag beach and tends to be quiet most of the time, while it overlooks some spectacular cliff formations.

Olhos de Agua Beach at Olhos de Agua, Albufeira is also good for relaxing and sunbathing, while there are also numerous facilities nearby including restaurants and a pharmacy.

Where to stay

Accommodation options in the Algarve are numerous, and there are good budget options as well as many luxurious places to stay. For those after luxury, Conrad Algarve at Estrada da Quinta do Lago, Quinta do Lago offers a wide range of good facilities, including numerous pools and a spa pool. The Gusto restaurant, contained within the premises, is particularly well-received by customers.

Lake Spa Resort at Avenida Cerro da Vila, Vilamoura, as well as offering 5-star accommodation and spa pools, is handy for the golf courses around Vilamoura. Romantic retreats are also numerous, for example the Dom Manuel Hotel at the Vila Praia D Ana at Lagos.

Those after budget accommodation can consider the Hotel Frentomar, which is a reasonably priced beach hotel with good rooms and good views over the sea front. Self-catering options include the Atlantida Algarve Holiday Home, Vilamoura.