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Averages for Algarve in September

Weather lowdown

September is a good time of year to visit the Algarve region for reliably dry sunny weather and warm sea temperatures off the Mediterranean coast, but minus the intense heat that sometimes characterises the summer months. The average daytime temperature at the capital of the Algarve, Faro, is 27°C, and the temperature falls to 18°C on average overnight. However, heatwaves still crop up occasionally and temperatures above 35°C are occasionally reported early in the month.

Rainfall is rare during September, particularly near the Mediterranean coast, but it is less rare than during July and August, and when it does crop up it is often heavy, thundery and short-lived. At Faro there are 3 days with measurable rain per September on average, with an average monthly total of 23mm.

Septembers boast an average of 273 hours of bright sunshine at Faro which amounts to just over nine hours per day. The sea temperature off the coastline is at its warmest during August and September, peaking at around 21°C on average, so this is a good time of year to try swimming or diving off the Mediterranean coast.

Things to do

Since the weather is generally reliable during September, and not as hot as in July and August, September is a good time to try a sailing trip. At the resort of Alvor, Alvor Boat Trips offer a wide range of boat trips and fishing trips off the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, and free transport is provided from your choice of hotel.

Another good option is Trigana Sailing Adventures, also based based at Alvor Harbour, and these trips also offer opportunities for fishing. Those who would like to sail to islands off the coastline can try Boat Tours Ria Formosa, which offer regular afternoon tours to three islands off the coastline, and bird watching, fishing and snorkelling opportunities are offered.

September is also a good time to try out one of the Algarve’s many and varied golf courses, and the Vilamoura area is particularly well served. Many of the region’s best golf courses are provided by Oceanico, of which one of the best-received is the Vilamoura Old Course at Vilamoura, regarded as challenging and well-maintained. The company offers deals on club and buggy hire.

Alternatively, golf fans can consider the San Lorenzo Golf Course at Vale Do Lobo, Le Meridien Hotel, Almancil, which has won awards for its quality and provides options for renting buggies and golf clubs, a driving range, putting and chipping greens, and a fully-featured 18-hole golf course.

For those who would rather get some training in order to help them to become better golfers, and then try out their improved skills on the above golf courses, Lesters Golf at Vilamoura offers numerous good training courses.

Dates for the diary

The Algarve has a handful of significant festivals during September. One of the most important is the Powerboat P1 Championship at Portimao, which features successions of power boats racing each other off the coastline, and the competitors must handle the boats accurately through the waves in order to succeed. September also features the Fisherman’s Festival at Albufeira, which also includes a gastronomy (food eating) event and other entertainment.

Where to eat & drink

The Algarve boasts numerous good restaurants, and most tastes are well catered for. The Casa do Pintor- Gourmet & Bistro, at Largo Santa Maria da Graca, offers a range of good French and international cuisine, while the Oiliveira Dourada restaurant at Sitio de Conseguinte, Vilamoura, is a family-run restaurant which serves mainly local Portuguese cuisine, although some international options are also served.

Those interested in visiting traditional British-style pubs and catching up on sporting events are also very well covered. The Sports Cafe at Rua Frederico Ramos Mendes, Alvor, Portimao boasts 20 screens including one large cinema screen, and can broadcast up to 5 sporting matches at once, and also has a selection of cocktails and features entertainment on evenings including karaoke nights. A range of pub food is also served at reasonable prices.

A good nightclub is Kiss Club at rua Vasco da Gama, Albufeira, which has a good disco and is ideal for dancing and partying to music in through the night.

Hit the beach

September is a good time of year to visit the Algarve’s many beaches, for the weather is still generally reliable, and the region is less crammed with tourists at this time of year than it is during July and August. Praia la Luz is a pleasant beach for relaxing and sunbathing, while it also enjoys close proximity to supermarkets and restaurants, making it ideal for a prolonged stay. Praia Dona Ana, near Lagos, is good for walking and hiking around as it contains spectacular scenery and some good routes, though beware of walking too close to the edge of the cliffs, as they are in the process of eroding and occasionally crumble.

There is a wide choice of good accommodation in the Algarve. The Alfagar II Aparthotel, at Santa Eulalia, Albufeira, is a good family-friendly option, and it contains a water slide (particularly good for keeping children entertained) and swimming pools and restaurants.

Couples interested in a romantic retreat can consider the Romantik Hotel Vivenda Miranda, situated at Porto de Mos, Lagos, which is also just five minutes’ walk away from the nearest beach.

For those after a boutique hotel, Mareta Beach Boutique Bed & Breakfast at Mareta, Sagres is a good budget option which offers high-quality accommodation, bed and breakfast.

Those on a tight budget are also quite well catered for. A good option is the Aparthotel Olhos d’Agua at Olhos d'Agua, Albufeira, which contains a spacious swimming pool area and 41 apartments. Self-catering options are also many and varied, and include the Casa Mitchell Apartments in Rua do Tenis, Albufeira.