Algarve · December
Low seasonPortugal · Europe
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAXMAX | 17° | 17° | 19° | 21° | 24° | 26° | 29° | 29° | 26° | 24° | 20° | 17° |
MINMIN | 9° | 10° | 12° | 14° | 16° | 19° | 21° | 21° | 20° | 17° | 13° | 11° |
☀️Sunshine | 7h | 8h | 9h | 10h | 12h | 13h | 13h | 12h | 10h | 8h | 7h | 6h |
🌊Water Temp | 16° | 16° | 16° | 17° | 18° | 19° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 18° | 17° |
🌧Rain Days | 3d30mm | 3d34mm | 5d47mm | 4d37mm | 2d20mm | 0d4mm | 0d1mm | 0d4mm | 1d13mm | 3d47mm | 4d69mm | 4d48mm |
Best travel time current monthMonthly averages 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Off-season — lowest travel prices with still acceptable climate.
December in Algarve is on the cool side — with highs around 17°C it's less suited for a beach holiday, but good for sightseeing away from the high season.
Daytime temperatures reach up to 17°C, cooling to 10°C at night (daily average: 14°C). With 6 sunshine hours per day and 4 rain days (48 mm), this is one of the cloudier months. At 16°C, the water is still quite cool in December — a wetsuit may be useful.
Pack warm clothing and sturdy footwear. Cool temperatures make hiking and cultural trips enjoyable — beaches are off the agenda.
Die Algarve außerhalb der Saison: die Goldküste gehört Surfern und Wanderern. Die Rota Vicentina — einer der wildesten Küstenwanderwege Europas — ist jetzt leer. Silves und Lagos ohne Reisegruppen, Mandelblüten Mitte Januar.
Packing list for Algarve in December
- Langarmhemden und leichte Hosen
- Leichte Jacke
- Sonnencreme
- Sonnenbrille
- Kleiner Regenschirm (vereinzelte Schauer möglich)
- Reiseapotheke
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is December a good time to visit Algarve?
- December is not an optimal month for Algarve (Score: 52/100), but it is manageable. For better conditions, consider May, June, July, August, and September.
- How warm is it in Algarve in December?
- In December, Algarve sees daily highs of 17°C. Nights cool to 10°C, with a daily average of 14°C.
- How much rain falls in Algarve in December?
- In December, Algarve receives an average of 48 mm of rain over 4 rain days. That is comparatively dry.
- How many sunshine hours does Algarve get in December?
- Algarve averages 6 sunshine hours per day in December — below the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Algarve in December?
- Water temperature in Algarve in December averages 16°C — still quite cool — a wetsuit may be useful.