Algarve · Month comparison

January vs September

September ranks #1 overall vs January at #10. The golden month — 28°C, sea at its warmest, families back at school.

Algarve winter coastline Lagos rock formations in January

January

#10 of 12 months

Strong option

Mild for Europe — 16°C, golf playable, hills green not brown.

  • ↑Algarve golf rates 50-60% below July (Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, Monte Rei)
  • ↑Hills above Monchique green and walkable; almond blossom starts late Jan
September warm light on Algarve cliffs

September

#1 of 12 months

Best match

The golden month — 28°C, sea at its warmest, families back at school.

  • ↑Sea at 23°C (warmer than July), light winds, prime kayak/SUP weather
  • ↑Med Cup sailing in Vilamoura early September
FactorJanuarySeptember
Weather score
5
10
Value score
10
6
Crowd score
10
6
Events score
3
7
Atmosphere
6
10
Avg high temp16°C28°C
Monthly rain75mm18mm
Daily sunshine5.5hrs9hrs

January trade-offs

  • ↓75mm rain in 9 wet days — Atlantic systems still rolling through
  • ↓Sea at 15°C — surfers in 5mm wetsuits, no general swimming

September trade-offs

  • ↓Atlantic surf swell starts building late month — west-coast beaches roughen
  • ↓First small storm typically rolls in around 25-30 September
See all 12 months for Algarve →January in detail →September in detail →
Scores compare months within Algarve. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →