The Algarve, the most southerly region of Portugal, has the best of Portugal's climate. Cooling sea breezes make peak summer season here not too oppressive, although temperatures can climb up to 39 degrees centigrade in August. Average daily minimum temperatures on the Algarve can range from 8 to 10 degrees centigrade. Many suggest that the best time to visit the Algarve is between May and June when temperatures are up around 24 to 30 degrees centigrade - not oppressively hot, although that's hot enough. Expect very hot temperatures in July and August on the Algarve when they tend to push into the mid to high 30s centigrade.

Don't assume that the Algarve has day in day out sunshine out of peak season - it doesn't, it does get the rain too, mostly from November to April. Not much rain though, on average per year only around 50 days and a total of 500mm. Summers are hot and dry, whilst winters are mild. Cooling sea breezes ease the heat in peak summer, and sunshine hours are long. Sea water temperatures range from around 14 degrees centigrade in January to around 22 degrees centigrade in peak August. Good news for surfing and watersports fanatics then! The eastern more sheltered Algarve coast around the Faro, Tavira and Montegordo beaches have the best of warm sea water temperatures, and superb sheltered calm waters perfect for family holidays on the Algarve.

Monthly temperatures in the Algarve are on average as follows: January 15 degrees centigrade/59F, February 16C/61F, March 18C/64F, April 21C/70F, May 24C/75F, June 30C/86F, July 35C/95F, August 37C/99F, September 33C/91F, October 28C/82F, November 19C/66F and December 17C/63F.