Is it too cold to swim in Portugal in May?

Sea temperatures, which range from 18 to 20°C, are still not suitable for swimming. The average daytime temperature in Lisbon is around 22°C during this month, while nights do not go below 13°C. Porto sees temperature shooting up to 20°C during the daytime, while evenings see the mercury drop to 12°C.



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You can swim in the ocean comfortably from March until October. And in the winter months, you can take long refreshing beach walks. Find out what the weather in the Algarve is like from January until December.

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It's balmier and drier as you move further south to Lisbon, where highs around this time can reach 72°F (22°C). Beach days get likelier in May as temperatures in the Algarve, in Portugal's south, hit up to 72°F (25°C).

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The hottest place is Portugal in May is Évora (24ºC) in the beautiful Alentejo region between Lisbon and the Algarve. Both Lisbon (22ºC) and Faro (22ºC) on the Algarve coast will feel warm in May, with temperatures likely to reach the high 20s.

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May is the perfect month to travel to The Algarve if you love the warm Algarve sun but want to avoid the hot 30+ temperatures in summer. It's warm enough for activities like exploring beaches, eating out, and swimming, but still mild enough to enjoy activities like hiking, horse riding, bird watching, and climbing!

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Lovely sunny weather makes May an ideal time to visit, especially if you're hitting a long-distance trail like the Via Algarviana or the Rota Vicentina. The crowds are beginning to arrive in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, though it's still a fairly relaxed scene compared to the summertime high season.

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April is usually a bit too early to enjoy the beaches and the outdoor pools of the hotels to the fullest. We saw some people on the beaches in Portugal on the warmest April days, but only very few of them went in the water. The seawater is still quite cold after the winter.

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In fact, the waters of Portugal's coasts are rather cold compared to those of the Mediterranean Sea. A period of mental and physical preparation is necessary to enjoy a swim in the waters of the beaches of Portugal. However, there are some places where the temperature of the water is warmer and warmer.

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In the Algarve, the sea is typically warmer compared to the rest of Portugal, but even there, strong winds and currents bring cold water from deeper parts of the Ocean to the surface, resulting in cooler temperatures.

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This one is a close call with both destinations seeing temperatures sitting in the balmy mid- to late-twenties during the summer months. Out of the peak season, the Greek island of Crete warms up as early as May hitting around 25C, while the Algarve isn't far behind at around 22C.

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For safety's sake, most swimmers should wait until the water temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

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The best month to visit Portugal, specifically the Algarve, is during the shoulder season. I personally love visiting in May-June or late Sept-October. If you're looking to make the most of the Algarve, the sweet spot lies in the shoulder season — May-June and September-October.

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On the coast and especially in the tourist resorts of the Algarve, dress is far more casual. Shorts, t-shirts and camisoles are perfectly acceptable. In the summer wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection) and a sunhat. Pack sunglasses whatever time of year you go.

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Summarizing: The weather in May is reliable and warm with average temperatures around 22-24 degrees. Make sure to bring good sunscreen and clothes for warm day temperatures and slightly colder evenings.

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Algarve is the hottest region of Portugal, with the exception of Madeira Island (an archipelago of Portugal). In the Alentejo region the average temperatures are around 16ºC (depending on if you are on the coast or in the interior) and in the Algarve region 18ºC.

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