Is the sea warmer in Portugal or Spain?

Portugal's beaches are beautiful, yes–but due to being set on the Atlantic, the water is actually much colder than many visitors might expect (yes, even in the Algarve). What is this? Spain's long Mediterranean coast, on the other hand, tends to offer much warmer water and a longer swimming season.



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Real Experiences. While official figures might indicate certain temperatures, personal experiences can vary. On some days, after a long hike on the cliffs of the Algarve, the sea feels refreshingly cold, while on others, especially in sheltered coves, it feels considerably warmer.

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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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The warmest part of the Algarve is the eastern Algarve. The more west you travel, the colder and windier it usually gets, especially ones you go around the corner at Sagres. I would recommend staying anywhere in between the Spanish boarder and Salema.

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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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The graph below shows the range of monthly Albufeira water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. The warmest water temperature is in September with an average around 70°F / 21.1°C. The coldest month is March with an average water temperature of 60.6°F / 15.9°C.

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The high season – June to August – is the best time for the beach. During the summer months, you'll find warmer ocean temperatures, especially as you head south to the Algarve. Water temps and crowds alike peak in July and August, so plan on sharing those pretty beaches with plenty of other sunseekers.

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The average temperature in Europe is 21.8°C. The highest current temperature on the continent according to our data, is in Koper (Slovenia) where water has 28.9 degrees celsius. On the other hand the lowest temperature is in Dalatangi (Iceland) where water has 12.1 degrees celsius.

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If you are looking for a beach holiday, then the Algarve is the perfection destination. You can swim in the ocean comfortably from March until October. And in the winter months, you can take long refreshing beach walks.

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This beach in the east of the Algarve is surrounded by green dunes and offers a peaceful atmosphere. The calm, shallow waters make it an ideal choice for families. It's also a great place to admire the breathtaking sunsets.

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The seas are a little too rough for anything more than paddling if you have young children. The restaurants and bars around the beach are top notch though, if a little too English. I would like to try out of the main tourist season, my guess is it would be a much more pleasant experience.

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The ocean currents can be strong and unpredictable. If you plan on swimming, go to beaches with lifeguards and pay attention to the warning flags – green means it's safe to swim, yellow means use caution and stay near the shore, and red means do not enter.

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8 of the best places to visit in the Algarve
  1. Sagres. Best surf in the Algarve. ...
  2. Faro. Best place to visit for history. ...
  3. Carvoeiro. Best place for families with kids. ...
  4. Silves. Best for inland exploring. ...
  5. Tavira. Best for culture, wine and music. ...
  6. Lagos. Best for dining and nightlife. ...
  7. Carrapateira. Best for wild beauty. ...
  8. Galé


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January is the coldest month in the Algarve, but compared to the cold winter months here in the Netherlands, the temperatures are still very mild. The Algarve has a Mediterranean climate, which refers to the countries around the Mediterranean Sea.

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Lisbon has a Mediterranean hot climate (Csa) whereas Istanbul has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Both are in or near the warm temperate dry forest biome. The average temperature is 2.7 °C (4.8°F) warmer.

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Portugal has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you enjoy hot perfect sunny days the best time to visit Portugal is between June and August. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 30 C and an average low of 22 C.

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