Is the water too cold to swim in Portugal?

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.



People Also Ask

During winter, Portugal continues to have plenty of beautifully sunny days, and the temperatures stay mild. While it might be too cold to swim, you'll have gorgeous Algarve beaches all to yourself. Read on to learn details about what winter in Portugal is like, and 10 reasons why you should visit Portugal in winter.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

But though Nazaré's surfing reputation precedes it, there are plenty of calmer beaches suitable for swimming, including Praia da Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto.

MORE DETAILS

Albufeira is one of the warmest places in Portugal in winter. In December and January, the average temperature remains between 12°C to 14°C and the sun shines for around 9 hours every day. Albufeira offers a variety of attractions, including lovely beaches, boat tours and historical monuments.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

70° to 78° Fahrenheit is the range where most folks feel comfortable swimming.

MORE DETAILS

The water in Portugal stays pretty cold all year round. This means that you'll need a wetsuit even in summer. In the summer, on the central and northern coast, water temperatures reach a maximum of 18-22°C (65-71°F). You'll need a 3mm long-sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm wetsuit if it's windy.

MORE DETAILS

Whether you have an upcoming trip booked or are looking for travel inspiration, keep scrolling to see the best beaches in Portugal.
  • Praia Dona Ana, Lagos.
  • Costa da Caparica, Almada.
  • Praia Porto Santo, Porto Santo Island.
  • Praia de Moledo, Moledo.
  • Praia da Falesia, Albufeira.
  • Praia de São Jacinto, Aveiro.


MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The Algarve region in Portugal is known for its natural beauty, rich culture and warm climate that brings constant sunshine and clear blue skies to the area year-round. Temperatures rarely drop below 20°C and reach a peak of 28°C in July and August.

MORE DETAILS