Weather in Albufeira in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Albufeira and ranks 64th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Portugal it is 3rd of 13 (Portugal in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Albufeira is 8.7°C warmer by day and 6.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Albufeira peaks at 16.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 18.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 9.5°C; one night in ten drops to 5.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 22.5°C (2018-12-06) and the coldest night 0.6°C (1994-12-26).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 76 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2009 with 242 mm, the driest 1993 with 2 mm. Humidity averages 80%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 16.6°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.9°C to 17.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (20.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:39 and sets about 17:17 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 52%.

Is December a good time to visit Albufeira?

December is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Albufeira on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Mild afternoons, cool evenings and a cold sea

Daytime temperatures are comfortable for walking without summer heat, though a mild forecast is not a promise of T-shirt weather. The warmer days reach 18.6°C or more, while the coldest nights can fall to 5.5°C or below. Pack layers you can take off during a walk, plus a warm jacket for evenings rather than relying on a light cardigan. The sea averages 16.6°C, firmly in the cold category, so this is not a good choice for leisurely swimming. Treat time beside the water as a chance to walk or sit out when conditions suit, rather than planning your holiday around getting into it. December makes more sense for travellers who enjoy being outdoors without needing beach heat.

Leave room for rain and shorter days

Rain is a meaningful part of the December trade-off, so a waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements are sensible choices. About 4.5 hours of sunshine within 9.5 hours of daylight leaves scope for bright outdoor spells, but not a full day of guaranteed sun. Keep your outdoor plans flexible and use clear spells when they arrive, rather than saving everything for late afternoon. Plan for the possibility of wet weather interrupting a walk, and have something indoors in mind. If your holiday depends on reliably dry days, December is a compromise; if you can change plans with the forecast, the mild temperatures still have value.