Weather in Albufeira in March

How March compares

March is the 8th warmest month of the year in Albufeira and ranks 59th of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within Portugal it is 1st of 13 (Portugal in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Albufeira is 8.4°C warmer by day and 7.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Albufeira peaks at 18.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 23.1°C or more. Roughly 1 in 33 days top 25°C. Nights average 10.4°C; one night in ten drops to 7.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 28.8°C (1995-03-29) and the coldest night 2.5°C (1993-03-01).

Rain in March

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 60 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 2018 with 203 mm, the driest 1997 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in March

The sea averages 15.3°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 14.6°C to 15.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (20.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:44 and sets about 18:40 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 47%.

Is March a good time to visit Albufeira?

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

Comfortable days, but pack for chilly evenings

Plan for light layers during the day and a jumper or jacket after sunset. The average daytime high is 18.9°C, which suits walking without intense heat, though it does not promise warmth from breakfast onwards. On the warmest days, temperatures reach 23.1°C or more, so lighter clothing may get some use around midday. The catch is the drop in temperature once the day cools: the coldest nights fall to 7.5°C or below. If you like eating outside, keep a warm layer handy rather than assuming daytime comfort will last into the evening. March suits travellers who prefer mild conditions; it is less convincing if dependable heat is the reason for going.

Keep plans flexible and treat the sea as cold

Rain is enough of a possibility to shape your packing, with about 8 rainy days during March. Bring a waterproof jacket and leave room to move outdoor plans around rather than relying on an entirely dry stay. That does not make March a write-off, but it does make a rigid beach-only plan a poor fit. The sea averages 15.3°C and stays within a cold 15°C to 16°C range from year to year. For most travellers, that points towards time beside the water rather than relaxed swimming in it. If comfortable sea bathing is essential, March is not a good choice, even when the air feels pleasant in the middle of the day.