Weather in Algarve in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Algarve and ranks 64th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Portugal it is 7th of 13 (Portugal in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Algarve is 7.9°C warmer by day and 6.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Algarve peaks at 15.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 17.4°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 9.1°C; one night in ten drops to 5.7°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 21.5°C (1999-01-29) and the coldest night -0.9°C (2009-01-09).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 51 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1996 with 361 mm, the driest 2005 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 78%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 15.7°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.0°C to 16.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (20.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:44 and sets about 17:37 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 47%.

Is January a good time to visit Algarve?

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

Milder than London, but still winter

The Algarve is noticeably milder than London in January, with average daytime highs 7.9°C higher. That makes it a reasonable choice for travellers who prefer being active outdoors without summer heat. The catch is that January is the region's coldest month, not an early taste of summer. Warmer days can reach 17.4°C or more, but the coldest nights fall to 5.7°C or below. Pack layers you can remove during the day, plus a warm jacket for evenings. If your main aim is lying outside in swimwear, this is not the month to choose; it suits walking weather much better than sunbathing weather.

Plan around the brighter spells

January brings about 5.1 hours of sunshine within 9.7 hours of daylight, so there is scope for time outdoors, but not endless bright afternoons. Keep your plans movable rather than relying on a particular day staying dry. With about 7 rainy days, a waterproof jacket is a sensible part of your luggage, and covered alternatives will make wet spells less frustrating. The averages do not tell you how rain will fall during your stay, so avoid treating them as a forecast. Put longer outdoor plans into the brighter part of the day and keep evenings flexible as temperatures fall.