#1Warm
Albufeira
- Day
- 20.6°C
- Sea
- 16.0°C
- Sun
- 6.8h
- Rain days
- 7
Your April weather guide
Weather in Portugal in April
Yes, April is a good month for Portugal if you want mild days outdoors rather than reliable beach heat. Country averages of 19°C by day and 12°C at night make layers more useful than a suitcase of summer clothes. The catch is the sea: at 16°C, it is chilly for leisurely swimming. Choose the Algarve for warmer afternoons, and keep plans flexible enough to work around rain.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 19.1°Cacross 13 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 12.4°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 16.2°Ccold for swimming
- Rainy days
- 8days1 mm or more
Portugal, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in Portugal in April
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
Portugal destinations ranked for April
All 13 places we track in Portugal, ordered by daytime high.
Scroll sideways for more weather, down for more places. Click a heading to sort.
| # | Destination | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albufeira | 20.6°C | 11.8°C | 16.0°C | 6.8 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 2 | Ferragudo | 20.1°C | 12.0°C | 15.9°C | 6.8 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 3 | Carvoeiro | 20.0°C | 11.8°C | 15.9°C | 6.8 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 4 | Alvor | 19.7°C | 12.1°C | 15.9°C | 6.8 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 5 | Algarve | 19.6°C | 12.3°C | 16.0°C | 6.9 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 6 | Vilamoura | 19.3°C | 12.4°C | 16.1°C | 6.9 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 7 | Quarteira | 19.3°C | 12.4°C | 16.1°C | 6.9 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 8 | Vale do Lobo | 19.2°C | 12.4°C | 16.1°C | 6.9 h | 7 | 2 h 54 min |
| 9 | Faro | 18.5°C | 13.3°C | 16.3°C | 7.6 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 10 | Madeira | 18.2°C | 14.1°C | 18.4°C | 5.2 h | 9 | 3 h 48 min |
| 11 | Funchal | 18.2°C | 14.1°C | 18.4°C | 5.2 h | 9 | 3 h 48 min |
| 12 | Lisbon | 18.1°C | 12.3°C | 15.3°C | 6.7 h | 8 | 2 h 42 min |
| 13 | Porto | 17.5°C | 9.8°C | 14.1°C | 5.8 h | 12 | 2 h 24 min |
13 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.
April climate overview
Daytime highs across Portugal in April run from 17.5°C (Porto) to 20.6°C (Albufeira). Even in Albufeira only 12% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 12.4°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Porto fall to 7°C or below.
Rainfall in April
Expect around 8 rainy days (1 mm or more) in April, with Faro the driest (6 days) and Porto the wettest (12 days). The wettest April at Albufeira between 1991 and 2020 was 2000 with 157 mm; the driest was 2005 with 1 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 16.2°C around Portugal in April - warmest at Madeira (18.4°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 6.6 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 13.0 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
April against the rest of the year in Portugal
April is the 7th warmest month of the twelve in Portugal. It is 1.3°C warmer than March and 2.7°C warmer in May. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (15°C).
Which part of Portugal in April?
- Most sunshine: Faro, 7.6 h a day.
- Driest: Faro, about 6 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Madeira, 18°C.
- Hottest: Albufeira, 21°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Porto, 18°C.
What to pack for Portugal in April
Based on the averages: light layers - warm in the sun, cooler in the shade; a light jumper for evenings (12°C at night); a light waterproof for the odd shower.
Similar weather elsewhere in April
Within 1.5°C of Portugal's April daytime average: Fuerteventura (21°C, sea 19°C), Costa de la Luz (20°C, sea 17°C), Fethiye (20°C, sea 18°C), Benidorm (20°C, sea 16°C), Kusadasi (20°C, sea 17°C). See the full ranking for April.
Where to go for the warmest weather
Albufeira is the strongest choice if daytime warmth is your priority, averaging 21°C. Ferragudo, Carvoeiro and Alvor sit close behind at 20°C, so there is little temperature reason to favour one over another. The Algarve generally suits travellers who want comfortable afternoons outside without relying on summer heat. Faro trades some warmth for slightly fewer rainy days: it averages 18°C with 6 rainy days, compared with 7 across the other listed Algarve destinations. Madeira also averages 18°C, but its 14°C nights make evenings milder than in the Algarve. Porto is among the coolest options at 18°C, so it is less compelling if your main aim is the warmest possible afternoon.
Expect useful sunshine, but pack for changes
Portugal averages 6.6 hours of sunshine a day in April, making time outdoors a reasonable focus for your trip. However, 8 rainy days mean a waterproof jacket and flexible plans are sensible. Pack light layers for daytime, a jumper for evenings and shoes you are happy to wear in wet weather. Do not build the holiday around hot afternoons: even in Albufeira, the hottest destination, only 12% of days exceed 25°C. That makes April better suited to travellers who prefer moderate warmth than those seeking dependable sunbathing weather. Keep your outdoor plans movable rather than assuming a particular day will stay dry, and judge clothing by the forecast before heading out.
A little more detail
Portugal in April FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in Portugal in April?
Albufeira is the warmest of the 13 places we track in Portugal in April with an average high of 20.6°C; Porto is the coolest at 17.5°C.
Is the sea warm in Portugal in April?
Not really: the warmest sea we track in Portugal in April is 18.4°C at Madeira, below the 22°C most people find comfortable.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in April?
The sea averages 16°C around the listed Algarve destinations, so expect a cold swim rather than a comfortable soak. Madeira is warmer at 18°C, but still on the cool side. April is a better fit for time beside the water than a swimming-led holiday.
Is Madeira a better choice than the Algarve?
Madeira suits travellers who value milder evenings and a slightly warmer sea over hotter afternoons. It averages 18°C by day and 14°C at night, with 9 rainy days. The Algarve offers warmer daytime conditions and fewer rainy days in the supplied destinations.
How much warmer is Portugal than London in April?
Portugal averages 19°C by day, compared with London's 14°C, so afternoons should generally feel milder. That is not the same as summer weather: Portugal's average night temperature is 12°C, and you will still want an extra layer after dark.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 13 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C