Your August weather guide

Weather in Portugal in August

Yes - August is a good month for Portugal if you want warm days and little rain, rather than cool conditions for long walks. Country averages sit at 28°C by day and 20°C at night, while the sea averages 21°C: refreshing rather than bath-warm. The Algarve suits travellers who prioritise heat and swimming; Lisbon offers slightly gentler daytime temperatures but cooler water. Plan active days around the midday heat rather than pushing through it.

Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020

Average daytime high
28.2°Cacross 13 destinations
Average night-time low
19.5°Cafter dark
Sea temperature
20.8°Cbracing
Rainy days
1days1 mm or more

Portugal, month by month

Turn up the warmth

Warmest places in Portugal in August

Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.

#1Hot

Albufeira

Portugal · 2 h 54 min from London

Day
31.4°C
Sea
20.7°C
Sun
11.3h
Rain days
1
#2Hot

Ferragudo

Portugal · 2 h 54 min from London

Day
30.1°C
Sea
20.4°C
Sun
11.1h
Rain days
1
#3Hot

Carvoeiro

Portugal · 2 h 54 min from London

Day
30.0°C
Sea
20.4°C
Sun
11.1h
Rain days
1
#4Hot

Alvor

Portugal · 2 h 54 min from London

Day
29.5°C
Sea
20.4°C
Sun
11.1h
Rain days
1
#5Hot

Algarve

Portugal · 2 h 54 min from London

Day
29.2°C
Sea
20.7°C
Sun
11.3h
Rain days
1
#6Hot

Vilamoura

Portugal · 2 h 54 min from London

Day
28.7°C
Sea
20.9°C
Sun
11.3h
Rain days
1

Portugal destinations ranked for August

All 13 places we track in Portugal, ordered by daytime high.

13 destinations

Scroll sideways for more weather, down for more places. Click a heading to sort.

Portugal destinations ranked by August temperature
#Destination
1Albufeira31.4°C19.5°C20.7°C11.3 h12 h 54 min
2Ferragudo30.1°C19.2°C20.4°C11.1 h12 h 54 min
3Carvoeiro30.0°C19.0°C20.4°C11.1 h12 h 54 min
4Alvor29.5°C19.0°C20.4°C11.1 h12 h 54 min
5Algarve29.2°C19.6°C20.7°C11.3 h12 h 54 min
6Vilamoura28.7°C19.9°C20.9°C11.3 h12 h 54 min
7Quarteira28.7°C19.9°C20.9°C11.5 h12 h 54 min
8Vale do Lobo28.6°C20.0°C20.9°C11.5 h12 h 54 min
9Faro26.7°C20.6°C21.3°C11.7 h02 h 54 min
10Lisbon26.6°C18.7°C19.2°C10.2 h12 h 42 min
11Porto25.9°C17.1°C17.4°C8.9 h52 h 24 min
12Madeira25.6°C20.7°C23.3°C8.3 h33 h 48 min
13Funchal25.6°C20.7°C23.3°C8.3 h33 h 48 min

13 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.

August climate overview

Daytime highs across Portugal in August run from 25.6°C (Funchal) to 31.4°C (Albufeira). In Albufeira about 99% of August days reach 25°C. Nights average 19.5°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Funchal fall to 19°C or below.

Rainfall in August

Expect around 1 rainy days (1 mm or more) in August, with Faro the driest (0 days) and Porto the wettest (5 days). The wettest August at Albufeira between 1991 and 2020 was 1997 with 15 mm; the driest was 1991 with 0 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 20.8°C around Portugal in August - warmest at Madeira (23.3°C). That is bracing: fine for a dip, cool for long swims.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 10.6 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 13.4 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

August against the rest of the year in Portugal

August is the 1st warmest month of the twelve in Portugal. It is 0.3°C warmer than July and 2.5°C cooler in September. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (15°C).

Which part of Portugal in August?

What to pack for Portugal in August

Based on the averages: summer clothes for the day; swimwear if you do not mind a bracing 21°C sea.

Similar weather elsewhere in August

Within 1.5°C of Portugal's August daytime average: Tokyo (30°C, sea 27°C), Alicante (30°C, sea 27°C), Paphos (30°C, sea 28°C), Bahamas (30°C, sea 30°C), Naples (30°C, sea 26°C). See the full ranking for August.

Where to go for hotter or gentler weather

Albufeira is the hottest option listed, averaging 31°C by day, so it suits heat lovers better than anyone hoping to stay active throughout the afternoon. Ferragudo, Carvoeiro and Alvor are close behind at 30°C, with nights averaging 19°C offering some relief from daytime heat. For a less hot Algarve choice, Faro averages 27°C, although its 21°C nights remain warm. Lisbon also averages 27°C by day, making it a more comfortable pick than Albufeira for time spent walking outdoors. Funchal is the coolest destination listed at 26°C, worth considering if warmth appeals but stronger daytime heat does not.

What to pack and how to plan your days

Light clothing, sun protection and access to shade matter more than substantial rainwear. Portugal averages 10.6 hours of sunshine a day in August, so leave room for breaks indoors and put longer walks earlier or later in the day. The country average is 1 rainy day, making rain a limited planning concern, not something you can rule out entirely. A light layer is still useful if you feel cool after swimming or while sitting outside in the evening. Sea temperatures are the main catch for anyone expecting very warm water: the Algarve average is 21°C, while Lisbon's 19°C is more likely to feel brisk when you first get in.

A little more detail

Portugal in August FAQs

Plain answers, grounded in the averages.

Where is the hottest place in Portugal in August?

Albufeira is the warmest of the 13 places we track in Portugal in August with an average high of 31.4°C; Funchal is the coolest at 25.6°C.

Is the sea warm in Portugal in August?

The sea averages 22°C or more at Madeira (23°C), Funchal (23°C) in August.

How much warmer is Portugal than London in August?

Portugal averages 28°C by day, compared with London's 21°C in August. That makes it a better fit for travellers seeking reliable warmth, but it also means allowing more shade breaks rather than expecting comfortable walking conditions throughout the day.

Which Algarve areas have the warmest sea?

Among the listed destinations, Albufeira, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Vale do Lobo and Faro share a sea average of 21°C. Ferragudo, Carvoeiro and Alvor average 20°C. The difference is modest, so water temperature alone need not decide where you stay.

Can I expect a completely rain-free holiday?

Rain is uncommon, but a dry holiday is not guaranteed. Faro, Quarteira and Vale do Lobo have averages of 0 rainy days in August, while several other listed destinations average 1. Treat that as a reason to plan outdoors, not a promise.

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