#1Warm
Albufeira
- Day
- 23.9°C
- Sea
- 17.2°C
- Sun
- 8.3h
- Rain days
- 6
Your May weather guide
Weather in Portugal in May
Yes, May is a good month for Portugal if you want warm days for being outdoors rather than reliably warm sea swimming. Country averages reach 22°C by day and fall to 15°C at night, so light clothing needs an evening layer alongside it. The main catch is the sea at 17°C: pleasant weather on land does not mean comfortable water. The Algarve offers the warmest options in the figures, while Lisbon suits travellers who prefer milder daytime temperatures.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 21.8°Cacross 13 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 14.6°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 17.3°Ccold for swimming
- Rainy days
- 7days1 mm or more
Portugal, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in Portugal in May
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
Portugal destinations ranked for May
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 | 23.9°C | 14.2°C | 17.2°C | 8.3 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 2 | Ferragudo | 23.3°C | 14.4°C | 16.9°C | 8.2 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 3 | Carvoeiro | 23.1°C | 14.2°C | 17.0°C | 8.2 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 4 | Alvor | 22.8°C | 14.4°C | 16.9°C | 8.2 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 5 | Algarve | 22.5°C | 14.6°C | 17.2°C | 8.4 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 6 | Vilamoura | 22.1°C | 14.7°C | 17.3°C | 8.3 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 7 | Quarteira | 22.1°C | 14.7°C | 17.3°C | 8.3 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 8 | Vale do Lobo | 22.0°C | 14.7°C | 17.3°C | 8.3 h | 6 | 2 h 54 min |
| 9 | Faro | 20.9°C | 15.4°C | 17.6°C | 9.1 h | 5 | 2 h 54 min |
| 10 | Lisbon | 20.8°C | 14.4°C | 16.7°C | 7.8 h | 6 | 2 h 42 min |
| 11 | Porto | 20.0°C | 12.3°C | 15.2°C | 6.7 h | 11 | 2 h 24 min |
| 12 | Madeira | 19.9°C | 15.6°C | 19.3°C | 6.2 h | 8 | 3 h 48 min |
| 13 | Funchal | 19.9°C | 15.6°C | 19.3°C | 6.2 h | 8 | 3 h 48 min |
13 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.
May climate overview
Daytime highs across Portugal in May run from 19.9°C (Funchal) to 23.9°C (Albufeira). Even in Albufeira only 38% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 14.6°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Funchal fall to 14°C or below.
Rainfall in May
Expect around 7 rainy days (1 mm or more) in May, with Faro the driest (5 days) and Porto the wettest (11 days). The wettest May at Albufeira between 1991 and 2020 was 2016 with 113 mm; the driest was 2006 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 17.3°C around Portugal in May - warmest at Madeira (19.3°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 7.9 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 14.0 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
May against the rest of the year in Portugal
May is the 6th warmest month of the twelve in Portugal. It is 2.7°C warmer than April and 3.5°C warmer in June. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (15°C).
Which part of Portugal in May?
- Most sunshine: Faro, 9.1 h a day.
- Driest: Faro, about 5 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Madeira, 19°C.
- Hottest: Albufeira, 24°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Madeira, 20°C.
What to pack for Portugal in May
Based on the averages: light layers - warm in the sun, cooler in the shade; a light jumper for evenings (15°C at night); a light waterproof for the odd shower.
Similar weather elsewhere in May
Within 1.5°C of Portugal's May daytime average: Paphos (23°C, sea 20°C), Saranda (23°C, sea 19°C), Alicante (23°C, sea 19°C), Majorca (23°C, sea 18°C), Sal (23°C, sea 23°C). See the full ranking for May.
Where to go for warmth or less rain
Albufeira is the warmest choice listed, averaging 24°C by day, so it makes sense if warmth is your priority. Ferragudo, Carvoeiro and Alvor are close behind at 23°C; there is little temperature difference to guide a choice between them. Faro offers a different trade-off: its 21°C daytime average is milder, but it has 4 rainy days compared with 6 in the other listed Algarve destinations. Lisbon also averages 21°C, with 6 rainy days, making it a reasonable option for outdoor plans if you keep some flexibility for rain. Funchal is the coolest destination listed at 20°C. Choose it for gentler daytime warmth rather than expecting the temperatures shown for Albufeira.
What to pack and how to plan your days
Pack light clothes for daytime, a jumper or light jacket for evenings, and a rain layer rather than relying on an entirely dry stay. Nights average 14°C in Albufeira and Lisbon, which can feel cool after a warm afternoon, particularly if you are sitting outside. With average sunshine of 7.9 hours, sun protection belongs in your bag even though May is not consistently hot. In Albufeira, 38% of days exceed 25°C, so allow for warmer spells and take a break from the sun around midday when needed. Beach time is a reasonable plan, but treat swimming as a separate decision: the sea is much cooler than the afternoon air. Keep outdoor plans flexible rather than assuming every day will suit them.
A little more detail
Portugal in May FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in Portugal in May?
Albufeira is the warmest of the 13 places we track in Portugal in May with an average high of 23.9°C; Funchal is the coolest at 19.9°C.
Is the sea warm in Portugal in May?
Not really: the warmest sea we track in Portugal in May is 19.3°C at Madeira, below the 22°C most people find comfortable.
Is the sea warm enough for swimming in May?
Expect cool water rather than a warm swim. The country sea average is 17°C, matching most listed coastal destinations, while Faro reaches 18°C. May is better suited to travellers happy with a brisk dip than those who want to spend a long time in warm water.
Does it rain much in Portugal in May?
Portugal averages 7 rainy days in May, so rain is a possibility rather than something to ignore. Faro has 4 rainy days, while Lisbon and the other listed Algarve destinations have 6. A light rain layer and flexible outdoor plans are sensible.
Is Portugal warmer than London in May?
Yes. Portugal averages 22°C by day, compared with London's 17°C. Albufeira is warmer still at 24°C, while Lisbon averages 21°C. That makes Portugal a good choice for more daytime warmth, though evenings still call for a layer.
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