Quarteira weather by month

When to go to Quarteira

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August, September. December is the wettest month (75 mm, about 8 rainy days) and July the driest (1 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 20.9°C and coolest in February at 15.0°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport (FAO, 13 km from Quarteira) takes roughly 2 h 54 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Lisbon.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Quarteira between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.6°C on 1 August 2020; the coldest fell to 0.6°C on 9 January 2009. In July one day in ten tops 31.8°C and about 32% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 6.3°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was January 1996 with 256 mm, against a January average of 49 mm.

Spring: comfortable outdoors, cool in the sea

March and April suit travellers who want to spend time outdoors without summer heat. Daytime averages rise from 18°C to 19°C, but both months average 7 rain days, so keep plans flexible and pack a light waterproof. Evenings still call for a jumper or jacket rather than just summer clothes. May feels noticeably warmer at 22°C by day and 15°C at night, making it a useful compromise if July sounds too hot. The catch is swimming: May's sea temperature averages 17°C, so warm air does not yet mean comfortable water. Choose spring for mild days rather than a holiday built around long swims.

Summer: the clearest choice for heat and dry days

June brings a marked shift towards dry weather, averaging 2 rain days and daytime temperatures of 26°C. It suits travellers who want summer warmth without the higher temperatures of July and August. Those months both average 29°C by day, so leave energetic outdoor plans for mornings and take a shaded break around midday. Both average 0 rain days, though that is not a promise of uninterrupted dry weather. July has the most sunshine at 13 hours daily; August has warmer water at 21°C. Light clothing works well during the day, while a light layer can still be useful when sitting outside late.

Autumn and winter: lingering warmth, then a change of pace

September keeps a summer feel, with 26°C days and a sea temperature of 21°C, but rain becomes more likely than in August. October remains useful for warmth without peak summer heat: days average 22°C and the sea 20°C, though 7 rain days make flexible plans sensible. November's 18°C days favour time outdoors over sunbathing, with cooler evenings and more frequent rain. December and February both average 16°C by day, while January is coolest at 15°C. These winter months suit travellers content with mild afternoons, layered clothing and indoor alternatives when rain arrives. January nights average 9°C, so do not pack as though it were summer. Winter sunshine can make outdoor time appealing, but the cool sea and chilly evenings change the character of a holiday.