Your September weather guide
HotWeather in Vilamoura in September
September is a good choice for Vilamoura if you want warm days without relying on intense heat. Average daytime highs of 26°C suit time outdoors, while nights around 18°C make a light layer useful after dark. The catch is the sea: at about 21°C, it is bracing rather than comfortably warm. For a UK traveller, this is a practical month for sunshine and relaxed outdoor days, provided swimming is not the main reason for going.
Long-term climate averages for Vilamoura, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Vilamoura, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Vilamoura.
- Average daytime high
- 26.0°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 29°C
- Average night-time low
- 18.4°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 16°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +7.4°C
- London averages 18.6°C in September
- Sea temperature
- 20.8°C
- year to year: 20°C to 22°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 8.3h
- 68% of 12.2 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 4
- 25 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 67%
- Days over 25°C
- 66%
- 6% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 34.4°C
- 2016-09-05
- Record low 1991-2020
- 12.7°C
- 1993-09-30
- Flight from London
- ≈ 2 h 54 min
- 1685 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How September compares
September is the 3rd warmest month of the year in Vilamoura. Within Portugal it is 6th of 13 (Portugal in September). Against London's average high of 18.6°C in September, Vilamoura is 7.4°C warmer by day and 7.2°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in September
The typical September day in Vilamoura peaks at 26.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.2°C or more. About 66% of days top 25°C and 1 in 16 pass 30°C. Nights average 18.4°C; one night in ten drops to 16.0°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest September day here reached 34.4°C (2016-09-05) and the coldest night 12.7°C (1993-09-30).
Rain in September
Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 4 days with 1 mm or more, 25 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest September was 2008 with 94 mm, the driest 2017 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 67%.
Sea temperature in September
The sea averages 20.8°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 19.6°C to 22.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (20.9°C).
Sunshine and daylight
Around 8.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:15 and sets about 19:41 local time in mid-September. Average cloud cover is 32%.
Is September a good time to visit Vilamoura?
Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain and long sunny days. The best months for Vilamoura on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Warm days, with some hotter spells
Expect summer clothing to be useful during the day, but do not assume every afternoon will be hot. Around 66% of days reach 25°C, while just 6% reach 30°C. That makes September a sensible choice if you enjoy warmth but would rather not plan your whole day around avoiding high temperatures. Hotter spells are still possible, so keep shade breaks and a slower pace in mind around midday. Light, loose clothing and sun protection belong in your bag. The overall balance suits travellers who want to spend plenty of time outside, rather than those seeking reliably intense heat.
Plenty of sunshine, but a bracing sea
The distinction between warm air and cooler water matters here. Average sea temperatures of 20.8°C mean swimming can feel bracing, even when the afternoon is warm. If you prefer water that feels warm as you get in, the sea may be the compromise in an otherwise appealing month. Sunshine averages about 8.3 hours a day within 12.2 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of scope for outdoor plans without expecting uninterrupted blue skies. Keep a towel and a dry layer handy after swimming, and treat sea time as something to judge by your own tolerance rather than the air temperature.
Allow for rain and cooler evenings
Rain is a possibility rather than a reason to rule September out. With about 4 rainy days during the month, it makes sense to leave outdoor plans flexible and pack a light waterproof rather than assume every day will stay dry. Evenings deserve some thought too: the average night low is 18.4°C, but the coldest 10% of nights fall to 16°C or below. A cardigan, light jumper or jacket should therefore earn its place in your luggage. This suits travellers happy to adjust their clothing and plans, rather than those who want guaranteed dry weather and warm nights.
A little perspective
Vilamoura through the year
September is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.2°C | 9.3°C | 15.6°C | 5.1 | 50 | 7 | 0% |
| February | 15.9°C | 9.6°C | 15.0°C | 5.6 | 48 | 6 | 0% |
| March | 17.8°C | 11.2°C | 15.3°C | 6.2 | 60 | 8 | 0% |
| April | 19.3°C | 12.4°C | 16.1°C | 6.9 | 53 | 7 | 2% |
| May | 22.1°C | 14.7°C | 17.3°C | 8.3 | 39 | 6 | 21% |
| Junebest | 25.8°C | 17.5°C | 19.0°C | 10.9 | 9 | 2 | 60% |
| Julybest | 28.7°C | 19.4°C | 20.2°C | 12.8 | 1 | 0 | 92% |
| Augustbest | 28.7°C | 19.9°C | 20.9°C | 11.3 | 3 | 1 | 94% |
| SeptemberSelected | 26.0°C | 18.4°C | 20.8°C | 8.3 | 25 | 4 | 66% |
| October | 22.4°C | 16.0°C | 19.7°C | 5.8 | 66 | 8 | 16% |
| November | 18.4°C | 12.6°C | 18.0°C | 5.2 | 67 | 8 | 0% |
| December | 16.0°C | 10.6°C | 16.6°C | 4.6 | 76 | 8 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in September
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
Spain · 25°C by day · sea 21°C
Marbella
Spain · 26°C by day · sea 22°C
Malaga
Spain · 26°C by day
Madrid
Spain · 25°C by day · sea 23°C
Fuerteventura
Italy · 26°C by day · sea 24°C
Sardinia
A little more detail
Vilamoura in September FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Vilamoura hot in September?
Vilamoura is hot in September: the average daytime high is 26.0°C and nights average 18.4°C. About 66% of September days reach 25°C or more.
Can you swim in the sea in Vilamoura in September?
The sea around Vilamoura averages 20.8°C in September, which is bracing - fine for a quick dip, cool for long swims. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 20°C to 22°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Vilamoura in September?
Vilamoura sees about 4 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 25 mm of rain in a typical September. The wettest September between 1991 and 2020 was 2008 (94 mm) and the driest was 2017 (0 mm).
How sunny is Vilamoura in September?
Vilamoura gets around 8.3 hours of sunshine a day in September out of 12.2 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Vilamoura compare with the UK in September?
Vilamoura is on average 7.4°C warmer than London by day in September (26.0°C against 18.6°C).
What is the hottest September on record in Vilamoura?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest September day in Vilamoura reached 34.4°C on 2016-09-05, and the coldest night dropped to 12.7°C on 1993-09-30.
How much warmer is Vilamoura than London in September?
Vilamoura's average daytime high is 26°C, compared with London's 18.6°C, a difference of 7.4°C. That is a noticeable step up in warmth for outdoor days, though it does not mean every day will be hot or free of rain.
Is September a good month for a swimming holiday?
It depends on your tolerance for cooler water. The sea averages 20.8°C, with a year-to-year range of 20°C to 22°C. That puts it in the bracing category, so September is better suited to swimmers comfortable with a cool entry than those wanting consistently warm water.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Vilamoura. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 1.5 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.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