Fancy undisturbed European sunshine? Would you like to rest on the Atlantic beaches without worrying about the rain? Do you want to work on your tan between tasting Douro wines and exploring the old and historic neighborhoods of Lisbon? Check out this guide. It lists seven of Portugal's hottest spots and offers suggestions for places to visit that will ensure the mercury stays good and high.
El-Algarve– The southernmost region of Portugal – of course, it stands out a lot. It's usually sunny (apparently 3,000+ work hours a year) and offers tons of beaches. There is also mention of the subtropical archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, which lie in the Atlantic. Oh, and even some time for the remote hill villages near the Spanish border.
Wherever you decide to go, make sure you bring sunscreen and sunglasses. Each of these destinations can have peak mercury levels well over 70 and sometimes over 110! Of course, winter, spring and autumn are expected to cool down a bit, with the hottest time between May and September.
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Tavira
The weather in Tavira must be incredible. The ancient Romans arrived here over 2,000 years ago and liked it so much that they decided to found a city. Just like the Moors of North Africa. And, first of all, Phoenician settlers are believed to have colonized this stretch of coastline around the Bronze Age (that's 900 BC, folks!).
Today, Tavira remains a very attractive prospect for anyone who enjoys a sunny holiday in Europe. There are an incredible 3,200 hours of lightning a year here. Also, average temperatures range from 52F to 75F as the seasons change, although sweaty peaks of 102F can be seen in mid-summer! Uh, that's hot. Just pack the sunscreen and pocket fan.
Tavira is off the coast deep in the Eastern Algarve. Both help keep you warm by reducing the strongest ocean winds that blow across the Atlantic coast. But don't worry, there's plenty to do to keep you cool, especially the 7-mile stretch of Barrier Island and its soft sands.Barril Beach.
Vilamoura
Vilamoura exemplifies luxury living and R&R. It is one of the South Coast hotspots for retirees. People from northern Europe, coping with snow and rain in Scandinavia and Britain in December, often flock here to settle into condominiums with sea views and a golf course on their doorstep. All this contributed to the city becoming one of the largest contiguous resorts on the continent, covering a total area of almost 5,000 hectares.
It's easy to see why it's so popular with sun worshipers: Vilamoura has daily highs of 27 to 75 degrees Celsius towards the end of the year, like November and October, and daily averages easily hover in the mid-70s between June and August. Finally, the area has seen some of the highest mercury peaks in the Algarve, reaching 111F on several occasions.
It's probably a little too mild to be on the many golf courses. Fortunately, Vilamoura has long stretches of golden sand and is flanked by the famous beaches of the western Algarve. Among the best are the long, uninterrupted Praia da Rocha Baixinha and the cliff-lined coves of Praia Maria Luísa, a little further up the coast.
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Amareleja may only have 2,500 inhabitants and receive only a fraction of the visitors to the Algarve's coastal resorts, but it certainly deserves a place on this list of the hottest places in the Algarve.Portugalbecause here in 2003 the hottest temperature ever measured in the country was recorded. Yes, the small town of Amareleja managed to fry eggs at 117.3 F on a particularly hot August afternoon. Of course the sun was also shining.
But while a trip to Amareleja can be beautiful, it might not be what you're used to from Portugal. The villa is tucked away in the hills of the Beja district, a stone's throw from the Spanish border. Instead of golden sandy beaches and refreshing waves, it is surrounded by jungle hills and olive groves. The main attractions are theTo War Two Thrones-eskNoudar Castleand the eagle-speckled skies of the Vale do Guadiana Natural Park to the south.
Vila do Bispo
Another Algarve city with a lot of personality, Vila do Bispo is a pit stop on the west coast roads. It's hot, just like the rest of the region, with regular peaks of 77F and above, with some days going over 90F! But it can be even hotter here than next door.Algarve-Hotspotssuch as Lagos and Tavira. The reason? Vila do Bispo is about five miles from the coast. This cuts off Atlantic breezes that can cool and temper scorching summers elsewhere.
Statistics also confirm this. Vila do Bispo has the honor of having the lowest valueHeizgradtage(HDD) throughout Europe. This is a measure of the estimated heating demand throughout the year. Translated, this means that people don't turn on their boilers or wood stoves very often. It is not necessary.
Fortunately, there are plenty of places to escape the heat. Vila do Bispo is located at the crossroads between the south coast of the Algarve and the wild west coast of the Algarve. The surf coves of Sagres are close by, as are the wave-swept coastlines of the beautiful Costa Vicentina. You can also detour to the tourist attractions of Salema, Luz and Lagos (all less than 30 minutes by car).
Madeira
No list of the hottest places in Portugal is complete without mentioning at least the southernmost inhabited spot in the country. Keyword Wood. This sunny island in the Atlantic Ocean is certainly one of the most beautiful destinations in the land of cod.to search for. But then what would you expect from a closer placeMoroccoWhat is the Algarve?
Average temperatures tend to be a modest 60 to 70 F, with average temperatures ranging from 62 F in winter to 72 F in summer. However, it is more than Madeiraconstantbalsamic and spicy. Here you can plan a vacation at any time and not worry too much about the weather. That said, summer still reigns, as November through March is the rainy season.
There are also plenty of activities here to help you make the most of Madeira's fantastic climate. hit thesidewalkhiking trailsthat wind through the forested mountains of the main island, and you will be amazed by the highland views and encounters with rare endemic animals such as the Madeira wall lizard. Or stay on the coast, where sea-view bars and black-sand beaches like Praia do Porto do Seixal beckon to the sun.
wild islands
You probably won't want to plan your winter sun vacation here. why you These dots on the map live up to their name. They are little more than scarred rocky outcrops jutting straight out of the ocean, with ridges blasted out of black volcanic rock and barely a tree in sight (i.e., no shady hiding place).
Officially, Ilhas Salvagens marks the southernmost point of Portugal. In fact, they are closer to the Spanish Canary Islands than to neighboring PT Madeira, at a latitude that gives them a subtropical desert climate. The most important thing to know is that average mercury levels vary very little from year to year. Come here in June and you'll see a daily average of around 75°C. Come in mid-December and you'll see around 68°F. Occasionally, the stars align and clouds of scorching dust from the Sahara also roll in, causing the sun's skies to rise in heat to dizzying levels.
The Selvagens Islands are completely uninhabited, except for a few dedicated researchers working to conserve the endemic flora and fauna. The only way to get here is by boat, a long and safe, stomach-breaking journey from Funchal or Santa Cruz. Come to think of it, we stayed in the Algarve!
the azores
In the heart of the great Atlantic Ocean, about 1,000 miles from the coast of mainland Portugal,the goshawksYou are a wonderful place. Lush and green, dotted with volcanoes, dotted with laurel forests and surrounded by waters teeming with whales, they are unlike anything you'd expect in Europe. A mecca for adventure travelers, they encourage hikes to caldera lakes, soaking in hot springs and boat trips galore.
And not only the view and landscape are unique here. The archipelago encompasses a strange climatic zone. Half of the islands are in an area designated as Mediterranean by the Köppen climate classification, while the other half are in a humid subtropical zone.
This means that anyone looking for the hottest spots in Portugal would do well to look to the east side of the Azores. There, islands such as rugged Corvo and Flores await, offering August highs that can exceed 85F. However, the entire Azores group is quite temperate. Watch for temperature fluctuations on the main island of São Miguel, ranging from around 60 in the dead of winter to consistently above 70 in summer.
Where are the hottest places in Portugal?
The hottest places in Portugal are located in the south of the country. The Algarve is generally the hottest region, with cities like Lagos and Vila do Bispo that can turn into saunas in the summer. You can also visit the villages at the top of the Beja district, where the cooling effects of the Atlantic Ocean are just a distant memory. And then there are the subtropical islets of Madeira and the Azores, although getting there requires a flightLisboaPorto.
Which part of Portugal is the hottest?
The Algarve is the warmest area in Portugal. It encompasses the entire southern side of the country with its olive-tree-lined hills and glorious beaches. Cities like Tavira, Lagos,Reservoir, and Luz also make it a tourist paradise. Expect maximum temperatures of over 100°F in the height of summer.
Is Portugal hot in winter?
It could be, but it all depends on where you're going. Madeira can stay hot all year round, with temperatures averaging 65-75 F even in December. The Algarve can also see a lot of hot days, but we'd still say it's better to wait until spring if you want a real beach holiday.
What is the warmest part of Portugal in winter?
The warmest part of Portugal in winter is probably the island of Madeira. It manages to maintain a normal winter temperature close to 70 F, mainly because it's so far south. It is also worth visiting the Azores and the Algarve, where temperatures between 55 and 65ºC are normal from November to December.