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Algarve in March?

I'm starting to think about a spring vacation. Would it be too cold to visit the Algarve in March? Would the businesses be closed up?

Posted by
3551 posts

Not sure about weather but I believe there are better beach areas than Algarve. it is ok if you are in Portugal anyway how about Majorica? or Greece as other options.

Posted by
658 posts

The beginning of March can be a little on the cool side but still pleasant, the end of March is very pleasant. Most places are open all year round, just remember to pack a sweater for the evenings.

Posted by
203 posts

My husband and I don't "do beaches." However, we do like some sunshine, warm weather (compared to Minnesota), restaurants, people around & interesting towns. I've been to touristy places in the off-season, and they are boring. Will there be people around in March?

Posted by
9 posts

We visited the Algarve in Feb/March, 2004 and just loved it. We found that, on the warm days, it was short-sleeved shirt weather (18C to 22C); on the average days it was long-sleeved shirt weather (16C to 18C); and, on the cool days, light jacket weather (12C to 16C). Find a sun-catching area sheltered from winds (a south-facing balcony or a cliff-backed beach), and the temperature will get to 25C or better. One of our best memories was having a leisurely lunch in a restaurant with a sunny roof-top terrace in mid-March and having to have the umbrella up to shade us from the hot sun.

We stayed in the village of Carvoeiro and, as best as we could tell, all of the businesses and restaurants were open. We were told that some often close for a month or so after New Years. It was definitely not a busy time when we were there but it wasn't deserted either.

P.S. the winter of 2005 apparently experienced unusual nightime frosts on numerous occasions right into March so, be prepared.