What's the weather like in Alvor in August?
Temperature
August is not quite the last month of summer, but it brings along high temperatures, a temperate humidity and warm ocean waters, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The average temperature gains a degree, keeping itself steady at 23°C (73°F), while the nights are breezy and pleasant at 18°C. The hotter days oscillate around 27°C, expected to easily exceed that high average and thus bringing a bit more heat than July. Humidity is almost perfect at 67% on average, making it dry enough but not uncomfortably so, with tolerable dew points well below 18°C.
Sunshine Hours
However the days are slightly shorter, with up to 12 hours of sunshine and an increased 57% chance on average for bright and sunny days. Chances of rain are practically non-existent at 3%, and chances of clouds are also low at 8%, once again bringing nothing but blue skies and glorious heat across the Algarve and Alvor, in particular. Rainfall is minimal at 3mm, translated into one or two occasional showers on a late afternoon towards the end of the month.
Wind
Chances of windy days are also low at 12% on average, and thus the prognosis is calm even for the deep blue waters and rocky coastline of the North Atlantic Ocean. Wind speeds are low at 3.5m/s on average, but still bold enough to swell the white sails of fishing boats. Most of the winds expected to blow over the southern coast of Portugal are mostly dry and hot currents from the North African regions, with some south-eastern Mediterranean influences.
Sea Temperature
The beautiful ocean is riddled with warm tropical currents during this time of the year, and thus raising its temperature to a perfect 22°C (71°F), the optimum conditions for both snorkelling and deep water swimming.
Remember to bring your SPF lotion, though, as the August sun is best known for harming unprotected skin, particularly in the early afternoons. It may be worth checking the local forecast to find out specific levels of UV.
Hotels in Alvor in August
Hotel Apartamento Alvor Baia
The 4-star Hotel Apartamento Alvor Baia offers splendid studios for £190 per night for couples in the high summer season. This is a modern complex, surrounded by lush green gardens, and it holds a huge outdoor pool. All of its studios are stylishly decorated and fitted with balconies overlooking the ocean, and they all have air conditioning, flat screen TVs and fully equipped kitchenettes.
You'll only be 450 yards away from Alvor's historical centre and a 5-minute drive from the bay and its superb beaches. On top of it all, you can also access the hotel spa, which incorporates a sauna and a sleek indoor pool for your enjoyment.
Vilalara Thalassa Resort
For a truly luxurious experience on the southern coast of Portugal, you can always opt for a splendid suite at the 5-star Vilalara Thalassa Resort, which rests on cliffs above the ocean and offers incredible views of Praia das Gaviotas and the endless deep blue Atlantic waters. The sumptuous twin and double rooms feature balconies overlooking the luscious gardens, along with air conditioning, flat screen TVs and comfortable seating area with plush sofas.
This amazing venue also boasts a superb spa and sauna, complete with hot stone massages, luxurious beauty treatments and Turkish baths. For £295 per night for couples, no wonder you get the full royalty treatment, as Thalassa also offers four tennis courts, a total of six outdoor pools and 2 fine dining restaurants which serve exquisite traditional and modern Portuguese specialities.
Jupiter Algarve Hotel
For £94 per night, the splendid Jupiter Algarve Hotel can accommodate you into spacious and modern double or twin rooms, with a marine themed interior design. The hotel features an all-season poor, heated and fully covered during the winter, as well as a wonderful spa and live entertainment at its evening venue. The suites are fitted with air conditioning and flat screen TV, as well as a fully stocked minibar for the guests' enjoyment. Some of the rooms offer balconies which open up to a stunningly blue Atlantic Ocean.
The Jupiter's pool bar entertains its guests every evening with live music and dance events, and the restaurant specializes in live cooking sessions, culinary journeys through Portugal's food culture and a delicious breakfast buffet. On top of this already excellent treat, guests can also take advantage of the spa, the sauna, the steam bath and the fully equipped fitness centre available on site.
Beaches in Alvor in August
Praia Dos Tres Irmaos
August is the perfect time to enjoy any day out at the splendiferous Praia Dos Tres Irmaos, named as such after the giant cliffs that spring out of the soft and golden sand and offer natural shade in the afternoon. The name means "The Three Brothers" in English, and it opens up to an endless and peaceful ocean, with a shallow entry and soft seabed, perfect for both splashing around and deep water swimming.
Praia Do Vau
The beach, a typical slice of southern Portuguese coastline with rock formations sprinkled atop smooth sands, is situated on the eastern end of Alvor. If you walk further down, past the many restaurants and terraces resting on the boardwalks nearby, you can even stroll into the equally magnificent Prainha and even further east into the beautiful Praia Do Vau. Both of these neighbouring stretches of sand open up to azure waters and boast clean and welcoming facilities, as well as sunbeds and plenty of natural shade.
Bars and Restaurants
O Luis Restaurante Bar
O Luis Restaurante Bar sits on the beautiful Alvor beach, flanked by golden sands and nestled under a giant blue sky. It's in a most enviable location, and it serves what is probably some of the best food you'll find in the lovely fishing town of Alvor. The service is excellent and the atmosphere is always delightful, and you'll definitely enjoy the traditional Portuguese cuisine and fresh seafood that comes out of the hearty kitchen of this delightful place.
A Lota Seafood Restaurant
Chances are you will find excellent seafood almost anywhere you go in Alvor, but for the kind of fish and fruits of the sea that are simply out of this world, you must try lunch or dinner at A Lota Seafood Restaurant. Their menu is a comprehensive variety of fresh fish, calamari, shrimps and other marine delicacies, served grilled and with delicious dips on the side. The prices are very good and the terrace offers excellent views of the harbour.
Michael's Bar
If you're looking to have a sophisticated and flavourful evening, you can spend the night at Michael's Bar, the local heavyweight champion of cocktails and spirited drinks. They love to do happy hours and daily specials, reason for which this place is always filled with both local regulars and enchanted tourists. It sits strategically at the entrance into the old village, and its terrace opens up to the charming streets of Alvor, making it perfect for drinks and people-watching.
Things to Do in Alvor in August
Ria Formosa Kayak Tours
A wonderful way to discover the natural and breath-taking beauty of the Ria Formosa is by taking a kayak tour. This river and its wetlands are classified as one of Portugal's seven natural wonders, thanks to its incredible biodiversity and pristine splendour. You can relax and enjoy the stunning view while paddling down the river, as your guide tells you more about the Algarve, the endemic fauna and flora, and also teaches you how to safely navigate the waters in a kayak.
You'll even get a chance to admire a surprising variety of birds, including the revered flamingos and the elusive Kentish plover. This is a fun and active way to explore the marshlands and the rocky coastline, riddled with rich vegetation and a blanket of pine woodlands spreading towards the dry land, and the tour also takes you around the splendid island of Tavira, home to many rare and elusive birds.
Dream Wave Jetskis
For an insane amount of fun compressed into just 30 minutes, you can take the Dream Wave Jet Ski Experience adventure, giving you the opportunity to cut across the ultramarine waves of the North Atlantic Ocean on a Yamaha Waverunner, experiencing the thrills and adrenalin rush as you slide across the water and take in the incredible views of the rocky-clustered shoreline and patches of whitewashed houses and terraces that outskirt Alvor by the beach. Safety briefings and the necessary assistance are provided to all beginners, so don't worry if you've never ridden an 1100cc water beast before, the guys are there to ease you into it and make sure you have an amazing time.
Animaris Desert Island
There's a lot to see and a lot to explore in the Algarve region, so if you do find yourself in Alvor one summer, you can also visit the Animaris Desert Island, the natural and well-hidden paradise of southern Portugal. Your journey will begin aboard an impressive catamaran boat that will gently take you to the splendid Ria Formosa Natural Park, where a guide will help you explore and discover the many species of birds and plants that belong to this area.
The boat will then stop at Ilha Deserta, better known as Desert Island, a little patch of dry land that is only accessible by boat in this day and age, it's hard to believe that such virgin slices of paradise still exist. This amazing little island also holds a restaurant, so you can also fill up on a responsibly sourced lunch while you're there.
