What's the weather like in Alvor in February?
Temperature
The month of February doesn't bring much change in terms of temperature for Alvor in Portugal, as the weather ends its mild wintery path towards spring in March. The average stays at 13°C (55°F), while the nights are constantly chilly at 10°C. The warmer days of February are expected to reach 16°C, when the sun is out and bright.
Sunshine Hours
Speaking of which, the days get a bit longer, with up to 7 hours of sunshine, and an increased 30% chance of full-on sunny days expected to light up this last month of coastal winter in Portugal. Humidity drops down by a couple of units to a comfortable 78% on average, while chances of rainy days stay low at 26%.
Rain
Despite the low chances of rain and even lower chances of cloudy days, at 17% on average, the rainfall levels increase to 67mm, particularly on the second and third week of the month.
Wind
The Atlantic winds continue to blow quite strong from the east, as do the northern winds from the continental regions, with average speeds of 4.2m/s. Chances of windy days are not to be ignored at 24% on average, so if you're looking to do something fun and bold while in Alvor in February, you should definitely consider sailing or speedboats.
Sea Temperature
The tides are high, the winds are conveniently strong, the sea breeze is salty and the dew point is well below 20°C, allowing for comfortable early morning sessions of cutting across the ocean waves and enjoying the fresh air. The magnificent ocean keeps a lower temperature of 16°C (61°F) meaning the waters are not swimmer-friendly. So while we certainly don't recommend swimming during this time of the year, you can still enjoy a day out on the rocky coasts of Alvor and Portimao.
Hotels in Alvor in February
Ria Hostel
Smack in the middle of Alvor, on the cool yet sunny coast of the Algarve, you'll find comfy bedsits for just £22 per night at Ria Hostel. It's only a 10-minute walk from Alvor's main beach, and it holds dormitories for budget travellers, as well as private bedrooms for those not willing to share a room. Most of these units, as well as the common areas offer lovely views of the ocean, the mountains behind and the beautiful river. There are two fully equipped kitchens on site, for guests to prepare their own meals, but there are also plenty of taverns and restaurants in the vicinity serving traditional food and wicked fish dishes.
Alvor Guesthouse
Alvor Guesthouse offers double rooms for just £33 per night for couples during this month. It features a terrace and views of the Atlantic Ocean, which you can also admire from the units' own balconies. You'll be delighted to find a flat screen TV in every room, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The guest house also provides car and bike hire facilities, and easy access to various activities, including windsurfing and diving during the summer. It's conveniently located just 750 yards from Alvor Beach, and 0.9 miles away from the popular Tres Irmaos Beach.
Alvor Aldemar
Another charming option for this part of Portugal is Alvor Aldemar, another hotel that's just 750 yards away from the splendid Alvor Beach. They offers twin or double rooms with stunning views of the ocean for just £35 per night, and all of them are fitted with lockers, soundproofing features and private bathrooms. There's an on-site bar where you can enjoy drinks and you can even make dinner reservations at the hotel's restaurant.
Beaches in Alvor in February
It's not the best time to hang out by the beach during this month, unless you're ok with the strong Atlantic winds. The water is definitely too cold even for a dip of the toes, not to mention swimming or diving. However you can still go for a run or long walks along the shoreline skirting the city of Alvor, and marvel at the mixture of rocky relief cutting through deep blue waters and smooth beige sand strips, scrunched up under the weight of the giant blue sky.
Bars and Restaurants
Indian Hut II
If you fancy some yummy Indian food in the heart of the Portuguese cuisine, you can always head down to the Indian Hut II, known for its excellent take on a variety of Asian and curry dishes. This is the smaller version of the Indian Hut I, which is just around the corner, and it's great if you're looking to charm your significant other with a fabulous dinner on Valentine's Day. They don't mess around when it comes to chicken and pilau rice dishes, and the service is very quick and super friendly.
Silmar Cafe and Restaurant
If you want to chill out in the main square every other evening, you can always stop by Silmar Café & Restaurant, which is always welcoming towards both locals and tourists with the same amount of charm and great service. You can enjoy a hefty snack, a full meal, or try some of the smooth wines and excellent Porto brands available from the bar, while listening to Fado and taking in the entire atmosphere of what was once a quaint little fishing village.
The Phoenix
The Phoenix does some great food, particularly traditional Portuguese dishes and local fish specialities. Most of their ingredients are sourced locally and for a fishing town such as Alvor, you know the food will always be fresh and savoury. We recommend the tuna steak for sure, paired with one of their local wines. The place does get busy though, and despite the excellent service, you might want to consider booking a table in advance if you're aiming to get a Saturday dinner or Sunday lunch there.
Things to Do in Alvor in February
Igreja Matriz Divino Salvador
From a geographical and perhaps even a cultural point of view, the one religious building that truly presides over the city and its immediate surroundings is the superb Igreja Matriz Divino Salvador. Its Manueline architecture is a sight to behold, and it makes it one of the most attractive sights in the entire region of Algarve, so you certainly have to pay it a lengthy visit.
You'll notice elements from the Age of Discovery upon reaching its main entrance, and as you go in you'll be able to fully take in the three naves, four bays, the tripled apse and the original structural columns, all unharmed by the passage of time. The elaborate and masterful carving of the gilded altar was complemented with 18th century features when the building was restored after the terrible 1755 earthquake.
You'll definitely want to take photos of the life size statue of Christ dating back from the same era, as well as of the painting of the Divine Saviour, executed by Algarve's most popular artist, Master Joaquim Jose Rasquinho.
Walking Tours of the Talvira Saltpans
When the sun is out and slowly warming up the coast and the riversides of Alvor, you might as well take one of the walking tours of the Tavira Saltpans. This is one of Portugal's own Wonders, and the tour gives you the opportunity to take a very long and relaxing walk through the famous saltpans of the Formosa River, while gazing at the beautiful islands of Tavira and Cabanas.
The guide will also talk you through the history of the salt production, also known as "white gold" in these parts, as it's a valuable resource given its crystalline quality. You'll get a chance to spot some of the area's protected bird species, including the flamingos, the black-winged stilt, the elusive Kentish plover and the avocet. All in all, this is truly an experience worth having.
Algarve
And since you're out and about and so close to Lagos, you should definitely pay a visit to this charming and popular town of the Algarve, just a few miles away from Alvor. It has a rich history displayed through its city walls, which date back to the 16th century.
They're flanked by twin watchtowers and the majestic St Goncalo Gate, and riddled with greenery and landscaped gardens. They're best to look at from the outside, and there are plenty of walkways to take around them in order to fully explore their roots and statements of times gone by. You'll be surprised by how intact these walls remain to this very day.
