What's the weather like in Alvor in July?
Temperature
July is the driest and certainly one of the hottest months of the year, with plenty of sunshine and barely a drop of rain to spoil anyone's fun. The average temperature is a superb 22°C (72°F), and the nights are refreshing but warm at 18°C. The hotter days can easily exceed 26°C on the high average levels, significantly more than previously experienced in June. Humidity is also quite low at 65% on average, making this a comfortable summer throughout the day and the night.
Sunshine Hours
The days are quite long, with up to 14 hours of sunshine, and 56% chances of sunny days on average. Chances of rain are almost inexistent at 3%, while chances of clouds are almost equally low at 6% on average. This means that all you'll get out of July is bright blue skies, occasional wisps of white clouds and an abundance of well-deserved heat.
Rain
Rainfall is again at an all-time low, measuring 3mm on average, mostly present in a 5-minute shower here and there over the course of one, maybe two days.
Wind
Wind speeds dial it down during midsummer, measuring up to 3.5m/s on average, while chances of full-on windy days are not expected to exceed 20% chances. Most of them will be hot and dry winds blowing from the south, and some from the Mediterranean south-east as well.
Sea Temperature
The tides will be mellow and the waters less choppy, and with the North Atlantic Ocean keeping its temperature at a wonderful 21°C (70°F), you'll have the perfect conditions not just for windsurfing or sailing, but also for deep water swimming and snorkelling. Just remember to pack some SPF protection, as the sun may be deceiving in the afternoons and affect the more sensitive skin.
Hotels in Alvor in July
Resort Martinhal Quinta
Alvor has plenty of sumptuous and beautiful hotels to offer during the summer peak season. One excellent option is Resort Martinhal Quinta, which offers 4-star accommodation in self-serviced apartments for £62 per night for couples, and it's only a 2-minute drive from the lovely Faro Beach.
The hotel features a 24/7 reception desk, an outdoor pool and a kids' club. The apartments sport a modern and stylish décor, and come fitted with air conditioning, balconies overlooking the lush gardens or the ocean, and fully equipped kitchens. Each unit also offers a private garden and a pool for personal enjoyment, and you can even rent cars and bikes on-site.
Pestana Alvor South Beach Premium Suite Hotel
Pestana Alvor South Beach Premium Suite Hotel is an upscale accommodation option, offering fabulous suites for £187 per night for couples in the month of July. There's an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, along with a restaurant, a bar and a modern outdoor fitness centre. The rooms and suites all feature an elegant design, and include a comfortable seating area, flat screen TV and air conditioning. The restaurant specializes in traditional Portuguese cuisine, and should you decide to try other places, the area is full of great eateries and fine dining options to explore.
Pestana Alvor Praia
Pestana Alvor Praia is another popular destination among the venues owned by the Pestana hotel chain, and it offers twin rooms for £154 per night for couples. This is a splendid 5-star hotel which features an outdoor saltwater pool framed by lush gardens and views of the stunning blue ocean. You'll also be delighted to discover 7 tennis courts and about 8 golf courses which you can take on in the surrounding area, on a 9.3 mile radius.
As a guest at the Pestana Alvor Praia, you'll obviously be within walking distance of the main beach, but you will also have access to spa and sauna treatments, as well as an indoor pool and free classes at the health club. If there was a better time to spoil yourself, then this would be it.
Beaches in Alvor in July
Praia de Alvor
Praia de Alvor is by far one of the best beaches that southern Portugal has to offer. And chances are that it will be within walking distance from your hotel or just a mere bus ride away. It occupies the entire western part of a white, sandy beach facing the North Atlantic Ocean.
This stunning slice of paradise has been awarded the Blue Flag for safety and cleanliness, so expect nothing but top facilities here, from the finesse of the sand grains all the way to the spotless sanitary units. There are plenty of sunbeds and shades scattered all over the beach, and numerous locals sell their freshly baked donuts throughout the day.
There's a boardwalk running along with the beach itself, offering superb views of the blue ocean, and rock clusters will pop out and offer additional natural shade in the afternoon. The estuary is also home to many protected species of birds, so you'll get to see plenty of the Algarve's precious feathered creatures while basking in the sun or going for a swim. The water entrance is shallow, and the rocky sides are perfect for snorkelling, particularly where the seabed isn't very sandy.
Bars and Restaurants
Taberna Ze Mogadinho
Taberna Ze Mogadinho is by far one of the hot spots for excellent food during the summer. Alvor is quite well known for its fisherman-style eateries, and this tavern takes the Portuguese cuisine to a whole new level. It can be found right next to the old fish market, by the Lifeboat House, and it serves a variety of traditional dishes, as well as plenty of fresh seafood and light midsummer snacks.
You can sit back and enjoy a drink while watching your fish or steak sizzling on the full-view charcoal grill, and you can definitely have lunch or dinner out on the terrace, in the company of foamy waves and absolute tranquillity.
Big Red's
For the best ribs in town, the only place worth mentioning is Big Red's, a fantastic restaurant which serves a dazzling variety of both local and international specialities. You must obviously try the ribs while you're there, but rest assured that the fish cakes, the steaks, the Thai salads and their other dishes are equally fantastic. Great love and care goes into sourcing and selecting the local ingredients that go into each plate, and on top of it all, the staff are very friendly and welcoming. The overall atmosphere is great, and you'll always walk out with a happy tummy from this place.
The Venue
The Venue is Alvor's top nightlife hot spot, and understandably so. Live music plays here every night and they're usually tribute acts, so you're bound to end up shaking a leg and dancing to some classic rock and pop anthems. They also show football on their large flat screen TVs, so you can also sit back, sip on a beer or two and simply watch a championship game. Most importantly, the drinks bear very good prices and the staff are all very friendly and professional.
Things to Do in Alvor in July
Dolphin Watching and Cave Tour
July is the perfect month for the 2-hour Dolphin Watching and Cave Tour on the Algarve Coast. This wonderful experience will take you exploring along the coast between Albufeira and the marvellous Capvoeiro Beach, aboard a luxury boat. You'll get to admire the caves and grottos that make this place so unique and beautiful, and you'll even get a chance to jump off and go for a swim in the ocean before the tour takes you further out in search of dolphins. There are plenty of fun and playful dolphins swimming out of the Albufeira coast line, so you're bound to meet a couple along the while, while you soak in the sun and breathe the fresh and salty air.
Pirate Ship Tour
Set sail on a historic Pirate Ship Tour along the Coast of Algarve. The legendary Leaozinho will take you along the rocky coast line, while the guide will share with you all sorts of interesting information and pieces of history about Portugal's fiery affair with pirates throughout the centuries.
You'll visit white sandy beaches along the way, admire the superb rock formations poking out of the deep blue ocean and even go for a splash around. The Pirate Bar on-board will be ready to quench yer' thirst for rum and the best part will probably be walking the plank. But unlike the pirates in the olden days, the only thing waiting for you at the end of that plank will be sheer blue waters, warm and ready for you to swim in.
Best of Albufeira by Sidecar
And since the weather is just so darn perfect, you can have another bucket-load of fun by taking the Best of Albufeira by Sidecar Tour. Your pilot will take you on an unforgettable ride around the charming Algarve region, while you sit back in the funky sidecar and take in all the beauty surrounding you.
You'll get a chance to visit the fascinating medieval fort known as Nossa Senhora da Rocha, you'll get to pass through some quaint little villages in the countryside; you'll also get to visit the stunning Salgados Lagoon and the Praia Sao Rafael, and most importantly, you'll get to feel the wind in your face and blowing through your hair as you take the scenic routes along the coast and through the less-known hidden gems of Albufeira.
