Weather Lowdown
At the break of summer, the southern Iberian Peninsula will generally experience dry, warm to hot conditions. The average temperature for June is 20°C with mean highest temperatures registered at 24°C while average lowest temperatures are recorded at 16°C. By the end on the month, temperatures tend to be in the mid to possibly high 20's. Over the months of July and August, average temperatures increase about 2-3°C on average before cooling off around autumn.
Early summer is an optimal time to visit Portugal, with around 13 hours of sunshine per day. Conditions tend to be clear, calm and sunny with only a seven percent chance of a cloudy day and a roughly one in five chance of a windy day. However, the proximity to the ocean provides near constant, refreshing gentle sea breezes.
Symptomatic of the semi-arid environment, June experiences low levels of rainfall with average precipitation registered at just 5mm for that month. Subsequently, visitors to Praia de Rocha staying over the month of June might experience only a few days of rain. On average there are only 2 rainy days in June or, in other words, there is only a three percent chance of rainfall overall. July and August are slightly drier and significant showers might only be expected to occur as late as October.
With the longer daylight hours, Atlantic Ocean temperatures around the southern coast of Portugal closely match ambient air temperatures and are recorded at 20°C and are about 2°C warmer on average than May. The mild sea temperatures can provide respite on some of Praia de Rocha's hotter days as well as affording opportunities for the myriad of water sports and recreational activities at the resort.
Where to Stay
For visitors who want to be a little bit removed from the main thoroughfare of Praia da Rocha, but still close enough to wander to the beach in a few minutes, the Tivoli Marina Hotel is an excellent choice. It is located beside the Marina, with many rooms having a direct view, and has its own selection of pools, bars and restaurants to choose from. It can be a little quieter than the larger hotels located along the main strip and offers excellent breakfasts.
Villa Joaninha is a unique guest-house, in a beautiful, quaint building, a short distance from the main activities and very affordable. It's a particularly good match for solo travellers or couples on a budget, and also has rooms that will accommodate three or four guests. It is basic, with shared bathroom facilities with some rooms, but very clean and bright. The staff are excellent, eager to assist guests to plan their free-time in Praia da Rocha, and the beautiful beach is literally under the common balcony area.
A really popular choice for families (though it caters for singles and couples too), is the excellent Club Villarosa. It is located within walking distance of the beach, but has a little bit of distance between the main strip and the busiest parts. Apartments come in all shapes and sizes, and those in Block A come with small front and back gardens, so really feel like a home from home. There are two pools to choose from, one a little quieter away from the kids and music, and plenty of green spaces to relax on. Bars, restaurants and a mini-market will meet any food needs. The tennis courts, soccer pitch, games rooms, playground, spa and Turkish bath will look after everything else.
Things to Do
For an off-the-beaten track water sports experience, away from the hustle and bustle of mid-summer Rocha, head to Alvor for kite surfing lessons by the lagoon, in a peaceful and natural environment. The team at Alvor Kite Centre are passionate about their sport, and offer lessons for 4 hour periods to beginners and upwards.
Of course the Algarve region is famous for its Golf, and as the weather gets warmer with temperatures hitting an average of 20°C, a day on the courses is an attractive option for golfers of all levels. There is so much to choose from in the area, with the nearby Le Méridien Penina Golf and Resort best suited for beginners. Morgado and Alto are also two of the closest courses, with the most reasonable fees. For serious golfers, slightly further afield, and with higher fees, are the highly ranked Oceãnico O'Connor and Club Golf Oceãnico Faldo. Operated by the Oceãnico syndicate, there are five other championship courses on offer.
Hit the Beach
From June onwards, visitors would be forgiven for doing little else but lying on the sandy shores of the stunning Praia da Rocha beach, and taking the occasional dip in the warm sea. Grab a book, get their early, find a place to spread a towel and work on the tan. You can find places to hire parasols and sun-beds if you want a little more comfort and protection from the sun.
If you do feel the need to get a bit more active however, this is when the beach-side activities really start to come into their own, with multiple options on offer. There are numerous diving options around Praia da Rocha, which offer a chance for all levels to see the wonders of the ocean along its coastlines. Subnauta which is based on Praia da Rocha beach is known for its friendly staff and professionalism and attention to the safety of their customers. They offer diving instruction, equipment hire, and accompanied dives daily during summer months (continuing with a slightly reduced schedule during the winter).
Restaurants and Nightlife
Canico is one of the most romantic spots there is in the area. It is literally built into the cliffs, with tables overlooking the ocean, so close that you can hear the waves. The menu of Portuguese and Mediterranean dishes is delicious, and the bar transforms the place in a late-night venue in the summer months. It closed from November until March, so make sure to put this on the list in high season. It is located just outside Alvor (on the Praia da Rocha side) but worth the taxi ride for the experience. Bring a camera.
For a more relaxed informal evening, a friendly atmosphere and some well-priced pub grub, the Irish Rover Bar and Grill is a popular choice. Staff are extremely friendly, as is the crowd usually, and there are special drinks prices on certain nights to entice people through the door. There are live singing and dancing nights of the Irish variety, and stunning views over the beach.
The real late-night revellers won't have to look hard to find somewhere to go, but Kathedral nightclub is the top choice for many. This modern establishment has a main dance floor with commercial house, and a separate area with mainstream nostalgic pop. Drinks are pricier than in the surrounding bars, but this place only really gets started after 3am, and opens until 6am. It has spots for mingling and people watching overlooking the sea. Ladies night specials offer free drinks. Look out for fliers around the resort to gain free entry.
