Albufeira Travel Forum

Ola

May wife and I will be traveling to Albufeira in March of 2008.

Upon checking the temperature averages,I see that during the day it is 60 degrees F., some times spiking to 75 degrees F. and dropping to 40 degrees F. in the evening.

My simple way of soring out the clothing issue is to ask "should we take short sleeve shirts or long sleeve shirts or a combination of both???"

Regards,
R&K
Bobcaygeon, Ontario Canada

Depends on what you are used to. With temps like that, I'd pack long sleeves with perhaps one short sleeve in case of a heat wave. Those are cold temps to me. We always plan on layers anyway and that's a safe bet. I would also take a jacket, but I'm from southern California.

A combination of both. Even if temperatures in the Algarve are usually higher than in the rest of the country and March is already close to spring, I would reccomend more long sleeves than short ones. It can get windy and the weather in Portugal is getting a little crazy, we never know! I'm still using long sleeves and we're in summer!

We visited the Algarve in March of 06. Both my wife and I walked the beach in shorts and Tees during the day and on a couple of occassions She was down to a tank top. Most of the time we would be in long sleeves but I still like to wear shorts even if it is cool. We are from Sudbury. If you golf you'll be comfortable with your togs but take a sweater on the course as the breeze may be chilly.. The evenings are cool and on Saturday we were in a lot of rain while we visited the markets. Do the research and find your way to the gypsy market if that is your thing. Just a bunch of caravans selling junk but we picked up some leather goods made in india for a good price. It happens on Saturday mornings in a small town west of Portomao. Sorry can't recall the name.. I think my wife was expecting a warmer climate and was a bit dissapointed with the temperature but we both agree it was a wonderfull time.. Do yourself a favor and take warm clothes. A lot of the hotels are just instaling heaters as they never did a lot of business in the off season. Ours had a heatpump but it was still cool at night. Definately rent a car. Make sure you get lost at least once a day, it's what you happen upon unexpectedly that will make your trip. One day we were on an isolated part of the coast on a gravel road and happened upon an abandoned fort.. No one around... Beautiful. You will love this place. Food, people, scenery, the little towns back in the hills are all terrific. Watch out for the cabs at Faro airport though, You are better off renting your car right there than using the taxis... We took a day to make our way to Lisbon (3 hrs, on a 400 series type highway, toll 15 eu) and we stayed a a choice hotel (used my points). Definately a nice two day one night side trip. Sintra is worth some time too.
Urgent... Don't take the day trip to Seville by bus. You get there just before the stores close for Siesta and they don't open again until you are ready to leave. Spend the 40 euros your car rental company will want for you to take the car to Spain. Then you are on your own. Don't go to Spain with out paying the fee. You could have a problem with the police.
Good trip. I envy you going to that wonderfull country. I intend to spend a few winters there when I retire.