Last Updated on: 29th March 2024, 07:06 am
#1 top pick
Dolphins and Benagil Caves from Albufeira – Allboat
- ⦿ Cruise on a smaller boat, limited to just 18 people on board
- ⦿ Discover areas of the coast that would be difficult to reach alone
- ⦿ Learn about the Algarve’s dolphin population from the crew
- ⦿ This cruise starts and ends in Albufeira
- ⦿ Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- ⦿ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (2799 reviews)
Main Topics of The Algarve in April: What To Expect
Even though the ocean is still too cold to swim, the air temperature roams around 18-20 degrees Celsius, with many days scoring a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius.
April in the Algarve is about laying in the sun, enjoying long walks, and sipping coffee by the beach, watching the fishermen at work, the seagulls and the cats.
Pera, Portugal – Blossoming almond tree and ruined mill
I remember walking around in flip-flops and t-shirts, wandering along blossoming almond trees in Pera, walking in the soft sand on Praia Grande de Pera, and enjoying what seemed to be an eternal spring in Albufeira, Portimao, Lagos, Guia, Carvoeiro, Tavira, Olhao, Silves and Sagres.
Let’s see what you can expect from visiting the Algarve in April.
Weather
Overall, the weather is sunny and pleasant.
- Average air temperature: 18-22°C (64-72°F)
- Rainfall: low chances, only 5-6 rainy days expected for the whole of April
- Sea temperature: 17°C (63°F) – I don’t know about others, but I don’t dare to swim in such cold water
Best Towns To Stay in the Algarve in April
As many tourist places aren’t open in April, I’d recommend you to pick a town rather than a village for your stay.
Felicia Beach in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
Albufeira
Click here to book a cruise with dolphins watching and Benagil cave visit from Albufeira.
Albufeira is a lively coastal town with a picturesque old town and long stretches of golden beaches.
The Old Town is a lovely historic district featuring old buildings, as well as many bars and restaurants.
Known as The Strip, Albufeira’s party street boasts night clubs, themed bars and entertainment that goes on from dusk to dawn.
Click here to book a caves and coastal cruise from Albufeira to Benagil.
It is a good choice for spending the winter and also the spring in the Algarve. Since there are about 50,000 permanent inhabitants, the city offers everything you may need such as restaurants, shops, markets and entertainment all year round.
Hotels in Albufeira to stay in April:
Alfagar Aparthotel – apartments with one or two bedrooms, private beach access, beautiful gardens. Click here for the current rates.
Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort – This 5-star hotel has a stunning cliff-top location above Portugal’s longest beach, Praia da Falésia. It features luxury spa facilities, 8 restaurants and a seasonal water sports center. Click here to see the rooms and to book your dates.
Epic Sana Algarve Hotel – Located between Vilamoura and Albufeira and overlooking Falésia Beach, EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel offers luxury accommodations set in a landscaped pinewood with direct access to the beach, an extensive spa, an indoor pool and five outdoor swimming pools. Click here to see current room rates and to make a booking.
Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro makes an excellent Algarve base in April with its scenic cliffs, sandy beaches and pleasant daytime temperatures around 20°C.
This traditional fishing village offers a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the golden coast.
Go for scenic coastal hikes, explore the grottoes and rock formations by boat tour, or simply lounge on Carvoeiro’s sheltered Praia do Carvoeiro beach.
I loved the coastal walk in Carvoeiro. It made me fall in love with Algarve at first sight.
The village’s restaurants and bars provide the perfect spots for alfresco dining and sundowners.
Here are a few hotels in Carvoeiro you can choose for your April stay:
KO-VALDAREINA, Bénagil-Carvoeiro – Bungalow with a patio, one bedroom, one bathroom, a terrace with pool view and a fully equipped kitchenette. Click here to see the rates.
Placid Village – self-catering apartments with an outdoor pool and a padel court. Click here to see more details.
Cerro Apartment – 2-bedroom apartment 600 m from Paradise Beach. Click here to see photos.
Lagos Algarve Old Center
Lagos
Historic Lagos is a delight in April before the summer crowds arrive.
The compact old town invites aimless wandering through its cobblestoned lanes and plazas lined with bars, restaurants, and shops.
While in Lagos, visit the ancient Moorish walls and the statue of Prince Henry the Navigator.
The rock pillars at Ponta da Piedade and sea caves are a top natural attraction, best viewed by kayak or boat tour. Click here to book a boat tour in the area.
Here are some Lagos hotels to take a look at for your April trip planning.
Villas D. Dinis – adults only suites with 3 swimming pools, breakfast and airport shuttle. Click here to check them out!
Dom Manuel I – adults only hotel with outdoor pool, 500m from D. Ana Beach. Click here to check it out!
Sagres is one of the most beautiful places in Europe. It is very close to Cape Saint Vincent, the southwesternmost point of this continent.
Sagres
The end-of-the-world feeling in Sagres at the southwestern tip of Portugal is accentuated by the wild coastal scenery. Seagulls, cliffs, strong winds and the lighthouse create a movie-like scenery.
Sagres is ideal for April exploring. The only downside to going to Cape St. Vincent in the spring is the wind.
This historic maritime town offers excellent hiking along cliff tops with stunning Atlantic views.
Visit Cape St. Vincent’s iconic lighthouse, go surfing at the renowned Praia do Tonel beach, and learn about Portugal’s rich sailing history at the Fortaleza de Sagres fortress.
Read my article about Sagres to learn more about the best things to do around.
Fishermen and seagulls on the beach (Praia Grande de Pera)
Pera / Armacao de Pera
The seaside towns of Pera and Armação de Pera offer long, family-friendly beaches that are uncrowded in April.
Armação’s sandy beaches are backed by cafes and restaurants perfect for fresh seafood lunches.
Pera’s beach has a lively “strip” of bars and eateries.
The sand dunes that separate the beach from the town are scattered with small plants that have an unbelievable scent. The natural reserve is home to many species of birds and plants. Walking along this reserve in March-April is a pleasure, particularly on a sunny day.
Both towns make good value Algarve bases for a spring beach holiday with mild temperatures, avoiding peak-season prices and crowds.
Vilamoura Marina yachts – Image by Philip Miles from Pixabay
Vilamoura
Vilamoura kicks into high gear in April as the resort’s golf courses and marina fill up with visitors.
Enjoy the manicured gardens, explore the chic marina lined with restaurants and bars, or lounge poolside at one of Vilamoura’s upscale hotels.
In my opinion, Vilamoura is different than all other towns in the Algarve. It looks very much like a resort for the rich, depleted of character, bland yet beautiful. It looks too modern for my taste, but I can understand why people love it.
If you choose Vilamoura, don’t miss dolphin-watching and coastal cruises from the marina.
With over a half-dozen golf courses, Vilamoura is an obvious choice for keen golfers in April.
Ferragudo
Ferragudo offers a quieter, authentic Algarve experience compared to larger resort towns.
In a way, it is the opposite of Villamoura and Albufeira.
In April, you can enjoy the whitewashed fishermen’s houses, cobblestoned plazas, and scenic harbor without crowds.
Spend sunny days on Praia Grande beach or wandering the laid-back streets lined with traditional restaurants serving up fresh seafood.
For more activity, take a boat tour to explore the nearby grottoes and caves.
Portimao
As one of the larger Algarve cities, Portimao provides an excellent urban base in April with mild temperatures and fewer tourists than summer.
Check out the weekly gypsy market, stroll the riverfront promenade, or visit historic sites like the Megalithic Monuments and 17th-century Fort Santa Catarina.
Portimao’s marina and charming riverside restaurants offer plenty of dining and nightlife options.
Here are two of my favorite towns in the Algarve, towns that aren’t on the coast.
Loule
Loule makes for an interesting day trip in April to experience Portuguese culture and traditions away from the beaches.
Meander through the cobblestoned old town, visiting highlights like the Convent of the Holy Spirit, local art galleries, and cafes spilling out onto plazas.
Don’t miss the lively Saturday gypsy market selling handicrafts, fresh produce, and local specialties like medronho brandy.
The cooler April weather is perfect for walking tours.
Monchique
For a change of scenery from the coast, head to the hills of Monchique in April.
This inland town is situated in the Serra de Monchique mountains, providing crisp air and beautiful scenery of rolling hills and oak forests.
Go for scenic hikes, visit area wineries, and be sure to sample the locally-produced Monchique wood-smoked ham and sausages.
Monchique’s milder spring weather is ideal for outdoor pursuits.
I only spent a few hours in Monchique, but I loved it a lot! I can’t wait to be back to the Algarve some day, maybe even this April!
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