Why May scores 9.8What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort50%9.8
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (23°C highs / 14°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 13.1°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~22 mm rain)
- Air quality20%10.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~4 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards20%10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline10%8.5
- ·Normal precautions
| May | Sep | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.8 Excellent | 9.8 Excellent |
| Season | 🌷 Spring | 🍂 Autumn |
| High / low | 23° / 14° | 27° / 18° |
| Rain | 22 mm | 23 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 13° | dew pt 16° |
| PM2.5 | 4 µg/m³ | 5 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Faro weather-station normals. Rainfall: Faro, Portugal weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
No long holidaysNo long public-holiday weekends this month. School holidays aren't counted, so check those if you want to avoid family crowds.
Other public holidays: Labor Day (1 May) · Corpus Christi (27 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore AlgarveEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyPortugal's southern coastal region, known for golden cliffs, sea caves, sandy beaches and a long sunny season.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Festival do MariscoDate variesUsually mid-August
A seafood festival on the Olhão waterfront with food stalls and concerts.
Why go: Very busy; arrive early in the evening.
Where: Olhão
Almond blossomDate variesUsually late January to February
Almond trees flower white and pink across the countryside.
Why go: A good reason to visit inland villages in the quiet season.
Where: Inland Algarve
Carnaval de LouléDate variesBefore Ash Wednesday — usually February or early March
One of Portugal's oldest carnival parades, with floats and costumes.
Why go: Parades run over several days; check the town's schedule.
Where: Loulé
Ponta da Piedade
Sandstone cliffs, arches and sea stacks near Lagos, viewable from clifftop paths or by small boat.
Benagil Sea Cavegreat in May
A large sea cave with a hole in its roof, reached only from the water.
💡 Visit by boat or guided kayak tour, and only when sea conditions are calm.
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
A clifftop walking trail between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centianes.
💡 Start early in summer; there is little shade.
Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
The windswept south-western tip of Europe, with a fortress and lighthouse.
Ria Formosa
A lagoon nature park of islands, marshes and channels near Faro, Olhão and Tavira, rich in birdlife.
Tavira
A historic town with a Roman-style bridge, churches and a river through its centre.
Cataplana
Seafood or pork and clams cooked in a clam-shaped copper pan, named after the pan itself.
Grilled sardines
Charcoal-grilled sardines, at their best in summer.
💡 Seafront restaurants, especially in Portimão
Frango piri-piri
Grilled chicken with chilli sauce, closely associated with Guia near Albufeira.
Doces finos
Small marzipan-like sweets made from almonds and shaped as fruits and animals.
💡 Pastry shops
Medronho
A strong spirit distilled from the fruit of the strawberry tree, traditional in the Algarve hills.
Flor de sal
Hand-harvested sea salt from the salt pans of the Ria Formosa and Castro Marim.
💡 Markets and gourmet shops
Cork products
Bags, wallets and homeware made from Portuguese cork.
💡 Shops in old towns
Hand-painted ceramics
Colourful Portuguese pottery and azulejo-style tiles.
💡 Roadside ceramic shops and town markets