By October, the Algarve has emptied out but not shut down. The summer hordes have returned to northern Europe, yet the beaches remain warm and the boat tours keep running. This is not the faded tail-end of a season winding down. Everything that makes the coast worth visiting becomes easier to access and enjoy.

The temperatures hold steady through much of the month. Daytime highs reach the mid-twenties, warm enough for comfortable afternoons on the sand but without the oppressive heat that drives visitors into air-conditioned restaurants by noon. The fierce summer sun softens just enough to make clifftop hiking and inland exploration far more appealing than it would be in the peak season.

What changes most noticeably is the atmosphere. The queue for a table at a popular seafood restaurant shrinks from an hour to nothing. The boat trip to Benagil Cave, chaotic with competing vessels in high summer, becomes a calmer experience. You can book accommodation a week in advance rather than three months, and premium villas that were snapped up by February for the August rush now sit available at lower prices.

The region operates on a full schedule throughout the month. Boat tours run daily, kayak rental companies remain open along the coast, and restaurants in all the major towns continue to serve without seasonal closures. Only the waterparks begin to reduce their hours toward the end of October. For everything else, the infrastructure that served hundreds of thousands of summer visitors now serves far fewer people, with noticeably better results.

 

 

Coastal Hiking: The Sete Vales Suspensos trail runs six kilometres along clifftops above hidden coves and sea stacks. In October, the temperatures drop to levels that make the walk genuinely enjoyable rather than an endurance test.

Historic Silves: The former Moorish capital sits twenty minutes inland, its red sandstone castle dominating the town below. October brings cooler conditions for exploring the cobbled streets, ancient cathedral, and orange groves without the summer crowds.

Town Life Without the Crowds: Lagos, Tavira, and Loulé operate year-round, but in October you experience them as residents do. No queues, no tour groups blocking the narrow streets, and tables available at restaurants that were fully booked in August.

Sea Cave Adventures: Boat trips and kayak tours to Benagil Cave and the golden arches of Ponta da Piedade run throughout October. The summer queues have gone, and you can explore at your own pace with far fewer vessels competing for space.

October in the Algarve offers some of the most comfortable conditions of the year. The fierce summer heat has passed, but genuine warmth remains, and the region enjoys far more sunshine than anywhere in northern Europe at this time of year.

Daytime temperatures typically reach between 23°C and 25°C, warm enough for the beach but cool enough for walking. Early in the month, sheltered spots can still touch 30°C on particularly sunny days. After sunset, the air cools to around 15°C to 18°C, a noticeable drop from the sticky August nights but comfortable for outdoor dining with a light layer.

The average day time maximum and the nighttime minimum temperature for the Algarve

The region averages seven to eight hours of sunshine daily, with ten to eleven hours of daylight overall. The sun sets progressively earlier as the month continues, and the clocks go back in late October, which shortens the evenings further. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and early afternoon if you want to make the most of the light.

October marks the transition toward the wetter season, though clear skies remain the norm. The region receives an average of 50mm to 80mm of rain spread across eight to ten days, but this rarely means washouts. Showers tend to arrive as short-lived Atlantic bursts that pass within an hour or two, often followed by blue skies for the rest of the day. Humidity stays moderate, adding to the overall sense of comfort.

The average hours of sunshine per day and monthly rainfall (in mm)

October marks the true end of the tourist season, but the Algarve does not shut down overnight. The region remains operational throughout the month, though the pace slows noticeably compared to September and the character of visitors changes again.

A Shift in Atmosphere
The crowds thin considerably as October progresses. Couples and retirees now outnumber families almost entirely, joined by hikers, golfers, and those seeking a quieter coastal break. The major resort towns of Albufeira and Lagos stay active but feel noticeably calmer. Tables at popular restaurants no longer require advance booking, and staff have time to chat rather than rush you through courses to free up space.

Pricing and Availability
October delivers genuine value. Accommodation prices drop 25% to 40% below their August peaks, and flight costs fall accordingly. The real benefit is flexibility. Properties that required booking months ahead in summer now sit available a week or two before arrival, allowing you to choose based on preference rather than desperation. Car rental rates decrease, and many coastal municipalities suspend their summer parking charges.

Late Summer Landscape
The terrain remains parched from the long dry summer, with golden-brown hillsides and dusty trails. The first autumn rains may arrive later in the month, but any greenery takes weeks to return. The coastal scenery remains spectacular, but the interior sits at its driest point of the year.

Nightlife
The party scene winds down significantly. Albufeira's Strip stays open at weekends, but the clubs and bars lack the frenetic energy of high summer. Midweek evenings are notably quieter, and some venues close entirely outside Friday and Saturday. For visitors who prefer a drink without battling crowds, this suits perfectly. Those expecting the full midsummer experience every night will find October too subdued.

The coastline near Carvoeiro

Choosing a base in October comes down to character rather than availability. The extreme crowds have gone, and every major town remains fully operational with open restaurants, active tour operators, and functioning beach facilities. You can pick the place that suits your priorities rather than settling for wherever still has rooms.

Albufeira
Best for: families, first-time visitors, and those wanting a central base for exploration.
Albufeira is the main tourist hub of the Algarve and the most practical base for an October holiday. The town sits roughly central along the coast, putting historic Silves, the waterparks, and the famous clifftop trails all within a short drive. In October, Albufeira retains enough energy to feel lively without the frantic pressure of midsummer.

The town divides into two distinct areas. The Old Town clusters around a former fishing beach, its whitewashed buildings and narrow streets leading down to the sand through small plazas lined with restaurants. In October, finding a table takes minutes rather than the lengthy waits of August. To the east, the Strip continues to offer nightlife and evening entertainment, though it operates at reduced intensity. Bars stay open, but the crowds are manageable and clubs run at weekends only.

The beaches around Albufeira vary from the vast sands of Praia da Falésia, backed by striking orange cliffs, to the smaller coves at São Rafael where rock formations break up the coastline. In October, you will find space on all of them, and the sea temperature remains comfortable for swimming well into the month.Our guide to Albufeira

Tavira
Best for: visitors wanting genuine Portuguese character and a slower pace.
Tavira is the most attractive town in the Algarve. Located in the quieter eastern section of the coast, it moves at a pace set by residents rather than tourists, and in October this unhurried atmosphere becomes even more pronounced.

The skyline here is defined by over thirty church towers and the ruins of a hilltop castle, not high-rise hotel blocks. The River Gilão flows through the centre, crossed by a Roman-style bridge that serves as the town's natural meeting point. Cobbled streets wind past traditional houses decorated with painted tiles, and the daily market and riverside cafes keep local life visible. In October, you can sit on a waterfront terrace in the late-afternoon light without competing for a seat.

The beaches lie on Ilha de Tavira, a barrier island reached by a short ferry crossing over the Ria Formosa lagoon. The extra effort filters out casual visitors, leaving long stretches of sand backed by dunes rather than development. Even in high summer these beaches feel quieter than the central Algarve. In October, they are close to empty. Our guide to Tavira

Lagos
Best for: visitors who want history, scenery, and activity in one place.
Lagos is the town most frequently recommended by returning visitors. The historic centre sits within 16th-century walls, its cobbled streets and small plazas home to a strong year-round population that keeps the restaurants, cafes, and shops open regardless of season. In October, you can wander between traditional seafood spots and modern wine bars without any sense that the town is winding down.

The setting suits those who like to stay active. To the west, Atlantic swells draw surfers to exposed beaches. To the south, the Ponta da Piedade headland drops into the sea as a maze of golden limestone cliffs, arches, and sea stacks. You can walk the clifftop boardwalks or explore from below by boat and kayak. In October, these tours run frequently without the advance booking pressure and long queues of high summer.

The beaches around Lagos cover all preferences. Meia Praia stretches for four kilometres east of town, with enough space to find a quiet spot even on busy days. South of the centre, smaller cove beaches sit tucked into the cliffs, reached by wooden stairways. In October, the sand stays warm enough for long afternoons and the water remains swimmable well into the month. Our guide to Lagos

Vilamoura
Best for: golfers and visitors seeking a polished, modern resort.
Vilamoura is purpose-built and makes no apology for it. The town centres on a large marina lined with restaurants and bars, where the evening promenade draws a well-dressed crowd. There is no historic quarter or cobbled old town here, but the trade-off is a level of convenience and comfort that the older settlements cannot match.

Golf is the primary draw in October. The concentration of quality courses in and around Vilamoura is unmatched anywhere in Portugal, with renowned layouts including the Dom Pedro courses and Oceanico Victoria attracting serious players from across Europe. October offers ideal conditions, warm enough for a comfortable round but without the fierce summer heat that forces early morning tee times.

The beaches are clean and professionally managed. Praia da Falésia runs for several kilometres to the east, backed by striking orange cliffs that hold their colour year-round. For a holiday built around golf, easy dining, and a polished environment, Vilamoura delivers exactly what it promises. Our guide to Vilamoura

The Smaller Towns of the Algarve
The major hubs suit most visitors, but the Algarve also offers smaller coastal settlements for those who prefer a quieter base. In October, these villages retain open restaurants and functioning facilities without any of the summer crowds.

Alvor sits on the edge of the Ria de Alvor estuary, combining a working fishing harbour with access to one of the longest beaches in the region. The old town clusters around a small harbour where boats still land the daily catch, and the narrow streets behind are lined with seafood restaurants. A long wooden boardwalk crosses the estuary wetlands, winding through marshes busy with birdlife before reaching a beach that stretches for kilometres of unbroken sand. Our guide to Alvor

Carvoeiro occupies a dramatic setting, its whitewashed buildings stacked around a small cove beach framed by golden cliffs. The village centre is compact and walkable, with enough restaurants to cover a week without repetition. East of the main beach, the Algar Seco boardwalk follows the clifftops past rock formations, blowholes, and viewpoints. The central cove is small, but quieter beaches lie within walking distance for those wanting more space. Our guide to Carvoeiro

Olhos de Água began as a fishing village and retains some of that character despite development along the surrounding coast. The beach sits in an attractive cove named for the freshwater springs that bubble up through the sand at low tide. Seafood restaurants line the shore, and the village feels more local than neighbouring Albufeira, just a few kilometres to the west. For visitors who want a quieter base within easy reach of the central Algarve, it works well.

Packing for October October days are warm enough for shorts and light clothing, with temperatures often reaching the mid-twenties. Cotton and linen work well for daytime, though you will need something warmer once the sun drops. Evenings cool quickly, and a light jacket or sweater is essential for outdoor dining.

Sun protection still matters. The UV levels are lower than midsummer but strong enough to burn, so pack sunglasses and a hat if you plan to spend time on the beach or walking clifftop trails.

Footwear needs some thought. The old towns are full of steep cobbled streets that can be uneven and slippery, so sturdy shoes or supportive flats make exploring easier. Sandals are fine for the beach but less practical for an evening wandering the backstreets of Lagos or Tavira.

A compact umbrella or light waterproof layer is worth carrying in your day bag. October showers are usually brief, but they arrive without much warning and can catch you out on an exposed coastal path.