Algarve in November

Algarve in November – Beaches, Hiking, Cave Kayaking, Low Season Benefits

November is a great time to visit the Algarve. It’s the Portuguese off-season. This means the beaches are empty, the temperatures are moderate, hotel prices are low, and you can order dinner anywhere without having to queue.

This is a particularly great time for hiking, as the air temperature is mild, with daytime temperatures hovering around 18°C.

Recommend to read: Portugal Travel 2026: Beaches, Cities, Routes & Expert Tips

Weather in November in the Algarve

November daytime temperature: 17°C – 19°C
Night temperature in November: 11°C – 14°C

I was in the Algarve in November – it was warm and sunny, I managed to walk the trails and sunbathe on the beach. The water was already cold for swimming (it’s not very warm there even in summer), but nice for kayaking among the beautiful rocks.

The temperature in the Algarve in November is very mild. In summer, the heat can be very oppressive and discourage you from exploring anything other than the beaches. So, autumn is a great time to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and get to know the Algarve’s inland villages and coastal trails.

November is not the best month for a beach holiday. But at the beginning of the month you can expect warm days that can be spent on the beach. At the end of the month it becomes mostly cooler – so catch the sun from November 1 to 15.

The sun sets around 5:30 PM, and once it sets, you need to put on a sweater or jacket.

But if the weather turns bad, and it does – the ocean has its own rules, you’ll be bored. You won’t go to the beach – you won’t be able to walk along the ocean’s walking paths.

Since the “tourist season” is over, some establishments in the south of Portugal are starting to close for the holidays. This didn’t affect my trip too much – there were quite a few hotels and restaurants that were open.

How to get around the Algarve

The easiest and most efficient way to travel between destinations in the Algarve is by rental car. I recommend using the following resources to search and book a car:

To check prices and book, I recommend using the following two car rental websites:

Economybookings.com –offers economy deals from the largest international rental companies. As well as many smaller local agencies, which often have much better prices. You can often find great deals.
RentalCars – A subsidiary of Booking.com, it features larger companies with reputable brands. Their prices are also good.

Where is the best place to stay in the Algarve?

The golden coast of southern Portugal is awe-inspiring with its stunning limestone cliffs and whitewashed villages.

To help you decide where to stay in the Algarve, I’ve put together this completely subjective guide. I honestly believe that the best places to stay in the Algarve are the picturesque towns with easy access to beaches and coastal paths. Natural beauty comes first.

Lagos

Lagos is a lively city that is a great base in the Algarve for couples, groups of friends and families. Especially for those travelers who are traveling to the Algarve without a car. There are trains that run to Faro and very good bus connections to Lisbon.

Lagos has beautiful beaches and a wide selection of hotels and apartments. There are large supermarkets for self-catering and a wide selection of restaurants. You can choose from Mexican, Hawaiian, Indian cuisine and of course traditional Portuguese dishes and seafood.

Another advantage of staying in Lagos is the proximity to places like Praia da Luz and Sagres.

Accommodation in Lagos city center

Boutique Taghostel — This is a nice hostel with mixed and female rooms, located in the city center. Guests have access to a shared kitchen, a rooftop terrace with sea views, and a living room.
3 Marias Guest House – This is the highest rated bed and breakfast in Lagos with a lovely rooftop terrace. The rooms are simple but extremely clean and comfortable. A good breakfast is available.
Alto Mar Inn – The recently renovated bed and breakfast offers air-conditioned rooms and free on-site parking.

Albufeira

Albufeira is one of the Algarve’s tourist gems. Originally a fishing town, this coastal town has become known for its resort hotels, summer crowds and vibrant nightlife. But in November, it’s quiet, with very few tourists, although restaurants, shops and other amenities are open.

Stroll through Albufeira’s Old Town and admire the cobblestone streets, old tiled mansions, the Church of Santa Ana and the bell tower. For local shops and restaurants, head to Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco. Then, cross the pedestrian tunnel to Tunel Beach. One minute you’re in the city centre, the next you’re looking for open ocean views.

Just outside Albufeira’s city center, there are several beaches that are often crowded in summer. Tunnel, Peneco, Pescadores and Alemains Beach form one massive beach, so it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. In the fall, there are no sunbeds or umbrellas, but there are beach cafes – a great vibe in warm weather.

Accommodation in the city center of Albufeira

Guest House Dianamar – A lovely boutique hotel, close to the beach and good restaurants. Clean and comfortable rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean.
Auramar Beach Resort – Three star hotel with high quality! Perfect value for money. Delicious food, beautiful grounds, located 1.5 km from the center of Albufeira, but a 5 minute walk to the beach. Incredible ocean and beach. Several pools, one of them heated, mini golf and billiards.
Hotel Sol e Mar Albufeira – Adults Only – The hotel is located right on the ocean, away from the noisy streets of the city. You can go down from the room to the beach by elevator. The beach is very beautiful, about 2 km long, one of the best in Portugal. The rooms are new, comfortable. The staff is very nice. Good breakfast. You have to expect that on the beach you have to pay for sun loungers and an umbrella, 20 euros for two sun loungers and an umbrella per day. There are cafes and bars on the beach.

Carvoeiro

Carvoeiro — a picturesque coastal town in the Algarve. It is one of the few places where development actually enhances the natural beauty of the coast. Carvoeiro Beach, surrounded by limestone cliffs topped with houses, looks perfect from every possible angle. Its beauty is both timeless and nostalgic.

Although Carvoeiro is very crowded with tourists in the summer, it is the perfect place to relax during the low season.

When the temperatures are mild, you can walk straight from Carvoeiro Beach west to Ferragudo along the Headlands Trail. You can also walk east along the Carvoeiro promenade, which eventually connects with the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. That’s at least two days of beautiful coastal walks, accessible from your doorstep.

Accommodation in the center of Carvoeiro

Гостьовий будинок O Quintal – This is a cute, light-filled B&B in the center of Carvoeiro. Guests have access to a shared kitchen, lounge, and terrace.
Гостьовий будинок O Castelo offers immaculate rooms with stunning sea views. Location close to Carvoeiro beach and restaurants in the town centre. Excellent staff and service.
Tivoli Carvoeiro – is a newly renovated hotel in Carvoeiro with 2 swimming pools and a spa. The rooms offer stunning views of the cliff and the ocean. And if you’re looking for a holiday without having to worry about cooking, you can book a half-board option (breakfast and dinner included). Tivoli Carvoeiro has 3 restaurants and 2 bars on site.

What to see and do in the Algarve in November

This region attracts all types of travelers with different interests. So, a trip to the Algarve in November will depend entirely on what you want to do in these places. You can lie on the sunny beaches or learn to surf on the magnificent waves. Or rent a kayak and visit the hidden caves of Benagil. The choice is yours.

November is the perfect month for walking along the Atlantic coast of the Algarve. With temperatures low all day long and parking not a problem, you can start whenever and wherever you want. You don’t have to wake up at 6 am to do this – you can walk at any time of the day.

Walk along the “Seven Hanging Valleys” route

One of the most popular hiking trails in the Algarve is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. This coastal route runs between the beaches of Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Sentianes.

This walk is most impressive if you start it early in the morning or in the afternoon. But, to be honest, there is no bad time to do it. Even if you suddenly feel hot, you can cool off in the ocean water on the beaches along the way. Or just sit and relax at the beach cafes, which are open during the low season.

Walk the Headlands Trail

Another fantastic hiking trail in the Algarve is the Capes Trail. The trail runs along the coast between the beaches of Praia dos Caneiros, Ferragudo and Praia do Carvoeiro.

Watch the sunset at Praia dos Arrifes

Praia dos Arrifes — a blue flag beach in the municipality of Albufeira. This impressive beachscape with three isolated rocks is a great place to take photos at sunset.

Go kayaking to see the caves and secluded beaches of the Algarve

I bought a kayak tour to see several beaches and caves of Praia de São Rafael and Praia dos Arrifes. In particular, Praia dos Arrifes is one of the most photogenic in all of Portugal.

It is very crowded during the high season (June to October). However, if you come in the off-season – like I did in November – you will have all this beauty to yourself. It is amazing to have one of the most dramatic stretches of the Algarve coast to yourself.

I highly recommend a vacation on this coast – it is beautiful, delicious seafood, lots of activities and a huge choice of beaches for every taste and budget.

Useful Articles and Links:

Car Rental – Affordable options are always available on the aggregator Rentalcars.com
Green Card and travel medical insurance – available online at HotlineFinance
Hotel and apartment bookings – Booking.com

Algarve in November – active holidays on the ocean

Weather in November in the Algarve

How to get around the Algarve