Portugal · month by month
Algarve food calendar
What is in season in Algarve, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Algarve
The best of January: Cataplana, Almond blossom and oranges.
In season
- Almond blossom and oranges
Almond trees flower in January and February; Algarve oranges are sweetest in winter.
Jan–Mar
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Algarve
The best of February: Cataplana, Almond blossom and oranges, Loulé Carnival.
In season
- Almond blossom and oranges
Almond trees flower in January and February; Algarve oranges are sweetest in winter.
Jan–Mar
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
On the calendar
- Loulé CarnivalFebruary
One of Portugal's oldest carnivals.
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Algarve
The best of March: Cataplana, Almond blossom and oranges.
In season
- Almond blossom and oranges
Almond trees flower in January and February; Algarve oranges are sweetest in winter.
Jan–Mar
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Algarve
Shoulder seasonThe best of April: Cataplana.
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Algarve
Peak seasonThe best of May: Cataplana, Figs, carob and medronho.
In season
- Figs, carob and medronho
Fig and carob sweets, and medronho, the strawberry-tree brandy.
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Algarve
Peak seasonThe best of June: Cataplana, Sardines and seafood.
In season
- Sardines and seafood
Sardines grilled at the harbor in Portimão, clams from the Ria Formosa.
Jun–Sep - Figs, carob and medronho
Fig and carob sweets, and medronho, the strawberry-tree brandy.
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Algarve
The best of July: Cataplana, Sardines and seafood.
In season
- Sardines and seafood
Sardines grilled at the harbor in Portimão, clams from the Ria Formosa.
Jun–Sep - Figs, carob and medronho
Fig and carob sweets, and medronho, the strawberry-tree brandy.
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Plan around
- Crowds and prices
July and August are full; restaurants are busiest and prices highest.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Algarve
A hard monthThe best of August: Cataplana, Sardines and seafood, Festival da Sardinha, Portimão.
In season
- Sardines and seafood
Sardines grilled at the harbor in Portimão, clams from the Ria Formosa.
Jun–Sep - Figs, carob and medronho
Fig and carob sweets, and medronho, the strawberry-tree brandy.
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
On the calendar
- Festival da Sardinha, Portimãoearly August
The sardine festival at the harbor.
- Festival do Marisco, OlhãoAugust
The seafood festival on the Ria Formosa.
Plan around
- Crowds and prices
July and August are full; restaurants are busiest and prices highest.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Algarve
Peak seasonThe best of September: Cataplana, Sardines and seafood.
In season
- Sardines and seafood
Sardines grilled at the harbor in Portimão, clams from the Ria Formosa.
Jun–Sep - Figs, carob and medronho
Fig and carob sweets, and medronho, the strawberry-tree brandy.
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Algarve
Peak seasonThe best of October: Cataplana.
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Algarve
Shoulder seasonThe best of November: Cataplana.
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Algarve
The best of December: Cataplana.
Eat it now
- Cataplana
The copper-pan seafood stew of the coast.
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.