Nand

We lived through the winter, spring, summer and autumn in Olhao. It was windy in winter and we used the aircon/heater on the heating feature three nights that year and probably could have done without it really. Our flat was south facing on one side and had triple glazed windows, so it was well insulated and very comfortable INSIDE both winter and all through summer.

As we lived near the sea I took beach walks every morning and wore a hat, windbreaker, jumper. There are so many sunny days in the winter, very very nice for a walker like myself.

Summer was more bothersome with high hot heat and swarms of mosquitoes. Spring, winter and autumn brought the best weather imo.

macliam

Shhhhh.... don't mention Olhao!! We don't want it becoming another Algarve enclave!

We have bought an apartment there, looking to the time we no longer relish isolation in the hills... We "avoided" Olhao for years (it hardly tempts you from the Ni125!) until we "discovered" the Baixa. Now, our apartment is right on the margin and a five-minute stroll to the markets is a pleasure..... as is the climate.

Moses2013

I think that's a bit too late. Already advertising like mad here through sunway holidays etc. Nothing lasts long, so enjoy while you can.

borisface

A cold country with hot sun is spot on. Winters are surprisingly harsh. East wind tends to be the worst. I'm sure we all know the saying about bad winds and bad marriages coming from the East. However, the low cloud bringing cold and damp usually between Jan and April isn't something I look forward to.

macliam

Luckily, there are few hotels and not much room "downtown" to build more, plus it's still a working town - so I think it will be spared the fate of other places further west.

At the moment, they seem keen to exploit the frontage as a marina and the French have bought into the baixa in a big way..... so I'm not expecting too many coach parties!

ouriquejan

Olhao, many, many years ago, was just small working fishing village, same as Fuzeta. But the markets there are brilliant. There was an old lady on one of the fish stalls and we used to ask for tuna steaks, she'd move the knife up and down, until we decided.

4 euros, but it was a very long time ago.

macliam

Still great... we were introduced to Biqueirões Albardados (the delicious fried fresh achovy fillets that are an Olhao speciality) by a lady in the market who fried them at her stall for us to try! No charge - Deeeeelish! That was maybe 3 years ago...


Another lady, in the vegetable market (same time), promised SWMBO some fig cuttings and brought her half a dozen, no charge, which have now created a dozen fig trees back in the Alentejo, of two varieties!!

We love Olhao because of the people...... OK and the climate, and the Baixa, and the food, and the markets, and.......

chislenko

On the aforementioned cycle rides very often stop at The Park Cafe in Olhao and have been known to attend the occasional S C Olhanense game.

Alan PT

and today, very comfortable wandering around in shorts and T-shirt. Barely a breath of wind and our outside aircon unit (unit in the sun, but temp sensor not in direct sunlight) already says 25 degrees. Not a strictly accurate reading, but I find it gives quite a good indication of how it feels (the weather forecast says max of 19, but it definitely feels warmer)

Just need to remember to put on my coat when I go to the shops, so I don't get too many "crazy foreigner" looks from all the folks bundled up in Winter coats

macliam

.............and scarves,don't forget the scarves. Especially when eating in a restaurant

ouriquejan

And leave your coat on!

24C for us this afternoon, lovely to work outside in the garden, although "glowed" a little.

And no wind - bliss.

atlasthemonk

Thank you all for your responses.
Yes today has been fabulous , The car says 20c and without a breath of wind it has been a glorious t-shirt day. And that is my point ....some great weather here in Portugal, spoiled by cool wind.
I was hoping that someone would say that the north wind dies out by the time it reaches mid Alentejo or that the south east Algarve receives a mild air from Africa but in reality "Portugal is a cold country with a hot sun " sums it up well.

ouriquejan

We lived in Fuzeta for ten years and I really can't remember it being that windy. We loved it, it then the condominiums started, as well as all day English breakfasts and more tourists and loud, huge music, every night from June to August, tempting the tourists, so we left.

Even some of our Portuguese friends got so fed up with it, they moved further inland.

liveaboard

I live on the West coast; it's windy here.
70% of the time, the wind is north-west.
It almost never gets too hot in summer, and winter is cool but not too cold.
I have a warm jacket in my cupboard, it's been there for 5 years.

The problem we have is drought, it's barely rained in the last 3 years.
Sure, the warm sunshine is pleasant, but I'd be very happy for a few weeks of solid hard rain.

bons

That's disappointing to read as we are thinking of looking in Tomar to live. I'm not too worried about the winter weather, but I would llike a bit of heat in summer. Went to Monchique yesterday, clear blue sky, no wind and warm. Lovely.