Visiting the Algarve in Winter | Portugal’s Southern Sun Trap

The Algarve has long been a favourite winter destination for Europeans seeking sunny days not too far from home. The weather on Portugal’s south coast is mild and pleasant during the season, attractions and markets remain open, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy!

Travelling to the Algarve in winter also gives visitors a rare opportunity to experience local life and culture. This is a time when vibrant carnivals take place, the locals reclaim their towns, and the Blue Flag beaches enjoy a respite from the summer crowds.

In winter, you can discover off-the-track fishing villages like Carvoeiro and Olhão, dive into Faro’s rich and storied history, surf the swells, golf under the winter sun, and hike beautiful coastal trails.

Spending winter in Algarve, Portugal, is the ideal way to beat the cold season blues.

Algarve Winter Weather

Algarve winter temperatures are generally mild, with daytime highs of 16-20°C/60°-68°F between December and February – although it can often feel much warmer in the sun. The temperature does cool down in the evenings and it’s advised to pack a cosy sweater, fleece or jacket, although it rarely gets frosty cold.

December is the cloudiest time of year and there’s a 22% chance of rain this month and in January (less in February). Don’t worry if you encounter the odd rain shower though, there’s still plenty to see and do.

Why Visit the Algarve in Winter?

There are many reasons to visit the Algarve, and mild weather is just one of them. Here are a few more.

Low Flight Costs

Many low-cost airlines operate winter flights to Faro, Algarve from various European cities. Expect to pay lower prices for flights during winter, excluding the dates around Christmas and New Year. If you’re booking a trip for this winter check out Easyjet, Ryanair, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Transavia and TAP Air Portugal, all of which offer flights to Faro.

Cheap Accommodation

Four and five-star hotels by the beach, in the mountains or on golf courses reduce their rates to increase winter occupancy rates. It’s possible to book upscale resorts with spa facilities, a historic palace or a sleek boutique guest house for a fraction of high-season prices.

Great Surfing & Golf Opportunities

There are abundant Algarve winter activities to enjoy. It’s a great time for surfing and schools operate classes most days at this time of year near Sagres. This season also appeals to golfers. World-class golf courses such as Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago offer reduced rates to play and the fairways and greens are often quiet.

Deserted Beaches

What better way to discover the natural beauty of Algarvian beaches than in winter? The scenic region on Portugal’s southern shores has no less than 88 Blue Flag beaches, and there’s no overcrowding in this season.

Best Time for Sightseeing

Travelling to the Algarve in winter presents a perfect opportunity to sightsee and discover all of the Algarve’s historic sites minus the queues and crowds. It’s also easier to book guided tours to fit in with your holiday schedule in the low season.

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If you plan to visit Portugal in winter, Albufeira and Lagos are the Algarve’s liveliest resorts, with tourist attractions, bars, shops and restaurants remaining open year-round.

There are dozens of beautiful beaches near Albufeira, including my favourite, Praia do Castelo. This sheltered cove is characterised by the rugged cliffs surrounding it – resembling castle battlements. Hence the name, Castle Beach.

If you’re staying in or near Lagos, wander down the wooden steps and through tunnels to the beautiful cove of Praia do Camilo. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic walk or spot of afternoon yoga. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Ponta da Piedade with its hidden grottos and blond rocky outcrops set against a backdrop of blue skies and even bluer waters.

Seeking even more solitude? Praia do Barril near Tavira in the eastern Algarve offers an interesting beachside stroll. Old anchors from tuna boats pepper the shoreline, plus, the isle is an idyllic haven for birdwatching.

Read More: Best Beaches in the Algarve, Portugal

Segway Tour at Night in Faro

Exploring Faro in winter is a delight, and after sunset, the Algarve’s capital really comes to life. The city is home to traditional bars and restaurants and landmarks illuminate in the evening, creating a golden atmosphere. Instead of walking around the city when the weather is cooler, wrap up and navigate the streets on a fun nighttime Segway tour.

This fun tour introduces you to the hidden gems of Faro – the places you can’t access via public transport. While enjoying the sights of the city, you’ll be entertained with anecdotes and stories about the monuments you pass. Finish the experience with a wine-tasting experience at a local guesthouse.

Afterwards, immerse yourself in Faro’s Fado culture, listening to lilting songs and guitar music while tucking into a traditional meal in a cosy city eatery.

Browse Loulé’s Local Market

A highlight of spending the winter in the Algarve is visiting a local indoor market. And one of the best in the region is in the inland town of Loulé.

The covered marketplace is a great place to immerse yourself in typical Algarvian culture. It specializes in locally made products, organic fruit and vegetables and fresh fish. Local craftsmen and women, basket weavers and coppersmiths have stalls here and you can spend time watching them work.

Foodies will relish sampling gastronomic fare while exploring different stalls and vendors. Inhale the scent of fresh flowers, pick up artisan bread, cakes and traditional sweets and browse cockerel-printed souvenirs and hand-painted ceramics.

When you’ve shopped up a storm, pop into one of the cafes outside for pasteis da nata (a Portuguese creamy custard tart) and a warming cup of coffee.

Get in the Carnival Spirit

One of the top winter Algarve attractions, the Loulé Carnival starts in mid-February, and continues for five days. The Brazilian Mardi Gras-style parade thrills onlookers with circus acts, samba dancers, trapeze artists, live music, floats and costumed parades.

The event has been ongoing each year for over a century and it’s the region’s largest, with people flocking here from all across the Algarve.

As a visitor, you can try local food from street vendors, enjoy countless performances, and marvel at the choreography and design of elaborate costumes, all while joining in with the dancing!

Hike Faro’s Ludo Trail

Although the six-kilometre-long Seven Hanging Valley Trail is the most popular and arguably the most scenic Algarve hike, it’s perhaps best tackled in spring or autumn when the stunning beaches provide ample opportunity to cool off en route.

In winter, the Ludo Trail in Faro may be more appealing to nature lovers, and is equally as picturesque. This hike takes 3-4 hours, beginning just a few minutes from Faro International Airport at the western edge of Ria Formosa.

With a natural lagoon on one side and salt pans on the other, it’s a hotspot for feathery flocks of pink flamingos, and at this time of year, between November and March, there are hundreds in the vicinity.

Pack a picnic and your camera and don’t forget to stay for the sunset, it’s truly spectacular.

Rent a Car to Explore

One of the great things about renting a car in the Algarve is that every landmark, beach and town is easily accessible. It takes less than two hours to drive from the Spanish border to Cabo de São Vicente a.k.a. ‘the end of the world’ at Europe’s most southwesterly point.

Off-the-beaten path, incredible scenic drives await. One favourite route begins in Sagres on the western Algarve coast, taking a circular, clockwise direction north along the western coast to Bordeira, Aljezur and back to the coast via the mountain spa town of Monchique.

You’ll pass windmills, grazing wildlife and secluded beaches with undulating sand dunes and not a single tourist in sight. Make a stop at Praia da Bordeira to watch the surfers, and break for lunch amid historical monuments at Aljezur, before driving back to Portimão through unfettered countryside.

Time your return to the coast to coincide with the sunset over the Atlantic and get your camera ready.

Stay in a Restored Pink Palace

Taking a winter holiday to the Algarve can snag you amazing hotel deals in unique accommodations. Case in point – a short drive inland from Faro is the glamorous Rococo-style Pousada Estoi.

Don’t be fooled by its facade, although it may be bright pink, this is no kitschy Barbie-style abode. The exquisite, restored palace features grand halls with frescoes and dazzling chandeliers, ornate French-style gardens and an inviting pool deck.

Step into the reception, housed in part of an old chapel and read a book or plan your itinerary in a wood-panelled salon. Snuggle up in modern guest rooms before indulging in culinary dishes curated from fresh, locally sourced ingredients in the on-site restaurant.

Following a day of sightseeing, book a soothing spa treatment to relax mind, body and soul and immerse yourself in the palatial atmosphere of Pousada Estoi.

Have a Swell Time on the Surf

Believe it or not, winter is the best time to surf in the Algarve. This region is a paradise for surfers and the best conditions occur at this time of year. The powerful Atlantic swells set in, and the waves are high along the southwest and western Algarvian coastlines.

If you fancy honing your surf skills, head for Arrifana or Amado Beaches on the wild western coast. You can book a surf school package from one of the camps in Lagos or Sagres and travel in a group to surf for the day. Alternatively, the beaches around Sagres also have ideal conditions at this time.

Check out Tonal or Zavial Beaches if you’re starting out, and Beliche Beach if you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer. There are characterful bars and restaurants nearby to catch up with fellow surfers at the end of the day.

Enjoy a Winter Round of Golf

If you’re a keen golfer and always dreamed of playing on world-class golf courses, winter is the perfect time.

Hop on a flight to the Algarve between December and late February, and you’re guaranteed competitive rates and your preferred tee time. The golf courses are quiet, therefore no need to play through, and the weather is still pleasant enough to attempt that elusive hole-in-one.

Take advantage of winter deals at The Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, or consider Quinto do Lago, an exclusive 2,000-acre estate with three 18-hole golf courses near Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Alternatively, there’s the world-famous Vale do Lobo golf course flanked by fig trees and umbrella pines with panoramic views.

Go on a Family-Friendly Jeep Safari

This winter, see a different side to the Algarve, off-road. Jeep safaris operate throughout the season, taking in some of the region’s lesser-known historic and natural sites.

Hop aboard the transport in Albufeira and make your way to Paderne Castle – a 12th-century Berber fortification near the Quarteira River. While wandering around, imagine life during the Almohade era and marvel at the lush countryside surrounds.

Make a stop at São Bartolomeu de Messines for lunch with a view and experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the region before enjoying a guided tour of a cork reserve.

You’ll learn all about the regenerative properties of this natural material and how top champagne makers will only use cork from Portugal for their bottle stoppers. The tour concludes at a local distillery to enjoy a cheeky tipple.

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Algarve winter holidays offer an escape from the grey, rainy days often found in the Northern European countries at this time of year. With a mild climate, the most beautiful beaches, vibrant local markets, carnivals and cultural pursuits to discover, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during a winter trip to Portugal!