Spending Winter in the Algarve: Your Dose of Winter Sun
As the warmth of summer quickly fades into a distant memory, it’s only natural to start thinking about getting away to somewhere a bit warmer… somewhere where it hardly ever rains, where temperatures stay mild all winter long, and where you can get stuck into outdoor activities aplenty. We’re talking about spending winter in the Algarve, of course, so find out what makes southern Portugal the perfect winter getaway and things you won’t want to miss while you’re here.
Want to get the lowdown on things to do in the Algarve in winter? Then read on!
The Perks of Winter in the Algarve
Europe’s worst-kept secret for a beachy summer getaway, the Algarve fills with tourists from across the globe in summer. This means bustling beaches, packed restaurants, and buzzing nightlife… but then there’s the flip side. The Algarve in winter. When mild temperatures make for the perfect weather to explore the Algarve’s unique nature. To walk along the tops of soaring cliffs and peer into sea caves from angles you never expected. When far fewer tourists can be found exploring, allowing you to get a taste of the real Algarve and stray off the beaten path to explore food, customs, landscapes, and historical sites that never would have appealed in the heights of sweltering summer.
Things to do in the Algarve in Winter
Algarve winter city breaks
The Algarve in winter is perfect for a city break. Wandering the winding streets of Faro, Loulé, or Lagos old towns and explore local restaurants. Going for a coffee in a square lined with palm trees in Sagres or on a terrace overlooking the ocean in Carvoeiro. Exploring a historic fort or Silves Moorish castle to soak up some of the region’s rich history – all in the pleasant sunshine.
Algarve winter sports
Then there are those who come to simply enjoy being outdoors. From making the most of walking and cycling trails along the coast or in the hills to indulging in a game of tennis or golf with sweeping sea views, the Algarve is a location of sporting excellence in winter. Providing facilities for all kinds of sporting endeavours, mild temperatures and low levels of rainfall make for the perfect conditions to really allow you to perfect your game while breathing the freshest air. Water sports are also popular in the Algarve, year-round, with surfers enjoying choppier winter waters and sailing enthusiasts having their run of the Atlantic coast.
Escaping into the hills
Visiting the Algarve in winter is also the perfect opportunity to head away from the coast and into the hills for a whole host of different experiences. One option is a stay at Monchique Thermal Resort and Spa, where the health benefits of the therapeutic, famously alkaline waters have been known since Roman times.
But whatever you come to do, think of the photo opportunities. The softer light filtering through the trees and glinting off the waves. Hardly anyone around to disrupt your perfect shot. Earlier sunsets streaking across the sky and being over and done with by dinner time. It’s enough to inspire any budding photographer.
Long lets for Winter in the Algarve
While escaping to the Algarve for a weekend is certainly an appealing prospect, think how much you’d enjoy a longer stay. A month or two of a new reality, where every day is filled with sunshine and new experiences, and the beach is only a stone’s throw away. And all this, just a short flight away.
Convinced that the Algarve is your ideal winter getaway? Then get booking your stay, however long it may be.
