TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums World Wide Travel Algarve Portugal in Winter

Thinking of a different winter trip, will most things be open in winter? I know the temperatures are cool, so wondering if the area is more like beach resort towns or if things are , for the most part, open all year along the sunny coast of Portugal?

Any insights will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Diane. It varies enormously. I can tell you somewhere like Albufeira will be pretty much open as there are a lot of ex-pats from northern Europe who over winter there. Golf resorts are usually open as well. You'd be better off in the Lisbon area, somewhere like Cascais for instance, if you want guaranteed availability of restaurants etc.

Thank you Mike. That is helpful.

Mike,

We are here in Portugal and I want to thank you for your recommendation. Really enjoying all there is to do in Albufeira and is much better than the first place I picked. We rented a car for two weeks just to tour the whole,e southern Algarve, but don’t need one here in this town. There are a large number of British and Canadians here this time of year.
Happy to not be in the frigid northeast US….

toast--would be interested in hearing more about your trip at some point.

It is very comfortable here. Most speak English, communication not an issue. Transportation easy and several options, rented a car, Mercedes Benz no less, for two weeks. Total cost=. $200 and that was taking the expensive insurance daily as we were nervous. Food is cheap, Eggs….. ready….$ 2,60 euro for a dozen. Weather is favorable mid 50’s to mid 60’s. If sun is out it is very comfortable. Outdoor culture, lots of hiking and walking. Love that the restaurants provide blankets for evening dining, just wear a coat and wrap around your legs. It has been in the teens in Pa often since we left. Lots of Ex Pats everywhere too.
My husband and I both can truly say we feel very comfortable here.
Just booked for eight weeks next winter and will be staying a bit east in Lagos. Tons of small medieval towns and castles, villages for some cultural variety and immersion as well you might expect in Europe.
Wanted to find places to winter now that we are both retired. Also can rent a two bed nice apt for under $3,000. In our shore towns it would cost that much per week!
You. Do need to stay closer to larger towns as like any resort area a lot of things are closed in winter, from about mid December to end of January or February. But we have found enough open especially here in Albufeira and also Lagos. I am sure Faro and a few others as well.

Sounds very nice. Enjoy!

Glad to hear you are enjoying it Diane. My daughter has enjoyed many trips to Portimao, just along the coast from where you are (she has a Portuguese friend who is from there). Worth a visit I think as you have a car.

We are over on the east coast of Spain right now and, until the last couple of days the weather has been lovely, sunny and high 60's low 70's during the day but we need the wood burner in the evenings. Damp and high 50's today but can't complain (although I will).