Algarve in Winter: What to Expect & Things to Do

Last Updated on July 21, 2023

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This Algarve in winter itinerary covers everything from the Algarve’s cities and beaches, to must-do activities during a low season visit.  

The Algarve is known as beach vacation, and for good reason. The region has over 100 kilometers of coastline with beaches that are characterized by their limestone cliffs, rock formations, grottos and sea caves. But beyond Algarve’s beaches, there’s plenty more to explore, appreciate, and learn. 

I’ve visited the Algarve twice now. Once in the height of summer, and once in early December. Both times I fell totally in love. When I visited in the summer, the hot weather made for idyllic beach days and lively nights out. But traveling the Algarve in winter comes with unique benefits, too!

Below, I’m covering why you should visit the Algarve in winter, how to get there, things to do, and more.

Visiting the Algarve in Winter: What to Expect

There are two main benefits of visiting the Algarve in winter: Fewer crowds, and lower prices. It’s much easier to book tours, accommodations, and restaurants. The beaches aren’t packed like they are throughout summer, which means you’ll have the scenic beaches that the Algarve is famous for, all to yourself.

During the summer, the most popular attractions in the Algarve like Benagil Cave and Praia do Camilo are absolutely packed. While some people don’t mind crowds, they can definitely affect your experience. Visiting Algarve in winter means you don’t need to contend with those crowds. You’ll find yourself lounging on beaches that you all to yourself, you won’t need to wait to get into restaurants, and you’ll be able to book your tours last minute.

Prices in the winter in Algarve are also slightly lower. Because it is the off-season for tourism, vendors for everything from accommodation to day tours drop their prices to incentivize people to book. And there’s less competition to book things, too! You won’t need to book months in advance to snag the most popular hotel rooms, for example.

While many people associate trips to the Algarve with spending time on the beach, it’s important to note that there’s plenty more to do in the Algarve beyond beaches. You can visit museums, go for hikes, take a surfing lesson, wander cities, go kayaking, and more.

Weather in the Algarve in Winter 

Algarve in winter has plenty of beautifully sunny days, and the temperatures stay mild. While it might be too cold to swim, you’ll have gorgeous Algarve beaches all to yourself. Winter weather is very pleasant, with plenty of winter sun to soak up.

Does it snow in Portugal? Yes, but only in the most high-altitude, mountainous regions of Portugal. It’s extremely unlikely that you would encounter snow while visiting Portugal in winter.

The second time I visited the Algarve, I arrived in early December. This is officially winter in the region, and so the weather is as chilly as it gets. Throughout Algarve winter, the temperature ranges between highs of 18°C (64°F) and lows of 9°C (48°F). I’m Canadian, and so these temperatures feel like balmy weather since I’m used to winters that are below zero degrees! 

The Algarve in winter doesn’t get snow, but it does occasionally rain. Luckily, when it rains, it’s short lived. On my visit in December, I found that the rain would last a few hours at most, and outside of those periods of rain there was a tons of sun.

I spent most days wearing a pair of light pants and a t-shirt. I always carried a sweater and jacket with me, just in case it got chillier later in the day. In the evenings and at night, it was cold enough to need a coat. 

History of the Algarve Coast, Portugal

Today the Algarve is known as a sunny, holiday destination. But like the rest of Portugal, this region has a fascinating history. Henry The Navigator, one of the founders of the era of great discoveries as well as, unfortunately, the slave trade in the Atlantic spent time in the Algarve in the 15th century. 

In the twelfth century BC, the ancient Phoenicians had bases in the area, before the Algarve was conquered by the Romans. Following the Romans, Visigoths ruled the region until Moors took control in the 8th century. 

After nearly five centuries of Muslim rule, the Algarve joined the Portuguese kingdom in 1189. But some Moorish characteristics have stuck around. You can see the influence of the Moors even today in art, architecture and design?not just in the Algarve, but across Portugal.

Lisbon to the Algarve

Many visitors head to the Algarve from Lisbon. The trip from this famous Portuguese city to the coast is 173 miles (280 km), and takes between 3 and 4 hours, depending on how you decide to make the trip. 

There are a couple ways to travel from Lisbon to Algarve in winter:

Car: 3 hours. The drive between Lisbon and Algarve is relaxing and straight forward. When you leave Lisbon, you’ll cross the Vasco da Gama Bridge and continue on the A12 for 6 miles (10 km). Then you’ll get on the A2 Highway for 160 miles (257 km) before arriving in the Algarve. 

Train: 3 hours. The train between Lisbon and Faro runs several times a day, and the journey takes about three hours. Service is direct, connecting from Entrecampos Station in Lisbon to the Faro Station in Algarve. You can buy tickets online or in person, with prices varying depending on which carriage class you go for – there are first and second class cars.

Bus: 3-4 hours. There are a couple different companies that offer bus connections between Lisbon, Faro, and Lagos. Buses depart the Lisbon Sete Rios Station every hour for the Faro Station. Length of the trip will depend on how many stops the bus makes along the way.

Plane: 45 mins. TAP Portugal offers a direct flight from Lisbon to Faro, the Algarve’s largest city. Although it’s tempting to opt for this inexpensive and fast flight, once you factor in transiting to and from airports as well as time spent in the airport, this trip will end up about as long as the train or driving would. Save the carbon, skip the flight!

Where to Go in the Algarve in Winter

Faro

Faro has been the capital of the Algarve since 1756! This southern city tends to be on the route of anyone visiting the region because Faro has an airport, and buses and trains stop in Faro as well. It’s a great city to visit while exploring the Algarve in winter, because there’s plenty to do there beyond hanging out on the beach.

Some popular spots to see in Faro include the Arco da Vila, a gateway that dates back to 1812, as well as Cidade Velha, an arch that is a gateway into Faro’s old town. To dive into Algarve history, head to the Faro Municipal Museum, the second oldest museum in the Algarve. 

Lagos

Lagos is one of the Algarve’s most popular cities. It has a traditional center with characteristic cobblestone streets. In the historic Old Town you’ll find plazas (which are called praças in Portuguese), restaurants, bars, churches, the city’s marina, and more. 

As with the rest of the Algarve in winter, Lagos becomes quieter during the winter months. This means you’re able to wander peaceful streets, get into restaurants without a wait, and book great accommodations for less!

Some notable spots to see in Lagos include the historic fort, called Forte Ponta da Bandeira, Igreja de Santo Antonio, and stop by the Former Slave Market and Museum (Núcleo Museológico Rota da Escravatura). On Saturdays, be sure to check out the Lagos Farmers Market.

Sagres

Sagres is a small town that lies very close to the southwestern tip of Portugal. It’s so far west that it tends to be quieter than other parts of the Algarve coast. Even in the summer months, the beaches are less packed than in popular resort towns like Lagos. During winter, Sagres is a surfing hotspot. 

Sagres is known for Cabo de Sao Vicente. It’s a cape that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, and there you’ll find a lighthouse, museum and a cafe. The fort that’s on the cape is said to be where Prince Henry the Navigator founded his school of navigation during the 15th century.

Sagres is a great place to go for a day trip while traveling the Algarve in winter, or you can opt to stay if you’re looking for a quieter part of the Algarve for your visit. Nearby the town are beautiful beaches, including access to ones that are up the west coast of Portugal. During the winter months, you can often enjoy these beaches all to yourself.

And if you’re into surfing, Sagres is the place to be. The town has a community of surfers that catch the waves of the Atlantic on a daily basis. 

Albufeira

Albufeira is the biggest (and probably most widely known) resort town in the Algarve. Originally a quiet fishing village, in recent decades it’s evolved into a popular tourist destination. There you’ll find many resorts with access to beaches, as well as a historic Old Town where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars and shops along cobblestone streets. Because it’s such a developed tourist town, many people opt to stay here while visiting Algarve.

While in Albufeira you’ll want to for sure walk out to Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira. It’s a look out point near the main beach that gives you incredible views across the beach, and the whitewashed old town. To learn about Albufeira’s history, head to Albufeira Museum (Museu Municipal de Arqueologia), and be sure to visit Igreja Matriz de Albufeira, too. 

Portimao

Portimao is one of the Algarve’s larger cities. It has a bustling center as well as great cuisine, a busy nightlife scene, and of course access to Praia da Rocha beach. If you’re looking for more of a city vibe for your visit to the Algarve, Portimao is the place to be. 

Praia da Rocha is one of the main draws to Portimao. This large, beautiful beach stretches a good long distance so you won’t have a problem finding a quiet spot to lounge for the day. Behind the beach is a boulevard with shops, bars, clubs and a casino. If you’re in the Algarve in winter, this beach is still worth a visit to admire the views of the ocean.

Portimao is also known as the sardine capital of the Algarve! The city is packed with good sardine restaurants. If trying sardines is part of your Algarve itinerary, head to Portimao to enjoy grilled sardines with fresh bread and of course, local Portuguese wine. 

Where to Stay in Algarve

Where to stay in Algarve depends on what kind of experience you’d like to have. The coast has several resort towns that are very oriented toward tourism. Albufeira, Lagos, and Praia da Rocha are all hubs where you’ll find plenty of accommodations (including resort hotels), tour operators, restaurants, and beaches. 

I stayed in Lagos both times that I visited the Algarve. I enjoy Lagos because it’s a very walkable town with a gorgeous Old Town in the center. Beautiful beaches are within a 20 minute walk, and if you don’t have a vehicle, you can book many tours out of Lagos to other regions of the Algarve.

Lagos is also positioned well for day trips to other areas of the Algarve. Most notable beaches, wineries, hikes, and other landmarks are within a 45 minute drive, which makes Lagos a great home base for your trip to the Algarve in winter.

How to Get Around the Algarve

On my first trip to the Algarve, I didn’t have a vehicle. On my second trip, I rented a car. While having a car is super convenient for your Algarve itinerary, it can be expensive. The cheapest and simplest option is to use public transport to see the region. 

The Algarve has a network of trains and buses that are convenient and economical. Between Lagos and Faro there is a coastal train that connects many popular spots along the coast, including Portimao and Albufeira.

From the bigger towns and cities, there are regional buses that make more frequent stops. The bus routes will connect you to many of the more out of the way locations you’ll potentially visit.

Planning an Algarve Road Trip

On my last trip to the Algarve, my friend and I decided to rent a car. Visitors in Portugal can rent cars as long as they are aged 18+ and hold a full, valid driving licence. We picked up our car in Lisbon, and drove from Lisbon down to Lagos. Once in Lagos, we used the car for day trips along the coast. 

In most of Europe, cars with manual transmission (stick shift) are the norm. If you’re from North America like me, this might be an issue since the norm in US and Canada is to drive automatic. Luckily, you don’t have to learn to drive stick shift – it’s possible to rent an automatic car. The drawback is that automatic transmission vehicles are significantly more expensive to rent across Europe. 

Hot tip! Consider renting an electric car while in the Algarve in winter. They have automatic transmissions, and are economical to rent. Plus, you avoid spending money on gas! Just be prepared to navigate finding charging stations. We rented an electric car, and while it was sometimes a pain to find a place to charge our car, it was ultimately a great way to get around the Algarve.

How is driving in Portugal?

We were a bit nervous about driving, but it went totally fine. Most of the driving signage and rules are the same as they are at home in North America. Just beware that the roads, and the vehicles, are smaller. You’ll find yourself parking in some tight spaces!

One important thing to note is that Portugal has many toll roads and not all of them accept cash. If you’re renting a vehicle, they can arrange a pre-paid device for your car that will simplify paying tolls. Otherwise, be sure to have a credit card on you to pay them as you go. 

Overall, having our electric car was super convenient for our Algarve itinerary. It gave us the freedom to go wherever we want, when we want, without having to rely on public transport.

Things to Do In the Algarve in Winter

There are SO many things to do in the Algarve in winter. I spent a week in the region, but could have easily spent longer because there’s plenty of ways to spend your days, from soaking up the sun on the beach to hiking the Algarve’s coastal trails. Below are my personal favourite activities, based on my own experience. Add your own favourites to your Algarve itinerary!

Take a kayaking tour to Benagil Cave.

Algar de Benagil (Benagil Cave) is a famous, large sea cave on the Algarve coast. There are plenty of sea caves in Algarve, but Benagil is particularly famous because it looks like a grotto. In fact, many locals call it the Gruta de Benagil. The cave is recognizable because it has a big hole in it’s ceiling, which is known as the eye of the cave. Taking a Benagil Cave Tour is an absolute must for your Algarve itinerary – pictures don’t do it justice!

During the summer this cave is super busy with tourists all day long. But if you visit the Algarve in winter, you’ll get to have it almost all to yourself!

Benagil is just around the corner from a small beach called Praia de Benagil, but the cave can only be reached by boat. If you’d like to self-guide, you can rent a kayak or SUP from one of the rental shops on Praia de Benagil. It’s also possible to join a kayak or SUP tour, which is what I did. 

To see the cave, I recommend booking the Benagil Caves Kayaking Experience. This tour brings you to the cave either early in the morning, or later in the evening. This way you don’t have to brave the crowds during the rush of visitors that arrive midday. 

Go surfing at Tonel Beach.

Booking a surf lesson is a must do if you’re in the Algarve in winter. Praia do Tonel (Tonel Beach) is on the western side of Ponta de Sagres on the southwestern tip of Portugal. Tonel has a unique positioning that makes it a hot spot for surfers, especially in the colder months. 

There are several surf schools that operate out of Sagres, typically bringing their daily groups to Tonel (although depending on conditions they’ll sometimes go to another beach). Surf schools provide all the equipment you need as well as beginner lessons to help you get started. 

Shop for Portuguese ceramics.

Portugal is known for its glazed blue ceramic tiles or azulejos, which are seen all over the country. Azulejos date as far back as the 13th century, when the Moors invaded the land that now belongs to Spain and Portugal. In fact, the word azulejo comes from Arabic roots, translating to “small polished stone”. 

While exploring the Algarve in winter be sure to visit local ceramics shops. Many of the small shops have selections of ceramics that are hand-painted, which means you can find something unique to bring home or gift. 

Hike the Rota Vicentina.

The full Rota Vicentina is a network of hiking trails that spans 750 kilometers of Portugal. The trails bring walkers through villages, past limestone formations, up along coastal cliffs, and past sea coves. While in the Algarve in winter, you can hike a portion of the Fishermen’s Trail, which is one of the more popular routes on the Rota Vicentina. 

The entire Fishermen’s Trail route is 226.5 kilometres long, starting in Sines and ending in Lagos. It takes many days to hike the whole route, which is well worth it – but you can also opt to just do a short day hike while in the Algarve in winter. For example, I hiked the trail from Praia da Ingrina to Praia dos Rebolinhos (a beach just outside Sagres). The route was about 6 kilometers and took 2ish hours. 

Visit a Portuguese winery.

Algarve is the sunniest part of Portugal – they get 300 days of sun a year! As a result the region has a temperate climate year round, making it an ideal place for growing grapes. The best part? You can visit these wineries even when in the Algarve in winter! 

Across the Algarve there are four distinct DOCs (areas with protected designation of origin): Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa and Tavira. Throughout the region there are over 2,000 vineyards as well as 30 wine producers. Many of the wineries are easily accessible by car or by tour, and offer guided vineyard tours and tastings. 

Enjoy a gorgeous sunset at Ponta de Piedade.

Ponta da Piedade is a cluster of rock formations that rise up to 20 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, creating natural arches, caves, and towers that make for beautiful coastal views. This famous spot is a must-see for your Algarve itinerary, and it’s especially gorgeous at sunset. 

Ponta da Piedade is a 15 minute drive from Lagos, and there is free parking. You can also walk from there from Lagos, which takes about 40 minutes. From the top of Ponta da Piedade, you have incredible views of the rock formations, grottos, ocean, and Algarve coast. On a clear day, you can see as far west as Sagres! You can also climb down a set of 200 or so steps that bring you to water level for a different perspective. 

Taste Portuguese liquor.

While in the Algarve in winter, a must-try local liquor is medronho. It’s a fruit brandy that is distilled from fermented medronho berries which grow wild all throughout the Algarve region. The thing is, medronho production hasn’t been fully regulated, so some producers operate illegally. It can be a bit of a challenge, but it is possible to track down medronho from distilleries that are licensed. 

Medronho is usually clear, and it’s served neat. The medronho I tasted was super strong, but despite the high alcohol content, I found it to taste nicely sweet! I tried medronho in a small bar in Lagos, but it took some searching to find it. I had to ask in a couple bars before finding one that served it. 

Stand on the edge of the world at Cabo de Sao Vicente.

A few kilometers northwest of Sagres is the historic Cabo de Sao Vicente (Cape of Saint Vincent). This cape juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the most southwestern point of mainland Europe. Back in the 14th century and earlier, many Europeans believed that Cabo de Sao Vicente was the end of the world.

Visiting this spot is an exciting experience because you can sense the power of the ocean. It’s incredibly windy, but worth it for the endless views of the sea. While at Cabo de Sao Vicente you can see the ruins of an old monastery that was damaged by Portugal’s 1755 earthquake. There is also an iconic, working lighthouse on the cliffs. Attached to the lighthouse is a small museum and gift shop. 

Beaches in the Algarve

The Algarve is known for its incredible coast of limestone cliffs, sea caves, grottos, rock formations, and of course beaches. There are more than 100 beaches to choose from, which means you could spend weeks in the region and not see them all!

Although it may be too cold to swim, visiting beaches in the Algarve in winter is still tons of fun. The beaches are gorgeous, and on sunny days, you can still plop down to enjoy the sunshine in the sand. To help you narrow down which beaches suit your fancy, I’ve listed my personal favourites below.

For a full guide to beaches in the Algarve, read my guide: 12 of the Best Algarve Beaches.

Praia de Dona Ana

Praia de Dona Ana is a small Algarve beach that is located between the town of Lagos and Ponta da Piedade. The beach is about a 15-20 minute walk from Old Town Lagos.

When visiting this beach, you’ll climb down a staircase of nearly 100 steps, which lead you to the sand and ocean. Praia de Dona Ana is surrounded by rock formations and cliffs which are typical of the region, and it’s nice because the cliffs provide shelter from the wind, and in the summer, from the sun. This is a great beach for chilling out, especially if you’re staying in Lagos. Proximity to the town means lots of amenities, like restaurants, are nearby!

Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo (Camilo Beach) is a small beach that’s characteristic of most Algarve beaches, because it’s surrounded by rugged limestone cliffs. Getting to the beach is a bit of a hike!

You go down 200 steps of a wooden staircase that descends from the top of the cliffs to the sand (much easier going down than coming back up!). On the east end of the beach there is a tunnel through the cliffs that takes you to a second, smaller beach that is next to Camilo. 

Praia do Camilo is a wonderful beach for sunbathing and relaxing, even if you’re in the Algarve in winter. Camilo beach is a 30 minute walk from Lagos towards Ponta da Piedade. If you’ve got a vehicle, you can park for free in a parking lot at the top of the stairs. Add this one to your Algarve itinerary because Praia do Camilo is truly gorgeous.

Praia de Benagil

Praia de Benagil is a small beach that’s surrounded by the limestone cliffs that are so typical of the Algarve. Most people know this beach as the spot to go when grabbing a tour or boat rental to visit Algar de Benagil (Benagil Cave), because the famous sea cave is just around the corner from the beach. 

But Praia de Benagil deserves credit beyond being adjacent to Benagil Cave. The beach is just a short drive from Lagos, Albufeira, and Portimao. It tends to be busy with people, which especially in the off-season can be really nice if you’re looking for a beach that has more energy than the quieter Algarve beaches. And, Benagil Beach has a snackbar right on the beach where you can grab small meals and drinks!

Praia do Barranco

Praia do Barranco is one of the more secluded beaches we visited while in the Algarve. The beach is found in a quiet cove along the coast, not too far from Sagres. It has calm, quiet water that is perfect for swimming in, and the cliffs on the western side of the beach help to provide a bit of shelter from the wind. 

Because it’s more secluded than other Algarve beaches, Praia do Barranco tends to be quieter. When we visited, there was only one other person there. This may be because this bit of the southern coast of the Algarve seems to be less developed than other parts of the coast. 

We visited Praia do Barranco while hiking the Fishermen’s Trail, but it can also be reached by car. The beach has a parking lot which is a short walk away from the sand, but there are no other facilities. For a quiet beach experience, add this one to your Algarve itinerary!

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha (Marinha Beach) has been recognized by CNN and other publications as one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. And for good reason. The beach is surrounded by the limestone cliffs and rock formations that Algarve is famous for. With a stretch of beach and calm water, it’s a picturesque spot to spend an afternoon, even if you’re in the Algarve in winter. 

When you arrive at Praia da Marinha, you can start by taking in views of the beach from the cliffs above. From up above, you’ll for sure see a famous rock formation known as the M rock, or The Cathedral. When the tide is out, you can walk along the beach, getting quite close to this famous rock formation. 

Praia da Barriga

Praia da Barriga (Barriga Beach) is a large and isolated beach that is on the western coast of Portugal. This beach is about a 15 minute drive north of Sagres, and the only way to reach it is to drive a winding dirt road that goes through a forested valley, before arriving at a small parking lot. 

Barriga Beach is around 3 kilometers long, sheltered by tall, dark cliffs. This beach has a different feel than Algarve’s south coast beaches, which are quite peaceful. Because Barriga Beach faces west, it experiences intense winds and tides, which has eroded the cliffs and the rocks on the beach into interesting formations. Be sure to visit Barriga Beach at low tide so that you can keep a safe distance from the cliffs. 

Tips for Visiting the Algarve in Winter

Ready to visit Portugal’s southern coast? Here are tips for visiting the Algarve in winter. Keep these in mind for your future trip!  

Explore beyond the Algarve’s beaches.

The Algarve’s beaches tend to be the highlight for most visitors (for good reason, they’re incredible!) But be sure to include in your Algarve itinerary some exploring beyond the beaches as well. Faro and Lagos both have historical centers that are worth exploring, and if you head inland, there are wineries and towns that deserve some time, too. For example, the towns Silves and Loule both have fascinating castles in their centers.

Get out onto the water when in the Algarve in winter.

The Algarve’s limestone cliffs, grottos, and rock formations need to be seen from all angles, including from the water! Renting a kayak or SUP, going on a guided kayaking tour, taking a Benagil cave tour, or hopping on a sailboat or motorized boat tour is worth doing while in the Algarve in winter.

Taste Portuguese dishes in the Algarve in winter.

While in Algarve in winter you’ll find that seafood is abundant. You’ll find clams, cod, shrimp, squid, octopus and more. A dish I noticed all along the coast is arroz de polvo, which is octopus rice. If seafood isn’t your thing, there are some classic Portuguese dishes that you’ll be able to find instead, like piri piri chicken, porco preto (cured ham), and of course pasteis de nata, which are Portuguese custard tarts.

Support local as much as possible.

Many communities around the world that rely on tourism have had a rough go of it over the last few years, because of the pandemic. As a result it’s more important than ever to support local hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, tour operators, and shops when traveling to the Algarve (and other places, too!).

Putting your dollars towards local restaurants, cafes, and other businesses is a great responsible tourism practice, which helps ensure that tourism remains a force for good. 

Enjoy Visiting the Algarve in Winter! 

I put this guide together based on the experiences and details from my own trip to the Algarve in winter, and I hope it inspires you to visit this region in the cooler months.

Of course, remember that this list is based on my perspective as a tourist. As with all travel, I recommend connecting with locals, either casually, or by hiring local guides, to learn more about the Algarve, from the perspective of those who live there.

More from Pina Travels: 

• Your Essential 4 Days in Lisbon Itinerary 
• 24 Hours in Sintra: Your Comprehensive Guide
• 2 Days in Sintra Guide
• Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting Benagil Cave Algarve
• 10 Reasons to Visit Portugal in Winter

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