Winter Holidays Algarve

Truly Algarve specialise in Algarve Villa Holidays throughout the region, including the East Algarve, West Algarve and Central Algarve. We also offer holiday apartments to rent in all of the major resorts including Carvoeiro, Vilamoura and Albufeira

The weather in winter

Unlike many holiday destinations, the Algarve is just as popular in winter as it is in summer. During the winter months, the weather across the Algarve is warm and sunny for up to 6 hours a day with temperatures reaching the mid 60’s. This is the perfect weather for strolling around on manicured greens or going for long walks in the countryside. Sixty degrees Fahrenheit is also a great sunbathing temperature; not too hot, nor too cold, it is just perfect for lazing around and losing yourself in a good book without it being uncomfortably hot.

Activities on a winter Algarve holiday

Sporting activities are widely available across the Algarve with options including a few rounds of golf and taking long, leisurely walks in the country. You can also sunbathe and play water sports and when you’re ready to eat, you can dine out at some quite wonderful restaurants.

The excitement of the Atlantic coast, with its steep, ochre cliffs and secluded coves, its pine-clad hills and picturesque hamlets, makes the Algarve a stunning corner of Europe to visit at any time of year.

Playing Golf in the Algarve

The golf is superb in the Algarve. You are literally spoiled for choice here - championship courses abound, many having played host to the Portuguese Open. The beauty of it is that in winter, you can still play and you don’t need fluorescent yellow balls to do it.

In winter, the reduced green fees at many courses attract players from around the world and the virtually guaranteed sunshine and warm winter temperatures mean that the weather rarely, if ever stops play.

Walking in the Algarve

There are many delightful villages and towns in the Algarve just waiting to offer a warm and friendly welcome to visitors later in the year. It is not unusual whilst out on a trek to stumble upon a quiet village where the locals will welcome you and your custom with open arms and a friendly smile.

Many of them of course speak English as a second language and some are as fluent, as they are in their mother tongue, but those that aren’t, are keen to learn and will gladly recount brief but nonetheless, interesting stories in an effort to improve their linguistic skills and be only too pleased for you to endeavour to return the compliment

Dining in the Algarve

Great restaurants are plentiful in this part of the world. Here is a selection of some of the finest;

1. Ristorante Belmondo is a rather fine Italian restaurant stunningly located atop the cliffs at Senhora da Rocha, near to Armação de Pêra. The food, the service, the décor and the setting blend wonderfully together for an excellent Italian gourmet experience.

2. The Michelin starred restaurant Sao Gabriel is one of the finest around. Close to the famous Algarve resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, it was founded by Rudi Maerkle 10 years ago. The restaurant itself is set in a beautiful old villa surrounded by luscious gardens. Palm trees, bougainvillea, birds of paradise and sub-tropical plants add to the magical ambience and the Al fresco dining here is unforgettable.

3. Scoobys Pool Bar in Galé is just a short distance from Albufeira. Its more than just a bar – it’s an all day restaurant with great entertainment, There’s a 15 hole Krazy Golf course for the kids and a play area, as well as a fantastic pool. Scoobys is set in a large private garden and the pool and sun beds are available for the free use of Scoobys customers.

4. Ruccula restaurant in Alvor combines excellent food with professional service and the warmest of welcomes. Located just up from the Ria Alvor, and next to the local church, Ruccula serves quality international cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Ruccula is a great option for couples and larger groups of friends. It is also perfect for golfing parties.

5. The Zanzibar Restaurant in Vilamoura is an attractive white stone building in a peaceful setting. It has a friendly bar and offers fine dining. Located in the self contained complex known as “Old Village” in Vilamoura, the setting features lovely sub tropical gardens and traditional Portuguese paving.

The list goes on of course and there are many great eateries throughout the Algarve waiting for you to discover them.

Winter sun in the Algarve

At this time of year, the temperature hovers around 15 degrees and whilst that’s not particularly hot, it is easily warm enough to comfortably lie out in the Sun and get a decent tan, so lazing on the beach is definitely an option. With a daily average of 5-6 hours of sun, why not spend most of your day out there soaking it up, you are on holiday after all!

Water sports in the Algarve

The Atlantic Ocean may be a little too chilly at this time of year for those without a wet suit but suitably attired, the waves can be tremendous fun and whether your preference is for surfing, riding jet skis, waterskiing or snorkelling, there’s plenty of choice, you just have to know where to look. As a general rule, the further west you go, the rougher (and colder) the waters become. Towards the west, in Sagres, is where the surfers head for. You can catch some good breaks here and have fun recounting stories to your mates. Come in to central Algarve and the east and this is the playground for lilos, jet skis and water skis, here the waters are much calmer and you can enjoy messing about in boats.

Christmas and New Year in the Algarve

Spending Christmas and the New Year in the Algarve is a great idea, especially as it gets so cold in other parts of Europe at this festive time of year. You can hire an apartment that will accommodate two people in comfort or a villa large enough for a large party. With the whole family present you’re bound to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Although this may seem like a real departure from the norm, more and more people are choosing to spend Christmas and the New Year period away from home; some because they want to avoid the festive hullabaloo and others, just because they are looking for something that little bit unusual to do at Christmas time. The Algarve is the ideal Christmas holiday destination as it provides you with those alternative Christmas memories of sun, sea, sand, Sangria and Santa hats.

The Algarve won’t be short of parties over this festive season either; especially over the New Year. There’ll be live music concerts and firework displays to be seen stretching from Sagres through to Lagos and Portimao in the west, to Albufeira, Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo in the centre and on to Faro and Tavira in the east. The streets will be thronged with revellers too and resound to the beat of party music through until the early hours of next year.

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