What is the winter look like in the Algarve? What temperatures has January?
Questions I receive very often, together with an enquiry for multiple months rent for a winter in the Algarve.
Unique winters
As every villa is unique so are the winters in the Algarve. Like last winter, October and November, during the day it was still 30 degrees! And it was dry for many, many more months. We all were worried, if it stays like this, we will have a huge water shortage problem!!! But it did change, I cannot remember exactly when, but late in the winter, I think it was February, maybe March, it started raining. Lots of rain, between some sunny days, don’t worry!
December is a wonderful time to visit the Algarve with many wonderful things to see and do. The beaches may not be quite as packed, and a dip on the ocean not quite as appealing, but heading to the Algarve during the winter months means the streets are less busy, the tourist attractions are quieter and you will be able to enjoy your holiday in te Algarve at a more leisurely pace. So what kind of activities and events can you expect to enjoy in the Algarve in December? Read on to find out about things to do in the Algarve in December!
Vila Real de Santo António Christmas Village, Aldeia de Natal
Each year this charming town transforms into a magical Christmas village which both adults and children will enjoy. With quaint market stalls selling homemade goods, an ice drink and live entertainment, if you are in the Algarve in December, this village is well worth a visit.
Algarve in December
Christmas Market in Almancil
This will be held at the Jardim das Comunidades, Rua do Centro Comunitario. This annual event features some great entertainment, festive stalls and music from the Salvation Army Band. This year the market will be held on the 6th December, with a special visit from Father Christmas and all proceeds going to Associação Social e Cultural de Almancil (ASCA), which supports local people in need, you are sure to leave feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
Holiday Inn Hike, Armação de Pêra
Each year the Holiday Inn Algarve put on a fun itinerary of events to get you into the festive spirit. The Great Father Christmas Walk at Armação de Pêra takes place in December where people are invited to donate their walking shoes, pull on their Christmas jumpers and hike together. They usually host two swimming events too, so for the bravest among you it is a chance to take a dip and raise some money for a good cause. Donations are welcome and go to help buy shoes for children who are in care.
Christmas tree Algarve
Zoo de Lagos, Barão de São João, Portugal
Every December the Zoo de Lagos turns into a winter wonderland. This is the perfect place to visit if you have children, who will be enthralled with the events and entertainment provided here, as well as the huge ice skating ring of course!
Christmas Shopping
The Algarve is the perfect place to pick up charming and thoughtful Christmas gifts for your loved ones back home. There are some wonderful places to shop in the Algarve from massive department stores and designer boutiques to independent arts and crafts shops, to street markets and fairs. Traditional sweets such as marzipan sweets, and the wonderful Christmas cake ‘Bolo Rei’, which has a topping of candied fruit, along with a glass of mulled wine will give you the energy to shop until you drop!
Concerts and Music
Throughout December be sure to catch a Christmas concert in the Algarve. They are held all over the region, but usually the Philharmonic Association of Faro put on a good show, and the The Algarve Rock Choir, who teamed up with the Sâo Bras Sally Army last year are a real treat.
Music Algarve
So if you are visiting the Algarve in December with these great activities you are sure to have fun and really get into the festive spirit!
Hello, I’m Michele, your contact for Algarvehousing.net.
We pride ourselves in giving individual customer care, so if you have any questions please contact me.
For the Northern Europeans, Canadian & other North Americans, winter stretches from the October to the end of March. At least 5 months with temperatures below 0º for weeks on end and even colder with the wind chill factor.
Everything is covered with snow. It has even been known to snow on Easter weekend. With these winter conditions, it’s no wonder the idea of finding warmth in the winter is paramount. Many have discovered that what the Portuguese call ‘winter’ , the Canadians call ‘a stroll in the sun’. The golf courses are green, the delicate pink and white Almond blossoms bloom in January and masses of wild flowers cover the countryside from February to May: fields are blanketed with crimson red poppies or bright yellow buttercups with wild orchids hiding among them, all swaying in the warm spring breezes. Amazing lemons the size of oranges and oranges the size of grape fruits! And the sweet taste of these oranges is delicious!
Clear blue skies and sunshine are a very big plus. The great food at reasonable prices and excellent local wine is a big PLUS of the Algarve.
Portugal satisfies all these criteria and more! The Portuguese serve very good food, even in the smallest restaurants. Every small restaurant in towns, offer genuine home cooked meals, usually with a meat and fish dish on the daily special. Good bottle of wine for under €3 in a store. And €10 in a restaurant. AND good winter long-stay rates and good prices on car rentals. All these conditions are in abundance in the Algarve, especially now during these difficult economic times.
Guests in Portugal are most welcome. They are happy to bask in the ‘winter’ sun, all afternoon, while having lunch at a beach café, or while strolling along the beaches in the heat of the day.
Shopping lovers will discover the little boutiques in Old Town Albufeira, Alvor, Lagos, or Portimão that have some of the most unique finds: hand embroidered linen tablecloths, beautiful baby clothes, leather shoes and colourful ceramics and exquisite jewellery.
We are heading towards the end of 2012, and coming up a new year! We like to share with you some new, unique holiday villas in the Algarve! As usual they are hand picked by Algarve Housing, meaning they are private villas with private pools and gardens, some have a private tennis court, others have a jacuzzi and/or outdoor kitchen, some have it all. But we should not take the holiday villas on our books if they were not unique and will give you an unforgettable holiday in the Algarve. Find your own paradise in the Algarve, we always willing to help you with your choice. Please contact us for any further details.
Special Winter Offers, only 500 euros per week!
Besides the new holiday homes, we have some special winter offers for you! For 2 persons we have arranged a luxury villa for you for only 500 euros per week, for the available weeks till 1st of April. This excludes costs for heating. Please click on the following links to view the participating villas: Casa Colina, Casa Arrochela, Casa Toia, Casa Bordeira and Casa Jacaranda.
Rest me to say: Have a great Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
Location: Silves/Messines Bedrooms: 4, all en-suite Beach: 15 km Golf:12 km Shopping: 7 km
How may I help you?
Hello, I’m Michele, your contact for Algarvehousing.net.
We pride ourselves in giving individual customer care, so if you have any questions please contact me.
