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A trip we’re planning, researched in detail.
When you want sunshine without a long-haul flight, the Algarve is hard to beat. It’s around three hours from most UK airports, there’s no jet lag, and in winter the beaches are wonderfully quiet. You won’t be sunbathing in January, but you will be walking clifftops in the sunshine and lunching outdoors.
What winter on the Algarve is really like
- Weather: daytime temperatures are typically in the mid-teens Celsius, with plenty of sunny days. Evenings are cool, so pack layers.
- The sea: too cold for most people to swim, but lovely for walks along the shore.
- What’s open: some beach bars and restaurants close for the winter, but the towns stay lively with locals and long-stay visitors.
- Crowds: very few. You’ll often have beaches and viewpoints to yourself.
- Prices: hotels are usually much cheaper than in summer.
Where to base yourselves
For a week, we’d suggest splitting your time between two towns at opposite ends of the coast, with a scenic drive in between.
Tavira (3 nights)
Tavira, in the quieter east, is one of the Algarve’s prettiest towns, with a Roman bridge, whitewashed houses and dozens of churches. It’s flat, compact and very walkable.
Where to stay: a small hotel in the old town or by the river.
Lagos or Carvoeiro (4 nights)
The western Algarve is where you’ll find the famous golden cliffs, sea stacks and hidden coves. Lagos is a lively old town with a marina. Carvoeiro is a smaller, quieter village set around a beach.
Where to stay: a hotel with sea views and an indoor or heated pool.
A relaxed seven days
- Day 1: Fly to Faro and drive 30 minutes to Tavira. Settle in and enjoy dinner by the river.
- Day 2: Take the short ferry to Ilha de Tavira, a long, unspoilt sandy island, for a beach walk and a seafood lunch.
- Day 3: Visit the Ria Formosa lagoon by boat to see flamingos and other birdlife, or explore the old town at your own pace.
- Day 4: Drive west along the coast, stopping for lunch in a fishing village on the way.
- Day 5: Walk a section of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail near Carvoeiro, one of the most beautiful clifftop walks in Europe. You can do a short, gentle stretch rather than the whole route.
- Day 6: Take a boat trip along the coast to see the cliffs and the Benagil sea cave from the water (weather permitting), or visit the Ponta da Piedade rock formations near Lagos.
- Day 7: A slow morning, then drive back to Faro (about an hour) for your flight home.
Getting there and around
- Flights from many UK airports go to Faro, the Algarve’s main airport.
- Hire a car at the airport. It gives you the most freedom, and the main coastal motorway is easy to drive. Note that it uses electronic tolls, so ask the hire company about a toll device.
- If you’d rather not drive, trains and buses link the main towns, and taxis are reasonably priced.
Good to know
- Check the latest entry requirements for Portugal on GOV.UK before you travel.
- Take your GHIC as well as travel insurance.
- Pack comfortable walking shoes. Cobbled streets and clifftop paths can be uneven.
A short flight, gentle sunshine and empty beaches: the Algarve in winter is the perfect antidote to a grey British January.
