Last Updated
Winter might not seem like the best time to explore Europe’s beautiful beaches.
But with cooler temperatures, lower crowd levels, and affordable prices, I love to visit Europe’s beach hotspots in the winter.
And one beach destination in particular is standing out from the crowd right now.
The Algarve is officially the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, and according to a new report from The Portugal News, it has seen a 9% increase in travelers from the U.S. this year.
Here’s why Americans are flocking to this idyllic beach destination.
Outdoor Adventures
As Portugal’s most popular tourist destination, the Algarve can be uncomfortably busy during the summer months. Not so if you choose to visit in the winter instead.
In fact, you may find you have whole beaches all to yourself!
Now, I'm not going to promise you intense heat here. But the Algarve has a Mediterranean climate with mild winter temperatures and plenty of sunshine.
The Algarve has over 300 days of sunshine per year. This means that it’s a great time of year to enjoy the many outdoor activities that the destination has to offer.
Hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, cliff walks, surfing, and boat rides to hidden caves are all popular here.
If you’re interested in getting off the shoreline and exploring the Algarve’s iconic caves, then the most popular and most spectacular is Algar De Benagil (Benagil Cave).
This is a huge natural seaside cave that has a hole in its ceiling to dramatic effect, and the only way to access it and the beach inside is by boat.
Algarve Cave Tours offers boat tours of the Benagil Cave, Marinha Beach & Albandeira Arch. These cost 42 euros ($43.81) per person.
Are you not a fan of taking organized tours? I’ll admit I'm not either!
But you can hire paddle boards and explore this incredible coastline independently instead.
Ocean SUP offers both kayak and paddle board hire with prices starting from $20 per hour.
If you are interested in big wave surfing, then you’ll also be interested to hear that winter is the very best time to surf in the Algarve, which has big waves and empty lineups.
Historic City Breaks
If you can bear to tear yourself away from the breathtaking beaches, then along the Algarve coastline, there are a host of beautiful and historic cities.
The best of these are Faro, Portimão, and Lagos.
These are the best spots to visit if you want to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture and wander around historic Old Towns with winding cobbled streets in the sunshine.
Faro is the capital of the Algarve, and it is a beautiful city with a rich history, as well as an abundance of bars and restaurants that open year-round.
Take the time to explore Faro Cathedral, which was built in the 13th century, and visit the neoclassical Arco da Vila.
Faro is a great base for your first visit to the Algarve because it has an excellent public transport network and great links to the rest of the Algarve region.
It also offers a great balance between the city and the countryside.
From Faro you can hike around the wetlands of Ria Formosa National Park, for example.
This National Park is also a great spot for bird watching and is home to the world’s largest concentration of seahorses, flamingos, and storks.
If you want the culture of an ancient town but aren’t looking for the bustle of a big city, then try Lagos instead.
Smaller than Faro but still a significant urban destination, Lagos has a rich history and culture.
The beaches here are stunningly beautiful, and they are surrounded by water on all sides, which means the vistas and landscapes are incredible no matter where you stand!
The Best Beaches
The standout attraction of the Algarve is, and always has been, its incredible beaches.
You’ll find 155 kilometers of unspoiled coastline here, and the Algarve is home to a whopping 150 named beaches.
All of the beaches here are south-facing, which only adds to their beauty.
From secluded coastlines to busy party towns, there’s a beach for everyone here.
And even if you don’t want to get sand between your toes, the views of the beaches from the clifftops here are unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
Don’t have time to visit all 150 beaches? Some of the best to add to your bucket list include Praia da Falésia in Albufeira, Praia da Marinha in Lagoa, and Praia de Odeceixe in Odeceixe.
Each of these beaches offers vast stretches of sand and incredible views, and they will all feel wonderfully secluded if you visit during the winter months.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.