Portugal

[AmazingGraze]

I’m trying to book somewhere in Portugal for winter sun in February. I’ve never been before so am a bit at a loss as to which area and company to choose. I’ve had enough of big soulless hotels with naff entertainment and terrible food. Can anyone recommend a smaller boutique style hotel which isn’t near noisy bars and Irish pubs . I’m looking for somewhere as authentic as possible near lovely beaches and hopefully park areas . I’m interested in sightseeing and would like nice markets etc. Adults only hotels would be a bonus.

AP Maria Nova in Tavira, about 30 minutes drive from Faro airport, towards the Spanish border. Only thing that doesn't quite meet your requirements is that the (huge, beautiful) beach is a short ferry ride away as it's a long sandbank set apart from the coast. The whole coastline is a natural park and bird reserve. Maybe not as boutiquey as you'd like but there are others in town, Pousada Convento de Tavira might fit the bill.

For winter sun try Madeira? Mainland Portugal can be cold and rainy in feb. Remember that it’s stuck out into the Atlantic…

Madeira will be about 16c. If you decide to stay in Funchal, don't stay in the Lido area as that is miles from the centre.

Olhao is one of my favourite places in the world, its pretty, has a couple of small hotels and has the oldest continuous food market in Europe (or something like that...) however I wouldn't go to coastal Portugal in Feb if winter sun is the draw. It's not that warm, often very wet (we had a March visit to Olhao a couple of years ago where it just poured for two days solid) and always windy.

I’ve been to Madeira once and hated it.

Yes I think I overestimated how warm it might be.. sigh.

Portugal is often cold in April.

I wouldn't risk February!