Algarve in December?

[cardamoncoffee]

Just wondering if it's worth going over the christmas holidays? Not expecting beach/pool weather, don't mind pleasant rain IYKWIM but don't want it lashing down and cold every day.

Any advice?

We went to Albufeira for a week over Christmas a few years back. We really enjoyed it. It was very quiet though, not much night life (suited us!), but enough restaurants open to have a choice for dinner.

The weather was warm enough for us too- we sat out at the poolside and paddled in the sea on Christmas Day. I think a few people were in swimming. It was sunny every day we were there, just needed a jumper for night time.

One thing that felt odd- it was dark by 5 or 6, same as it would be at home obviously it is middle of winter, but usually our holidays have later sunsets.

I would go back again for the same week

We went after Christmas this year and it was wonderful. Blue skies sun low 20s. We spent the whole day outside in the sun, watched the sun go down around 5.30pm and then chilled out in the evening. It was so lovely to be away from the dark and the crowds and commercialism of the UK after Christmas.

Thank you for the replies. We've done Spain during the same time and loved it, quiet, mild weather, so it sounds similar. I was just reading TA to see what was open and people who live there are saying it's cold and damp, so that put me off!

Are the christmas opening hours the same as Spain, ie early closure xmas eve and xmas day? Don't want any action but want to make sure we can get something simple to eat.

Our hotel had it on Christmas Dinner in the restaurant on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we didn't know that in advance, so hadn't booked it. We arrived on Christmas Eve, went for a wander and ate out fairly early. We had supermarket supplies for the evening. On Christmas day we had prebooked to have our dinner in an Irish bar - It was great - food and entertainment and a lovely buzz of people. We have no kids though, if that makes a difference

I think the supermarket closed early on Christmas Eve and stayed closed on Christmas Day, because I remember having to get stuff in a tiny shop on Christmas morning.

Also just remembered that DH didn't bring shorts as we thought it was going to be cool, and had to buy some out there. I know weather can be hit or miss, but it was really pleasant

My advice would be to avoid tourist towns and go to places with a good number of locals there'll be more choice.

As it will be less hot, head over north to the hills for some interesting little villages, castle, roman ruins, etc.
The landscape at Sagres is well worth it and it can be less windy than in the Summer.

We are going for a month mid Nov to mid Dec. Hoping for bright, mild days like we have been used to when we have been in southern Spain at the same time. House we are renting has a log burner and reverse aircon, both of which we are expecting to need for the longer evenings.

I’ve been there and sunbathed on New Year’s Day in the beach, also has some massive down pours but generally mild and lovely bright sunshine

Been in January a couple times and love it. Quiet and weathers been good. The hotel we’ve stayed in would be horrendous in summer. We stay around Vilamoura