Christmas in the Algarve

20 nov 2024 min de leitura

Christmas arrives in the Algarve

The nights are drawing in and the supermarket shelves are filled with decorations, lights, indulgent food and… that very familiar song playing on the supermarket speakers.
The festive season has begun!

The Algarve, typically famous for being one of Europe's most popular summer holiday destinations, is quickly becoming one of the most sought after winter destinations too. For those wanting to ditch the cold weather and darkness, get rid of the layers and bask in the sun on Christmas day, the Algarve may be the ‘Winter Wonderland’ you never knew you needed…

There are many ways to enjoy this beautiful part of the world and visiting the Algarve at this time of year definitely has its perks such as great weather, cheaper accommodation than summer months and it’s less crowded, which means two things. The beaches are quiet and the staff in restaurants and hotels have the time to offer a more personal service.

Great weather

40 degree heat is not for everyone, and if sunburn and sweat patches are not your thing, the equally pleasant but milder winter may be for you. Although you should expect slightly nipper evenings and the odd storm (and when it does rain, it pours) you can still be greeted with many days of winter rays, outside of high season. It’s common to even indulge in a beach day or two if you’re lucky.

Top tip - Dress accordingly and layer up/ down! Before the sun comes out and after it goes down, you may want to include a sweater and scarf to your outfit of the day, but by lunchtime, you may find you’ll be sweltering in the low and sometimes intense winter sun.

Less expensive accommodation

This has got to be one of the top reasons to visit in the winter over the summer. Although the Algarves populations of all-year round residents is dramatically increasing, you can still expect to see rental prices slashed in these months. Hotels, Airbnbs and resorts all offer attractive prices to help their businesses tick over in the quieter months. And, if you’re flexible and live a nomadic lifestyle, you could even bag yourself a longer term rental for several months at an even bigger discount.

Visit the popular places, without the crowds and queues

In the summer, the population of the Algarve reaches a whopping one million people, whereas the number of permanent residents only sits at around 450,000. So you can imagine, the streets look vastly different from season to season. This harsh decline in numbers eliminates the hustle and bustle and offers a unique opportunity to see popular attractions, and stunning beaches up close and personal! You can also book excursions, car hire or dinner reservations with next to no notice.

Embrace Portuguese traditions…

For the Portuguese, celebrations often start on Christmas eve, also known as ‘Consoada’. Typically, they will have a late meal consisting of salted, boiled Codfish, Portuguese cabbage, boiled potatoes and carrots. Then, some more traditional families may head over to their local church for Midnight Mass to bring the celebration into Christmas day.

‘Bolo Rei’ aka ‘Kings Cake’ can also be enjoyed at this time of year. A circular Christmas dessert that is essential on a Portuguese spread, it symbolizes the gifts of the Three Magi to the baby Jesus. The crust (the gold), the candied and dried fruits (the myrrh), and the aroma (the incense).

Another typical Portuguese tradition is the creation of their intricate nativity scenes, also known as ‘Presepios’. These can be seen anywhere from local churches and town squares to people's homes. Pieces from some nativity scenes are held with high regard and are often passed down through generations.

The towns and villages usually make a big effort to put up lights and decorations through the streets and on the roundabouts. As the evenings start a little earlier (sunsets between 5 & 5.30 in winter) this is still enough time to enjoy the sunshine in the day as well as admire the lights at night. And who doesn’t like a lit up palm tree?

A locals guide to the Christmas Markets and events from Lagos to Sagres

Christmas markets are relatively new to the Algarve and Portugal. As more northern Europeans have descended south to live and visit, they also bring with them new traditions.

Small Christmas markets are great for a number of reasons… Not only do they provide a platform for newer sellers but they also allow people to reach a new audience for their small business or service, therefore contributing directly to the local community. And, sometimes these Christmas markets simultaneously raise money for good causes.

Surrounding Boavista there are over fourteen, intimate markets which feature local sellers. From arts and crafts to homemade food and beverages, and conscious toys to gift wrapping stations. Here is a locals guide to the West Algarve Christmas markets:

16th November - Burgau Sports Centre, Burgau

28th November - The Alvor Community Choir, Alvor

30th November - St Vincent’s Church Christmas Fair, Luz

30th November - Zest Pizzaria Christmas Market, Luz

1st December - Zest Pizzaria Christmas Market, Luz

5th December - Tito’s Christmas Fair, Luz

7th December - Fortaleza da Luz Christmas Fair, Luz

7th December - Christmas Pop Up Market, Factory Fusion Hub, Lagos

7th December - Parque da Floresta Christmas Market at the Clubhouse, Budens

7th December - Feira de Natal, Farmers market, Lagos

8th December, Feira de Natal, Farmers market, Lagos

8th December - Mercadinho de Natal, Budens

8th December - Centro Cultural, Barao de sao joao

11th December - Tito’s Christmas Fair, Luz

14th December - Favo Christmas Market, Hortas do Tabual

18th December - Tito’s Christmas Fair, Luz

24th December Christmas Beachwalk - Meia Praia, Lagos

Other markets and attractions:

Lagos Christmas Market - From the beginning of December, Praca do Infante is home to a daily festive market with plenty of artisan stalls, a mini ice rink, lots for the little ones and tasty food and beverage stalls for those wanting a winter warmer.

Lagos Zoo - One of the busiest attractions in the summer can be like a ghost town in the winter - and they still have many mouths to feed. Regular visits during the winter can ensure places like these can maintain their facilities. They also put on a special effort during the festive period with a little winter wonderland making for a wholesome Christmas tradition.

Top tip - If you have children who will be receiving a lot of gifts this year, try to have a clear out BEFORE Christmas and donate them to your local charity shop. Charity shops often receive large donations of unwanted toys after Christmas and some families with a tighter budget may appreciate these to give to their children on the big day!