Portugal, Europe

The Algarve in December

Quiet, with the holidays adding a bump. Good for golf and town stays, not beach life.

Quiet valueMild, highs near 62F (17C), rainy spells

Algarve Ponta da Piedade, the Algarve — The AlgarvePhoto: Joergsam, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is a quiet, good-value month to visit the Algarve. Quiet, with the holidays adding a bump. Good for golf and town stays, not beach life.

Weather: Mild, highs near 62F (17C), rainy spells
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in the Algarve

December is mild, with highs near 62F (17C) and some rainy spells. It is quiet, with a small bump around the holidays. Many seasonal places in resort areas are closed, but year-round towns stay open. Prices are low outside the holiday weeks. Rough seas can cancel boat tours to the caves, so keep plans flexible. On sunny days, a coastal lunch outside is still very pleasant.

It suits golfers, walkers, and anyone who wants a gentle winter break. It is not a beach month. For sand and sun, wait until late May.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about the Algarve this month.

Holiday season in the old towns

Tavira, Lagos, and Faro stay open, with a festive, local feel.

Golf in the winter sun

Mild weather makes December a good month for golf.

Quiet coastal walks

The clifftop paths are nearly empty, and clear days can be lovely.

What to pack for December

A warm layer and a rain jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
An umbrella
Sunglasses

Our timing tip

Book a hotel in a year-round town rather than a resort strip, since many beachfront places close for winter.

Book The Algarve for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The Algarve
Opens a hotel search for The Algarve in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in The Algarve
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in The Algarve
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The Algarve for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in the Algarve

Full guide

Ponta da Piedade, Lagos

Rock pillars, arches, and grottoes best seen by small boat or kayak in calm morning water.

Tickets and tours →

Benagil sea cave

The famous cave with a hole in the roof. Boat and kayak tours run most of the year; access rules for landing inside have tightened, so check current regulations.

Tickets and tours →

Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

A clifftop walk from Praia da Marinha toward Benagil and beyond. Best in spring and autumn, early in the day.

Tickets and tours →

Sagres and Cape St. Vincent

The windswept southwestern tip of Europe, with a clifftop fortress and famous sunsets.

Tickets and tours →

Ria Formosa Natural Park

Lagoons and barrier-island beaches reachable by ferry from Olhao, Faro, and Tavira. Superb for birdwatching.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tavira

A calmer, more traditional town in the east, with a Roman-style bridge and ferries to Ilha de Tavira beaches.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Take Ponta da Piedade and Benagil boat tours at the first departure of the day for calm water and fewer boats.
Swap the busiest central beaches for the Ria Formosa islands or the west coast beaches, which are wilder and far less crowded.
If you must go in July or August, book cars, villas, and popular restaurant tables early, and hit the beach by 9am.
Stay in towns like Tavira or Lagos rather than high-rise resort strips for more character and quieter evenings outside peak season.

Know before you go

Many beach bars, seasonal restaurants, and some hotels in resort areas close from about November to March. Larger towns stay open all year.
Boat tours to the caves run much of the year but are frequently cancelled when seas are rough, especially in winter.
Lifeguards typically staff major beaches from about June to September only; outside that window, check flags and conditions carefully.
Some beaches along the cliffs are closed or restricted because of rockfall risk. Respect signs and do not sit directly below cliffs.