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Winter may not seem like the best time to explore Europe’s beautiful beaches.
But with lower temperatures, fewer visitors and affordable prices, I like to visit Europe’s beach hotspots in winter.
And one beach destination in particular is currently standing out from the crowd.
The Algarve is officially the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, according to a new report The Portuguese newsThis year, the number of travelers from the US has increased by 9%.
This is why Americans flock 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 winter.
You may even have entire beaches all to yourself!
I’m not going to promise you intense heat here. But the Algarve has a Mediterranean climate with mild winter temperatures and lots of sun.
The Algarve has more than 300 days of sunshine per year. This means it’s a great time of year to enjoy the many outdoor activities the destination has to offer.
Hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, cliff walks, surfing and boat trips to hidden caves are all popular here.
If you’re interested in getting off the coastline and exploring the Algarve’s iconic caves, Algar De Benagil (Benagil Cave) is the most popular and most spectacular.
This is a huge natural cave on the coast with a hole in the ceiling for a dramatic effect. The only way to reach this cave and the beach inside is by boat.
Algarve Cave Tours offers boat trips to Benagil Cave, Marinha Beach and Albandeira Arch. These costs 42 euros ($43.81) per person.
Are you not a fan of organized tours? I admit I’m not either!
But you can also rent paddle boards and explore this incredible coastline independently.
Ocean SUP offers both kayak and paddleboard rentals at prices from $20 per hour.
If you’re interested in big wave surfing, you’ll also be interested to hear that winter is the best time for surfing in the Algarve, with big waves and empty lineups.
Historical city trips
If you can bear to tear yourself away from the breathtaking beaches, there are a host of beautiful and historic towns along the Algarve coastline.
The best of these are Faro, Portimão and Lagos.
These are the best places to visit if you want to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture and wander the historic Old Town with winding cobbled streets in the sunshine.
Faro is the capital of the Algarve and it is a beautiful city with a rich history and an abundance of bars and restaurants open all year round.
Take time to explore Faro Cathedral, built in the 13th century, and visit the neoclassical Arco da Vila.
Faro makes a great base for your first visit to the Algarve as it has an excellent public transport network and excellent connections to the rest of the Algarve.
It also offers a great balance between city and countryside.
From Faro you can walk through the wetlands of Ria Formosa National ParkFor example.
This National Park is also a great place for birdwatching and is home to the world’s largest concentration of seahorses, flamingos and storks.
If you want the culture of an old town but aren’t looking for the hustle and bustle of a big city, try Lagos.
Smaller than Faro, but still a major urban destination, Lagos is rich in history and culture.
The beaches here are stunningly beautiful and surrounded by water on all sides, meaning the views and landscapes are incredible wherever you stand!
The best beaches
The Algarve’s standout attraction is its incredible beaches, and they always have been.
You will find 155 kilometers of unspoilt coastline here and the Algarve is home to no fewer than 150 named beaches.
All the beaches here face south, 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 sand between your toes, the view of the beaches from the cliffs here is unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
No time to visit all 150 beaches? Some of the best to add to your bucket list are Praia da Falésia in Albufeira, Praia da Marinha in Lagoa and Praia de Odeceixe in Odeceixe.
Each of these beaches offers stretches of sand and incredible views, and they will all feel wonderfully secluded if you visit during the winter months.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and 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 in the post.
