Wondering when the sun will next grace us with its presence in these dreary winter months? Although you could keep staring at the grey, overcast sky, obsessively check the weather forecast and plead with the unrelenting weather gods, we have a solution that yields reliable results: chasing after the sun by jetting south! If you’re ready to fuel up on a few months’ supply of Vitamin D on a relaxing getaway, there’s arguably no better destination than Portugal’s Algarve. Why, you ask? Travel Republic’s infographic has the inside scoop.
Fundamental Fun Facts
First and foremost, The Algarve is conveniently located for Brits looking to top up their tan. The radiant region is only a 2.5-hour flight away from the UK, perfectly lending itself to anything from a weekend getaway to a prolonged trip (how about the entire winter?). With 300 days of sun every year, your swimsuits, sun screen and shades will be entirely appropriate. As one of the least densely populated areas in all of Europe, The Algarve is also the ideal place to de-stress in peace – especially if you travel off-peak (i.e. now)!
A Foodie’s Fantasy
In addition to the region’s mild climate, opportune location and tranquil atmosphere, the cuisine offers another persuasive reason to visit. Thanks to its scrumptious offering of seafood and wines, including the national cod dish called bacalhau, it’s no surprise that the region boasts six of Portugal’s 14 restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars. When you’re not sipping the national drink of aguardiente, a strong fortified wine that is certain to knock your socks off, you can always mix up your routine by sampling the local selection of beer – which – at about 1.50 Euros per pint – is truly cheap as chips!
Top Tip: Want to find out more about Portugal’s classic dishes? Read about the must-try specialities in this blog post.
Balmy Beaches
If swimming in the ocean and getting a visible tan line are your holiday priorities, you might as well ensure optimal conditions by opting for a crème de la crème beach. Fortunately, this is easy as pie in The Algarve, which is home to an impressive 125 miles of coastline and 85 Blue Flag beaches. While all of these sandy paradises promise to wow visitors with pristine sand and glistening waters, two stand head and shoulders above the rest: the Dona Ana beach in Lagos, as well as the Falésia beach in Albufeira, which are consistently rated among the best 25 beaches in Europe by TripAdvisor. Not too shabby, huh?
Cheap and cheerful convenience, fine wining and dining, sunny strands… a winter getaway to The Algarve ticks all of the boxes. Get packing!
