Portugal
Algarve in December
🧥 WinterCool and some showers.
🎒 Pack: light layers · compact umbrella or rain jacket
Why December scores 9.1What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.5
- ✓Cool (17°C highs / 10°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 11°C)
- !Wet: ~114 mm rain, ~4 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.9
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~5 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline8.5
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.1 Excellent | 9.8 Excellent |
| Season | 🧥 Winter | 🌷 Spring |
| High / low | 17° / 10° | 23° / 14° |
| Rain | 114 mm | 22 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 11° | dew pt 13° |
| PM2.5 | 5 µg/m³ | 4 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Faro weather-station normals. Rainfall: Faro, Portugal weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Restoration of Independence Day (1 Dec) · Immaculate Conception (8 Dec)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore AlgarveEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyPortugal's southern coastal region, known for golden cliffs, sea caves, sandy beaches and a long sunny season.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Almond blossomDate variesUsually late January to February
Almond trees flower white and pink across the countryside.
Why go: A good reason to visit inland villages in the quiet season.
Where: Inland Algarve
Carnaval de LouléDate variesBefore Ash Wednesday — usually February or early March
One of Portugal's oldest carnival parades, with floats and costumes.
Why go: Parades run over several days; check the town's schedule.
Where: Loulé
Festival do MariscoDate variesUsually mid-August
A seafood festival on the Olhão waterfront with food stalls and concerts.
Why go: Very busy; arrive early in the evening.
Where: Olhão
Ponta da Piedade
Sandstone cliffs, arches and sea stacks near Lagos, viewable from clifftop paths or by small boat.
Benagil Sea Cave
A large sea cave with a hole in its roof, reached only from the water.
💡 Visit by boat or guided kayak tour, and only when sea conditions are calm.
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
A clifftop walking trail between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centianes.
💡 Start early in summer; there is little shade.
Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
The windswept south-western tip of Europe, with a fortress and lighthouse.
Ria Formosa
A lagoon nature park of islands, marshes and channels near Faro, Olhão and Tavira, rich in birdlife.
Tavira
A historic town with a Roman-style bridge, churches and a river through its centre.
Cataplana
Seafood or pork and clams cooked in a clam-shaped copper pan, named after the pan itself.
Grilled sardines
Charcoal-grilled sardines, at their best in summer.
💡 Seafront restaurants, especially in Portimão
Frango piri-piri
Grilled chicken with chilli sauce, closely associated with Guia near Albufeira.
Doces finos
Small marzipan-like sweets made from almonds and shaped as fruits and animals.
💡 Pastry shops
Medronho
A strong spirit distilled from the fruit of the strawberry tree, traditional in the Algarve hills.
Flor de sal
Hand-harvested sea salt from the salt pans of the Ria Formosa and Castro Marim.
💡 Markets and gourmet shops
Cork products
Bags, wallets and homeware made from Portuguese cork.
💡 Shops in old towns
Hand-painted ceramics
Colourful Portuguese pottery and azulejo-style tiles.
💡 Roadside ceramic shops and town markets