Are you heading to Europe this fall, but you feel the heavy rain and chilly weather take all the fun out of travel planning?
Needless to say, you might want to avoid more Northerly destinations, like London, Paris, Amsterdam and the like.
On the other hand, there are a fair few sunny spots left that will not bid farewell to summer for several more weeks. This includes a sun-drenched strip of coast on the westernmost edge of Europe, where temperatures are set to remain in the mid-70s until October.
How could it not, when this is known to be the sunniest region in the continent?
Oh, and if you’re traveling on a budget, we have good news for you: it’s also incredibly cheap to visit.
300 Days Of Sun Per Year
Comprising the southern coast of mainland Portugal, the Algarve is an up-and-coming beach destination with sands unfolding along bright-blue Atlantic waters and enjoying a whopping 300 days of sun per year.
You read that right.
For most of the year, including what’s usually a cold, wet October in other European destinations, the skies are perfectly clear in the Algarve.
There are 8 hours of sunshine on average per day, and temperatures range from a mild 59°F to a pleasant 73°F.
In other words, don’t go unpacking your summer suitcase just yet, as it can get quite balmy in this part of Europe in the fall, but make sure you pack a light jacket and sweaters for alfresco dining late at night, as the breeze coming from the ocean can be somewhat chilly.
Most of the time, however, you’ll be surprised at how actually warm the Algarve can be in the off-season!
Endless Miles Of Unspoiled Golden Sands
Portugal’s southern coast is characterized by its long, wide sandy beaches that extend for miles on end, lush marine reserves that have remained virtually unspoiled in spite of the region’s rapid development, and natural landmarks that could well be a Windows wallpaper come to life.
Well, at least one of them is…
Recognize the picture above? It isn’t an A.I.-generated image: it’s the iconic Benagil Cave, a short half-hour drive from Portimão. It is accessible only by boat from the adjacent beach and is distinguished by its gaping hole at the roof.
Near Faro in the Eastern Algarve, Ria Formosa Nature Park is yet another natural wonder comprising a wide range of different landscapes, including marshlands and uninhabited islets, while the breathtakingly beautiful Ponta da Piedade Trail is a beach lover’s paradise:
Starting from the city of Lagos, it visits some of the most pristine beaches in all of Portugal, including the landmark Praia dos Estudantes, home to a historic ‘Roman’ bridge, and local favorite Praia do Camilo, where golden sands and turquoise waters are found at the end of a wooden staircase.
Before you rush to that inviting water, however, keep in mind this is still the North Atlantic and waters in Portugal are typically more gelid than the Mediterranean regardless of season––in other words, don’t jump right in if you don’t want to get a cold shock!
Ancient Sites And Whitewashed Old Towns
If you don’t really care for beaches, and it’s Europe’s Old World appeal that makes your heart skip a beat, wait until you discover the hidden cultural gems of the Algarve:
This region has been inhabited since at least Roman times, and from archeological zones that predate the birth of Christ to fairytale medieval fortifications that Walt Disney himself couldn’t conjure up in his wildest dreams, rest assured that the culture buff in you will be served.
No trip to the Algarve is complete without a visit to Tavira, which lines a picturesque canal, a walk through the cobbled streets of Faro, dominated by an imposing medieval cathedral, or even charming Carvoeiro, a Santorini-inspired whitewashed coastal village encroaching on a scenic beach.
If you’re looking to beat the crowds––and marvel at storybook-like castles while you’re at it––make sure you add the quaint Loulé, with its three-towered, 2nd-century fortress and Moorish-built citadel Silves to your bucket list.
Now, if you’re really looking for that hidden gem, pretty little Estoi is where to go, with its stately Baroque palaces and ruined Roman villa.
The Algarve Is An Affordable Sunny Destination
Not only is the Algarve rich in culture and sun-drenched, it is surprisingly affordable by European standards, and not only due to the fact it’s the off-season!
As there is not one single city concentrating most of the tourism in the area, like Lisbon on Portugal’s central coast, the price of accommodation has not yet shot up uncontrollably, and there is a bigger range of options if you’re traveling on a budget.
In regional capital Faro, you can find double rooms from $77 a night at Hotel Adelaide, and in the up-and-coming resort zone of Portimão, within walking distance of wide sandy beaches, you get them for an even-cheaper $53 – $57 (check out Hotel Avenida Praia and Hotel Made Inn).
In trendy Albufeira, famous for its British-dominated, buzzing bar district, a single room at Baltum Hotel costs $70 to book, whereas in Lagos, at the western end of the Algarve, a double or twin room at the beachfront Hotel Riomar, breakfast included, will set you back by an affordable $59.
Food is just as inexpensive: expect to pay between $11 and $15 for meals in inexpensive restaurants frequented by locals, including drinks, and an even-cheaper $5 (or less), if you’re eating bite-size Portuguese delicacies from street-corner pastelarias.
In total, a one-week trip to the Algarve costs $922 per person, as per the Budget Your Trip estimate, excluding flights.
It truly doesn’t get much cheaper or sunnier than this anywhere across the pond this season.
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