We are in the early stages of Planning a two week trip to Portugal over winter break. We want to focus on the southern area to escape some Chicago weather! We will have a car to explore areas other than Lisbon.

4 nights Lisbon - Sintra day trip
2 nights Lagos - western part of Algarve and Alentejo coast
4 nights Tavira - eastern Algarve and inland towns
2 nights Évora - see Beja on the way
2 nights Lisbon

we plan on renting Airbnb for most of the trip - there seems to be many really nice options. My concerns are that the Algarve may be too “touristy”, but not too busy in the wintertime? We just came back from Spain and really loved the white hill towns and Seville, as well as Madrid. We want to make sure our Portugal experience is a little different so we are focused on the coast a bit more.

We spent 2 weeks in Portugal over New Years several years ago. We focused more on the central region rather than the coast. It was definitely not touristy...it was quiet but lovely.

you can see our pics here https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57636734183955

it certainly wasn’t beach weather but the coast we did see was pretty.

What wonderful photos! We don’t mind a beach walk with a hat and jacket for sure! Quiet is perfect for us. I just want to avoid a “Disney world” type touristy but since we are tourists, we can’t fault having tourists about!

Hi,
Sounds good but i would chance this:

4 nights Lisbon - day trips to Sintra + 1 day trip to Cascais/Estoril beach resort
2 nights in Tavira
2 nights in Lagos
2 nights Costa Vicentina natural park (maybe Vila Nova de Milfontes Village)
Hiking - Walking Routes - Costa Vicentina, Portugal - Rota Vicentina
2 nights in Évora - 1 day trip to Monsaraz medieval village, Estemoz and Vila Viçosa
2 nights in Lisbon - 1 day trip to Óbidos and Nazaré

This is a great suggestion. Might Milfontes fit in better on the way from Lisbon, before Lagos? Or wait - you have us in an opposite order! Do you think Milfonte will have enough open in December?

Hi,

You should stay in Vila Nova de Milfontes coming from Lagos on the way to Évora. December is low season so you'll not have any problems to find a hotel.

The weather in December is cold in Portugal, not so cold has in Chicago or north Europe. Don't expect to bath in the ocean. This trip would be amazing in the summer time....

Moving forward with your great idea of 2 nights in each of the towns. I was wondering why your preferred order? Driving distance looks equvelant both ways. Touring books usually have you start on the west coast - but that does not mean it’s best! Would love to know why your preference. The choice is either Tavira for New Years or Milfontes. I don’t think we can go wrong either way!

Hi,

Don't get me wrong, you can do it both ways, the distance is more or less the same, 30 km more if you do it your way.

Has for NYE, neither, the best NYE celebrations in the Algarve Region take place in the city of Albufeira, with a big fireworks and open air party. It's the party town of the Algarve, very much like Miami in the US. Albufeira is 90 km away from Tavira and it's in the way to Lagos. The entire Region of the Algarve is well connected by the highway, so this distance is very easy to overcome. There are also fireworks and parties in Tavira and Vila Nova de Milfontes for NYE, but they are smaller. If you want to avoid big crowds, these 2 will do. Nevertheless, Albufeira and Portimăo are in the way to Lagos, you should stop there to see the amazing beaches.