Looking for some help on Hotel Apartments for our 28 night stay in the Algarve in February 2018. First I know the weather will not be "hot" but coming from Ontario Canada I am sure it will be a lot better than what we experience in February. Does anyone have any recommendations for where to stay, looking at Albufeira. seeking a 1 bedroom efficiency apartment.
Also any recommendations of what to do while we are there.
Thanks for all your help
Wayne
Quite a long time ago, we had an apartment for a week at a place called Windmill Hill Apartments, near Albufera. The apartment even had a fireplace and was perfect for us. Check into recent reviews and see what you think.
We stayed in an apartment in the Algarve in February and hated the entire experience. The resort was desolate and empty and the only place to hang out was a tacky mall. Apartment was vacant for months and was moldy and musty. All the restaurants were weird British versions of Spanish food. Weather was equally horrible. We left early for Lisbon.
That sounds awful, Emily. We had a rental car and took trips here and there. The weather wasn’t terrible but that could be because it was certainly better than what we had left behind in Montreal in February.
I spent two weeks in Lagos in February a couple of years ago. There were some rainy days but also a number of days I ate outside on the beach. It was not crowded and I enjoyed the time there.
I don’t know about the Albufeira area, but the Lagos area had lots of restaurants and shops open and didn’t seem ‘dead’ in the winter. I liked the Lagos area because it was an easy drive over to Sagres and the west coast of Portugal.
You might want to look at that area before you make your final decision.
Emily is always negative about the Algarve in winter. Most of us have had positive experiences.
I don't like Albufeira, so I can't recommend any apartments. It caters for too many hen and stag parties these days. Lagos and Tavira are nicer options IMO. Only the small resorts such as Salema will have a closed for the winter feeling. I have stayed in Cabanas near Tavira for the last two years in March and have had no damp, musty issues and all the restaurants have been open.
Before you rent somewhere, check that it has had several bookings over the winter so that it will have been heated. Take an apartment with heating, as it gets cold at night - there are some great deals for a 4 week rental. I use Homeaway for my Portuguese rentals and have had no problems.
Car hire is incredibly cheap in the winter. Drive up the west coast to Aljezur and round to Monchique and Foia, the highest point on the Algarve. Silves is another castle worth visiting.
If you stay on the eastern Algarve, you could visit Spain for a day on the small ferry that runs over to Ayemonte. Drive to Alcoutim overlooking Spain and the river.
Drive into the Alentejo for a less developed Portugal.
Have a couple of days in Lisbon or Seville.
Walking is good in the Algarve, especially on the cliff tops to the west.
Yup, hated it. Will never go back. So many other lovely places to visit.
