There are quite a few restaurants, cafés and shops along the promenade overlooking the beach. You will also find several mini supermarkets and a larger one (called Baptista) in Luz.

There are many good water sports facilities on the beach of Luz. You will be able to try out scuba diving, waterskiing, boat trips and much more. If you prefer to stay on the mainland you will be happy to know that there are a two great and well known golf resorts within a ten minute drive from Luz. The Boavista and Palmares courses make Praia da Luz an ideal base for golfers in Portugal.

Praia da Luz beach, Algarve, Portugal by MamaPyjama

It is really easy to see why Luz is so popular among tourists. The town has practically everything you need. Everything is very close at hand when staying in Luz. Therefore it is also a great family resort as you don’t really need to travel very far.

If you choose to explore other areas of the Algarve coast you will have an excellent starting point in Luz. Luz is only a very short drive (10 minutes) from the larger city Lagos. In Lagos you will find numerous dining opportunities (including a Michelin starred restaurant!) and also a weekly market as well as a large selection of shops.

Other points of interest near Luz are the two large shopping centers in the area (one of them is one of the largest shopping centers in Europe). You will also find that the ZOO near Lagos is a great idea if you have children. The ZOO is only a short drive away from Luz.

The holiday resorts on the Algarve coast normally close up at the end of the season but on Praia da Luz they will remain open all the year round because of the large amount of English people staying there year round. Note that you probably will find the opening hours are much reduced if you visit Luz during the off season.

If you want to experience Portugal it would be a great idea to rent a holiday villa. There are many holiday villas in Portugal in Portugal and you can find many online.

The post Praia da Luz – a small town on the Algarve coast | Portugal appeared first on Best of European Union.

Although the weather will not be as hot in the wintertime, it will still be between 17-20 degrees during the day time in this region of southern Portugal. If you find temperatures of 30 degrees uncomfortable then this time of year might actually be a more enjoyable time for you to visit. It will not be hot enough to work on your tan every day but it will still likely be one of the warmest places in Europe. There might be a few rains during your holiday and the temperatures will drop in the evenings, but there are many advantages to visiting the Algarve in the winter.

First of all, you will be able to get the cheaper off season rates at many of the hotels and resorts which will save you a lot of money. There will also be fewer crowds so that you will not have to search for hours to find a vacant sun lounger or wait for a table at a restaurant. Although some of the local businesses will have shorter hours or might close during the winter months, there will still be plenty of selection. This is also a great time to visit the Algarve with kids, because the lack of crowds will make it less hectic and much easier to travel.

Another advantage is that while everyone else is enduring the freezing cold back home, you will be enjoying the pleasant temperatures and sunny days of the Algarve.

If you are planning a getaway to the Algarve this winter, here are some ideas of what you can do while you are there:

Go Golfing

The weather in the Algarve is warm enough to golf all year round and you might find it more pleasant to tee off in these cooler temperatures rather than the peak season heat. There are many excellent golf resorts in the area such as Monte da Quinta Club, Four Seasons Fairways and more which offer beautifully manicured professional courses.

Go Hiking

The weather will be just fine for hiking around the beautiful Portuguese countryside. Explore the winding country lanes and discover waterfalls in the forest, olive groves and picturesque seaside fishing villages. There are many coastal cliff walks all along the stunning Algarve coast, but these can sometimes be dangerous so always follow the marked path.

One of the best places to hike in the Algarve is the Ria Formosa Natural Park. This protected wetland is one of the most significant natural habitats for birds in Europe and many different species stop here on their migratory routes. There are several guided walking trails throughout the park that you can explore.

Listen to Some Live Music in Algarve, Quarteira, Portugal by run4unity

Take a look at the event listings in the area that you are staying and try to catch some live music while you are in the Algarve. Many pubs and restaurants might have performances of Fado, which is a traditional Portuguese style of hauntingly beautiful folk music about life near the sea.

Enjoy the Food

Of course, no trip to the Algarve would be complete without sampling the delicious food that this part of the world has to offer. Seafood is especially delicious in the Algarve as it is so fresh in this coastal region. Another tasty dish is Piri-Piri chicken which is tender barbecued chicken with a fiery North-African influenced spicy coating. No matter what the weather is like outside, you can always spend hours lingering over good food and wine with friends in a welcoming local restaurant.

A holiday in the Algarve in the off season can still be packed with fun, so why not check out some of these fun activities during your winter getaway?

If you are visiting Four Seasons Fairways or another Algarve resort this winter, here are some off-season activities you might enjoy.

The post Things to Do in the Algarve in the Winter | Portugal appeared first on Best of European Union.