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Algarve: 6-Week Winter Snowbird Stay
40 Nights: Six weeks of Portuguese winter sun, where January feels like October, dinner costs half of what it does in Sarasota, and nobody has ever evacuated the Algarve.
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Dates and Prices
Plan This Trip to Fit Me!
Why This Package Is Worth It
One winter. Forty nights. Zero hurricane plans.
Run the numbers on one more Florida winter: the exchange rate that turns every grocery run into math, US health coverage that climbs every birthday, a "quiet" Gulf Coast condo with a waiting list.
Now run them on the Algarve. Same sunshine hours. Ocean views that haven't been built out. Dinner for two with wine for the price of a Florida appetizer round.
This is 40 nights on the western Algarve, near Lagos or Carvoeiro, in an aparthotel with a kitchenette that actually gets used: morning markets stacked with citrus picked that week, grilled fish at the harbour when cooking feels like work, and cliff walks that make you forget what a strip mall looks like.
And here is the part that matters at our age: we handle everything. Round-trip flights, transfers, the accommodation, and English-speaking support every day of your stay. You don't organize this trip. You just take it.
The Algarve is the perfect Florida alternative and we can show you.
Trip Code: 12721
Rental car for a few days or a guided tour or two? The Portugal Getaways team can add both when you book, just for the days you want.
Your Trip Itinerary
- Day 1Arrival in the Algarve
Transfer from Faro Airport to your aparthotel is included.
Settle in, stock the kitchenette from a nearby supermarket, and get oriented before the routine of a longer stay begins.
Suggestion for the day: A First Evening in the Algarve
Take a slow walk around the neighborhood closest to your aparthotel. Find the nearest grocery store, cafe, and bakery, small things that make the next six weeks feel like living somewhere rather than visiting.
All suggestions are optional.
Note: Itinerary presented is a suggestion. All tours are suggestions unless clearly stated. Transfer times are subject to change by the transport operator. No tours, excursions, or activities are included in this package, but they can be added later.
- Day 2A Walk Around Your New Home Base
Suggestion for the day: A Walk Around Your New Home Base
Spend the day exploring the historic center and waterfront closest to your aparthotel. Getting to know the streets around your base first makes the rest of the stay easier to navigate on foot.
- The old town center: Most Algarve coastal towns built up around a small historic core, worth wandering without a map on your first day.
- The marina or waterfront: A good anchor point to get oriented, and usually where the best cafes for people-watching are found.
- A local pastelaria: Stop for a pastel de nata and a coffee, the standard Portuguese afternoon ritual worth adopting for the next six weeks.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 3Coastal Cliffs and Grottoes
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Suggestion for the day: Coastal Cliffs and Grottoes
The Algarve's ochre limestone cliffs are best seen from a clifftop walkway or from the water.
- Ponta da Piedade (near Lagos): A cluster of golden cliffs, arches, and grottoes, reachable on foot from central Lagos or by a short boat tour into the caves themselves.
- Algar Seco (near Carvoeiro): A rock formation with a natural viewing platform inside a partially collapsed cave, a short walk from Carvoeiro's center.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 4Beach Day
Suggestion for the day: Beach Day
Pick a beach close to your base and take the day slowly.
- Praia Dona Ana (Lagos): A small, sheltered cove beach framed by cliffs, one of the most photographed in the area.
- Praia do Carvoeiro: A small beach right in the center of Carvoeiro, convenient if that's your base.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 5Local Market Day
Suggestion for the day: Local Market Day
Visit your base town's municipal market for fresh produce, bread, and fish. Algarve markets are strongest early in the morning, and most wind down by early afternoon. A good day to plan a few home-cooked meals around what looks best.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 6Ferragudo
Suggestion for the day: Ferragudo
A short drive or taxi ride brings you to one of the Algarve's most photogenic and least touristy fishing villages.
- Castelo de São João do Arade: A small 16th-century fort facing Portimão across the river mouth, mostly viewed from outside.
- The old fishing quarter: Narrow streets of whitewashed, colorfully trimmed houses climbing up from the harbor.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 7Praia da Marinha
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Suggestion for the day: Praia da Marinha
Regularly ranked among Europe's best beaches, and one of the most photographed spots on this coast.
- The cliff-top boardwalk: A wooden walkway along the cliffs offers views down onto the beach and coves without needing to descend the stairs.
- Nearby Benagil village: A few minutes further along the coast, the starting point for most boat tours to the famous sea cave.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 8Portimão
Suggestion for the day: Portimão
A working river town with more substance than its beach-resort neighbor Praia da Rocha.
- Museu de Portimão: A well-regarded museum built inside a former fish cannery, covering the town's history from Roman times through the 20th-century canning industry.
- Riverside promenade: A pedestrian walk along the Arade river, especially pleasant in the early evening.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 9Praia da Rocha
Suggestion for the day: Praia da Rocha
The Algarve's original resort beach, large and dramatic even if more developed than the coves further east.
- The beach itself: One of the widest in the Algarve, backed by tall ochre cliffs and rock stacks rising out of the sand.
- Fortaleza de Santa Catarina: A small 17th-century fort at the eastern end of the beach with views back along the coast.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 10Alvor
Suggestion for the day: Alvor
A quieter fishing town built around a lagoon known for birdlife rather than a single big beach.
- Igreja Matriz de Alvor: A Manueline-style parish church with a notable carved stone doorway.
- Ria de Alvor boardwalks: Wooden walkways cross the lagoon and salt marshes, good for an easy walk and birdwatching.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 11Boat Trip to the Benagil Cave
Suggestion for the day: Boat Trip to the Benagil Cave
The single most photographed sight on this coast, best experienced by water rather than from the clifftop above.
- Algar de Benagil: A sea cave with a natural skylight opening in its domed ceiling, often called the Benagil Cathedral.
- Advance booking: These tours are popular and can sell out in peak season, advance booking is recommended, contact the Portugal Getaways team ahead of time.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 12Silves, Fóia and Caldas de Monchique
Suggestion for the day: Silves, Fóia and Caldas de Monchique
Three inland stops that pair naturally on one loop, about 30 to 40 minutes apart by car, the former Moorish capital, the Algarve's highest point, and a spa village tucked into the valley below.
- Castelo de Silves: A red sandstone castle with commanding views over the town and the Arade river, among the best preserved Moorish fortifications in Portugal.
- Fóia: 902 meters (2,959 feet) above sea level, the highest point in the Algarve, with views stretching to the coast on a clear day.
- Caldas de Monchique: A small thermal spring village known for its spa tradition since Roman times.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 13
Cataplana do Algarve
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Suggestion for the day: Errands, Slow Café Morning & Cataplana do Algarve
A lighter day for laundry and restocking the kitchenette, paired with a slow morning at a local café. In the evening, try a cataplana do Algarve, the region's signature seafood stew, cooked and served in its own copper clam-shaped pot, at a local restaurant.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 14Meia Praia
Suggestion for the day: Meia Praia
A walk along Meia Praia, a long, wide beach near Lagos that feels different from the smaller cove beaches visited earlier in the stay. The beach stretches for roughly 4 km (2.5 mi), long enough for a proper walk rather than just a swim.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 15Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
Suggestion for the day: Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
An optional day trip to Sagres and its clifftop fortress, paired naturally with nearby Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe.
- Fortaleza de Sagres: A clifftop fortress with a large stone wind rose in its courtyard, linked historically to Prince Henry the Navigator.
- Cabo de São Vicente: Known for its still-active lighthouse and dramatic cliffs, once believed to mark the edge of the known world, and a well known local spot for sunset.
- Getting there: A guided tour or taxi for the day is recommended, as public transport options are limited.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 16A Walk on the Fishermen's Trail
Suggestion for the day: A Walk on the Fishermen's Trail
Part of the Rota Vicentina, the Fishermen's Trail (Percurso dos Pescadores) follows the clifftops near Sagres along paths originally used by local fishermen to reach the sea. The stretch near Sagres is flat to moderate, well marked, and doesn't require any special preparation beyond comfortable shoes and water.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 17Praia do Camilo
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Suggestion for the day: Praia do Camilo
A visit to Praia do Camilo, a smaller cove beach near Lagos reached by a wooden staircase down the cliffside, quieter than Dona Ana and a short walk from Ponta da Piedade.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 18Optional Day Trip to Seville
Suggestion for the day: Optional Day Trip to Seville
An optional full-day guided bus tour to Seville, Spain can be added directly when you book. This crosses the border into Spain and covers the city's major landmarks in a single long day.
- Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower: The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with sweeping views from the bell tower.
- Real Alcázar: A royal palace complex blending Mudéjar, Gothic, and Renaissance styles.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 19Aljezur
Suggestion for the day: Aljezur
A trip to Aljezur, a small hilltop town on the west coast with a ruined Moorish castle, known for a slower pace than the south-facing resort towns.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 20Arrifana
Suggestion for the day: Arrifana
Praia da Arrifana on the west coast is known for dramatic cliffs and a strong surf scene, a different feel from the sheltered south-facing beaches visited earlier in the stay.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 21Odeceixe
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Suggestion for the day: Odeceixe
A day trip to Odeceixe, a village and river beach near the border with the Alentejo region, one of the furthest points north on the west coast covered in this itinerary.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 22Optional Crossing to Tangier
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Suggestion for the day: Optional Crossing to Tangier
For those interested, a crossing to Tangier, Morocco can be pre-arranged as a longer day trip. It requires advance booking and takes a full day given travel time, confirm interest with the Portugal Getaways team well ahead of this date.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 23Wine Tasting in the Algarve
Suggestion for the day: Wine Tasting in the Algarve
The Algarve has its own, smaller wine tradition alongside the Douro and the Alentejo, centered on the Lagoa DOC region. A relaxed afternoon at a local vineyard for a tasting, usually paired with local cheese or charcuterie. Contact the Portugal Getaways team if you'd like a specific tasting arranged in advance.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 24Loulé
Suggestion for the day: Loulé
A day trip to Loulé, known for its covered market building with Moorish-influenced architecture, reachable by regional bus.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 25Alte
Suggestion for the day: Alte
Alte is a traditional inland village known for its natural water springs and whitewashed houses, a quieter contrast to the coast.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 26Vilamoura
Suggestion for the day: Vilamoura
A day trip to Vilamoura, known for its large marina and boardwalk, a more built-up contrast to the smaller fishing towns visited earlier in the stay.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 27Faro and Olhão
Suggestion for the day: Faro and Olhão
Two of the Algarve's most recognized destinations, worth a proper look beyond the resort strip and the airport, about 10 minutes apart by car.
- Arco da Vila (Faro): The Moorish-era gate leading into Faro's walled old town, Vila Adentro.
- Sé de Faro: The city's cathedral, with a bell tower you can climb for views over the old town and the Ria Formosa lagoon.
- Mercado Municipal (Olhão): A working fish market and waterfront, known for a livelier, less polished character than Faro's old town.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 28Estói Palace and Milreu Roman Ruins
Suggestion for the day: Estói Palace and Milreu Roman Ruins
A short trip inland from Faro, Estói is home to two sites most visitors never reach.
- Palácio de Estói: An 18th-century rococo palace with formal gardens, now partly used as a pousada.
- Milreu Roman Ruins: The remains of a Roman villa with a well preserved bath complex decorated with fish mosaics, occupied from the 1st to the 6th century.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 29Ria Formosa Boat Trip
Suggestion for the day: Ria Formosa Boat Trip
An optional boat trip into the Ria Formosa lagoon system, with options to reach Ilha Deserta or Culatra Island, departing from Faro or Olhão.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 30Tavira
Suggestion for the day: Tavira
Known as the Venice of the Algarve, Tavira sits further east than most of this itinerary's stops, worth the longer trip for its quieter, more traditional character.
- Roman Bridge: A stone bridge over the Gilão river connecting the two halves of the old town.
- Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo: Built on the site of a former mosque, with views from the adjacent castle ruins over the town's rooftops.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 31Ilha de Tavira
Suggestion for the day: Ilha de Tavira
A short ferry crossing from Tavira brings you to Ilha de Tavira, a long barrier island beach reached only by boat, a different feel from the mainland Algarve beaches visited earlier in the stay.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 32Cacela Velha
Suggestion for the day: Cacela Velha
A tiny clifftop village near Tavira, largely untouched by development, with a small fort, a whitewashed church, and views over the Ria Formosa lagoon. One of the quietest stops in the entire itinerary.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 33Albufeira
Suggestion for the day: Albufeira
A day trip to Albufeira, one of the Algarve's most recognized destinations, worth a proper look beyond the resort strip.
- Rua 5 de Outubro: The pedestrian heart of Albufeira's old quarter, behind the modern resort strip.
- Praia dos Pescadores: The old fishermen's beach, where boats still pull up onto the sand.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 34
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
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Suggestion for the day: The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos) runs along the clifftops between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes, near Carvoeiro, and is one of the most walked coastal trails in the Algarve. The full route is about 5.7 km (3.5 mi) one way, flat to moderate, passing several viewpoints, a natural arch, and small hidden coves along the way. Shorter sections can be walked if the full distance isn't of interest, the stretch closest to Praia da Marinha covers the most dramatic scenery.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 35Medronho and Cork, a Taste of Algarve Tradition
Suggestion for the day: Medronho and Cork, a Taste of Algarve Tradition
An inland day exploring two traditions distinct to the region.
- Medronho tasting: A small local distillery visit to try medronho, a fruit brandy made from the arbutus berry, a longstanding Algarve tradition.
- Cork production: A short visit to see how cork oak bark is harvested and processed, one of Portugal's most important exports.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 36A Day of Golf
Suggestion for the day: A Day of Golf
The Algarve is one of Europe's best known golf destinations, with courses ranging from clifftop layouts to parkland courses inland. A relaxed day on the course, with equipment rental and tee times arranged locally.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 37Dolphin Watching
Suggestion for the day: Dolphin Watching
An optional boat trip departing from the Albufeira or Vilamoura marina to look for dolphins along the coast, a shorter and calmer outing than the whale watching trips based further west or in the Azores.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 38
Praia da Falésia
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Suggestion for the day: Praia da Falésia
Praia da Falésia stretches for several kilometers near Albufeira and Vilamoura, backed by tall red-orange sandstone cliffs unlike anywhere else covered so far in this itinerary. A wooden staircase leads down from the clifftop, and the beach itself is wide enough that it rarely feels crowded even in season. A good half-day beach without needing to go far from the Vilamoura and Albufeira area.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 39Souvenir Shopping and One Last Look Around
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Suggestion for the day: Souvenir Shopping and One Last Look Around
A morning to pick up souvenirs, whether it's local ceramics, cork goods, or a bottle of Port to take home, followed by an afternoon to simply enjoy your base town.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 40Back to a Favorite Spot
Suggestion for the day: Back to a Favorite Spot
Return to whichever beach, cafe, or town from earlier in the stay you'd most like to see again before the trip ends.
All suggestions are optional.
- Day 41
Return Flight Home
We've arranged your hotel transfer to ensure a smooth journey to the airport.
Thank you for choosing us to be your travel companions on this adventure! It's been a pleasure assisting you in creating unforgettable memories. We wish you happy travels and until next time!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Algarve, Not Florida: 6-Week Snowbird Stay from Portugal Getaways includes round-trip flights, airport and hotel transfers, and 40 nights in an aparthotel-style property with a kitchenette in the western Algarve (properties used include locations such as Lagos and Carvoeiro). No rental car is included, but can be added for an additional cost. Exact property and town are confirmed at booking or shown on the next step when you click See Dates and Prices.
Please note that the Algarve is a large region, so we recommend renting a car for a few days or adding excursions to explore more freely and experience the local lifestyle. Contact us for those arrangements.
Yes. Round-trip flights are included in the package. Other departure cities are available on the calendar or on request. The package price depends on the selected airport. Contact the Portugal Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Seat selection, extra baggage, and cabin class upgrades to premium economy or business class are not included in the package price but can be arranged as paid add-ons before finalizing your booking, subject to availability.
There isn't a single best window, it depends on what you want. Winter (December to February) brings mild days around 16 to 18°C (61 to 64°F), quiet towns, and the lowest prices, ideal for a true snowbird escape. Spring (March to May) adds longer days and blooming almond trees, with temperatures near 20°C (68°F). Autumn (October to November) keeps sea temperatures warm from summer while crowds thin out. Summer is beautiful but busier and warmer, around 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), and less suited to a slow, budget-conscious long stay.
Yes. A mid-stay hotel change can be arranged if you want to try a different property or a different town along the western Algarve partway through, subject to availability and any price difference. This needs to be planned in advance rather than requested once you've already arrived, so raise it with the Portugal Getaways team before booking if it's something you're considering.
Yes. The package price is based on two travelers sharing a room. Solo travelers pay a single supplement. Contact the Portugal Getaways team directly and we'll make it easy. You can also check solo pricing on the website by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices.
No. City taxes are not included in the package price and are paid directly at the hotel. It is capped at a maximum of 7 consecutive nights.
Not by default, but can be added during the booking process. Breakfast depends on the hotel rate selected, and for a self-catering long stay most travelers prefer to cook their own meals using the kitchenette. Complimentary breakfast can be prioritized on request, contact the Portugal Getaways team when booking and we will do our best to arrange it for part or all of your stay.
Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type. Confirm what is included and add luggage if needed when booking. Seat selection and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.
Towns used for this package, such as Lagos and Carvoeiro, are compact and largely walkable for day-to-day needs like groceries, cafes, and the town center. For trips further along the coast, taxis and regional buses connect the western Algarve towns to each other and to Portimão, Praia da Rocha, and Albufeira. Uber® availability is limited outside the main Algarve towns, so plan ahead for outings beyond walking distance rather than relying on it. If you'd rather have your own wheels for a stretch of the trip, a rental car can be added for part or all of your stay, for example just for the weeks you plan to explore Sagres, Monchique, or the west coast, rather than for the full 6 weeks. Contact the Portugal Getaways team to add a rental car for specific dates, pricing and availability depend on the period and car category selected. Exact routes and distances depend on which property you're assigned. Excursions are also available and require no driving.
No, but can be added as paid add-ons. A Seville full-day guided bus tour can be added directly when you book. For Tangier in Morocco, reachable by ferry from Tarifa in Spain, the Portugal Getaways team can also help arrange the logistics. Contact the team before booking and we will include the right options in your quote.
Yes. If you'd like to combine this stay with time in Lisbon, Porto, or Madeira, or adjust the split between regions, tell the Portugal Getaways team your preferences and travel dates and we'll put together a tailored proposal by email, usually within 24 hours. Combining destinations may affect the overall price and flight routing.
Yes. An upgrade up to 2 months is available for travelers who want to maximize their 90-day Schengen allowance in a single trip. Contact the Portugal Getaways team to discuss availability and pricing for the extended version before booking.
Please note that the total stay must not exceed the permitted 90 days, and we recommend allowing a few extra days as a safety buffer when planning your travel dates.
US and Canadian passport holders do not currently need a visa for Portugal for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, so both the 40-night version of this package fall within that limit on their own. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. If you're combining this trip with other travel in Europe, the days count together toward the same 90-day Schengen allowance. Entry requirements can change, and it is the traveler's responsibility to confirm the current requirements for their passport and travel dates before departure.
Yes. Portugal, including the Algarve, is consistently ranked among the safest countries in Europe, with no active conflicts and low rates of violent crime. As with any destination, standard precautions apply: keep an eye on belongings in busy market areas and tourist spots, and use licensed taxis or arranged transport at night. Travel advisories can change, so it is the traveler's responsibility to check the current advisory for Portugal from the US State Department or Government of Canada before departure.
We're with you every step of the way. For general support during your stay, contact the Portugal Getaways team at our regular number available every day from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Outside those hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in Portugal, dial 112.
