The low season is here and cheap holidays in the Algarve are super easy to find. Although temperatures are starting to fall the weather is still very pleasant: especially for visitors from northern Europe. It may not be warm enough to swim in the sea, but it’s often still warm enough to spend a few hours reading on the beach (partially to fully clothed) or to go for a pleasant stroll along it.
Reasons to visit the Algarve in November
- A sleepy local vibe replaces the touristy hubbub of the summer months. The beaches and museums are peaceful, but you might still need to book a table at the more popular restaurants.
- Hotel prices drop, as do car rental prices. It’s a really good time to find cheap hotel accommodation, giving you a lot more money to spend on other things like eating out, tours and activities, and generally just treating yourself.
- The sun is shining but the temperature is cooler. November weather is absolutely ideal for a walking holiday or playing on the region’s championship golf courses.
- Algarve holidays in November offer the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, get a bit of vitamin D and pick up some cheap Port for Christmas.
For cheap hotels in the Algarve, booking.com is always a good place to look. For car rental, comparison sites like rentalcars.com are worth looking at.
What’s on in the Algarve in November?
Quite a few restaurants and bars, particularly on the coast, close from November to March. If there’s a restaurant or a bar you’ve got your heart set on visiting, check their Facebook page before going out of your way. That said, most places do stay open throughout the year. There are a few events to keep your eye out for, too.
November 1st, the day of Saints and Martyrs
While Halloween (October 31st) isn’t really a big part of Portuguese culture, Portugal has its own Halloween traditions. The biggest tradition, and the one you’re most likely to stumble across, is the annual cemetery cleaning that takes place on November 1st.
This is a big community event where everyone visits the local graveyard and spruces up their relatives’ resting places. If you’re passing by, it’s worth having a look inside to see this unique Portuguese tradition.
LUZA Festival, Loulé
Luza Festival invites artists from across Portugal and around the world to work with one raw material: light. It’s a very unique and very beautiful art festival, and it’s worth visiting to see all the different and creative ways that artists can work with light.
The event opens with a torchlight parade that anyone can take part in, before all of the exhibitions are opened up to the public. There are also classes and workshops for those interested in art, and in particular working with light.
LUZA Festival normally takes place at the start of November. For more information, dates, and times, visit luzafestival.com
Feira de São Martinho (St Martin’s Fair), Portimão
The ancient festival of São Martinho has been taking place since 1662: a real slice of Algarve culture. There are stalls, street food and carnival games to enjoy but the festival is mainly celebrated by eating roast chestnuts and drinking the first of the year’s wine (called a magusto). Quinta dos Vales, a vineyard on the Algarve, usually hosts a magusto that’s accompanied by live fado music.
If you can find a magusto happening near you, it’s worth attending. Portimão has its own fair, the Feira de São Martinho, which is very popular locally and is a good example of a Portuguese festival that most tourists never get to see.
Like any other fair, there are ferris wheels, dodgems, and other fairground rides as well as street food, and stalls selling a mixture of locally-made products and cheap clothing. This fair is very “local”, which may not be for everyone, but is a fun experience and a good option for people travelling with kids.
Dia do São Martinho always takes place on November 11th. This is the main day, but there are usually some celebrations in the week leading up to this day. The fair in Portimão takes place at the Fair and Exhibition Centre (Parque de Feiras e Exposições de Portimão, Caldeira do Moinho, 8500-726 Portimão).
Feira da Perdiz, Martim Longo
We know hunting isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s still a very popular pastime in the rural Algarve. The Feira da Perdiz (partridge festival) features displays by hunting dogs, horses and falcons. Visit for the live music, cooking demonstrations and hearty game dishes.
This event usually takes place in October or November. For more information and dates, visit the local council’s Facebook page.
Rota do Petisco, Algarve
The Rota do Petisco is a fantastic opportunities for foodies visiting the Algarve to sample a few different Portuguese petiscos as well as to discover some great bars and restaurants on the Algarve. It’s essentially a food festival where selected restaurants and bars across the Algarve each create one petisco (tapa) and you go from place-to-place trying them all.
This event normally starts in October, but continues until the start of November. For dates and information, visit rotadopetisco.com
Sweet Potato Festival, Aljezur
Choo-choo, all aboard the sweet potato train! This is probably the Western Algarve’s most famous festival, a huge celebration of the humble sweet potato (Batata Doce). It takes place slightly out of town, but you park your car and transportation is provided. The main draw is the food stalls which sell dishes made from sweet potatoes. There are often queues for the best stalls.
This event usually takes place at the end of November and often spills over into December as well. For more information, including dates, times, and location, visit the Município de Aljezur’s Facebook page.
And that’s not all. Check out the month-by-month guide to events on the Algarve for a complete guide to what’s happening.
Weather in the Algarve in November
Winter in the Algarve isn’t like winter in the north of Europe. The average daily high drops from 23°C in October to 19°C in November. Temperatures usually sit around 12°C-16°C. Weather-wise, this is one of the best parts of Portugal to visit in November along with Madeira and the Alentejo.
It’s more likely to rain in November, but blue skies and bright sunshine are still the norm. Days are warm. It’s definitely still shorts, T-shirts and flip-flop weather, but nights can get pretty chilly so pack a jumper and jeans for evenings on the terrace.
Have you visited the Algarve in November or coming into winter? What did you think? Was it warm enough for you? Did you find a good hotel deal? Share your thoughts and tips by leaving a comment below.
