Winter camping in Portugal

Nina

Ocean Camper CEO

Index

Weather
Clothes to use for winter
Activities to do during winter

Winter camping in Portugal

Winter camping in Portugal has many advantages, such as low prices for all the tourism activities, deserted beaches and not crowded restaurants. Many of our winter guests ask us: How cold it is when camping during winter in Portugal? What activities to do?

Here we will tell you some suggestions and the naked truth, let´s go 😉

Weather

More pleasant weather is in the south of Portugal, Algarve. Here we have an average of 300 days of sun per year, warmer temperatures and less probability of rain. As north you go, the cooler it is. As well, the inland region tends to be cooler than the area near the ocean.

During the year in Algarve, water temperatures range between 16°C and 24°C, reaching the minimum in March. This makes the region a paradise for surfing (see here beaches for surf) or a quick bath during the hottest hours in the winter.

Tip: during the winter and sunny day, you can go to a beach that is sheltered by the cliffs from the wind, and there you will be able to go for a bath in the ocean and enjoy the sun with a bikini. Some sheltered tiny beaches:

Praia da Vigia, Albufeira, map here
Praia da Fontainhas, Carvoeiro, map here
Praia do Barranquinho, Carvoeiro, map here
Praia do Carvalho, Carvoeiro, map here
Praia do Submarino, Alvor, map here
Praia do Camilo, Lagos, map here

Clothes to use during winter camping in Portugal

During the evening, for sitting outdoor use: warm jacket, warm trousers or 2 layers of sportive trousers, winter socks.
During the day: may have a luck be in t-shirt or even take a swim in the ocean and get a sunburn.

Activities to do during winter

Surf: Algarve and West Coast host perfect conditions for surfing during the winter with its warm water and sunny weather, for both professionals and beginner surfers. See here our list of beaches for surfing. You can rent with us surf equipment during the check-in.
Hiking: There are plenty of beautiful hiking trains along the coast, with stunning views, landscapes, inaccessible beaches, and caves. Tips: famous walking trail “7 hanging valleys trail” in Lagoa and see here other interesting trails on the West Coast.
Boat tours: dolphin watching, birth watching, tour along the coast to see caves. Search for it on TripAdvisor or Airbnb experience.
Wine tasting: tours in the wine cellar with vine testing. Our choice:
- Quinta da Tôr, near Faro, map here;
- Quinta do Canhoto, near Albufeira, map here;
- See other options e.g. in TripAdvisor here.
Driving from the beach to the beach
Try local food, enjoy it in restaurants or cook it by yourself. Our campervans have everything necessary for cooking, frying and even a BBQ. Try local shrimps, fish, octopus and sea products. (see here a list of traditional Portuguese dishes).
Visit our traditional local markets for fruits, vegetables and fresh fish. Famous local markets:
- Olhão: opened all days from 7h-13h, map here;
- Loulé: opened all days from 7h-13h, map here;
- Faro: opened all days from 7h-13h, map here;
- Faro fruit market Sunday morning 08h00-13h00, map here;
- Find more markets in other towns by searching “mercado municipal” on google maps.
Reading, listening your favourite content, practising yoga, drawing.
Visiting interesting places, castles and monuments of Portugal.

If you have any additional tips or experiences about winter camping in Portugal, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to drop us a message and share your insights. Ready to plan your next adventure? Choose and book your campervan with us at unbeatable low costs—your winter getaway awaits here.