The sunny shore of the Portuguese side of the Atlantic Ocean is an unexpected, but utterly lovely place to spend the winter season, especially if you are looking for a blessed warm corner where you can escape the cold and gloom of chilly, snowy winter days.

Here are therefore 5 Reasons to spend Christmas in Algarve.

Reason # 1: The weather is lovely in the Algarve, making its sandy whitewashed shores a perfect year-round destination. Even in winter, the weather is mild and sunny and temperatures rarely go below 10 degrees Celsius, with averages of around 16-18 degrees Celsius.

Reason # 2: You are setting yourself for a beautiful traditional Christmas. Like all Catholic countries, Portugal loves giving a laic and personal touch to all religious celebrations. Christmas is the most important celebration in Christianity, so all the elements that make the season bright and cosy will be present. Among others, don’t forget to ask for some “Bolo Rei”, the traditional, sweet Christmas Cake.

Reason # 3: The Portuguese are among the most welcoming people. Without being extremely open or imposing their style or presence on you as a tourist, the Portuguese are the perfect mixture of quiet kindness and hospitality. They will make you feel at home and want to return.

Reason # 4: The Algarve is an outstanding family destination. You can take your kid to the Marina in Faro or to Zoomarine in Albufeira and spend some family quality time there together.

Reason # 5: Algarve is a very accessible destination, particularly outside of the months of high season. You can find lodgings, Faro airport transfers and Lagos car hire options online for really low rates. Only one pro tip worth mentioning, though: it is best to book everything online as soon as possible, because availability is still limited, even in low season during Christmas time.