7 Luxurious Reasons To Visit Carvoeiro For Less in the Winter
7 Luxurious Reasons To Visit Carvoeiro For Less in the Winter
Because Carvoeiro is far more than just a Summer destination in the Algarve
The Algarve is known for being a hotspot for summer holidays, however coming to the region in the low season can offer travellers a completely different experience.
Carvoeiro may be popular with tourists but what makes it so special is that it is a living and working community. This means that when the bulk of the visitors leave after the summer, the town does not simply “shut down” or close up for the autumn and winter months. Instead you will find that if you visit between November and March, you will be able to enjoy a completely different side to Carvoeiro that is usually only reserved for the locals!
The major bonus for coming to Carvoeiro out of season is that you are able to make huge savings on flights, car hire (starting at just 35 euro / week) and accommodation, allowing you to enjoy the more luxurious elements of Carvoeiro and the Algarve for less.
If you are still undecided about whether or not you should visit Carvoeiro in the low season, then read through our guide to 7 Luxurious Reasons To Visit Carvoeiro For Less in the Winter.
1. You will have the place to yourself
Well, not exactly to yourself but if you have only ever visited in the summer months then you will be pleasantly pleased to find there are a lot less people in Carvoeiro in the winter! There are still plenty of restaurants and bars open to enjoy, except you won’t be fighting for a space at the bar and usually you won’t even have to make a reservation for dinner in your favourite Carvoeiro restaurant!
Because the local businesses are generally less busy than in the summer you will feel like you are getting a more personalised service, as the staff will be able to spend more time with you, so if you would like to know more about the local wines in a restaurant, are looking for a very special cocktail in a bar or simply would like to find out more about the local area you will find yourself receiving a concierge service basically for free.
If you hire a car for your winter break in Carvoeiro then you will also benefit from being able to park easily and the paid parking even disappears at this time of the year, cutting the cost of your time in the town, which will leave you with more in your wallet to enjoy the finer things the local area has to offer.
The Algarve is also an ideal destination for those wanting to get away from it all for Christmas and New Year. Instead of paying huge prices to stay in a hotel or enjoy a special meal out during the festive period, you will find that many of the hotels and restaurants offer exceptional packages for this special time of the year.
If you prefer to keep your Christmas and New Year low key then you can avoid the crowds when you go shopping over here and relax enjoying a simpler and less stressful time in Carvoeiro, where Christmas is still a time for family and friends and less about flashing lights and glitz - although you can still find this in the Algarve if that is what you want!
2. Treat yourself for less
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During the summer months the prices for accommodation are at their highest due to demand but if you choose to come away to Carvoeiro in the winter you will be able to take advantage of the best hotel and villa rental prices around. Why not treat yourself with the money you have saved by booking in to one of the top hotels and resorts in the local area? You can stay in the luxurious and newly refurbished Tivoli Carvoeiro in one of their deluxe rooms from around €100 a night during the winter, or alternatively you could check in to the five star Vale d’Oliveiras resort near to the Pestana golf courses for around €80 per night and enjoy all the resort facilities in the winter sunshine. |
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3. Explore the Algarve
The traffic in the Algarve during the summer is legendary, and mainly for all the wrong reasons, however in the winter you will find the roads quiet and calm and you will rarely have an issue with parking, even in the most popular locations and at the busiest beaches.
Why not add some extra fun to your Carvoeiro car hire experience and treat yourself to a convertible like the beautiful Fiat Spider (Group S at algarvedriver.com ), which costs as little as €250 a week to hire between 1st November and 31st March?
With more than 300 days of sunshine every year in the Algarve there is no reason not to take the top down on your Algarve hire car while you are here in the winter months and hiring something a bit special will only add to an overall luxurious Carvoeiro winter break.
If you are not keen on the idea of the wind in your hair as you explore the Algarve by car then there are plenty of other car hire options available and because it is the winter, you will be paying less – so why not upgrade and travel in style?
4. Discover the natural beauty of the area
When the sun is shining and the temperatures are high during July and August, the last thing most people want to do is go on a nature walk or hike – this all changes in the winter though!
The cliffs in the Carvoeiro area are incredibly beautiful and you can walk along the seven hanging valleys to take in the views, the flora, the fauna and some impressive birdlife along the way. This is a fantastic way to discover the natural beauty of the local area and you can choose as far you go along the walk and how many of the beaches (some of them which will basically only have you on them in the winter) you want to visit along the way.
Some of the most popular beaches in the Algarve are in the Carvoeiro area, including the award winning Marinha beach and Benagil beach with its famous cave. The winter is the perfect time to be able to enjoy these hotspots without the crowds and to be able to observe the amazing beauty of these areas – and it is not uncommon to be able to fit in a bit of sunbathing as temperatures often tip the 20ºc mark between November and March.
5. Enjoy the very best in wine
Over the years the reputation of Algarve wines has grown and the winter months are a great time to go and visit some of the local wineries to sample just what is on offer.
The closest winery to Carvoeiro is Quinta dos Vales in Estombar and it is open throughout the year for wine tours and even solo tastings which can be arranged before you even arrive in the Algarve. This winery also offers beautiful gardens to explore and sculptures dotted around the place which are open to the public to enjoy.
If you are happy to travel a little further, or have hired a car then you could head off to the Adega do Cantor winery located just behind Algarve shopping near Guia. This winery is most famous for being linked to Sir Cliff Richard, who has been spotted around the place very frequently, however the wine itself is also very good without bumping into the star! Guided tours of the boutique winery are available throughout the winter months and this is a fantastic day out for fans of wine or Sir Cliff!
6. Michelin Star Food
There are around 300 restaurants in and around the local area of Carvoeiro and the town is generally known for its very high quality of food served – whether it is traditional Portuguese cuisines, Chinese, Indian, Italian and everything in between!
If you have managed to save some money by visiting Carvoeiro in the winter months, then it is worth considering splashing out on one of the local Michelin star offerings in the area. Did you know that we have our very own Michelin Star restaurant right here in Sesmarias, up the hill towards the Pestana golf courses in Carvoeiro?
The Bon Bon is only a short taxi drive away from the centre of town and young chef Rui Silvestre (who was 2012 Portugal Chef of the Year) is at the head of the kitchen here.
Just down the road in Porches we have the two star restaurant of Ocean, located within the Vila Vita resort. You don’t have to stay in the resort to be able to get a table at this famous restaurant, just give them a call to book a table and don’t be put off by the big gates at the entrance – the security guard is always happy to open them for you!
There are many other Michelin star restaurants in the Algarve but the final one that is closest to Carvoeiro is located in the Boa Vista hotel in Praia da Rocha. It is worth going here just for a look at the beautiful renovated hotel as much as for the delicious food cooked up by head chef João Oliveira!
7. Luxurious activities for less
Whatever the weather there are always lots of luxurious activities to enjoy in the Algarve and Carvoeiro area in the winter.
If you are looking to relax and be pampered then a good bet is to head to one of the top spas in the local area and you are spoilt for choice around Carvoeiro. One of the best has to be the spa at the newly refurbished Tivoli hotel in Carvoeiro where you can experience a blend of holistic healing combined with time honoured techniques in the plush surroundings. Here you also have an indoor swimming pool if you fancy a dip but don’t want to brave the sea and they also use top quality products the ultimate luxury experience.
Over towards Albandeira beach we have the beautiful Suites Alba resort which also has an excellent spa with a wide range of facilities in this wonderful location or alternatively you could visit the Vale d’Oliveiras Spa within the resort which also has an excellent gym if you would like to boost your fitness while on your Carvoeiro holiday, either before or after some wellness and beauty treatments in their spa.
For those who would rather enjoy a luxury experience in the great outdoors then golf is always a great option in the Algarve and Carvoeiro is home to the Pestana courses of Gramacho and Pinta and also the Vale do Milho 9 hole course. The Pestana courses are truly beautiful and you will find the clubhouses a great place to sit and relax with food and drink after a round. Those who are less confident with their golf or would rather brush up on their short game will enjoy the Vale do Milho golf course located near to Rocha Brava on the outskirts of Carvoeiro – though less glamourous, there is no denying the charm of this smaller course and the warm welcome you will receive from the members who are all around during the winter months.
Choosing a holiday to Carvoeiro in the winter has to be the perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy the finer things in life but at a fraction of the cost you would expect to pay during the summer months. If you book in advance you are sure to find great deals on everything from your flights, to deluxe accommodation, golf rounds and fantastic car hire.
See all the best prices and deals from Algarve Driver and book your Carvoeiro winter car hire today for a holiday to remember in the Algarve winter sunshine.