Rain in the Algarve?
The Algarve is a very popular holiday destination in Europe. Why? The Algarve is renowned for best beaches of Europe, best Golf courses, nice people, good food, and very affordable plus very safe! But very/most important: an average of 300 days of sunshine per year! This means an average of 65 days of rain per year! Rain in the Algarve…..
So IF you are in the Algarve and the sun is not shining, what can you do on a rainy day in the Algarve???? We like to share with you 10 things to do when it rain in the Algarve. (source : free magazine Tomorrow).
Cinema
Watch a film when there is rain in the Algarve:
The Algarve has 3 large mulitplex cinemas where you can watch the latest movies, most spoken in original languages and subtitled in Portugues. There is one in Portimao Cineplace and Algarcine., Cineplace at Algarve shopping in Guia, or Cinema NOS at the Forum Algarve in Faro. Look for VO after the film’s title , this means it is the orignal version. VP means it is dubbed in Portuguese.
Museum
There are several museums in the Algarve to attend on a rainy day in the Algarve. Discover more about the region’s history, from the Moors to the Romans and beyond, with a visit to Museu Arqueologia in Silves. Located by the walls of the castle, this is a great place to find out more about this ancient city.
Museu de Portimao details the long history of the sardine industry in the Algarve, alongside chaging temporary exhibit.
Centro Ciencia Viva do Algarve in Faro is located in an old electricity building near to Faro cathedral.
Wine tasting
Forget the grey skies outside, during a glas of wine and a wine tasting session. One of the best-known wineries in the Algarve is Adega do Cantor in Guia. Part-owned by Sir Cliff Richard, you can escape from the rainy day in the Algarve, in the cellars while you learn more the wine.
Quinta dos Vales winery between Portimao and Lagoa is another winery to visit and taste their award-winning wines for another day to remember when there is rain in the Algarve.
Shop till you drop
Not a bad option on a rainy day in the Algarve. Portimao has an enormous shopping centre, called Agua Shopping, home to the biggest branches of Primak and H&M and many other nice shops, plus large food and beverage department.
Also Algarve shopping in Guia, where you find a large branch of stylish Spanish brand Zara, also large food court and many other big-name shops. Plus cinema, maybe a nice combination! Close by this Algarve Shopping centre is a Nike Factory Superstore, Makro, Lerou Merlin and Sports Direct.
Faro has Forum Algarve (also with cinemas) and many, many nice shops. So pick your shopping centre in the Algarve when there is rain in the Algarve!
Beach bar
Watch the dramatic Atlantic waves crash onto the beach from the safety and warmth of a good beach bar on a rainy day in the Algarve. Try Club Nau at Praia Grande near Ferragudo, with live bands playing every Sunday afternoon, but any other day is good too, as they serve nice meals and good drinks!
A little further along the coast is Rei das Praias Restaurant at Caneiros beach, a favourite with Jose Mourinho and other celebs. Another special spot is Arte Nautica at Armacao de Pera, run by five start resort Vila Vita, and serves amaring seafood.
Gamble
There are three Casinos in the Algarve; the Hotel Algarve Casino in Praia da Rocha, Casino Vilamoura, and Casino Monte Gordo in the eastern Algarve. They are open to all and offer a choice of gambling tables, games rooms with machines and gala rooms where you can enjoy a meal and a show throughout the year, but maybe a nice option when there is rain in the Algarve.
Culture
Visit an art gallery on a rainy day in the Algarve. Located in the old winery in Lagoa, Galeria de Arte, has a large collection of affordable works. Corte Real gallery in Paderne, close to Albufeira, is one of the most beautiful and idyllic places in the Algarve to pick up one-offs and objets d’art.
Try a live music or dance performance at one of the region’s auditoriums. Venues such as Portimao Arena, the Centro de Congressos do Arade in Parchal (Ferragodo), Lagoa auditorium and Teatro das Figuras in Faro, and O Tempo Theater in Portimao, all have a regularprogramme of events throughout the year at reasonable prices.
Spa
Relax and unwind with a spa day. Most of the luxurious spas of five star resorts and hotels in the Algarve have their own spa and welcome non-guests. They offer special deals in the winter months. Try Spa by L’Occitane at Bela Vista in Praia da Rocha, which has the exclusive use of the French brand in Portugal. Or escape to the Monchique Mountains where you find Macdonald Monchique’s Sensorial Spa or the hydrothereapy spa at Villa termal in Caldas de Monchique.
Train journey
Embrace the spirit of adventure by taking the train at a rainy day in the Algarve. The regional line in the Algarve runs from Lagos in the west to Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the Spanish border. Check the timetable at cp.pt, as they do not run as often you might used too. A great experience when there is rain in the Algarve!
Get crafty
Take insiration from the wealth of artists in the Algarve by spending a rainy day in the Algarve and getting crafty. Art supplies are sold in all large supermarkets, with good quality products available at resonable prices. At the Porches Pottery you can observe the experts at work, items are hand-painted, ready to be sold in the on-site shop.
This article about things to do when there is rain in the Algarve, is brought to you by Algarve Housing, the Algarve renting agency. Make sure you have a good and nice villa in the Algarve, and we would love to assist you!
Contact us for more information,
warm regards,
Michele