What to do in the Algarve when it Rains: The Ultimate Guide
The Algarve is best loved as a sunshine holiday heaven, perfect for long, lingering days on the beach, relaxation by the villa pool, sundowners on the apartment balcony and that salty, sunshine tingle on your skin. On average the Algarve enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year….. leaving about 60 days when the weather may be less than sunshine perfect. Summer rain in the Algarve doesn’t last too long, it’s usually a quick shower and then normal service is resumed. In Spring though the rain can last up to 24-48 hours, making the roads slippery and the tourists unhappy. So, what to do in the Algarve when it does rain? Here are some of our favourite wet weather days out in the Algarve. Have fun!
Escape the Room
Challenge yourself on puzzles and other logic games and try to escape the room, in only 60 minutes! This new game concept has recently arrived in the Algarve, with five escape rooms located in the region. Games are in English as well as Portuguese. If you intend to visit with children, we always recommend checking with the organization first. Definitely not recommended if you dislike closed spaces.
Where: Faro Escape Game
When: Rua da Cruz 13, Faro
Opening Hours: Every Day, 10am -10pm
Where: Start Escape Game
When: 31, R. Manuel Belmarço, 8000-410 Faro
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Friday, 6pm-1am; Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-1am
Where: Mission Masters Escape Rooms Albufeira
When: R. de Dunfermline Lote 80 A, 8200-391 Albufeira
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Thursday, 9am - 10pm; Tuesday, 4pm-10pm
Where: Escape One Algarve
When: Ed. Jardins da Rocha, Av. das Comunidades Lusíadas, 8500-801 Portimão
Opening Hours: Everyday, 10am-11pm
Where: Holy Trap - Escape Room Lagos
When: Rua Marechal Furtado | 36a, Lagos 8600-752, Portugal
Opening Hours: Everyday, 10.30am-8.30pm
Karting
Perfect for racers of all ages, karting is a good solution to transform a rainy day into a serious racing competition! There are two indoor karting circuits in the Algarve, one in Albufeira Marina and one in the Algarve Outlet Shopping Centre, in Olhão.
Where: Algarve Indoor Kart Center
When: Algarve Outlet, Olhão
Opening Hours: Thursday to Monday, afternoon only
Where: Algarve Indoor Kart Center
When: R. Vitoriano Rosa 43, 8700-223 Quelfes
Opening Hours: Thursday to Monday, afternoon only
Bowling
Open till late in the summer months, Hot Shot Bowling in Albufeira Marina is another fun indoor option that will make you forget the bad weather.
Where: Hot Shot Bowling
When: Passeio do Ouro, R. Marina de Albufeira 1B, Albufeira
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am-11pm
Visit a local market
Go down to the farmers' markets on Saturday morning to experience the freshest fish, vegetables and local products. Both these markets have a covered section, full of small stands and shops, that is totally accessible on a rainy day. The best way to mix among the locals and taste the great food heritage Portugal has to offer.
Where: Loulé and Olhão Markets
When: Saturdays, 8.00am - 1.00pm
Go to the shopping mall
This doesn't mean you must shop! Even though, let’s be honest, who can really resist an exciting shopping run? In the Algarve, shopping malls are filled with fun things to do besides buying: kids entertainment park and events, cinemas, fast food, cooking shows, gym sessions...Here are the closest malls to the Golden Triangle:
Mar Shopping Algarve
Newly built in 2018, it offers a wide selection of shops selling clothing and more. A food court is also present. Nearby, you will find as well Designer Outlet Algarve and Ikea. The shopping mall is also pet-friendly, making it suitable for the whole family
Where: Loulé
Quinta Shopping
A boutique mall where you will find the most recent collection of Portuguese and international fashion brands
Where: Quinta do Lago
Faro Forum Algarve
A partially open-air mall with a big selection of stores and restaurants. Many activities and entertainment are available all year long. Pets are welcome here too.
Where: Faro
Go to the (undubbed) Movies
You can find recent and spacious cinemas within Loulé and Faro shopping malls. Most of the movies are played in the original language, with subtitles, making it perfect for non-Portuguese speakers as well. Check when booking which version is showing, especially the kids’ or family movies.
Where: NOS Cinemas, Mar Shopping Algarve and Faro Forum Algarve
Go Cultural
Add a little culture to your holiday with a visit to a local art gallery or museum.
In Loulé, Art Catto has brought some impressive international names to the Algarve with some fabulous exhibitions, often in partnership with the Conrad Algarve.
The inland village of Paderne is home to the Corte Real Gallery and to the remains of a medieval castle, both well worth visiting.
In Vilamoura visit the Cerro da Vila museum with the remains of a Roman villa.
In the old town of Faro, visit the picturesque cathedral (Igreja da Sé) and the bizarre Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), where the bones of the long departed are displayed by the altar and decorate the walls. The Faro Municipal Museum is also definitely worth a visit, as they are the many small local galleries located in the area. Good for the kids to be entertained while learning science, the Algarve Live Science Center is perfect to spend time indoors with the little ones.
Soon to be opened at the beginning of 2020, Museum Zero near Tavira will be the first museum dedicated entirely to digital art in Europe, and a nice addition to the Algarve’s cultural scene.
Where: Art Catto
When: Avenida José da Costa Mealha Nr 43, R/c 8100 – 500 Loulé
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am - 6pm
Where: Corte Real Gallery
Opening Hours: Thursday,Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11am - 5pm
Where: Faro Municipal Museum
When: Largo D. Afonso III, 14, 8000-167 Faro
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am-5pm
Where: Algarve Live Science Center
When: R. Cmte. Francisco Manuel 41, 8000-250 Faro
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm
Walk to the beach
Yes, the beach is gorgeous on a sunny day. But there is also an elemental attraction to walking the beach on a stormy day, admiring the white tops rolling in and crashing on the beach. And, as all that sea air is bound to give you an appetite, finish your walk with a drink or meal at a cosy beachside restaurant and watch the clouds blow by. For some dramatic scenery and lots of fresh air, head to Sagres and walk the perimeter of the fort, at the western tip of the Algarve.
Eat, eat, and eat some more
Treat yourself to a lazy lunch at a chic eatery, watching the world go by and indulging in some of the great algarvian food that you can find here. Anything seafood is bound to be good – be adventurous and try something you wouldn’t have at home. And of course, wash it all down with some good Portuguese wine.
Check out some of our favourite restaurants here.
Wine Tasting
The Algarve is gaining a well-deserved reputation for producing excellent wines. Still a relatively young industry in this region of Portugal, some of the wines have already won international awards. You can visit most of the wineries in the region. Special mention for Sir Cliff Richard’s winery Adega do Cantor, near Albufeira and the winery and sculpture garden at Quinta dos Vales, near Lagoa. In Almancil town, Feira do Vinho is a very good off licence, stocking some excellent wines.
Where: Adega do Cantor
When: Quinta do Miradouro, Alamos, 8200-442 Albufeira
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm
Where: Quinta dos Vales
When: Sítio dos Vales, Caixa Postal 112, 8400-031 Estombar, Lagoa
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 6pm
Where: Feira do Vinho
When: Rua da República,139, Almancil
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am - 7pm; Saturday 10am -1pm
Pamper yourself
There are several excellent and luxurious spas in the Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago area for some top-notch pampering. Conrad Algarve offers great Aromatherapy Facials, Oxygen Therapy and much more. Vale do Lobo Royal Spa offers great pampering is beautiful surroundings. Serenity Spa, in Albufeira, has been nominated Europe’s best Wellness Spa in 2018. Opt for wellness treatments and beauty treatments, alone or with friends.
Where: Vale do Lobo Royal Spa
When: Parque do Golfe, Vale do Lobo
Opening Hours: (Winter): Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 8pm; Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 10am - 6pm; (Summer): Monday - Friday, 10am - 7pm; Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 10am - 7pm
Where: Conrad Algarve Spa
When: Conrad Hotel, Quinta do Lago
Opening Hours: Everyday, 8am - 8pm; July and August, 8am - 9pm
Where: Serenity Spa
When: Urbanização Pinhal do Concelho, 8200-912 Albufeira
Opening Hours: Everyday, 10am - 9pm
Hit the Gym
A rainy day is the perfect time to train in-door and stay in shape.Many gym and fitness centres offer a daily pass, which is perfect if you are on holidays.From personal training to indoor cycling, fitness and yoga classes, the Golden Triangle area, in particular, has many activities to choose from.
Where: Vale do Lobo Fitness Center
When: Parque do Golfe, Vale do Lobo
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 7.30am - 8pm; Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays | 8am - 5pm.
Where: The Campus
When: Av. Ayrton Senna da Silva, Quinta do Lago
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm; Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 8am - 10pm.
