Christmas and New Year in the Algarve

Spending Christmas and the New Year in the Algarve is a great way to enjoy the festive season. More and more people choose to spend Christmas away from home. Some want to avoid the fuss, others are looking for a different Christmas experience. The Algarve is an ideal destination as it caters to both traditional and alternative tastes

If you are travelling over Christmas and New Year period, it helps to have your break planned out before you leave home. Book your Algarve airport transfer in advance along with your flights into Faro airport. Research the packages and offers that many hotels run at this time of year and research restaurant, party and entertainment options. For the most up to date information check out our Events calendar and find out whats on where in the Algarve.

There are parties galore along the Algarve during this festive season, particularly for New Years Eve & live music concerts, fireworks and gourmet programmes from Monte Gordo, and Tavira, at Quarteira, Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago, at Faro, Albufeira , Portimão and all the way to Lagos and Sagres. Public street parties abound, with street animation leading up to midnight, fantastic fireworks displays at midnight and then party music into the early hours of the new year.

Here are some suggestions for some great Christmas and New Years Eve dining and hotel packages. Reservations are essential:

The luxurious Martinhal Resort in Sagres, Western Algarve will welcome you with the best of Portuguese hospitality! There are Christmas and New Year programmes available including Gala Dinners. And the Martinhal Village has some fantastic activities to keep all the family entertained. There is ice skating, yoga, wine tasting, storytelling, a Christmas Market, live music, a childrens choir, and of course, a visit by Santa!

Quinta Bonita luxury boutique hotel, near Lagos and Praia da Luz has a very attractive special offer for the New Year. Stay between 27 December, 2010 and 3 January, 2011 and receive a 10% discount off published rates plus a complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival.

Monte Santo enjoy a short break at this luxurious suite resort with a special Christmas Eve dinner , live entertainment at lunch and complementary access to the Health Club. For New Years Eve, enjoy a welcome cocktail, a wonderful Gala Dinner and entertainment and a New Year Day Brunch.

The Holiday Inn Algarve has great Christmas and New Year packages including Gala dinners, party games, live music evenings, a Boxing Day Treasure Hunt and a New Years day swim.

The Hilton Vilamoura has a Christmas and New Years programme that will appeal to all the family. Gala meals, live entertainment, access to the Seven Spa, Kids Club for the children and more...

The lovely Rio Arade Manor House near Portimào and Carvoeiro has a fantastic offer for the New Year – 3 nights bed and breakfast and a complementary bottle of wine for just €99 p.p.s.

Ababuja in Alvor, never lets a festive occasion go by uncelebrated. You are guaranteed excellent food and great fun on New Years Eve.

At Salsada do Zé, right on the beach at Praia da Rocha. There is a very reasonably priced special menu for New Years Eve including wine for €50 per person. And you get great views of the fireworks! Salsada is also a brilliant option for Christmas parties with work colleagues or friends. Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.

A Vela in Carvoeiro has Live music and a special menu for New Years Eve. A three course meal, wine and champagne and some great music.

For some real Algarve food, head to Jardim das Oliveiras in Monchique. Open for lunch on the 24th and 25th of December, and for lunch and dinner on the 31st of Dec and the 1st of January, the food here is hearty and delicious.

Buzio bring in the New Year in Style at Buzio restaurant. There is a fantastic menu on offer, with the guarantee of quality that Buzio is famous for. And if you looking for a venue for your business Christmas dinner Buzio has a selection of menus that combine value and quality.

Bring in the New Year with elegance and style at Belmondo, in Porches. The programme includes a creative menu, live music, champagne and the hospitality the Belmodo is famous for.

In Almancil, and serving Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago Vaults offers an excellent traditional carvery for Christmas. This is such a popular option that early bookings are essential. The a la Carte menu is available for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Vaults is also a great option for work parties with a choice of menus for different groups.

At Pimenta Preta you can count on exceptional food and service all year round. During this festive season enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner menu and a fantastic New Years Eve Party menu.

Fuzio's Restaurant in Almancil, open from the 26th December, Jose and Jane have a special menu for New Years Eve. Enjoy the fantastic food and their wonderful hospitality.

Bistro des Z'Artes has gourmet menus in a relaxed bistro ambience for both Christmas and New Year. Chef Jonnie Pratt will tickle your taste buds with his good mood food.. Pre-booking essential. Christmas Lunch is served from 14:00 hrs – last orders at 16:00 hrs. For New Years Eve the party kicks off at 19:00 hrs.

A Ver Tavira is without doubt one of the finest restaurants in the Eastern Algarve. Not only is the food fantastic, the setting is superb too, as the restaurants overlooks the historic town of Tavira. During the festive period A Ver Tavira has a range of menus for groups as well as the regular á la carte options.

The Sheraton brand is synonomous with style and elegance and they have a Christmas and New Year programme to match. Enjoy private fine dining, relaxed family dining or gourmet gala evenings within the luxury hotel. Bring in the New Year at the Morrocan themed New Years Eve Party.

Club Nau is famous for great food, great music and excellent parties. Join them on New Years Eve for a fabulous evening of food and fun.
The fantastic 5 course meal includes wines, champagne at midnight and an open bar until midnight.
The entertainment is by Accrinton Stanley - the Beatles tribute band, and DJ Miguel.
Advance reservations are essential.

Memmo Baleeira in Sagres is a superb design hotel, and offers great Christmas and New Year packages. Not only do you get to enjoy the hotel and all its facilities, you get to discover Sagres, with its pristine beaches, amazing coastline, and historical sites.