Known for its 300 of sunlight, the Algarve is a great spot for summer holidays. But when the sun is not shining, it is also the perfect opportunity to discover Algarve’s indoors attractions. We leave you with a list of the top things to do when it’s raining in the Algarve. Come along!
Spin the wheel in the casinos
Although gambling is illegal in Portugal, you can still play the lottery and in the casinos! There has been a long history of casinos in the Algarve which were built exclusively for the wealthy guests during summer.
There are three casinos around this region: Hotel Algarve Casino in Praia da Rocha, Casino Vilamoura and Casino Monte Gordo in the east of the Algarve.
These casinos are open from 3pm or 4pm to the public and offer a choice of gambling tables, gaming rooms and also gala rooms to enjoy a meal, events and dance shows.
In addition to all the games, they also include roulette, crapps, fruit machines and poker.
Shopping malls
With the Algarve and Portimão becoming more and more popular thanks to the opening of Aqua Shopping, there’s also been other shopping centres and retail parks arising.
Next to Aqua shopping in Portimão there is the Portimão retail park with clothes shops, outlets as well as household goods.
Albufeira is the home to another large concentration of shopping centres and just down the road from Zoomarine you can find Algarve Shopping with a large food court and many big name shops. Over the road there is a retail park with a Nike factory store and British supermarket Iceland.
In Faro you can find the Forum Algarve shopping centre, which in the winter has a skating rink; as you head further east you will find Ria Shopping in Olhão and the Gran Plaza in Tavira with its astounding views across the salt flats.
The newest centre is Mar Shopping located in between Loulé and Faro, and has 3 different parts: a huge Ikea, an indoor shopping centre and a design outlet with tempting discounts of up to 70%.
City centers across the Algarve have excellent boutiques and other shops but if you're looking for a one-stop shop then take a ride with us to a shopping center in the Algarve!
Wine tasting
The Algarve has several wine tours for wine enthusiasts. The region’s wines offer a high standard quality, having been nationally and internationally acclaimed.
If you’re also interested in art, visit Quinta dos Vales, with more than 15 different grape varieties and 100.000 litres of wine per year!
For the ones keen on organic wines, Monte da Casteleja is a must-visit vineyard, where feet treading is also still done at the yearly harvest.
Straight behind Algarve Shopping, you can visit Adega do Cantor that attracts about 17.000 visitors and produces around 125.000 bottles a year.
Serra de Monchique
Monchique is the ideal destination for holidays in nature. This beautiful town and surrounding area is one of the Algarve's most peaceful places. The mountains offer amazing views of the countryside and the area is great for people who love walking in nature. Want to relax as much as possible during your holiday? In Monchique, you will find a unique blend of well-being, art, craftsmanship and nature.
