Trip to Portugal January 2023

[mariesnowgoose]

Thinking of flying out to Portugal in January for 2-3 weeks and hiring a camper for the duration. Looking to have a good explore around away from the tourist beaches, more inland to the mountains and planning to get up to have a look-see at Lisbon, Porto etc.

Just starting to investigate the practicalities, costs etc. as of today.

There are some reasonably priced return flights to Faro currently available via our local airport (Newcastle upon Tyne), so no probs on that front.

So far I've only looked at the first camper van hire website that's popped up on Google, the Indie Campers website. They seem to be fairly well established and you can pick up/drop off at different locations. We're looking at Faro as a start and end point, purely because it ties in with easier air flights for us.

Anybody out there who has done something similar who might have some helpful tips and advice? Never done a trip like this before, although I have past experience of driving in Europe so not bothered on the driving front.

Any helpful comments from experienced Portuguese travellers gratefully received!

 

[trevskoda]

Apart from your arms aching from the flying & the possibility of being captured by Paul/genny who will melt you down for fat to keep their oil lamps burning over winter then all will be well.

 

[Wooie1958]

Message Pauljenny.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Message Pauljenny.

Don't have any specific questions for them or anyone else at the moment, Graham.

Paul might make any useful suggestions in here if he feels the need?

 

[Pauljenny]

Well respected.
Heard nothing detrimental .
Real VW nut.
You can trundle down the hill and spend your first night on our guest pitch.. If it's vacant.
Loads of aires and info available.

 

[Pauljenny]

January...oop North..
Have a look at the climatic averages.
Porto and The Douro are pretty exposed. I believe it snows up there, in the highlands.. Save them for the Spring/ early Summer.
Very ambitious of you, me thinks.
Especially as you're flying in..
You'll need winter clothes.
There's plenty of interesting places tucked away in the Alentejo..

 

[jagmanx]

From my investigations...
Hire campers have minimal facilities.
Blankets sheets cooking equipment outside chairs etc.
We hire a hovel fpr 1 week over the mew year.
It was F Freezing. That was the Algarve so further north in the Hills = F F Freezing.
Might need "Thermal Paul Jennys"

 

[Pauljenny]

From my investigations...
Hire campers have minimal facilities.
Blankets sheets cooking equipment outside chairs etc.
We hire a hovel fpr 1 week over the mew year.
It was F Freezing. That was the Algarve so further north in the Hills = F F Freezing.
Might need "Thermal Paul Jennys"

Very true, Phil.
Hire vans are mainly designed for summer use, when it's hot even in the highest and windiest of the north.
Mind you.. Remember where Marie lives...? They consider the Geordies to be soft, pampered wimps.
She'll be packing just a bikini and sun cream.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

There's sweet peas still flowering in my garden here in November!

I know it's cold inland, but I don't think Portugal in January will compare to anything like the North East of England.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you go right up into the highest mountains in the centre and the North I don't think they do much actual 'frost'? And if they do it doesn't last for long?

A long time ago I remember swimming in the sea in southern Cyprus in the morning (yes, it was cool-ish in the water) and having a snowball fight and building snowmen high up in the Troodos mountains on the same day in the afternoon. That was in January too, and, yes, I know that Cyprus is the western Med and not Portugal facing the Atlantic so the temperatures will be cooler in Portugal.

Don't worry I'll be packing thermals etc! This is as much an exploration of Portugal as well as as a holiday for us. We're definitely not wanting to sit on a beach all day in the heat doing nothing and getting p*ssed.

 

[Tezza33]

We're definitely not wanting to sit on a beach all day in the heat doing nothing and getting p*ssed.

That's my suggestion scrapped then

 

[witzend]

Don't forget it'll still be January dark long nites we've spent several winters in Portugal look at carhire from Faro A/P and apartment hire theres loads vacant in Jan probaly be cheaper to

 

[Pauljenny]

There's sweet peas still flowering in my garden here in November!

I know it's cold inland, but I don't think Portugal in January will compare to anything like the North East of England.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you go right up into the highest mountains in the centre and the North I don't think they do much actual 'frost'? And if they do it doesn't last for long?

A long time ago I remember swimming in the sea in southern Cyprus in the morning (yes, it was cool-ish in the water) and having a snowball fight and building snowmen high up in the Troodos mountains on the same day in the afternoon. That was in January too, and, yes, I know that Cyprus is the western Med and not Portugal facing the Atlantic so the temperatures will be cooler in Portugal.

Don't worry I'll be packing thermals etc! This is as much an exploration of Portugal as well as as a holiday for us. We're definitely not wanting to sit on a beach all day in the heat doing nothing and getting p*ssed. our

January is quite reasonable down here.
Once the sun has got up.
You can expect 18 degrees out of the wind.
By 4pm it gets noticeably colder and our heating kicks in.
Then it's cold until mid morning the next day. Porto is on the coast and gets some warmth from the sea.

 

[trevskoda]

.
She'll be packing just a bikini and sun cream.

Would not mind seeing that.

 

[Moonraker 2]

I would not recommend going inland towards the mountains. I once crossed the border from Spain, about halfway down, and headed north. Fog and sleet, freezing cold. Bad idea. It was probably mid February.
Following year i crossed at Castelo Branco ( it's about half way) and headed south to the Lighthouse on the tip. Different story. Weather fine and amazing Atlantic coast. I think it was about the same time, the mimosa was out.
I was not enamoured by the algarve particularly but there was some nice coast and pretty towns. I crossed back into Spain ( which I love)

 

[rugbyken]

wully was looking at something similar last year marie might be worth an ask i don’t know just how far he got though

 

[Topmast]

Hi.
If you think of heading to central Portugal in January bring plenty of warm clothing it can often have frost until late morning and be dark and cold by late afternoon.Having lived here for the last twelve years I am glad I kept my sheepskin. Having said that this year we already have snowdrops coming up!.

 

[n brown]

if you don't know the Algarve i'd say you could keep yourself occupied for a couple of weeks or so , and the weather owes more to Morocco than Europe .

 

[rabW]

We're at a west coast campsite near Sines for Xmas Mairi, a big change from the Highlands. Daytime sunshine, Atlantic breeze, cold at night sure but looking forward to some walking/cycling.
I'll drop you a pm later in Dec. Rab

 

[Pauljenny]

We're at a west coast campsite near Sines for Xmas Mairi, a big change from the Highlands. Daytime sunshine, Atlantic breeze, cold at night sure but looking forward to some walking/cycling.
I'll drop you a pm later in Dec. Rab

Lagoas de Sao André?
Interesting beach, but can be a bit draughty . If you can be there when they open up the lagoons, to flood them at very high tide.
Sines.. Oil & gas port. Lots of industry.
Busy working town, these days.
Alcaçer do Sal is a nice place to visit.

 

[trevskoda]

Cheaper to just buy a sun bed.