What's the Weather like in Faro in December
Temperature
With December comes winter and the cooler, yet mild Mediterranean climate that Faro, Portugal experiences. December is the wettest month of the year, has the most rainfall, and the least sunshine.
The temperature averages 14°C (56°F) for December, which is a drop from 16°C (60°F). Average highs reach 17°C (63°F), which are most common at the beginning of the month until December 11th. Average lows fall to 10°C (50°F), these lows are also most common at the beginning of the month until December 11th. Average lows are more likely to fall lower after December 11th. December sees gradually falling daily highs with only one day in ten going above 19°C (67°F) or below 14°C (58°F). Daily lows fall below 5°C (41°F) or go above 14°C (57°F) one day in ten.
Rain
The average rainfall for December is 100mm, tied with November for the most rainfall of the year. On average this equals 12 days of rainfall for the month. The chance for rain stays steady at 36% throughout the month. Moderate rain is most common and more likely to occur at the end of the month. Light rain and thunderstorms are less common and more likely to occur at the beginning of the month.
Humidity
The average humidity for December is the highest for the year at 85%.
Sunshine Hours
The average sunshine hours falls to the lowest of the year, tied with January, at 5. The average sunshine hours stays constant throughout the month.
Average Sea Temperature
The average sea temperature falls to the second lowest of the year at 18°C (64°F).
Faro Hotels in December
Blue & Green The Lake Spa Resort provides 5 star accommodation in Vilamoura. Everything you could ever want from a resort stay is provided at The Lake. This resort has 192 rooms including 9 suites and 95 luxury apartments. Every room has its own balcony with a view of either the gardens, private lake, or Falesia beach. There are three restaurants, two bars, and the signature Blue&Green Spa. Some other notable amenities include the Koala Kids Club and a pool with a natural sand bottom.
A great budget option is the 2 star Lagosmar Hotel in Lagos. This hotel has a great staff with breakfast included. The 45 rooms are clean and comfortable and include a hair dryer, air conditioning, satellite TV, safety deposit box, and free Wi-Fi. The location can't be beat with the beach within walking distance (10 minutes).
Faro Beach for December
Head to Praia do Burgau - a small but gorgeous beach located in Burgau. Surrounded by hills and cliffs, the north wind is blocked from reaching the beach providing for a more comfortable visit. Absolutely packed with people in the summer time, visiting in December will ensure you have the beach to yourself. If your plan is to relax on the golden sand, be sure to check the high tide schedule. During high tide it is quite common for this small beach to be completely covered. If high tide is the case, be sure to relax in one of the many restaurants and watch the waves roll in and perhaps the fishing boats that return to the beach.
Bars and Restaurants
Pig & Whistle, located in Almancil, provides a contemporary, cosy atmosphere in an unpretentious way. Don't be fooled by the rustic exterior as this is a great place for all situations and families are more than welcome. The Irish chef serves up Portuguese cuisine and the staff is both attentive and friendly. Some recommended items are the goat cheese starter, a cod main, and the crème brulee for dessert.
If you are looking for a sweet treat or just looking for a place to relax and enjoy a coffee, head over to Best Waffles. Located in Quarteira, this friendly café serves several variations of waffles such as a Nutella and banana version. You can also stop here for apple pie, all kinds of ice cream, and a variety of drinks such as smoothies, freshly-squeezed orange juice and sangria. The staff is friendly and the food is reasonably priced. Those with a sweet tooth will be in paradise.
Things to do in Faro in December
Take advantage of off-season rates and golf at one of the many courses in the Algarve region. One great course is the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course which was Arnold Palmer's first design in Portugal. This course has hosted the Portugal Masters from 2007-2014 and played host to the PGA World Cup in 2005. December rates for the Victoria course are 114 for 18 holes and 71 for 9 holes, a twilight round, or junior rate.
One option to take in the natural beauty of the Algarve region is to take a sailboat ride. Lands offers two sailboat rides, a trip through the famous Ria Formosa, and a sunset trip through the Ria Formosa. These tours are 4 hours and 2 hours long respectively and require a minimum of 1 passenger with a maximum of 4. The non-sunset tour costs 145, the sunset tour costs 120 and includes a bottle of bubbly.
