The weather in Lagos in December offers the ideal opportunity to unwind in the run up to Christmas, or even to spend the season in the sun. Average highs of 16°C mean there's not much chance of seeing a white Christmas in Lagos. But there's every chance it will be nice and sunny.
Temperatures have reached up to 21°C in Lagos in December. And though record lows were recorded in 2009, it was still 1°C above freezing. Even in the dead of night in Lagos, temperatures don't usually fall below 10°C. And with average temperatures across the month stabilising at a very welcoming 13°C, this part of the Algarve provides the perfect getaway for a weekend, a week or for all winter long.
Sea temperatures will decline when compared with the peak summer months. However the average 18°C sea temperature can be warmer than the air above. And while many will consider this too cold for a dip in the ocean in Northern Europe, don't be surprised to see more hardier swimmers enjoying the climate every day of the year.
The rain does come from time to time in December. In fact, this is considered the wettest month of the year in this part of the Algarve. But it is still very rare for the rain to continue for even a full day in Lagos. Often, there is just one heavy downpour for 20 minutes or so in a day and then the sun comes and dries everything up. On average 14 days of the month will experience some form of precipitation and throughout the entire 30 days of December 102mm of rain is likely to fall so at this time of the year it may be worth checking the forecast.
Even on the shortest days of the year, an average of 6 hours of sunshine are usually expected. And when they are combined with warm sunny days and mild nights, every day spent in Lagos is a day to be relished.
While many forms of accommodation will close their doors in the winter months, the Carvi Hotel offers a very warm welcome to its guests every day of the year. This beautiful boutique hotel is situated directly on the gorgeous Praia Dona Ana to provide the perfect end of year getaway in Lagos. And it offers great value for money too. On the warmer days, enjoy the roof top terrace that even boasts its own pool side bar, offering the perfect place to enjoy views over the December climate. Or take the short walk into Lagos town itself. It's the perfect place to spend the winter.
Stay in Casinha Algarvia for a very warm welcome, whatever the month of the year. This gorgeous guesthouse in the heart of Lagos offers a home away from home and some excellent accommodation. Large, spacious rooms have been beautifully decorated to offer a truly welcoming feel. The staff are exceptionally friendly and the off peak prices are very competitive. For a short stay or long term let Casinha Algarvia offers a fabulous location and the perfect base for your trip to Lagos.
You'll never get a frosty reception at the Big Chill Hostel. Instead you can enjoy a very friendly atmosphere, with like-minded people who want to make their most out of their trip to the Algarve. Though not situated in the main town of Lagos, the beachside location of the Big Chill ensures the most perfect surf facilities for anyone wanting to enjoy this part of the world. And every other amenity is only a short walk away. It's friendly, it's inviting and the location is spot on. The Big Chill just makes life easy.
As the name suggests, McCabe Bar is a typical Irish pub settled in the heart of Lagos. Popular with locals and visitors alike, McCabe offers fantastic Gin and Tonics, Guinness on tap and a pool table that never seems to be too busy. This means you can while away hours in McCabe's and always come out feeling happy. Look out for special quiz nights, Karaoke sessions and football events that are often shown on the TV's. There's even a chance you may be able to catch Galway in the hurling competitions, all whilst enjoying a famous McCabe cocktail.
For the more mature traveller that wants good drinks, good music and very welcoming hospitality, Stevie Ray's is the place to go. The clientele in this bar are usually a little older than the teenage crowd seen in many of the establishments in Lagos, but that doesn't stop them enjoying the warm atmosphere and frequent live music events at Stevie Ray's. A wide choice of drinks at very reasonable prices and a good place to get up and have a dance. Once you've found Steve Ray's your bound to be back over and over again.
On a warm December day, Restaurante Reis offers a delicious variety of freshly cooked Portuguese meals that are all tantalisingly authentic. Though seafood is their speciality, steaks and other meat dishes are also on offer as well as a large variety of vegetable based meals. The friendly staff are always on hand to help you with food choices. And when the meal arrives, the fun really begins. Creative presentation and huge portions are full of flavour and perfectly cooked to ensure everyone goes away from Restaurante Reis feeling satisfied.
For those cooler nights, a trip to the cinema is a great way to keep entertained. The Algarcine Cinema in Lagos offers all the latest releases. But do check before you go whether the film is dubbed into Portuguese or simply offers Portuguese subtitles. Otherwise understanding what your favourite on screen heroes are trying to say can be a bit of a challenge.
With Christmas looming, Lagos is the perfect place to pick up a few last minute gifts. Whatever you want, shopping in Portugal is always fun. Visit Rua 25 de Abril for some incredible pottery shops that will offer you all the handmade crafts you could possibly want. And for the surfer, the wealth of surf shacks along the coast provide everything from boards and accessories through to the latest fashions. But also look out for handmade jewellery stalls and nail bars to finish off any type of fashion in style.
