What's the weather like in Tavira in January?
Temperature
A small fishing town transformed into a holiday getaway, Tavira sits on the southern coast of Portugal. It's part of the province of Algarve and dates back to the Bronze Ages, with cultural influences from the Romans, Moors, and Portuguese. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average daily temperature of 12°C (about 54°F). Still, the weather here is much warmer and more pleasant than the typical UK winter.
The lows drop down to 8°C (around 46°F), pretty chilly but fortunately, you'll only see those temperatures at night and in the early morning hours. The highs make it up to 16°C (about 61°F), moderate and pleasant for getting outside and seeing the historic buildings and sites of the resort.
Sunshine Hours
While you typically only get 6 hours of sunshine each day, that's plenty of time to explore. The chance of a sunny day on any given day is 67 percent.
Rain
Expect an average of 78 mm of rain to fall this month, occurring over 14 days. The chance of rain is 20 percent each day and the chance of clouds is 33 percent. With those chances, be sure to bring along an umbrella or poncho to keep you dry when you're walking around town. With the cooler night air, you'll also want a heavier jacket or sweater to wear, while long-sleeve shirts and trousers suffice during the daytime hours.
Sea Temperature
Unless you're really brave or have the right gear, you'll probably not want to do much swimming. The average ocean temperature at this time is 17°C (about 63°F). Even if you don't dip your feet in, the warmer air temperatures make it nice enough to walk along the beach. The highest temperature recorded in January for this area was a steamy 26°C (around 79°F), while the lowest temperature was right at freezing, 0°C (about 32°F).
Hotels in Tavira in January
Tavira Garden
On the outskirts of Tavira, visitors can make reservations at the Tavira Garden, a luxurious hotel and residential villa. This beautiful facility is a complex of apartments and rooms available for rent or purchase to keep as a second home. The Tavira Garden has four swimming pools, a restaurant and bar, children's play area, free Wi-Fi, BBQ area, and gym equipment. It's conveniently located and only a five-minute walk from the nearest supermarket.
Cabanas Resort Park
If you would like to book a stay in Tavira without emptying your bank account, consider the Cabanas Resort Park. This comfortable, cosy, and affordable option offers amenities like complimentary shuttle to the beach, on-site restaurant, outdoor lounges and seating area, water sports, and large swimming pool with kids' pool and hot tub. Each room has a balcony, modern features like television and a blow dryer with easy access to the resort pool.
Hotel Vila Gale Albacorca
Enjoy the quiet surroundings at the Hotel Vila Gale Albacora during your January stay. This resort has 157 rooms and five suites to choose from and prides itself on making a minimal environmental impact. Even though it values sustainability, guests still enjoy numerous amenities like balconies, air conditioning, satellite TV, and a mini-bar in each room. Furthermore, the hotel helps to arrange bird-watching, horseback riding, sightseeing trips to local attractions, and nautical sports.
Bars and Restaurants
Restaurante o Grelha Peixe
At the Restaurante o Grelha Peixe, you can indulge in delicious homemade cuisine. This cosy restaurant is a local favourite that offers simple Portuguese meals, all cooked fresh and made-to-order. With a modest exterior and comfy interior, you'll feel relaxed and laid-back as you eat your yummy meal. The restaurant has a convenient location just off the main drag of Tavira, so you can easily find it for a lunch or dinner.
Taj Mahal Restaurant
For an authentic and affordable option when you're craving Indian food, cross to the west side of the river and the Taj Mahal restaurant. The menu includes all the classic Indian dishes like lamb jalfrezi, naan bread, and curry. Along with yummy food, the restaurant has a friendly wait staff who can help you pick dishes if you're unfamiliar with Indian food. It's also open for late nights if you need food after a night of drinking.
Restaurante Ponto Encontro
Restaurante Ponto Encontro sits in a convenient location near the town square and the Alagoa Garden. Numerous local and national celebrities have dined at this popular establishment, indulging in the fresh Portuguese cuisine. The menu includes seafood gumbo, octopus, mussels, clams, prawns, lobster, and chicken. Don't miss the dessert menu with decadent treats to finish off your scrumptious meal.
Things to do in Tavira in January
Gran-Plaza Shopping Centre
If shopping is your thing, check out the the Gran-Plaza Shopping Centre during the cooler January days. The first shopping centre in the Tavira area, this large mall is a one-stop-shop for goods of all kinds including clothes, computer games, and phones. The mall also has a supermarket, lounge area to take a break, numerous restaurants, a movie theater, and a gas station. If you've brought along the kids, check out the play zone to keep them occupied.
Hotel Vila Gale Albacorca
Part of the Hotel Vila Gale Albacora, the Tuna Fishing Museum is a quirky but educational stop during your visit to Tavira. The hotel was once a camp for tuna fisherman and holds lots of Algarve history. In the museum, you'll learn about the tuna fishing industry and why it was important in the development of the area and how it shaped the nearby towns. You'll get an up-close look at the fisherman who worked day in and day out in the tuna boats.
Jardim da Alagoa
A fun park for families and visitors with kids, Jardim da Alagoa has playgrounds, including one just for babies, and lots of space to run around. The park has numerous whimsical bushes and shrubs, cut to look like different items like a carriage, animals, and dinosaurs. Other park features include an outdoor amphitheater, pond, paved walking trails, and tennis courts. You can find several restaurants and cafes nearby as well to enjoy a bite to eat after you explore the park.
