Exploring Portugal's Algarve in Winter (Coastlines, Mountains, No Crowds)

What’s so special about Portugal’s Algarve?

Is it the rocky coastal views, the food, the historic, human-sized towns, or perhaps, the people — from the trail-side chef to the olive oil farmer?

To kickoff 2026, I traveled to the Algarve for a stay with the Kimpton Atlantico, to get a taste of the region in winter, and immerse myself in its wildly diverse natural surroundings.