January and February are not particularly busy months in the Algarve but, that is not to say that life comes to a standstill in the region.
Music
On January 14 and 15 Portimão’s municipal theatre, TEMPO, will host two concerts starting at 9pm each night. The first is a Beatles tribute band, The Peakles, and the second The Weird Fishes, a Radiohead tribute band.
Tickets cost just €8 for each concert, €14 if you want to attend both. Click here to buy tickets online. Alternatively, the theatre’s ticket office is open Tuesday to Saturday from 1pm to 6pm and of course prior to the shows starting.
History
Other things to do during January include visiting Paderne’s castle. Open every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm with free entrance. There is a beautiful walk along the winding river below, with an old mill and bread oven close to a ford further downstream. Great place for a picnic.
Exhibitions
Portimão’s municipal museum is holding an exhibition, closing on March 24, of the winning photos of the 21st Portimão Photography Race, held last year. Click here for more information about the competition.
Also at the museum, until March 13, António Carmo’s “The Colours of the Journey” are on show. António’s paintings are vibrant, telling stories about life in Portugal.
Portimão museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm and on Tuesday from 2.30pm to 6pm.
Volta ao Algarve
Last year Volta ao Algarve was postponed from February to May however, this year the event will go ahead as planned.
A 5-day event, covering around 800kms, this year’s route differs somewhat to last year’s and for the first time includes a time trial.
Starting in Portimão on the first day, February 16, entrants will cycle just shy of 200kms finishing in Lagos.
The second stage begins in Albufeira ending in Fóia de Monchique, around 182kms in length with cyclists using a new route via Picota.
The longest stage takes place on the third day, starting in Almodôvar (Alentejo) and ending 210kms later in Faro with the time trial, the next day. Covering just over 32.2kms, the time trial begins in Vila Real de Santo António and ends in Tavira.
The final stage of Volta ao Algarve takes cyclists from Lagoa to Malhão (Loulé) and covers 173kms.