Thinking of a different winter trip, will most things be open in winter? I know the temperatures are cool, so wondering if the area is more like beach resort towns or if things are , for the most part, open all year along the sunny coast of Portugal?

Any insights will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Diane. It varies enormously. I can tell you somewhere like Albufeira will be pretty much open as there are a lot of ex-pats from northern Europe who over winter there. Golf resorts are usually open as well. You'd be better off in the Lisbon area, somewhere like Cascais for instance, if you want guaranteed availability of restaurants etc.

Thank you Mike. That is helpful.