Getting Married in the Algarve

The Algarve has a long dry season. Summers are hot on the coast, and sea breezes cool the evenings. May and October bring warm days with fewer visitors than the height of summer. July and August are the busiest months, when roads, beaches and restaurants are crowded and venues book early.

Recommended wedding months

April, May, June, September, October

Peak season is June, September, and the shoulder months are April, May, October, November.

Cliff-top quinta estate. A private estate on the cliff edge, with sea views from the ceremony and reception spaces. The most secluded have no neighbours and no road in sight. They are found mainly in the western Algarve.

Farmhouse and rural quinta. Converted farm properties in the hills behind the coast, usually whitewashed with terracotta roofs, a courtyard or terrace and orange and lemon groves. They are more intimate and suit smaller guest lists.

Boutique resort venue. Resort hotels along the coast, especially at Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, with wedding facilities, catering, rooms and an events team. They are easier to run for large guest lists, and less individual as spaces than private estates.

Vineyard estate. A small but growing group. Some wine-producing quintas around Lagoa and Lagos have built event facilities on their estates, which combine a wine-estate setting with coastal weather.

Faro Airport is the usual gateway, and venues are reached by road. Coaches or minibuses are the usual way to move a wedding party, and hire cars are available at Faro and Lisbon for guests who travel independently.

Faro Airport (FAO). The main gateway for the Algarve, with direct services from many UK airports.

Lisbon Airport (LIS). An alternative for guests on long-haul routes or from cities Faro does not serve. The Algarve is reached from Lisbon by the A2 motorway or by a short domestic flight to Faro.

The Algarve has accommodation at every level along its coast, from boutique hotels to resort estates.

Resort hotels. Large hotels on the central coast and around Quinta do Lago have spas, golf and private beach access, and suit larger wedding parties.

Lagos and the western Algarve. Boutique hotels and smaller properties on a quieter stretch of coast, for couples who want a secluded setting.

Faro and the eastern Algarve. Hotels and guest houses around Faro, Olhao and Tavira, near the Ria Formosa lagoon.

Algarve cooking centres on the Atlantic, and shellfish from the Ria Formosa is among the regional specialities.

Cataplana. A copper cooking vessel that gives its name to the dish cooked in it. A common version combines clams, prawns, chorizo, tomato and white wine, and is served at the table.

Percebes. Goose barnacles gathered from the Atlantic rocks near Sagres, boiled in salted water and eaten at once.

Almond and Fig Sweets. Inland orchards produce almonds and figs, which are made into confectionery. Marzipan fruits and fig-and-almond cakes are sold across the region.

Summer crowds. July and August are the busiest months. Roads, beaches and restaurants are crowded and venue availability is tighter. May, June and September bring warm weather and fewer visitors, and are the months many planners choose.

Almond blossom. The almond trees of the western Algarve flower in late January and February, covering the hills in white blossom. It is a seasonal setting for couples considering a winter or early spring date.

Wind on the cliffs. Many cliff-top venues are exposed to the Atlantic, and the wind can be strong, especially from late afternoon. Contingency plans, such as covered terraces and weighted decor, are worth agreeing with the venue well ahead of the date.

The legal requirements for marrying here, and who needs a visa, are being checked and are not published yet. Confirm both with the official authority that will marry you before you book.