Martinhal Sagres, Algarve, Portugal – A winter trip

A winter trip to Martinhal Sagres in the Algarve, Portugal. We visited as grey skies loomed over the UK and found ourselves in a sunny, balmy part of Portugal which was the perfect retreat. This is how we spent our time there.

Taking a winter trip to Martinhal Sagres, Algarve in January

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“This”, I said dramatically as the waves crashed against the side of the cliffs, “is the end of the world”. We were stood at the South-Westerly tip of Portugal and until Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in the 15th Century, Europeans believed this was where the earth finished.

Sagres in Portugal stands at this captivating corner of Europe. And as we stared out at the point where the beautiful blue sky met the winter blue sea it wasn’t hard to imagine the sea monsters and abyss that many believed lay beyond.

We had travelled to this balmy part of Portugal as the rain poured down on a January afternoon in the UK.

Two hours and no jet lag later we were in the sunshine and Mediterranean charm of the Algarve.

Martinhal is the last beach resort before you get to Sagres. And the stretches of golden sand were beautiful, inviting and empty while we were there.

Visiting Cape St Vincent

The trip out to the lighthouse at Cape St Vincent, to see the end of the world, was the only time we ventured out from the resort.

And it was well worth the trip. Watching the sea crash against the stark cliffs really brought home the history of the area.

It was brilliant for sparking the children’s imaginations.

Sagres

To get to Cape St Vincent we had driven through sleepy Sagres. I loved the colourful houses and the sense of isolation even in the town. Ironic given this is the spiritual home of exploration.

The Algarve was somewhere I spent childhood holidays and where I have such fond memories of. Ice creams on the beach, swimming pools and water parks. And a friendly, welcoming country.

But I wasn’t sure how the Algarve in winter would fare.

Staying at Martinhal Sagres on our winter trip to the Algarve

We were staying at Martinhal Resort and Spa, a luxurious 37-room hotel with villas, restaurants and on site childcare.

It couldn’t have been easier to step off the plane straight into the welcoming Martinhal car which picked us up, with car seats and booster seats in place.

Just over an hour after leaving Faro airport we were sat having dinner in the beautiful restaurant. The children were happily playing in the children’s area which is set aside in every one of Martinhal’s restaurants with trained professionals to play with them.

Our accommodation

After dinner and arriving at our Garden villa in Martinhal it was clear we really could relax. Everything was ready for us – from jams, bread and milk to start us off to booster chairs, potties, and plastic knives and forks.

But the best thing of all is that Martinhal doesn’t scrimp on style. This is a space for adults to enjoy created by British designers and featuring gorgeous Portuguese-sourced products, from local cork tables to marble from the mountains and gorgeous Bordallo Pinheiro Ceramics.

With wifi all over the resort, Nespresso machines in every villa and heavenly Voya products in the bathroom, Martinhal really does consider every member of the family.

Villas open up onto half-wild gardens where native plants allow bursts of colour. Which is so welcome to those of us weary in the midst of a relentlessly grey British winter.

Watching rabbits happily hopping around shows how well they have got the balance of resort and natural environment.

The outdoor pools may not be open in winter but the reflection from the bright sunshine dancing off their surface allows for a feel-good burst of happiness.

It’s lovely to walk by them en route for the indoor heated version.

The beach on our winter trip to Martinhal Sagres, Algarve, Portugal

And we loved our time on the beach. We were the only people on the long sandy stretches as the children danced barefoot and hunted for shells by the sea.

The playgrounds were filled with happy laughter as our three bounced on the trampoline while we sat watching with G&Ts in hand.

Eating well

And we all enjoyed food that was absolutely delicious. From traditional Portuguese dishes to locally caught fish.

We ate and we ate and I sipped my ‘Gwyneth Paltrow’ energising smoothies at breakfast and felt healthy and happy.

Spa time at Martinhal Sagres, Algarve, Portugal – A winter trip

The staff at Martinhal were wonderful, making sure everyone was content and looked after at all times. And with free winter childcare, I even found time to have a facial in Martinhal’s fabulous spa.

I sipped my peppermint tea and really, really relaxed.

What did we think about visiting the Algarve in winter?

What did we learn about the Algarve in winter?

It’s got everything you would want from a break away without the heat or crowds of Summer.

This has to be the perfect time to visit to chase away those winter blues. And Martinhal has to be one of the happiest, feel-good places to enjoy it.

Our video of our time at Martinhal

Ready to book?

Martinhal Sagres Resort & Spa have some great winter offers you can check out here and check out our guide to the Algarve with kids for many more reviews.

Our bumper guide to the Algarve with kids

An ultimate guide to Portugal with kids

A visit to the end of the World – Sagres

A spring week in the Algarve with kids