First time to this forum....first time to Carvoeiro. Our Canadian family of four arrives Dec. 24th and will stay in the Rocha Brava apartments for 5 days. Doesn't matter to us if it's a 'ghost town' this time of year but I hope there's something to see/discover on Christmas day. Also, hoping to maybe have lunch out on Christmas day as well as find a fresh market to buy ingredients for our 'Canadian' Christmas dinner. (not looking for a 30 lb turkey of course!) I'm assuming waterparks are closed. Hope the Rocha Brava pool really is heated for the kiddies (11 and 12). We love Indian food; seems like there are quite a few Indian restaurants. Any open in December? I guess I'm all over the map here. Really just wanted to say hello to all of you and ask for any tips/advice you could give me on what to see/do/enjoy in Carvoeiro. We picked this town/village as it seems small and less touristy than many of the towns in the area. Thanks!

Shop early on christmas eve as this is the night that the Portuguese celebrate and most of the shops will be closed by 5.00pm.

Welcome to the Forum, coronationcats. We are fellow Canadians who spend about three months every year in Carvoeiro from Jan. to March. We have never been there at Christmas, but if you explore this Forum you'll find quite a few postings on what is going on in Carvoeiro, including a list of Forum members who will be there at that time. From what has been posted, there seem to be many restaurants offering Christmas Dinners, so why bother to cook in the Apt.? You don't have that much time and there is a lot to explore especially if you have a car. Be adventurous and try a non-traditional experience, perhaps a Portuguese meal? The heated pool at Rocha Brava, is ok for splashing around but a bit too shallow for "serious" swimming.

Welcome, here goes.
Turkey is readily available at any supermarket - BIG supermarket Intermarche on main rd in - good, but pricey compared to the smaller Pingo Doce nearer to Lagoa on main road.
Indian restaurants - several about - couple in village high st, but we have never found them very good and always expensive - €8-9/dish, then add rice, poppadums, Naan, pickles etc.
Three good chinese in village
Lots of local restaurants - all reasonable - but cheaper in Lagoa or Ferragudo - golden rule - the nearer the sea the higher the cost!
Plenty of local bars - prices vary - beware!
You need a car to get the best out of it as Rocha Brava is 2 km from CVO centre and same from any supermarket

Enjoy

Hi coronationcats,

We've been to CVO for last 3 x-mass’s.

Only bit of advice we can give is regarding the Algarve weather as we come to CVO to escape, for a while, the short day light hours and grey wet UK weather.

Just that,in the winter, it can be a bit chilly early and in the evenings and also the breeze can be cold during the day.

What can seem strange though is, in the afternoon if it's sunny and you sit in a sheltered area, it can get quite hot.

I've got a sunburnt face,in the past, sitting outside a bar for a couple of hours after walking there wearing a heavy raincoat

Best Regards

Ray & Carole

All these tips are sooooo much appreciated! Thanks! Does the larger supermarket carry a lot of fresh fish? What are your best bets for fresh fish there? We've actually been to Portugal before and, not speaking portugese, we couldn't recognize any of the names of fish at the supermarkets...other than tuna. Pretty funny as I worked in a seafood department here in Ontario for 8 years! (couldn't even RECOGNIZE what the various fish were by looks)

Any of the supermarkets have excellent fish counters, Roballo ( bass ) Dourado ( Sea bream ) The best is Gilt head bream.
Salmon, Tuna. etc etc,Squid, crab etc etc etc.
You will be spoilt for choice.

Hi

The Indian restaurant oindiano on the left hand side going into town is fantastic.We have been going there for years and have never had anything but superb food.Try chicken pakora as a starter it is the best we have ever had and we live in the curry capital of u.k i. e Glasgow Scotland
Enjoy

Have to agree the Indiano is one of the tastiest we have come across, prices are not too bad either ,certainly on a par with our ours in the UK.

EMM wrote:Any of the supermarkets have excellent fish counters, Roballo ( bass ) Dourado ( Sea bream ) The best is Gilt head bream.
Salmon, Tuna. etc etc,Squid, crab etc etc etc.
You will be spoilt for choice.

We are also Canadian and spend 2 months each year in Sesmarias or CVO.
Sole is linguado, place is solha, halibut usually appears on menus as halibut. Fish is really fresh at the town market but you have to be there early in the morning.
Enjoy you stay!

You will enjoy yourself at Rocha Brava, and should find the restaurant on site, O Farol, open on Christmas Day for lunch. I haven't been there at Christmas but always come in the winter, November and January, and have always enjoyed myself there.

Hi just a few comments my wife and I visit CVO 2/3 per year and would agree that there will enough going on in the village to keep you occupied over Christmas.However if the weather take's a turn for the worse then take the kids to the cinema most of the films are in English with Portuguese subtitles which can also be very educational plus by UK standards it's still rather a cheap night out Multiplex's can be found at Guia shopping centre or Portimao shopping centre enjoy your stay.