“Portugal offers incredible getaways without long trips or big expenses before Christmas. There's still time to get away before Christmas. And, for a trip to a close and economical destination, there is nothing better than Portugal. Very close to the border with Spain, we find a wide variety of villages and cities perfect to visit at this time of year, with prices that are much more affordable than the main tourist destinations in the country”, says the Spanish website 20Minutos.

The same source highlighted five cheap Portuguese destinations, all close to the border with Spain, three of which are located in the Algarve.

Odeleite

Regarding the Algarve and Odeleite, the website writes that “in the popular Algarve region, we find several ideal destinations to visit in December, not only for the mild temperatures but also for their Christmassy atmosphere. For example, Odeleite is a beautiful and picturesque village of white houses surrounded by beautiful landscapes. During Christmas, the village organises a recreation of the birth of Jesus, with around 50 characters, food and craft stalls, as well as musical and theatrical performances”.

Cacela Velha

“Another interesting destination in the Algarve is Cacela Velha, located in the Ria Formosa Natural Park area. Due to its privileged location, it offers stunning views of the sea and the islands that rise along the coast. Furthermore, this charming town organizes a Christmas market in December, where you can find everything from antiques and crafts to typical Algarve gastronomic products”, says 20Minutos.

Vila Real de Santo António

Finally, the last cheap destination in the Algarve is Vila Real de Santo António. “In this beautiful village in the Algarve, located at the mouth of the Guadiana River, we find a pleasant labyrinth of streets, squares and buildings that, in December, are filled with festive spirit. The village transforms into a real Christmas village, with lights, concerts, dances, markets and much more”, writes the site.

The other national destinations highlighted as economical by the Spanish 20Minutos are: Guarda and Bragança.