You are in for a treat if you are planning a stay in Algarve hotels this February - carnival season is in full swing and you can expect plenty of fun for the whole family to enjoy.
The entire region comes alive with carnival celebrations at this time of year.
Usually lasting for three days, these carnivals combine the Christian observance of Shrove Tuesday with pagan springtime festivities.
The result is a colourful, musical street party that you won't want to miss! Locals often get time off from work during the carnival seasons so they can celebrate with their families and often many weeks of preparation go into creating the elaborate floats, colourful costumes and hundreds of paper flowers that decorate the communities of the Algarve during this time.
The biggest carnival celebrations take place in Loule, where February festivities have been an annual occurrence since the early 20th century.
Here, you'll find several entertaining sights to see during the three-day event.
Locals participate in colourful processions that make their way through the town centre, professionally-trained samba dancers strut their stuff and musicians from around the region perform for the energetic crowds.
Loule is famous for being one of the most exciting street parties in Portugal - be prepared to celebrate until the early hours of the morning as you dance the night away with locals and tourists alike! You will find that the town is within easy reach of many cheap hotels in the Algarve, including the Hotel Auramar Beach Resort.
However, there is more to the carnival season than a visit to Loule - and in fact, you may find you enjoy the less-polished smaller regional carnivals even more than the big celebration.
Communities including Tavira and Moncarapacho also host February festivals that are well worth attending and you will find that details of the celebrations are well-advertised throughout the region.
Carnival season is the perfect time to indulge in some delicious Portuguese street food and you will be able to sample exciting delicacies including pancakes and battered doughnuts at the festive stalls.
Local restaurants also go all-out during carnival celebrations and you will be able to sample several seasonal favourites.
February is the end of the winter season and cold-weather favourites such as stews and casseroles are still being served up in delicious portions at this time of year.
Local favourites include mutton and wild boar dishes - why not sample them all during your stay? Despite the fact that it is still wintertime, February in the Algarve is much milder than many other places in northern Europe and you will find that there is often plenty of sunshine to keep you looking forward to spring.
You may wish to take advantage of the favourable weather to get out and about to explore the natural beauty of this Portuguese region, which is positively bursting at this time of year.
February is a brilliant time to take a coastal walk or a stroll through the hills around Silves.
Alternatively, why not try exploring the area on horseback? This will give you a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the area's natural beauty.
There are several popular areas to ride, including the Serra and the hills surrounding Duas Quintas.
Whether you choose to relax in rural Portugal or enjoy the colourful excitement of the carnival season, you're sure to have a memorable February break in the Algarve.