In winter, the motivation to go out may decrease, but cold and rain are certainly not reasons to stop enjoying Portugal. Quite the opposite! This is one of the best times of year to explore the country at a slower pace, without rushing and away from large crowds. During winter, Portugal becomes quieter, allowing you to enjoy experiences in a more authentic and comfortable way.

Compared to the rest of Europe, Portugal has a mild winter. January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 15 °C. In some northern regions, temperatures can drop below zero and, on rare occasions, snowfall may occur.

Even so, the country offers countless indoor winter experiences, closely linked to wine, gastronomy and Portuguese culture. These are perfect for those who want to keep exploring, learn new skills and make the most of the season, without feeling the cold.

Wine XP brings an extensive selection of experiences ideal for winter in Portugal, all available for booking through the platform:

Nothing pairs better with winter in Portugal than a glass of Port wine. At the iconic Cockburn’s Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, you are invited to discover the complex flavours of tawny Ports through a tasting of aged Port wines, including a 40-year-old Tawny. Surrounded by dozens of barrels, vats and casks, you discover how Port wine develops such distinctive characteristics and how it is able to age for so many years. Click here to reserve your place.

If you want to go beyond tasting and truly understand the world of wine, this workshop at the Ode Winery is ideal. Led by winemaker Maria Vicente, the Wine Workshop – Level 1 covers essential topics such as grape varieties, wine styles, service, food pairing and tasting techniques to identify quality. The experience concludes with a paired lunch at the Cellar Door restaurant, where you enjoy a pairing of Portuguese wines and Japanese cuisine, a meeting of East and West that is a true delight for the palate. Click here to book.

How about an escape room inside a winery? At Adega Vila Santa, owned by producer João Portugal Ramos, you take part in a fun and challenging 60-minute quest to uncover the secret bottle. Throughout the game, you face puzzles, challenges and surprises that require logical thinking and teamwork, all set in one of the most iconic wineries in Alentejo, surrounded by renowned wines. Places are limited and must be booked via this link.

In the Algarve, Morgado do Quintão invites you to an engaging morning of cooking, history and tradition. The estate’s chef shares historic family recipes prepared with local, organic ingredients, many of which are harvested directly from the garden. Alongside the cooking, you learn more about the history of the estate, its vineyards and the production of Morgado do Quintão wines, which accompany the meal. At the end, you receive an e-book with the recipes, so you can recreate the experience at home. You can book your place via this link.

In the heart of the Dão region, Quinta Madre de Água offers a delicious and truly authentic experience. Here, you taste different regional cheeses, such as creamy sheep’s cheese and sliced sheep’s cheese, as well as cream cheese, all produced on the estate. The property has its own cheese dairy and a flock of around 250 sheep, ensuring a daily production of cheeses fermented with thistle from the estate itself. A perfect experience for cold winter days in Portugal. Click here to book your place.

Have you ever imagined creating your own wine? At Quinta da Folgorosa, this becomes a reality. Far more than simply tasting wines, you take part in a guided winery workshop, where you learn the entire winemaking process. Throughout the experience, you follow every stage, from creating the blend to the final steps of bottling, corking and labelling your own unique wine. At the end, you take your bottle home, full of meaning and great stories to share. The experience can be booked through Wine XP by clicking here.

If you prefer something more traditional, Wine XP also features dozens of wineries across different regions of Portugal, offering wine tastings in warm and welcoming settings perfect for cold winter days.

This winter, leave the cold outside and immerse yourself in experiences that warm both body and soul, curated by Wine XP.