7 Best Family Things To Do Algarve

In the southern coast of Portugal, you will find the appealing and ever popular holiday destination of the Algarve. There are plenty of striking golden beaches, lovely countryside views and endless amounts of sun soaked days, that all attract holidaymakers travelling from far and wide.

Once a small former fishing village, Albufeira in the Algarve has truly transformed itself in the past three decades and has fast become a hit with families venturing abroad.

We all know that it can sometimes be hard to keep the kids entertained during a family break. With that in mind, we’ve called upon our decades of knowledge to come up with the best things to do in the Algarve, for all the family.

A Day at the Beach

Sea, sunshine, sandcastles and scrumptious ice cream; no holiday with the kids is complete without a visit to the beach. Albufeira is home to a number of fantastic family friendly beaches including Praia da Oura beach and Praia da Falesia beach. Praia da Oura beach has beautiful golden sand, some nice little caves and rock pools to explore at low tide. This is perfect if you’ve got young children. Situated between Vilamoura and Albufeira, Praia da Falesia beach is one of the longest in Portugal, stretching over six kilometres. With its gorgeous red and orange cliffs, crystal blue water, and plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby; Praia da Falesia is a firm favourite amongst those wanting to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the usual busy crowds.

BBQ Cruise

SeaBookings will transport you and your loved ones to an idyllic setting, on a private Algarvian beach, to indulge in a sublime afternoon BBQ. After lunch, there’s the chance to unwind, take a quick dip, and play some fun beach games. Along the way, you’ll be able to relax and cruise along the coast in a comfortable boat; whilst appreciating the magical rock formations and enchanting caves of Galé, Benagil and Carvoeiro. The cruise sets off from the Marina de Albufeira at 10:30am and returns around 4:45pm.

Horse Riding in the Sunshine 

If you’re looking to try out something a little different, Albufeira Riding Centre, proves to be a suitable alternative. Set in pretty rural soundings, with a charming choice of 10 horses, the centre welcomes riders of all ages and abilities. Prices start from just €20 for a 30 minute nature walk; they also run a Pony club on Saturdays from 10:00am - 3:00pm, for youngsters aged 7 - 16.

Dolphin Watching and Cave Tour

Based in the Marina de Albufeira, Dolphins Driven gives visitors a chance to get a bit closer to these beautiful and friendly aquatic mammals in their natural environment, by going dolphin watching. There is also the opportunity to discover some real hidden gems inside the caves and stop for a spot of swimming; so make sure you don’t forget to pack your swimwear, armbands and sunscreen!

Fun and Food at Festa da Praia

One of our favourite things to do when travelling to the Algarve is to sample the delicious authentic cuisine. Located close to Praia da Oura beach, Festa de Praia offers a great all round family dining experience. The restaurant is reasonably priced and features a child friendly menu with some tasty options. As well as this, there is an inviting outdoor play area and terrace. So, you can really take the time to enjoy your meals, whilst still being able to watch over the kids as they play. We recommend trying the fish and prawn cataplana, it’s a fresh tasting seafood dish that’s bursting with flavour.

Zoomarine

See some of the stunning sea creatures at Zoomarine in Guia, just a few kilometres from Albufeira. It has exciting and educational daily presentations with dolphins, seals and sea lions, tropical birds and birds of prey. The park also has a new pirate playground, a few different pools and some water rides; so make sure you give yourself plenty of time, as it’s likely you’ll have an adventure packed day.

Aqualand Algarve

Just over 20 minutes from Albufeira by car, Aqualand has some superb water rides that are suitable for children of all ages. For the little ones, there is both the children’s paradise area and rainbow park, where they can revel in playing in the shallow water and smaller slides; as well as castles, fountains and animal figures. Slightly older children and teenagers will take pleasure in floating along the fast rapids and taking part in speedy races on the sky high slides. Check the website before making a booking, as the park is open seasonally from June - September.

If you’ve been enticed by the Algarve, why not take a peek at our great range of properties available in the area, including Albufeira, Vale do Lobo, Carvoeiro, Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura.