subject: Family days out in the Algarve - Portugal's family holiday hotspot [print this page] Family days out in the Algarve - Portugal's family holiday hotspot
With 300 days of sunshine a year the Algarve is an ideal holiday destination for families who enjoy the outdoor life. Water parks, boat trips, dolphin shows, karting... are just a few of the attractions for children in the Algarve... what more could you possibly need for an outdoor family holiday with luxury accommodation in Portugal? Plenty of buckets and spades that's what as the Algarve's coastline stretches a total of 124 miles from Spain to the Atlantic, featuring long sandy beaches - many beaches of which are supervised and have Blue Flag endorsement.
This sunny destination is one of Europe's family holiday hotspots so naturally offers lots of things to do on days out with the family, with many fun holiday activities for children of all ages. Let's look at a few attractions in the Algarve where you can take children for a fun day out.
ALGARVE BEACHES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
Blessed with so many beaches, you might find it hard to decide on the best beach in the Algarve for children. Try some of these; they are popular beaches in the Algarve for families and offer watersports facilities:
Western Algarve beaches suitable for children:
Portimo - Vau and Trs Irmos
Lagoa - Grande Ferragudo
Central Algarve is the most popular region in the Algarve for family holidays and these beaches are particularly suitable for children:
Loul - Quinta do Lago (a long white sand beach in the Ria Formosa Natural Park reached by a long bridge, with lots of facilities, clear water and small waves) and Anco (a path leads through vegetation to a sandy beach with wide spaces for children to play and no buildings)
Albufeira (one of the most popular tourist resorts in the Algarve, with easy access to some of the Algarve's best beaches) - Arrifes, Gal, Santa Eullia and long Falesia beach (Falesia is a Blue Flag beach, has white sand, ochre-coloured cliffs, toilets, beach umbrellas and restaurant)
Eastern Algarve beaches suitable for children:
Vila Real de Santo Antnio - Cacela
WATER PARKS IN THE ALGARVE (seasonal)
With some of the largest water parks in Europe your kids, whatever age, will enjoy plenty of thrills and spills on a day out in the water parks of the Algarve. Try Aqualand, near Albufeira; Slide and Splash near Lagoa; Aquashow near Quarteira; Atlantic Park, Loul, and ZooMarine at Guia, near Albufeira which also has live shows and dolphins, seals, sharks, exotic birds and crocodiles on show.
ADVENTURE FAMILY DAYS OUT
For the brave and not-so-brave in the family head for Olhao, to the east of Faro, to Braveland Adventure Park; it's an action-packed day for all the family and a fun alternative to a day on the beach. There are trampolines and bouncy castles for children and adults; climbing walls, slides, archery, kayaking, volleyball, paint ball, adventure bridges, table tennis and treasure hunts. There are also hiking and orientation trails, water-pistol fun, an adventure circuit and a high ropes course.
WILDLIFE IN THE ALGARVE
If you're a nature-loving family, then the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve is for you. It's a narrow nature park of marshes, salt pans and lagoons between the land and sea that stretches 37 miles along the Eastern Algarve coastline (starts near Quinta do Lago). Not only is it fantastic for bird watchers, but also for wildlife, flora and fauna. You can explore it by hiking, biking (bike hire available) and horseback, or view it from a boat trip. This is an ideal opportunity to be at one with nature on a relaxing family holiday in the Algarve.
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