What to do in Portugal’s Algarve, world’s ‘best value’ holiday spot

In less than two hours in a hire car you can travel to any drivable part of southern Portugal’s Algarve region from Faro Airport, its only international airport, even at a leisurely pace. The region is a well-known holiday destination for families. Other than the beautiful beaches and weather – it is said to have one of the best year-round climates – there are also plenty of places and activities that are suitable for children of all ages, including water parks and theme parks, family golf centres, go-karting, food festivals, and fun daily excursions. What is more, the Algarve has reclaimed the “best value spot” after nine years in the UK Post Office’s 2025 Holiday Money Report, its list of the best holiday hotspots for bargain-hunters. But where should you head to if you are travelling as a family? The Algarve is roughly divided into the eastern and western Algarve. The east – called “Sotavento”, meaning facing away from the wind, and also known as “Sandalgarve” – runs from the Spanish border to around Faro and is suitable for smaller children, with its sandy beaches that only gradually get deeper. However, the region is also significantly hotter than the always-windy western part of the Algarve, which is called “Barlavento”, meaning facing the wind, aka the Rocky Algarve. In the far west, near Sagres, imposing dark grey cliffs loom above high waves and strong ocean currents. “It’s a great area, but you have to be careful with small children on these beaches,” says Christophe Rijnders, owner of the small Casa Bela Moura hotel in Porches. A Belgian native, Rijnders has a daughter, 10, and a son, 8. He has lived in the Algarve for 20 years. Although Porches is also part of the western Algarve, it has numerous bays with sandy beaches that are suitable for families. It can, however, get crowded from June to September. It lies almost exactly between the cities of Faro and Lagos, which is the area most frequented by tourists. East of Faro in the Sotavento, and the western part of the Barlavento from Lagos, are a little less touristy. “I still find places like Ferragudo and Alvor in the west, and Olhão in the east, are authentic,” says German travel guide publisher Michael Müller. “Olhão in the Sandalgarve in particular has retained the charm of the small fishing village. Places like Armaçao de Pera and Quarteira, on the other hand, are heavily built up.” Rijnders advises families against visiting the region between Quarteira and Albufeira, saying that cheap flights bring a lot of party groups, especially to places near the airports. Family excursions from Faro and in the Sandalgarve The Ria Formosa Natural Park consists of ever-changing sandbanks where rare bird species breed. Interestingly, the nature reserve is located right next to Faro Airport; the airport was established in 1967, the nature park only in 1987. Within the park, Ilha da Barreta has its very own vegetation, including wild thyme. Take a leisurely 40-minute catamaran trip from Faro’s harbour to get to the island and spend a day on the beach. There is also a restaurant and a kind of artists’ colony. Tour company Animaris offers boat tours with information about the animals and plants in English. Nearby, Ilha da Culatra is home to the fishing village Culatra. The fishermen make a living from their mussel fields in the Ria Formosa lagoon. As part of a sustainability initiative, there is an organised day trip from Olhão to the fisher people, food included. It costs around US$130 per person. For younger children, Rijnders recommends an excursion to Santa Luzia, to which ferries depart from Ilha de Tavira. There is a pontoon bridge to the west of the village at the Pedras d’El Rei holiday settlement, from which point a narrow-gauge railway runs to Praia do Barril beach, 1.5km (one mile) away. The beach is also home to an anchor graveyard, where old anchors from former fishing trawlers lie rusting away. But beware, as the sandy beaches all lack shade. Pack sunscreen, parasols and UV-protective clothing, especially for youngsters. It is best not to go when it is hottest, around lunchtime. You can also take a trip to the inland salt mine in Loulé. It is still in operation and a maximum of 120 visitors per day can visit – so it is best to book by email or telephone. At the mine you descend 230 metres (755 feet) in a wobbly cage, which takes three-and-a-half minutes. The tour is in English, runs for two hours and takes you through a huge labyrinth of wide and high corridors. There is live drilling. Tickets cost about US$28 for adults and children aged 13 and over, while kids aged six to 12 pay about US$17. Family excursions west of Faro in the Rocky Algarve Limestone cliffs line the Algarve between Albufeira and Portimão. Explore these on a boat tour, as that gives you the best panoramic view of the sea, caves and sky. The caves near Benagil are real eye-catchers, but you are rarely alone there. Many tour operators in Albufeira and Portimao sail close to the caves in large catamarans and motorised inflatable boats. Local fisher people also offer trips to the caves. Sports fans can hire a kayak and paddle in themselves. Good swimmers can explore the caves on their own, but do take care, especially in the areas heavily frequented by boats. Zoomarine near Albufeira is a mixture of zoo, amusement park with rides, and fun pool. Make sure you pack your swimming gear. The park is pleasantly manageable. Day tickets for children up to 10 and older people aged 65 and over cost about US$22 or US$29 depending on the season, and US$34 or US$40 for everyone in between – you can save some money by booking online. The aquarium, the butterfly enclosure and lizard park are all worth seeing. There is also the possibility of enjoying a half-hour, very controlled encounter with dolphins born and raised at the zoo, suitable for children aged six and over. This can even impress teenagers who might otherwise be difficult to get excited. But the dolphin encounter comes at a price of about US$155 or US$178, depending on the season, though this does include park admission. The Algarve’s far west, from Burgau to Sagres and up the west coast to Aljezur, is much less populated and full of lonely, wild beaches. Although Sagres is famous worldwide for its wind and waves, the town still feels like a chilled-out surf mecca. Families can enjoy comparatively inexpensive surfing holidays in the region by opting for simple accommodation such as hostels. Just enter “Surf & Stay” and “Sagres” or “Algarve” online to check out prices and reviews. The high season is from mid-June to mid-September, so it is best for families to travel before or after if possible. One good time to go is early autumn in October when temperatures reach around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degree Fahrenheit). The sea is still warm from the summer, but there are far fewer tourists. October is a good option for families with school-age children who are on their autumn holidays, Rijnders says. “Many people think the landscape is dry then, but that’s not the case. There’s a kind of spring here again, when the flowers bloom and citrus fruits ripen.” He has vines around his hotel, from which he grows wine, and a small plantation of lemon trees, whose fruit he uses for the home-made jam in his breakfast buffet. He exchanges his surplus lemons for oranges from a local farmer. If you are a fan of hotels and can afford them, you will find plenty of family-friendly options in the Algarve through booking sites. “But smaller, family-run hotels and B&Bs are not always easy to find online,” Rijnders says. Often, such places only offer accommodation via their own websites – as Rijnders does. Once you pick your accommodation, Rijnders recommends booking directly with them so you can ask straight away whether they have a discount for families or longer stays. As an inexpensive alternative, he recommends aldeamentos – private holiday homes or flats in complexes where a family looks after itself and shares the pool and garden with others.

What to do in Portugal’s Algarve, world’s ‘best value’ holiday spot

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From stunning beaches to nature and water parks, here’s how to have a great family holiday in the Algarve, plus when to go and where to stay

From stunning beaches to nature and water parks, here’s how to have a great family holiday in the Algarve, plus when to go and where to stay