My parents like to escape the Dutch winters for some much-needed sunshine and vitamin D. The Algarve is their favorite area to visit and they always invite us to come over for part of their trip.  We’ve made some fantastic holiday memories there. So far our little world traveler and I have been to Olhao, Villa Real de Santo Antonio, Lagos, and Alvor and we’re looking forward to discovering much more of this lovely part of Europe! So we asked some of our favorite travel bloggers to help us come up with this overview of the best places to go in Algarve and the best Algarve towns and cities to visit in Portugal with kids.

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Algarve weather

The Portuguese Algarve region is a year-round family holiday destination with over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Although it’s located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean the Algarve has a Mediterranean climate that ensures warm summers and mild winters. With an average maximum temperature of 29C (84F) in the summer and 16C (61F) in the winter, you can’t really go wrong when planning your Algarve holidays. We’ve mostly visited this area in the winter months of December and January and were treated to some lovely winter sun and beach days.

Where’s the Algarve located?

The Algarve is a region in the south of Portugal, on the Atlantic coast. It’s a popular European holiday destination. Covering almost 5000km2 (or 1,929 sq mi), the Algarve extends from just south of the Tagus Valley to the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Cape St. Vincent (called Cabo de São Vicente in Portuguese) is the south-westernmost point of both Portugal and mainland Europe. Some of the best places to visit in Algarve include Faro, Lagos and Albufeira. Spa town Caldas de Monchique is famous for its health tourism. The Algarve is also one of Europe’s leading golf destinations.

Algarve airport

The main gateway to the Algarve is Faro Airport. This international airport is sometimes also called Algarve Airport. Faro airport receives over 8 million passengers per year (mostly in the summer months) and is the third-largest passageway into Portugal, after Lisbon and Porto. From Faro airport, which is very centrally located, it’s quite easy and fast to reach most other parts of the Algarve. For example, Faro to Lagos by taxi took us about an hour. If you arrange your taxi upfront you can often find it at a very reasonable price. Faro airport doesn’t have a train connection, but there’s a bus transfer from the airport to the main bus terminal station located at Avenida da República in Faro center. To reach Faro airport by public transport from other areas of the Algarve, you must always first travel to the Faro bus terminal in the city center to catch the bus to the airport.

Algarve beaches

The Algarve is well known for its fantastic beaches. It has approximately 200km (124mi) of clean and welcoming beaches on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the best beaches in Algarve are found on the barrier islands of the Ria Formosa nature park near Faro, such as Ilha da Culatra en Ilha da Armona. We visited these beaches when we were staying in Olhao. To reach Praia da Culatra and Praia da Armona you need to take a ferry. So this is something to take into account when planning your trip. In the winter months the ferries still run daily, but a lot less frequently. If you want to be able to walk to the beach, you’re better off choosing a destination in the western Algarve, west of Faro. We’ve tried it all. In Villa Real de Santo Antonio we rented bikes for the 15-20 minute ride to the beach, in Olhao we took the ferry to the beautiful island beaches and in Lagos we were able to walk to the beach. Each had their charm.

Algarve accommodation

Where to stay in Algarve, Portugal? From large high rise beach resorts and luxury hotels to lovely Algarve holiday villas and quaint small town holiday rentals, the Algarve offers a wide range of accommodations suitable for all types of travelers. Most of the best family resorts in Portugal are located in the Algarve. Along the Algarve coast, you’ll find a mix of large tourist destinations and more traditional small towns and villages. Of course my answer to the question ‘what is the best place to stay in Algarve, Portugal?’ might be very different from yours. After all, we’re all different…fortunately. Our first time in Portugal we stayed in a refurbished fisherman’s house in Olhao. For me personally, some of the best places to stay in Algarve are in the smaller towns. But I can totally understand that some parents and couples might prefer a more touristy area or stay at a large resort.

Best family holiday destinations in Algarve

The Algarve is one of the best places to stay in Portugal for families, but it’s a large region. So with the help of some of our favorite travel bloggers we’ve put together this selection of the best places in Algarve to help you narrow down your choice.

Vila Real de Santo Antonío with kids

Vila Real de Santo Antonío, often shortened to Vila Real or VRSA, is a town in the Eastern Algarve. Its eastern border is formed by the Guadiana River, which is also the border with Spain. Staying in Vila Real you can combine both Portugal and Spain together in one holiday.

It’s only a short ferry ride to Ayamonte in Spain, on the other side of the Rio Guadiana. You could also go over the suspension bridge that connects this part of Portugal and Spain since 1991, but the ferry ride is much more fun for kids. Don’t forget to change your watch in order to catch the ferry back, it’s one hour later in Spain! Ayamonte is a charming little Spanish town with old, narrow streets and lovely squares. Perfect for a nice lunch or afternoon snack with some tasty Spanish tapas.

From Vila Real it’s a nice bike ride to Praia de Santo Antonio (about 15-20 minutes). Other beaches in the area you can visit are Praia da Ponta da Arreia and Praia de Monte Gordo. Monte Gordo was once a small fishing village, but now a booming Algarve holiday destination with high rise beach resorts. It does have a small playground that’s nice for kids, but personally, we liked VRSA better. Of course, Monte Gordo is right on the beach, which could potentially sway your decision.

Directly north of Vila Real you’ll find the Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António. A nature reserve with marshes, salt pans and small lakes that attract wading birds such as flamingos. It’s an interesting area to visit, kids will love walking around and ‘going on an adventure’. If you continue on to Castro Marim you’ll find the old Castello de Castro Marim, a 13th-century castle.

If you’re visiting VRSA between the end of November and the beginning of January, don’t forget to check out the famous nativity scene in Marquês de Pombal square. It’s massive and the amount of detail is amazing. Our son loved it. There’s a small admission fee that goes towards helping local kids in need. The nativity scene is part of the yearly Christmas Village in the square.

Tavira with kids

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Tavira is a great place to visit in the Algarve with kids for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is much quieter than the Western resort of Albufeira and similar places. It is a much more traditional town in the Algarve, frequented by Portuguese holidaymakers in the summer.

While Tavira is small, it has a few things to offer families who are visiting. Running through the town is a seasonal tourist train which shows you the town with commentary. You can stop briefly at the Castle before carrying on with your journey. While small, the castle and its gardens are worth visiting. For older kids, there is a tower beside the castle, Camera Obscura, to climb for great 360-degree views across Tavira and the River Gilao. Return to the castle after disembarking the tourist train if you want to climb the Camera Obscura tower.

Tavira itself does not have a beach but you can reach the Ilha de Tavira via a ferry which kids will enjoy. This runs generally from April to September. Near to Tavira is another interesting beach, Praia do Barril. This beach features an anchor cemetery, with rusted anchors from the time of the tuna fishermen, who lived in the buildings along the beachfront.

There is a small science center in Tavira which kids will enjoy thanks to the interactive displays. There are seasonal special events held at the center during the year, so check their website or Facebook page before you go. Along the riverbank is a cycle and skate park which can be enjoyed year-round, although it is best visited early in the morning or late afternoon during the summer months to escape the heat. And of course, Tavira has a large market selling fresh fish, fruit and vegetables and spices which you can enjoy most days of the week.

Although small and quieter than its western counterparts, Tavira is a lovely town in the East Algarve to visit with kids.

Olhão with kids

Olhao is a great little town to visit with kids. It’s located right next to Faro, which makes it very accessible. If you’re staying in Faro you can also easily plan a day trip to Olhao. Since, like Faro and Tavira, Olhao doesn’t have a beach it’s much quieter than the busy tourist towns west of Faro.

That doesn’t mean you have to spend those lovely sunny days without the famous Algarve beaches when staying in Olhao. From the harbor you can catch the ferry across to either Armona Island or Culatra Island and spend the day on one of the gorgeous island beaches. On both islands there’s a boardwalk that makes getting to the beach – even with a stroller or beach wagon – quite easy, although it’s a bit of a walk. Luckily there’s plenty to see on the way.

From Olhao you also have easy access to the famous Ria Formosa nature park, a system of barrier islands. Annually about 30.000 birds use the Ria Formosa wetlands as a migratory corridor. During the spring and autumn migratory periods hundreds of different bird species can be observed in this region. For certain bird species the Ria Formosa offers some of the last remaining nesting grounds in Europe. In the Algarve tourist season there are numerous Ria Formosa boat trips that you can take. In the wintertime, there’s a lot less choice, but you can still find boats to take you out if you want.

Other fun things to do in Olhao include a walk on the lovely green promenade. In the summertime the promenade gardens offer some much-needed shade. If you travel to the Algarve with a toddler you’ll appreciate the two small playgrounds that are right on the Olhao promenade. Of course the promenade is also an excellent spot to watch the fishing boats. Olhao has the largest fishing port in the Algarve region, so there’s always something going on. And the famous Olhao fish market in the central market hall is a sight to see as well. Olhao’s old town is what you picture when thinking about a small Portuguese fishing town. Traditional fishing houses with their uniquely tiled walls line the narrow streets and ensure some great Kodak moments.

Alvor with kids

Alvor is a lovely little town in the western part of the Algarve area, located right next to Portimao and near Lagos. Everything in Alvor is within easy walking distance, but it’s still big enough to have plenty of restaurants and bars. It has an amazing wide beach that’s very easy to reach, with a long boardwalk. The beach is about 3,5km long so you’ll always be able to find a quiet spot, even in the middle of the summer. The boardwalk offers easy access to the beach, even with a stroller.

Alvor is a traditional fishing village and has a small fishing harbor. On the eastern side, Alvor is bordered by the Alvor river. If you follow the boardwalk all the way, you can do a 5km loop, taking you through the Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve and the Alvor river delta. It’s great for birdwatching with little resting spots along the way.

Apart from the beach Alvor doesn’t offer a lot of family activities, but there are two small playgrounds. The one near the castle is for smaller kids, offering a small climbing structure and some swings. The little playground near the harbor is really only one climbing structure that slightly older kids might also enjoy. There are also some permanent fitness devices to play around with.

Since Alvor is so close to other popular Algarve destinations, like Lagos and Portimao it’s a great place to base yourself if you want to discover more of the western Algarve. By bus or by car, it takes about 20 minutes to reach Portimao and 30 minutes to get to Lagos.

Benagil Cave with kids

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Benagil is a small village on the Atlantic Ocean coast, 5 km from the famous and lively town Carvoeiro. Located in the district of Faro. Until recently, the inhabitants lived exclusively on fishing, but tourism is currently the main source of their income. And there is a great reason for that – the Benagil Cave. This mysterious cave really looks like for a place from a fairy tale – it’s one of the best places to visit in Algarve for kids.

Benagil Cave, with a sandy beach hidden inside, is considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe. It can only be reached from the ocean. There are many boat trips organized from the nearby beach, during which you can also see dolphins so your kids will definitely love it! The cost of a trip lasting several dozen minutes starts from 25 euros.

Tourists in good condition can even swim there on their own but this is not recommended for families with children! Alternatively, you can rent a kayak at the beach and visit the Benagil Algarve caves that way. It’s a safe option as kayaks have a separate “entry” to the cave. Reaching it is completely safe and there is no chance of contact with the motorboat.

So, are you ready to enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in Algarve with your kids?

Ferragudo with kids

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Ferragudo is a charming fishing village with a population of fewer than 2,000 people. It’s surrounded by water on two sides, the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Arade River estuary to the west. Just on the other side of the river is Portimão, a popular destination with holidaymakers. A fun way to reach Ferragudo is by taking a water taxi from Portimão or Praia da Rocha, which costs just a few euros round trip. Some captains have even been known to let children sit in the pilot seat and pretend to steer the boat!

Most people visit Ferragudo as a day trip from Portimão. But for a more low-key experience in a community with much less tourism development, Ferradugo makes a great base. There are a few small apartments and holiday homes for rent and a campground with chalets and a pool. It feels a world away from Portugal’s bustling cities like Porto, Lisbon, or even Portimão, the second-largest city in the Algarve. Ferragudo is made up of mostly quiet residential areas of narrow cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses with red-tiled roofs. Climb up to the church for some great views.

Kids will also love Castelo de São João de Arade, a 16th-century castle that sits right on the Angrinha beach and was built to defend the coast from pirates. Unfortunately, the interior is not open to the public, but you’re free to explore the outside. Praia Grande is Ferragudo’s best beach for families, as kids can safely play in the calm and sheltered waters of the estuary. There’s also a playground on the beach and some caves to explore.

Lagos with kids

Lagos is a small but lively Portuguese city, located about 30 minutes west of Portimão and an hour from Faro airport. Here you’ll find the impressive seaside cliffs you always see in the pictures from the Algarve. Lagos is one of the most visited cities along the Algarve coast. For its efforts to become a sustainable tourist destination, Lagos received the QualityCoast Gold Award in 2012.

From the center of Lagos it’s an easy 15-20 minute walk to either the small but charming Praia da Batata or Praia dos Etudiantes with their gorgeous cliffs and rock formations. Praia do Camilo is a bit further away, but the large wooden staircase offers good exercise and stunning pictures. Head in the northern direction towards the marina and you’ll find Sao Rock Beach and Meia Praia. Here the beach is wide with lovely fine sand. The half-open bay ensures relatively calm seas.

Boat trips to Ponta da Piedade (Mercy Point) are very popular. Along the Bensafrim riverside you’ll see many small stands that offer boat trips. There are fewer trips offered in the wintertime, but we were still able to go. The cliffs are absolutely stunning from the water and our son had a blast. After the 1-hour trip he immediately asked to go again! Even though there were only a few boats on the water, we still had to wait at some of the cliff entrances so I can imagine there might be a bit of a traffic jam on the water in the summer. You can also take a boat tour to Benagil Cave from Lagos, but it’s quite a long trip by boat to get there. Of course, that’s not such hardship if you love being on the water.

Other things to do in Lagos Portugal include visiting the small but well-preserved fort of Ponta da Badeira (you’ll find it close to Praia da Batata) with its small but attractive chapel, the Igreja de Santo António with its gilded wood carvings (our son found the paintings of St Antonio’s miracles too dark and gruesome) and wandering around the old town. Unless your kids are really into history, the Wax Museum of Portuguese Discoveries isn’t very interesting. It’s quite small and we felt the entrance fee was too high. The Lagos science museum (Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos) on the other hand is well worth a visit. Interesting exhibitions both inside and in a lovely garden.

Conclusion: where to go in Algarve with kids

There are so many things to do in Algarve Portugal for families, this really is a wonderful area to visit with kids. Whether you prefer an all-inclusive beach resort or a small fishing village, the Algarve has something for everyone. And the mild climate makes this a perfect destination to visit year-round. The past three years we enjoyed some lovely winter sun and beach days in January, what more can you want. The Algarve is great for a relaxing beach holiday, but also offers lots of tours and other activities such as boat trips, rock climbing, sailing and surfing. Add to that charming coastal towns, a rich history and great weather and you’ll have the recipe for a wonderful family holiday. We hope this posts will help you select the best place to stay in Algarve Portugal for you and your family.

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What do you do when someone offers you a week free accommodation in Portugal? I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have to think about it very long. My parents decided to rent an apartment in Olhao for a month in December and January and asked if my little world traveler and I wanted to come stay for a week. Of course we did! I was a bit excited about flying solo with our little man for the first time, but I had nothing to worry about. After all, he’s a pro.

Things to do in Algarve

The Algarve, in the south of Portugal, is an attractive region to visit. Besides Olhao, there are plenty of Algarve destinations that are suitable for a fun family visit, such as former fishing village Carvoeiro with its famous Banagil Cave. Best things to do in Algarve? Relax on one of the many beautiful beaches, drive along the stunning coastline, discover the rich history of the region, enjoy the many restaurants and beach bars and visit cute little fishing towns. The summer months are usually very warm and dry and in high season (July and August) it can get quite crowded. If you have the option to travel outside school holidays, late spring or early fall might be a better choice. It will still be warm enough to enjoy the beach, but much more enjoyable to go sightseeing.

Top things to do in Olhao Portugal (with kids)

Of the many places to visit in Algarve, Olhao should definitely be on your list. It’s a great little town to stay for a few days or to include in your list of day trips from Faro. Easy access to the Ria Formosa nature park and a nice promenade, combined with a lovely old town make this a perfect holiday destination in Portugal. Olhao itself doesn’t have a beach, but the lovely golden beaches of barrier islands Culatra and Armona are only a ferry ride away.

Discover Olhao old town

Olhao’s old town is full of character. Wander around the maze of tiny streets and soak up the atmosphere. From traditional fisherman’s houses with their unique tiled walls to the large murals (check out the large black and white ones near the Pingo Doce supermarket!), from the many sculptures to the cute little pastelaria’s (pastry shops) and neighborhood cafe’s. See if you can find the many stork’s nests on top of the higher buildings or chimneys. Don’t forget to check the cute white Our Lady of the Rosary Church, there’s at least one stork at the foot of the cross on the roof.

Wander around Olhao fish market

Prominent landmarks, the two red Olhao market hall buildings can’t be missed when you’re walking around. One houses the famous Olhao fish market, the other one is a permanent fruit and vegetable market. Both are worth a visit. Our son loved pointing out all the weird fish he saw on display and was amazed by the enormous offer of fresh fruits and veggies. This second market hall is also a great place to score some teas, teas and other local products to bring home as gifts. Once a week on Saturday there’s also a large farmers market on the square outside the market halls. All the nearby terraces are full and there are many bargains to be had.

Eat fresh fish in Olhao

With such a large fishing port and fish market, Olhao is one of the best places in Portugal to eat fresh fish. Sitting on the promenade you see the fishing boats coming and going all day. It doesn’t get fresher than that! Pick your fish or seafood of choice from the iced display at one of the many restaurants and have it prepared the traditional way, barbecued with salt and lemon. If your kids enjoy fish, this is definitely a treat!

Find the playgrounds at Olhao promenade

As mentioned before Olhao doesn’t have its own beachfront, but it has a nice promenade. Along the promenade are lovely gardens that offer some much-needed shade in the hot summer months. The promenade offers two playgrounds for kids, one near the ferry terminal and one opposite the police station. They aren’t huge but have some nice climbing structures and a slide. Our little boy enjoyed playing there, especially when there were some other kids around and they could play together. All along the boulevard, you’ll find wooden benches so you can sit and relax while watching the fishing boats come and go.

Go on a guided boat trip in the Ria Formosa National Park

As it was quite cold the first days we were in Olhao, we decided not to do a boat trip around the Ria Formosa, although there were a few on offer when we were there. But in the summer months, a guided boat trip in the Ria Formosa is definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Algarve. The Ria Formosa is the second most important wetland for aquatic birds in Portugal, so a birdwatching tour from the water is a special treat. Dolphins are also found off the southern coast of Portugal and a dolphin watching tour is a great way to spend some quality family time. The best time to spot dolphins in the Algarve is between June and September. You can also do Olhao boat trips to discover the barrier islands of the Ria Formosa.

Discover Olhao’s beaches

While Olhao itself doesn’t have any beaches, the beautiful golden beaches of Culatra Island and Armona Island are only a ferry ride away. The ferry from Olhao to Armona Island takes about 15 minutes and it takes about 30 minutes to get from Olhao to Culatra Island. If you’re on a budget, taking the ferry is just as much fun for your kids as a guided boat tour. Our little world traveler thought it was quite an adventure! Ilha da Armona is closer by and said by many to be their favorite, but we enjoyed the more authentic feel of Ilha da Culatra better. I imagine Armona will be very busy in the summer months, it has a campground and many holiday homes. Once on the islands, it’s very easy to get around even if you’re using a stroller. It’s a bit of a walk (about 15 minutes) but there are boardwalks all the way to the beach on both Olhao islands. While the ferries do run, operating times are much less frequent in the winter months.

Getting to Olhao Algarve Portugal

By far the easiest way to reach Olhao Algarve is to fly into Faro airport and take a taxi from there (taxi fare should be €20-25 one way). You can pre-arrange your Faro to Olhao transfer, but if you’re not arriving during the night and need the peace of mind, there’s no need. There’s also a bus and train connection between Faro and Olhao. Faro’s bus and train station are only a few minutes apart and quite close to the airport.

Getting around in Olhao

The narrow streets of Olhao’s old town are easiest to navigate on foot. Everything you need is within walking distance, a large supermarket (Pingo Doce), restaurants, promenade. On the promenade you can also rent bikes, which seems like a great affordable option if you want to go exploring a bit more. Of course, it’s also possible to rent a car and drive along the stunning Algarve coast. For the best Olhao car rental deals head to Faro airport. Ferries to Ilha da Culatra (Culatra Island) and Ilha da Armona (Armona island) depart from the ferry pier on Olha’s promenade.

Conclusion: Olhao with kids, yes or no?

That’s easy…. YES! If you’re in the area, Olhao is definitely worth visiting with your kids. Whether you’re staying at Algarve’s capital and looking for things to do near Faro or if you’re looking to spend a few days on the Portuguese coast, Olhao has quite a lot to offer. We especially enjoyed visiting and exploring the islands and wandering around Olhao’s quaint old town. Because Olhao doesn’t have a beach front, it’s less overrun with tourists. It’s a bit less polished and feels much more authentic than many other little towns in the Algarve.

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