Trimmed with over 200km of golden sands, fantastic resorts and glorious weather; it's no wonder families regard the Algarve as a holiday paradise. The most popular tourist destination in Portugal, read on to find out more.
ALBUFEIRA
Famed for its beaches, Albufeira has more than 25 enticing sandy stretches to explore.
Families also flock to Albufeira for the great choice of hotels and attractions; it's close to
Portugal's best oceangraphic park, Zoomarine, Aqualand Algarve waterpark and the Aquashow waterpark in nearby Quateira too. Take a horse-riding tour in the spectacular area around the natural lagoons of Salgados, or tired feet can hop on the mini-train running around Albufeira. With its dolphin status painted in bright candy colours, it's difficult to miss the marina. There are lots of places to eat and drink and the kids will love the amusement arcades and bowling lanes. The picturesque old town is a charming maze of streets, cobbled squares, outdoor markets and family-friendly restaurants.
OLHOS D'AGUA Sandwiched between Albufeira and Vilamoura, quiet Olhos D'Agua is a lovely, laid back fishing village. Watch fishermen haul their daily catch down on the waterfront, and later you can enjoy the fruits of their labour in the family-run restaurants. There are lots of eating places along the main street that runs down the hill to the waterfront - where you'll find a cosy little beach. Praia d'Agua. At low tide, freshwater springs bubble up through the sane - the area Olhos d'Agua literally transfers to 'water eyes' thanks to these natural wonders. Alternatively, just to the east is the lush Praia da Falesia, which stretches all the way to Vilamoura. Away from the scenic coastline, there's an adventure park, and Zoomarine is just a short drive away. If you fancy a change of pace, a 15-minute drive west takes you to Albufeira and the same distance to the east is Vilamoura. ARMACAO DE PERA A fun-loving resort, the waterfront buzzes with lots of cafes, ice cream parlours and
restaurants to choose from. The town's beach, Praia Grande, is a superb three-kilometre swathe of find golden sand where children can paddle in the shallow waters. Over at the old town, Fisherman's Beach is flanked by a small promenade of shops and restaurants. There's also an ancient fort built in the 16th century to defend local fisherman from pirates which will capture the children's imagination. Head over to Silves, the old Moorish capital of Portugal, for a day out. Travel back in time at 15th century Castelo de Silves; it's the best preserved castle in the Algarve. Close by, you'll find the Archaeological Museum built over an 18m deep well which houses a collection of Roman and Iron age artefacts. ALVOR A truly charming resort, wander the cobbled streets of the old town to uncover medieval
churches sitting alongside classy bars and restaurants that light up with live music every evening. There are also the ruins of a 7th-century castle to explore. Alvor has its fair share of unbeatable beaches, but it's the lagoon that really separates this place from the rest. It's a shallow, deep-blue freshwater pool that's adored by swimmers and kite surfers. Little legs will make light work of a walk along the wooden boardwalk weaving its way through the nature reserve while they look out for birds overhead. Be sure to visit the Slide & Splash waterpark, go on a dolphin watching boat trip and get competitive at the Lost World Adventure Golf with a round of crazy golf. There's plenty of water sports on offer too including surfing, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking.
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