6 of the best things for families to see and to do in the Algarve

From surf lessons to waterparks, here’s our pick of family attractions that are not to be missed in Portugal’s sun-soaked Algarve region.

With its year-round balmy climate, golden beaches and calm waters, the Algarve in Portugal has long been a family favourite. Add to that the fact that this most southern region of Portugal is also consistently rated one of the best-value holiday destinations – with a glass of wine costing as little as £1.81 ($2.31) and a cup of coffee costing just £0.81 ($1.04) – and you have a place that ticks all the boxes for a family holiday.

Sagres, The Algarve, Portugal. (Image: Courtesy of Turismo do Algarve) Courtesy of Turismo do Algarve

Stretching from Vila Real on the Spanish border in the east to Sagres in the west, the Algarve is home to an incredible array of activities to suit children of all ages – and keep their parents happy, too. Golf lovers will be in their element, whether it’s teeing off at an award-winning course or watching their offspring master their own skills in a junior golf camp. Meanwhile surfers can get their fix in the ‘wild west’ coastal town of Sagres, where Atlantic waves to suit all abilities roll in all year round. Active families can enjoy quality time together playing padel (a form of tennis), while thrillseekers can test their mettle on Europe’s tallest freefall slide.

The Algarve is also home to some stellar accommodation options for families, whether you’re after resorts with impressive playgrounds and children’s pools; self-catering boltholes with luxury touches; or somewhere with a convenient city-centre or beachside location.

This is a region you’ll want to visit time and again with your family – and here are six of the best things to do.

1. Tee off

Golf courses in the Algarve are among the best in the world – and families can make the most of them, too. Overlooking the Atlantic, the immaculate course at Pine Cliffs Resort features a championship tee called “the Devil’s Parlour”, requiring a 646-foot (197m) shot over a ravine. Meanwhile, children can join their junior golf camp, which runs from Monday to Friday.

Ombria Resort north of Loule has also just opened a new, 18-hole golf course and clubhouse built into the castle-like walls of a farm ruin. The prestigious Monte Rei, designed by Jack Nicklaus, should be on any golfer’s bucket list, while Quinta do Lago (pictured) has a Paul McGinley Golf Academy offering lessons for adults and kids.

Quinta do Lago, The Algarve, Portugal. (Image: M.Horta/Alamy Stock Photo) M.Horta/Alamy Stock Photo

2. Play padel

Fancy trying your hand at one of the world’s fastest-growing sports? A cross between squash and tennis, padel is an all-action game that uses a solid padel rather than a stringed racquet. Its 25 million players worldwide include celebs such as David Beckham and Elle Macpherson. It’s played in a doubles format, making it highly sociable and ideal for families. It also has fewer rules than tennis, making it easier to pick up. Though it was devised in Mexico, it’s huge in Spain and has a rapidly growing following in Portugal.

Give it a go at Pine Cliffs Resort, which is already a top tennis destination thanks to its academy led by the former British No. 1 player Annabel Croft. As well as five floodlit tennis courts, the resort also has a padel court, which can be booked by the hour (from €27/$29). A padel family package includes one-hour court hire, balls, padels and water (from €45/49).

Aerial view of Pine Cliffs Resort, The Algarve. (Image: Courtesy of Pine Cliffs Resort) Courtesy of Pine Cliffs Resort

3. Make a splash

When the mercury soars, children will love cooling off in a waterpark – and the Algarve is home to some excellent options.

In Quarteira, the new AquaShow Park offers the Algarve’s first and only indoor waterpark – perfect for escaping the midday sun. As well as a baby pool and gentler children’s slides, it has waterfalls and an adventure pool complete with a climbing wall, hammock and rings for adrenaline seekers. Parents can relax in the Jacuzzis while their brood burns off energy in the wave pool or playing on water cannons. There’s also an outdoor area with the tallest freefall slide in Europe. Prices from €30 ($32) per adult; €20 ($21) per child.

Slide and Splash waterpark, The Algarve, Portugal. (Image: Angelo DeVal/Alamy Stock Photo) Angelo DeVal/Alamy Stock Photo

Further west in the region, Aqualand has an extensive area for little ones as well as a surf pool and flying carpets. Or there's Slide and Splash (pictured), which offers everything from a “disco river ride” with music and lighting effects to a flume that plunges you into total blackness.

4. Hit the beach

Whether it’s sunbathing or sandcastle building, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained on the beach in the Algarve. And no wonder: with more than 100 golden, sandy stretches to choose from, the hardest part is narrowing down where to go. Hiring a car will make accessing them with children all the more manageable. Many of the beaches, including around Portimao, are accessed via steep steps, so check beforehand if you’re taking a pram.

You could start at Praia da Marinha with its arching rock formations and calm water. Or try Praia da Falesia (pictured) – backed by apricot cliffs, it has a superb family-friendly restaurant called Maré that sits right on the sand. Parents can relax with a glass of local wine while staff debone fresh fish and keep kids entertained with colouring books.

Praia da Falesia, The Algarve, Portugal. (Image: Denis Comeau/Shutterstock) Denis Comeau/Shutterstock

Head west and discover Burgau, nicknamed the Portuguese Santorini for its blue and white painted houses and idyllic shores. Watch paddleboarders glide through the crystal-clear water or join picnicking families (you can hire a pair of sunbeds from €15/$16 for a half day, or simply throw down your towel). Its wide crescent of sand is flat and reached via a slope, ideal for prams.

A 20-minute drive west, Praia da Ingrina is a family favourite thanks to its small, sheltered cove where youngsters can splash in the shallows. There are fewer crowds on the west coast beaches, such as Odeceixe, which has a calm river lagoon on one side and Atlantic surf on the other.

5. Catch a wave

To experience more of the Algarve’s coast, dive right in with a surf lesson. With a southern and western coast to choose from, you’ll always find somewhere with good conditions. In the western reaches of the Algarve, Sagres has a high concentration of surf schools, perfect for everything from one-off lessons to longer courses.

Freeride Surf School offers lessons and surf rental (from €15/$16). Group surf lessons are suitable for adults and children aged over 12 (two hours, €65/$70). They include board and wetsuit hire and transport to the beach with the best conditions, such as Zavial, which has waves for all abilities and a beachside restaurant for refuelling afterwards. Private lessons are a good option for younger children (aged between six and 11) or for a whole family of up to five people (90 minutes, from €200/$218).

Next door to the surf school, Memmo Baleeira is an ideal base for families, with self-catering suites, sweeping sea views and a large lawn for kids to let off steam. It also features a small playground and indoor and outdoor pools that allow children.

Surfing in The Algarve, Portugal. (Image: Courtesy of Turismo do Algarve) Courtesy of Turismo do Algarve

6. Explore Faro

Faro is so much more than a jumping-off point for your Algarve trip. This underrated city is perfect for families, with its wide open beaches, Maldives-esque islands and flat terrain that’s easy to navigate with a pushchair (though choose a pram that can cope with cobbles). Older children will love the educational displays at the Science Centre, while parents will enjoy watching the sun set over the Ria Formosa from its roof terrace.

Just a nine-minute drive from the airport, Faro Beach is a great place to linger before your flight home. There’s a Californian vibe here, with boardwalks, beach games and rugged hills rising in the background. In the evening, the sun casts a golden glow on brightly painted beach shacks and bars that fill up beneath the palm trees.

PawelKusek/Shutterstock

Elementos is a great option for hungry families, serving kids’ food beyond your usual deep-fried fish fingers and chips (instead, think chicken fillet and rice). Children can play on the sand and splash in the ankle-high water of the Ria Formosa while they wait for their meal to arrive.

Cardeal Suites & Apartments is a great place to base yourself. Spacious and centrally located, it has a pretty courtyard, onsite parking, self-catering facilities and cots on request. The breakfast baskets before an early flight are a welcome touch, too.

Lead image: Courtesy of Pine Cliffs Resort