Family-friendly holidays in the Algarve

Tips and ideas for taking the family to this beautiful coastal region of Portgual

Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal, and one of the UK’s favoruite holiday destinations. We can see why: with sandy beaches, plenty fo golf courses as well as quiet inland farms and exciting water parks, it’s an ideal place for a getaway with the family – and often a more laid-back alternative to Spain’s Costa del Sol and Costa Brava.

When it comes to finding cheap holidays to Algarve, price comparison sites and cheap holiday experts such as On The Beach will be on hand to guide you through the best deals in the locations that interest you.

From the bustling sands of Playa Del Ingles and busy family resorts of Albufeira to the eastern tip of San Antonio and the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, tailor-making a Portuguese seaside escape is easy, and adaptable to your needs and travel arrangements.

Families with older children, 10 and above, will no doubt be looking for ways to keep the kids active, and allow them some independence. A busier resort like Albufeira may be your first stop, as it houses some of the most activity-based resorts and beach clubs.

Whilst this is one of the most touristy spots on the Algarve, Albufeira does have sufficient bars, shops and sports activities – from golf to tennis to windsurfing or sailing – to keep teens busy. With plenty of crèche and kids-club options, as well as a waterpark under 15 miles away, it’s also good for cheap package deals and day trips.

Younger families with young children will no doubt require something quieter, and the fishermen’s villages a little further west along the coast will serve this purpose excellently. For those interested in seafood and a taste of a more Algarvian way of life, Olhão, just east of Albufeira and kissing the first western edges of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, is widely regarded as the area’s prime fishing port, bringing with it some extremely inexpensive and delicious fish restaurants.

If you’re travelling with a large family – grandparents or aunts and uncles too – then renting a villa inland in Monchique and visiting spots along the coast is a lovely idea, especially if you want younger kids to have some peace and quiet away from busy hotels.