The Algarve with Kids: Beaches, Water Parks and Days Out

The Algarve is one of Europe’s best family holiday destinations: calm sandy beaches, water parks, dolphins, boat trips into sea caves and plenty of sunshine. Here are the best things to do in the Algarve with kids, from parents who live in Portugal.

Quick answer: choose calm, sandy beaches like Meia Praia, Alvor or the Ria Formosa islands, spend a day at Zoomarine or a water park (Slide & Splash, Aquashow, Aqualand), take a dolphin trip or a calm boat to Benagil, and visit the sand sculptures at SandCity. Most water parks are open from about April to October.

The best beaches for kids

• Meia Praia (Lagos): 4km of flat sand and gentle waves.
• Alvor: a huge beach with a lagoon and boardwalk.
• Armação de Pêra: a long, family-friendly beach.
• The Ria Formosa islands (Armona, Ilha de Tavira): calm lagoon water on one side.
• Carvoeiro and Praia da Rocha: easy town beaches.

Swim at lifeguarded beaches (usually June to mid-September) and keep away from cliffs. See the best Algarve beaches.

Family days out

• Zoomarine (Guia): dolphins, sea lions, rides and pools. See tickets.
• Slide & Splash (Lagoa): from €27 for adults and €19.80 for ages 5–10, open until 31 October.
• Aquashow (Quarteira) and Aqualand: big slides and wave pools. See water park tickets.
• SandCity (Lagoa): giant sand sculptures. See tickets.
• Krazy World (Algoz) and Lagos Zoo: smaller animal parks for younger kids.
• Dolphin watching on bigger, steadier boats. See Algarve boat trips.
• Castles: Silves castle is cheap and fun to explore. See Silves.

Where to stay

Family resorts with kids’ clubs and pools make life easy. See the best family resorts in the Algarve and where to stay in the Algarve.

Tips from parents

• Midday sun is fierce: beach in the morning and late afternoon, and rest in between.
• Book car seats with your hire car or transfer. See Faro airport transfers.
• Restaurants welcome children, and half portions are common.
• Families with babies get priority in queues by law.
• Go early to popular beaches like Marinha for parking.

More: Portugal with kids and Portugal with teenagers.

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