Hit the beach!
Albufeira has some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. Some are lined with bars, restaurants and ice cream stands while others are quieter and a little further away from the crowds. It is always advisable to choose a beach with a lifeguard on duty, especially when you are visiting with children, and many of them do, particularly in the summer season. Watch out for the coloured flags which indicate the swimming conditions. A red and yellow flag confirms that the water is safe and that a lifeguard is on duty. Many beaches have also been awarded the coveted Blue Flag when they score highly on safety, water quality, facilities and environmental management. The beaches vary from small coves and beautiful rock formations to long stretches of soft sand and gentle surf. Many of them have parking areas and excellent beach facilities and are renowned for clear waters and family friendly waves.
Here are some of the best beaches to visit in Albufeira for families:
Aqualand Park
Aqualand water park is a fun-filled family attraction. There are slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and other water activities for the young and the young-at-heart. One of the newest attractions here is the King Cobra which can be enjoyed solo or with a partner. It starts 25 meters above ground twisting you from side to side and down a large drop leading you directly into the head of the King Cobra in what promises to be an exhilarating ride! For those that don’t fancy the slides, there are lots of lawns and sun beds to relax and sunbathe while the adrenalin junkies hit the slides!
Boat trips
Albufeira has several boat trip options but we highly recommend booking with our friends Wish & Fish who are based at Albufeira Marina. You can go fishing, take a sunset cruise and explore the beautiful coastline, or have a whole day out at sea spotting dolphins along the way! The friendly crew will show you all the hidden caves along the coast and find secluded bays that can only be reached from the sea. Experience the revitalising feeling of dropping the anchor and jumping into the sapphire blue sea! There are life jackets for all the family and top quality fishing rods for those who fancy catching their dinner! This really is the best way to see the dramatic and beautiful coastline whilst getting away from the crowds.
One of our clients also recommended Eco Sun Charters for a fun day out on the water, saying “We stopped off the coast for a swim then a water taxi came to the boat to take us into the harbour where the captain had booked us lunch then a water taxi back to the boat to carry on with the trip. A very special day.”
Albufeira old town
Once a quiet fishing village, Albufeira’s old town is a charming area with narrow streets, white-washed buildings, and plenty of shops, restaurants and live entertainment in the busier months. Take a stroll with your family, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the atmosphere. Live music will filter through the streets and there are lots of restaurants serving different cuisines, pleasing the self proclaimed foodies to the fussiest of eaters! There are lots of places to purchase beach toys and souvenirs and, if you want to add a bit of culture to your trip, there is a small archaeology museum (Museu Municipal de Arqueologia) which houses artefacts from the prehistoric era to the 16th Century. Admission is only €1.
Family friendly restaurants
Nearly all of the restaurants in this area are family friendly and children are as welcome as the adults. In more recent years the number of restaurants and eateries in the area has multiplied and now you will find everything from cafes serving a full English breakfast, Japanese inspired Sushi restaurants, Italian style pizzerias and of course, a plethora of family run Portuguese restaurants that proudly offer up their locally produced wines and tasty, traditional dishes.
Here are some of the best restaurants for families in Albufeira:
Stock photo, go karting
Go karting
Albufeira Marina is a great place to go with families and one of the many attractions is Algarve Karting. Located in the car park, is is an underground race track with electric race karts, designed to give you the ultimate driving experience in a fun, safe environment. ‘400m of pure indoor tyre burning fun!’ This is perfect for avoiding the midday sun or simply to burn off some energy before bedtime.
Overall, Albufeira offers a huge variety of activities for families, catering to every age group, taste and budget. Having enjoyed many a holiday in this area our team are happy to make personal recommendations or can help to point you in the right direction.
We have so many family friendly villas in this area and we are always happy to talk things through to ensure that you make the perfect choice for your family.
