If you are unsure what to do with your children while you are here, then take a look at these suggestions.

Head to the Beach

No visit to the Algarve would be complete without a visit to the beach and children can spend hours playing in the sand, paddling in the water or slashing around with friends and family. Every beach in the Algarve is different and while some kids will be more than happy digging a hole most of the day, older teens may be looking for some more adventure so why not pick a beach with water sports, such as those in Albufeira. There are also a number of beaches with parks, including Praia da Rocha and Praia Grande – a great alternative to swimming.

Fun filled water parks

There are a number of water parks in the Algarve; Aquashow, Aqualand, Slide and Splash and Zoomarine, and all offer a fantastic day out for children and also the young at heart! Each park has something special to offer visitors and also provides transport options for those who may not have their own vehicle to travel across the region. Out of the main season the parks often have special discounted prices, while promotions are also usually available online. Take you on picnic for the day or enjoy the food and drink options at the parks which are all a brilliant day out for children of all ages.

Park life

Inland, away from the beaches, you will find that there are numerous municipal parks to make the most of in the Algarve. The spaces have been designed for the entire community to enjoy but are especially good for kids looking to be able to stretch their legs. Many parks also include other facilities including skate areas, exercise stages and playparks, they also often have smooth paving, making these the best places for children to use their rollerblades, scooters or bikes without the bumps of the calçada! Head into Portimão to feed the ducks on the pond near to Continente supermarket or drop down the hill to Silves near the municipal swimming pools to take a stroll along the riverside.

Hop on the train

Not the actual railway line in the Algarve, but instead the small “trains” that tour around most major towns and destinations in the Algarve! These are little trucks that have been made to look like a train engine, that pull carriages behind them. Small children will love this experience as they tour around the town waving at passers-by, however this is also a really great way to explore the local area, especially if you are new to town and are keen to see what is in the local area as the train will usually take you past the main attractions on its route.

Mini golf

The Algarve is well known for being a mecca for golf enthusiasts however it is not just the grown-ups who can have fun on the greens! There are an increasing number of mini golf courses popping up all across the region, from Vilamoura, to Mar Shopping, Alvor, Vale do Lobo and even Krazy World in Algoz has a great course that is suitable for all ages. It doesn’t matter what your level of experience is, you can simply turn up and start to play with no instruction needed. Older teens may want to make it more of a challenge and fill in the score cards to see who the victor is, while younger kids will be more than happy to just sink their putt before heading off for an ice cream.

All aboard!

A boat trip along the coast of the Algarve is a “must do” when in the region and one that children will always remember. There are so many different types of trips to choose from, including half days exploring the caves, full days with a beach barbecue or specialist trips to go out and try to spot some dolphins. There are also some incredible boats themselves to choose from, a firm favourite with children being the pirate ship that sets sail from Portimão however there are also yachts, traditional fishing boats, catamarans and speed boats to choose from depending what you are looking for!

Monkeying around

If your children love animals, then you have lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with furry friends in the Algarve. Lagos Zoo in the western Algarve is great for younger children who will be able to see animals in this open area park complete with monkey island! Krazy World in Algoz is home to a selection of reptiles and a great little petting zoo where you feed the sheep and goats while the city farm in Portimão is a great place to explore with friendly farm animals.

Getting to the Algarve to enjoy a fantastic family holiday with children is easy, with flight times from most major northern European cities coming in at around only three hours. There are regular flights throughout the week to Faro Airport in the Algarve, including from Munich with Lufthansa, from Frankfurt with either Lufthansa or Ryanair and from Dusseldorf with Eurowings or Ryanair.

As soon as you land in Faro then your Algarve adventure can truly begin, with the airport only a short drive to most of the major destinations in the region.