Visiting The Algarve With Kids: 5 Must-Do Activities

With a huge abundance of family-friendly activities around the Algarve, this makes it the perfect holiday destination for families of all ages. Visiting the Algarve with kids can often mean that you spend a lot of time on the beaches or by the pool, but the Algarve has a great reputation when it comes to being a family-friendly holiday destination. Whether you’re looking for activities which are just a stone’s throw away from your villa or a full-day trip, here are 5 must-do activities to do on your holiday.

Zoomarine, Guia

Just a short trip away from Albufeira, Zoomarine is one of the Algarve’s most popular tourist attractions. The park has everything you could dream of for a fun family day out, from shows, animals, rides and pools. Zoomarine focuses on environmental education and is also a rehabilitation centre for marine life. You can also enjoy sea lion and dolphin shows, bird of prey displays or visit the Dolphin Emotions centre, where you can get involved with the Dolphin Interaction programme, which is the only one in Europe. 

Aqualand, Alcantarilla 

Aqualand is one of the most popular water parks and tourist attractions in the Algarve and has been a must-visit tourist attraction when visiting the Algarve with kids for over 20 years. With slides which appeal to both children and adrenaline junkies (you can find the highest water slide in Portugal at Aqualand) there are slides of all different shapes and sizes. Aqualand is only open during the summer months, but is sure to give you an entertaining day out with family and friends. 

Boat Trips

Most children tend to really enjoy boat trips, so if you are visiting the Algarve with kids, then this is a great adventure for you all to enjoy. No matter where in the Algarve you are staying, you will be sure to find a number of different boat trips available due to the vast coastline. There are many different types of boat trips available, whether you want to go on a pirate adventure, enjoy an on-boat BBQ or go cave exploring, be sure to do some research beforehand. 

Mini Golf

Whilst Portugal is home to some of the best golf courses in the world, when you are visiting the Algarve with kids, it is highly unlikely that these courses will accomodate children. If you still want to get a golfing fix during your holiday, then there are also a range of mini golf courses where you can enjoy a round or two. Beautifully landscaped and featuring fun obstacles, the whole family will have fun. If dinosaurs are a family favourite, then you should visit Adventure Golf Alvor, where you can find 18 holes of mini golf with a great Jurrasic Park theme. 

Parque Aventura, Albufeira

If you’re visiting the Algarve with kids who are a little older, then you might want something which is a little more interesting for them. Parque Aventura gives you the opportunity to have fun in the treetops and is a challenging high rope course with bridges, nets, zip lines and much more. If you are visiting in the middle of summer, you may want to give this a miss as it can get warm and tiring but it is the perfect activity to do in the cooler summer months.