Family day trips near Faro, Algarve
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm taking the family off to Portugal for a fortnight soon - could do with some fresh ideas.
We've had a timeshare villa in Quinta do Lago (Fours Seasons Fairways) for the last few years and follow a fairly well-worn path of beach/lunch at GiGis and Casa do Lago, go-karting in Almancil, lunch at Rui Marisqueira in Silves, visit the fish market and food market in Quarteira (I normally cook on the BBQ at the villa in the evenings as the kids are all small) and a trip to Zoomarine.
We love doing all the above, but would like to explore a little more this time. The only time we ever spend in Faro is in transit to the airport - but looking out of the window on the plane there looks to be some fantastic lagoons and beaches south of the city. We've never visited the old parts of town either
Any suggestions for some kid-friendly (1, 4 and 7 year olds) activities in the area that will take us away from the championship-golf-course crowd? Food is obviously a big deal for us, but doesn't have to be the locus of everything we do
I'm taking the family off to Portugal for a fortnight soon - could do with some fresh ideas.
We've had a timeshare villa in Quinta do Lago (Fours Seasons Fairways) for the last few years and follow a fairly well-worn path of beach/lunch at GiGis and Casa do Lago, go-karting in Almancil, lunch at Rui Marisqueira in Silves, visit the fish market and food market in Quarteira (I normally cook on the BBQ at the villa in the evenings as the kids are all small) and a trip to Zoomarine.
We love doing all the above, but would like to explore a little more this time. The only time we ever spend in Faro is in transit to the airport - but looking out of the window on the plane there looks to be some fantastic lagoons and beaches south of the city. We've never visited the old parts of town either
Any suggestions for some kid-friendly (1, 4 and 7 year olds) activities in the area that will take us away from the championship-golf-course crowd? Food is obviously a big deal for us, but doesn't have to be the locus of everything we do
Some suggestions
The old town of Faro is worth a visit if only to be under the flight path. Park near the marina and wander round - You get a good view from top of the old church and the skulls in the walls are 'interesting' as well.
Tavira is worth a visit as a working Portuguese town and nearby is Tavira island - where you get a little train out to the beach (although this was over 10 years ago so may not be there now but Google maps suggests it still is.)
A good place for kids is Parque da Mina - a wildlife park on the N266 to Monchique - I'm not a great fan of zoos but this is not too bad with large enclosures and a great setting. I think it was run by an English couple when we went. Carrying on up to Monchique is always worth it for its quaintness (!) and on up to the top near the masts gives a great view of the whole Algarve.
Portimao is worth a wander around and there are lots of boat trips of varying lengths from there. The Sardine restaurants are also not to be missed.
Slide & Splash is good but can be pricy for a whole family so make a full day of it as you can't come back in - its much better than Aqualand which had an old feel when I went.
Further west Sagres has great open beaches - good for bodyboarding and its near to Cape Saint Vincent which is the most Westerly point in Europe - not a lot there apart from big cliffs and a lighthouse !
Last year we went across the border to Spain - Ayamonte - good for shopping (as long as you avoid Siesta time) but probably not much for kids although you can get a passenger ferry from Vila Real de San Antonio which makes a nice trip.
I knew going to Portugal every year for over 10 years would come in handy one day !
The old town of Faro is worth a visit if only to be under the flight path. Park near the marina and wander round - You get a good view from top of the old church and the skulls in the walls are 'interesting' as well.
Tavira is worth a visit as a working Portuguese town and nearby is Tavira island - where you get a little train out to the beach (although this was over 10 years ago so may not be there now but Google maps suggests it still is.)
A good place for kids is Parque da Mina - a wildlife park on the N266 to Monchique - I'm not a great fan of zoos but this is not too bad with large enclosures and a great setting. I think it was run by an English couple when we went. Carrying on up to Monchique is always worth it for its quaintness (!) and on up to the top near the masts gives a great view of the whole Algarve.
Portimao is worth a wander around and there are lots of boat trips of varying lengths from there. The Sardine restaurants are also not to be missed.
Slide & Splash is good but can be pricy for a whole family so make a full day of it as you can't come back in - its much better than Aqualand which had an old feel when I went.
Further west Sagres has great open beaches - good for bodyboarding and its near to Cape Saint Vincent which is the most Westerly point in Europe - not a lot there apart from big cliffs and a lighthouse !
Last year we went across the border to Spain - Ayamonte - good for shopping (as long as you avoid Siesta time) but probably not much for kids although you can get a passenger ferry from Vila Real de San Antonio which makes a nice trip.
I knew going to Portugal every year for over 10 years would come in handy one day !
Thanks chaps - much appreciated! Some useful stuff there.
eps, if you do go to Silves and you haven't been to Rui Marisqueira then you really should try it. Lunch is far easier to get a table, queues up the street in the evening apparently. It's meant to be one of the best seafood restaurants in the Algarve despite being in-land. We always have Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) which is delicious and stunningly good value.
eps, if you do go to Silves and you haven't been to Rui Marisqueira then you really should try it. Lunch is far easier to get a table, queues up the street in the evening apparently. It's meant to be one of the best seafood restaurants in the Algarve despite being in-land. We always have Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) which is delicious and stunningly good value.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff