A Week-Long Family-Friendly Itinerary for Algarve

  • Day 1: Beach Day at Praia dos Olhos de Água
    30 minutes (20 km) from Faro

    Kickstart your trip with a relaxing day at the beautiful Praia dos Olhos de Água, known for its calm and child-friendly beach. Explore the tucked-away caves or stroll through the fishing village nearby. Make sure to grab some tasty seafood for lunch.

  • Day 2: Zoomarine
    30 minutes (20 km) from Praia dos Olhos de Água

    Get ready to experience a fun-filled day at Zoomarine, where you can enjoy water slides, wave pools, and a variety of shows and exhibitions with marine animals. Don't forget to catch the biggest attraction, the dolphin show, where you can watch these intelligent creatures perform some incredible acrobatics.

  • Day 3: Ria Formosa Natural Park
    40 minutes (30 km) from Zoomarine

    Enjoy a peaceful day exploring the Ria Formosa Natural Park, which is known for its beautiful scenery, biodiversity, and unique ecosystem. Take a boat tour to get a closer look at the park's flora and fauna or enjoy some water sports like kayaking or stand-up paddling.

  • Day 4: Lagos
    1 hour (75 km) from Ria Formosa Natural Park

    Take a trip to the historic town of Lagos, which features many golden beaches, lovely streets to stroll, and a rich history to learn about. Visit the stunning and iconic Ponta da Piedade, which is known for its breathtaking cliffs and rock formations. You can also visit the Lagos Zoo for some more family-friendly fun.

  • Day 5: Lagos Zoo
    Located in Lagos

    Spend another fun-filled day at the Lagos Zoo, which is home to a variety of animals from all over the world. The zoo also features a petting zoo, a playground, and several picnic areas, making it a great destination for the whole family.

  • Day 6: Albufeira Water Park
    40 minutes (33 km) from Lagos

    Get ready to have a blast at the Albufeira Water Park. Enjoy adrenaline-pumping water slides, wave pools, and river channels, suitable for all ages. Treat yourself to some mouth-watering snacks and refreshing drinks at one of its many food venues.

  • Day 7: Fiesa Sand City
    40 minutes (31 km) from Albufeira Water Park

    End your trip on a high note with a visit to Fiesa Sand City, which showcases over 60 impressive sand sculptures. The sculptures depict popular cultural icons around the world, and the intricacy and skill of the sculptures will definitely leave you in awe.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Praia dos Olhos de Água (Free)
  • Zoomarine (1 day, €29 per adult, €20,50 per child aged 5-10)
  • Ria Formosa Natural Park (2-3 hours, €25 per person for a boat tour)
  • Lagos (Free)
  • Lagos Zoo (1 day, €19 per adult, €12 per child aged 5-11)
  • Albufeira Water Park (1 day, €24 per adult, €16 per child aged 5-10)
  • Fiesa Sand City (2 hours, €9,50 per adult, €4,50 per child aged 6-12)

  • Total Estimated Costs: €284 per adult, €200,50 per child aged 5-10

Transportation

The best way to explore Algarve is by renting a car, which will cost you approximately €20-30 per day. The distances between the attractions are relatively short, and the only tolls you might incur are on the A22 highway.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit some of the other popular attractions in Algarve, like Sagres Point, Roman Ruins of Milreu, and Santa Luzia. If you have less time, you can skip some of the activities depending on the preference and age group of your family. It's also good to plan and book most activities in advance and to avoid crowds in the high season.

Airports

The Algarve region is served by the Faro Airport (FAO), which is situated only 4 km from the city center of Faro. The airport is a hub for several airlines, making it easy to find international and domestic flights to and from the region.

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