The westernmost state in Europe, Portugal is not very popular with fans of family vacations. Firstly, the flight there takes a little longer than to the familiar and native resorts of Turkey or Bulgaria, and secondly, the Portuguese prices cannot be called too humane, especially when it comes to rest with children. Where is it better to swim in Portugal, if your little swimmers are not yet too experienced in the water - this is also not an easy question for ocean beaches! Therefore, the choice of a Portuguese beach resort for a family vacation should be approached especially thoroughly and responsibly.
Algarve: resort by resort
The region of the Portuguese Riviera most suitable for spending a child's vacation is the Algarve. The region stretches for 150 kilometers along the southern coast of the country. The Algarve is washed by the Atlantic on both sides, and the most suitable resorts for families with children are located in the eastern part of the region. It is there that the beaches are sandy, the water is relatively calm, the entrance to it is shallow, and the infrastructure will especially appeal to adherents of a measured regime of the day.
The climate of the Algarve is favorably influenced by the mountains that protect the region from strong northerly winds, and therefore the beach season here begins in the second half of May, when the air and water warms up to + 22 ° С and + 20 ° С, respectively.
The most popular resorts of the Algarve gladly host tens of thousands of families annually:
- Experts consider Monte Gordo the most suitable for organizing children's holidays in Portugal. The ocean water on its beaches warms up to comfortable values earlier than in other regions, and always remains a couple of degrees warmer than on the rest of the Algarve coast. The beach of Monte Gordo is covered with white sand, the entrance to the water is gentle and safe, and the well-functioning rescue services guarantee a comfortable rest even for the most restless parents. The infrastructure of both the beaches and the resort itself makes it possible to refer it to the list of the most comfortable not only in Portugal, but also in Europe.
- Tivira is not a very popular resort among tourists, and therefore you can organize a calm and secluded vacation here. This part of the Algarve Riviera is home to some of the most authentic city views and deserted beaches, and a tour of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve will delight your children, regardless of their age or hobby. The reserve is home to dozens of rare bird species.
- If the younger generation dreams of becoming captains, go on vacation to Albufeira. At Pescadores Beach, you can charter a fishing boat or yacht and go sailing. The ocean temperature on local beaches in the high season rises to + 22 ° C, and the July heat is brightened by fresh sea breezes.
Holidays in Albufeira are perfect for fans of outdoor activities. Not far from the resort there are water amusement parks where young tourists can enjoy dozens of attractions and water slides.
Let's go to the water park
The three water amusement parks in the Algarve resort area are Slide & Splash, Aquashow and Aqualand. Each of them is ideal for families with children on a hot summer day and you can give preference to one or the other, depending on its location relative to your hotel.
A visit to the Aqualand Park will take a whole day, and especially active fans of water slides can ask their parents to repeat the excursion the next day. The main attraction of the park is the wide winding slide "Anaconda", the highest flight will be organized by the 36-meter "Kamikaze", and you can replenish the spent energy in a cafe with a thematic children's menu and classic Portuguese dishes. The price of the issue is from 16 euros for a child ticket.
Getting to Aquashow Park near Vilamoura is easy from anywhere in the Algarve. Dozens of special buses arrive here every day. The park has recreation areas for both adults and the smallest visitors. The pride of Aquashow is the country's largest pool with artificial waves and the unique White Fall slide. Ticket prices start at € 5 in low season.
Portugal's largest aquatic amusement park is located between the resorts of Albufeira and Lagos. In addition to water attractions, young guests of Slide & Splash enjoy performances with reptiles and birds. Adult visitors can tickle their nerves on the steep slides, and relax in the jacuzzi. The cost of visiting the water park starts from 18 euros for a child ticket.
