Travel tips
The Algarve for families: where to stay, best beaches and when to go
How to choose between Albufeira, Lagos, Vilamoura and Tavira, plus beaches, day trips and tips for little ones.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- The Algarve is one of the easiest family holidays from the UK: under three hours to Faro, no time difference and a long season from May to October.
- For calm, warmer water, stay in the eastern Algarve around Tavira; for cliffs and coves, choose Lagos or Carvoeiro; for lots of facilities, Albufeira or Vilamoura.
- The Atlantic is cooler than the Mediterranean, at about 20–22°C in August, and afternoons can be breezy.
| Flight to Faro from London | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
|---|---|
| Time difference | None |
| Best months | June, September |
| Sea in August | About 20–22°C (warmer in the east) |
| Calmest water | Eastern Algarve and Ria Formosa lagoon |
Where to stay
- Albufeira: the biggest resort, with an old town, a huge choice of hotels and plenty of entertainment. Lively in the evenings in summer.
- Vilamoura: a smart marina, golf courses and long, easy beaches, popular with families who want resort facilities.
- Carvoeiro: a small village among dramatic cliffs and coves, with boat trips to the sea caves.
- Lagos: a historic town with the cliffs and grottos of Ponta da Piedade and the long, sandy Meia Praia beach.
- Tavira: a quieter, traditional town in the east, close to sandbank islands with gentle, warmer water.
Family-friendly beaches
Look for beaches with lifeguards and Blue Flag status in summer. In the east, the islands of the Ria Formosa, such as Ilha de Tavira, are reached by short ferries and have long, shallow beaches. Meia Praia at Lagos and Falésia near Vilamoura are wide and sandy, while the coves around Carvoeiro and Lagos are beautiful but fill up quickly at high tide.
On the west coast around Sagres and Aljezur, the waves are bigger and better for surf lessons than for paddling toddlers.
Things to do with children
- Water parks such as Slide & Splash, Aquashow and Aqualand, and the marine park Zoomarine near Albufeira.
- Boat trips to the sea caves along the coast. Rules for visiting the famous Benagil cave have been tightened, so book a licensed boat tour and check what is allowed.
- Dolphin-watching trips from Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira.
- The historic towns of Silves, with its red-stone castle, and Faro's walled old town.
When to go
July and August are the busiest and hottest months, and the most expensive during UK school holidays. June and September offer warm weather, slightly warmer sea in September, and lower prices. Spring and autumn are excellent for walks, golf and the Seven Hanging Valleys coastal trail.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of the Algarve is best for families?
Vilamoura and Albufeira have the most facilities, while the eastern Algarve around Tavira has calmer, shallower and slightly warmer water, which is ideal for young children.
Is the sea warm in the Algarve?
It is cooler than the Mediterranean, because the Algarve faces the Atlantic: about 20–22°C in August, and warmer in the east than in the west.
How long is the flight to the Algarve from the UK?
About 2 hours 45 minutes from London to Faro, and around 3 hours from northern England and Scotland.
