Holidays to the Algarve step up to the plate in every department. In beach terms, the place is like royalty, and the supporting cast of fairways and family attractions is on the money, too.
Family ingredients
It’s impossible to pick fault with the Algarve’s kid-friendly CV. Every beach worth its salt comes with a full roster of watersports, and the eating out scene juggles home favourites with Portuguese seafood and fiery piri-piri chicken. Theme and waterparks are in good supply, and there are go-karting tracks, zoos and little and large golf courses. The whole lot’s propped up by a spread of family-focused hotels.
Five-star sands
Blue Flags are given out like hot cakes in these parts, and it’s easy to see why when you eye up the sandy beaches. These chunky, wave-lapped waterfronts are easily the Algarve’s forte. Lively Albufeira’s got more than 10 accredited stretches around it, plus enough bars and restaurants to keep you hanging around once the sun’s gone down. Elsewhere, Praia da Rocha, Gale and Olhos d’Agua all earn their Blue Flag stripes, too.
