“If there is one portion of Europe which was made by the sea more than another, Portugal is that slice, that portion, that belt. Portugal was made by the Atlantic.” – Hilaire Belloc, 1942
This is a true description of Portugal, a country where dramatic rugged cliffs meet the Atlantic Ocean. And it’s so surreal. The first time I saw it with my own eyes, I felt like I was magically transported in a postcard, and I just wanted time to stand still, so I can savour every second of it. So, if you’re thinking of traveling to Portugal in the coming months, and wondering where to go in Portugal, consider visiting Algarve. Here’s a 3-day family-friendly beach holidays guide in Portugal that you should read!
Read more: 3-Day Family-friendly Beach Holidays in PortugalAfter two years of hibernating in Dubai, I’m back to traveling abroad again. And it felt good to explore and discover new places beyond the walls of my house. This year my family and I decided to go for a road trip from Madrid, Spain up to Lisbon, Portugal. And it turned out to be one of the best road trips we ever had since the pandemic. Our road trip took us to an epic journey full of nature escapades, idyllic boat cruises, great hiking sprees and stress-free beach getaways. And for that I wanted to share my experiences that will help you plan an unforgettable family beach holidays in Portugal.
Why Portugal is the best beach holidays?
Portugal is situated in the Southern part of Europe. It borders Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, making it the country in Western Europe that has miles and miles of coastline, as far as the eye can see, pristine, golden sand beaches, and dramatic headlands.
If you’re a nature lover and would love to experience the “wintry feel” of the Atlantic Ocean, see breathtakingly white-washed fishing towns sitting on limestone cliffs, and dip your toes in golden sand beaches, then the Algarve Region is the perfect holiday. Whether you’re traveling as a group of friends or you’re a parent with young children, there’s always something to do there!
Portugal has always been in my bucket list, and once I set foot in the Algarve Region, I completely fell in love with the country. The beach sceneries, cool weather and the food make it a perfect destination for a countryside road trip from Spain too. Moreover, if you’re a Dubai resident, it’s also easy to fly directly to Lisbon via Emirates Airlines! However, if you want a great adventure, take the road less travelled then an excursion by car from Seville to Albufeira is the best choice! It only takes two hours and a half drive to reach the town of Albufeira from Seville, Spain. Plus, it’s also a budget-friendly vacation when compared to other popular Western Countries like France and Italy.
Where to Go in Portugal?
We decided to explore the Algarve Region because we enjoy nature hikes, and my kids love to swim, cruise and dip their toes in the sand. So, it was just right to head over the coastal areas of Portugal. Albufeira is also only a two-hour drive from Spain, which means it’s doable for children. And after exploring castles, hiking and touring Spanish, white-washed towns and discovering the historical city of Seville, a beach holiday was all we yearned for. Then there’s the temperature. Did you know the average temperature in the Algarve is only 20 c in the summer. Coming from hot Dubai, it’s the best beach destination. I can say, it was all worth it to drive down there and see a dreamy seascape. It truly took our breath away!
Scenic Drive from the Andalucian Mountains to the Algarve Coastline
We drove from Seville to Albufeira around 12 noon and checked in to our apartment hotel by 2:30 PM. It was a scenic drive as we passed by pine tree forests, lazy rivers, and valleys. The landscape is so diverse! My kids spotted horses and cows grazing in the meadows. I also saw orange orchards just before the border of Portugal and Spain. I know, it may seem weird but living in a glitzy metropolis makes you miss the countryside! The roads in Portugal are also good so it was just a calm and stress-free drive. We also have a pre-installed navigational system in the car so finding our apartment was easy peasy. As soon as we reach Portugal, the scenery completely changed. From sunflower farms and the rugged mountains of Andalucia to the dramatic limestone rugged cliffs of Albufeira.
3-Day Itinerary for a Fun and Family-friendly Beach Holidays
Albufeira in Algarve Region, Southern Portugal is an amazing destination. It’s famous for its golden sand beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs and dotted with pine trees, and white-washed fishing towns. It runs along the Atlantic Ocean, giving first timers like me the “chill” and “wow” factor vibes. Perhaps, it’s because I’ve lived most of my life enjoying the Pacific Ocean, where the ocean is calmer and warmer. But to be honest, I’ve never thought I’d love the cold but azure blue waters of the Atlantic, not after I stepped on the coastline of the Algarve! As cliché as it sounds but words are truly not enough to describe the beauty and magic of this place. We stayed in a cosy two-bedroom apartment, near the old town of Albufeira. We loved the place because it’s not far from the beach and at the same time, we were able to cook our meals. It felt like home. My kids also loved watching the seagulls hovering on the tile rooftops during our coffee breaks on the terrace. Such a dreamy beach break!
Day 1: Chilling in Praia Da Falecia
Our first day was a relaxing day on the beach. As recommended by the locals, we went to Praia da Falesia. Parking there is not easy but as most Portuguese and local residents do, we parked our car under one of the pine trees, just on the side of the cliffs. We walked for about 5 minutes to reach the beach. But that short walk turned out to be one of the best “5-minute walk” of our lives. In August, the weather was around 19 c, blue skies and a little bit chilly for us. I was awed by the beauty of the orange-red cliffs and the pristine beach. Before heading down, we climbed up the cliff and checked out the view below. The amazing seascape view surrounded by dramatic cliffs and pine forest is a postcard-perfect scenery. Words are not enough to describe its beauty.
We walked back and went down the wooden stairs leading to the beach. “Falesia” means cliff and this beach lives up to its name. You can rent a beach lounger for 18 EUROS per day there, so we got one! And that was enough to relax, sunbathe and enjoy the beach scenery. The azure blue water was cold, but my kids loved it. Whilst sunbathing, we ordered some cocktails in a small restaurant right up on the cliff. My kids had also fun collecting seashells, running after seagulls, and watching surfers and parasailers. It was a day worth spending on the beach.
In the evening, we dined at one of the restaurants in the old town of Albufeira! There are many choices, and you can have dinner in an Irish Pub or go for Italian. We decided to try Portuguese foods and I tried the local grilled chicken called peri peri. After that, we strolled around the town and checked out cafes and souvenir shops. At 7 PM, the town was so busy. Perhaps, because it’s known for its wild nightlife and entertainment. Albufeira is also where you will find Candido dos Reis. For young people and couples, that is an exciting nightlife spot. After dinner and just before sunset, we walked down the beach until we reached a boardwalk leading to the ocean. It’s incredibly beautiful and something that you must not skip when you visit Albufeira’s old town. The kids were excited and enjoyed looking at locals fishing there. They even checked out the “catch of the day”! The day spent at Praia Da Falecia followed by a nice dinner was the highlight of our Portugal Beach Holidays!
Day 2: An Exciting Out-of-Town Day Trip to Lagos
On our second day in the Algarve, we did an epic road trip from Albufeira to Lagos. While Albufeira is the “party” town of the Algarve, Lagos is considered to be the quiet one. Portuguese live there normally, away from hordes of tourists. Just a 40-minute drive from Albufeira, it’s fairly easy to navigate and explore. Our first stop was Ponta Da Piedade, a beautiful headland along the coastline of Lagos. As it’s a very popular landmark of the Algarve. It was easy to find via Google Maps. Ponta Da Piedade has been sculpted by the wind and the sea for thousands of years, creating rock formations that turned this beach looks like a painting. Hence, it’s highly known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! A tip for first-timers, parking there is a challenge, especially during peak season! Try to go early.
We walked on the wooden path walk that led us to the cliffs. It’s doable to do this hike with kids because of the path walk. There are also lots of panoramic vistas in Ponta Da Piedade and every time, we stopped to watch the turquoise water crash into the golden cliffs, it took my breath away! Ponta da Piedade is truly one of the most picturesque sights I’ve ever seen. And its beauty upholds its reputation. Being there felt like someone grabbed me and dropped me straight into a painting. I became a part of it!
You can also hike up on top of the cliffs, so if you’re an adrenaline junkie, then you’ll love it. We spotted lots of birds hovering around and for birdwatchers, it can be interesting hike too. At the end of our enjoyable walk, we saw a lighthouse. Unfortunately, it is closed to the public. So, we went instead for a hearty lunch at the old town. Lagos’ quaint old town has a “serene vibe”. It’s quieter than Albufeira and there are also many restaurants to choose from. After lunch, we strolled down the harbor and saw some pirate-inspired boats sailing out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Next stop was Praia do Camilo….
Praia do Camilo is the best choice for swimming if you have little kids. It has many beautiful rock formations, incredible seascape views, and a cafe right on the beach. We rented a beach lounger and umbrella again! I found it incredibly cheap to rent a beach lounger there! For 17 Euros, you can use it for the whole day! The small beach is surrounded by rock formations that look like the Grand Canyon of Arizona. But what’s so amazing there for the kids is because it’s surrounded by limestone cliffs and jutting headlands, it rarely gets windy! It’s quite safe for the kids to play in the water, snorkel, and gather some shells. My kids had a fab time there too and we couldn’t ask for more. As a first timer, I was amazed by the fact that you can buy fresh donuts (any flavors) on the beach. There was a peddler selling these delicious donuts. We tried the Nutella donut, and it was delicious! The trip back to Albufeira was straightforward, and so far, we didn’t face any traffic jams.
Day 3: Adrenaline-rush Cruise in the Atlantic Ocean
On our 3rd day, we decided to explore Algarve from the water. It’s kinda scary to cruise in the Atlantic Ocean, known to have higher waves. It can truly be rough on some days. We chose an hour afternoon cruise and took the boat to Albufeira’s marina! Our boat can sit 20 people and life jackets are provided. As soon as we were seated, our captain explained the tour and reiterated the safety measures. Honestly, I was nervous. And once we were out in the vast ocean, there were big waves. The ride got so bumpy and became windy too. It was like riding on a roller-coaster only that I was in the water and not up in the air! But perhaps, there’s a silver lining to everything! After 20 minutes or so, as we got closer to the coast, it became calmer and enjoyable. I must say that if you’re not used to cruising in big oceans, then make sure to sit at the back of the boat. For families with young children, it’s better to choose a tour from a reputable agency! One of the reasons why I booked the tour with our hotel was because they referred us to an agency that caters to children and families per se. And that’s very important if you’re cruising in the Atlantic Ocean.
What we truly enjoyed during the cruise was the sceneries of the famous sea caves. To see Algarve’s rock caverns, sea caves and golden coastline from the ocean is quite an amazing experience. My favourite is Praia de Benagil (the most photographed sea cave in Portugal). Our boat went inside the sea cave, and I was dumbfounded to see a small beach inside. The open sky view of Benagil cave is mind-blowing. In a nutshell, our short cruise was fun! We enjoyed the ride and saw a different side of the coastal region. And though the waves of the Atlantic made me scared, I still think of that boat ride as a wonderful experience. It’s truly one of the scenic cruises that I recommend you should do when visiting Portugal. Plus, my kids had a fabulous time steering the boat! Yes, the captain let them have a go. And though we didn’t spot dolphins and whales, their role as “little captains” made up for it!
