Top family holidays in Portugal
Published in Features on Tuesday January 17th, 2012. Last updated at 08:00
Cheap flights are a fantastic way to enable the family to discover the world on a budget. Travelling with the tribe can be an expensive and perplexing venture; families with children of different ages can struggle to find a destination to suit all without costs soaring. Cheap flights to London and other locations within the United Kingdom are excellent for exploring more familiar territory, but where else in the world can fit the bill?
Portugal is a great holiday choice for year-round sunshine offering something for all of the family. This picturesque holiday spot offers an eclectic mix of lively nightlife, ideal little fishing villages and stunning scenery. Temperatures peak in the summer, with averages between 25 and 30 degrees C.
The Algarve is a favourite Portuguese destination for the Brits and there really is no question why. This paradise is located at the southern point of Portugal and offers the prettiest Blue Flag beaches as well as theme and water parks to keep the kids entertained. Flights to Faro (the capital of the region), from UK destinations, such as Exeter and Manchester, whisk Britons away to one of the most striking areas in the Algarve.
Faro is a beautiful, ancient city brimming with delights such as baroque churches and Roman remains. Families will love a calm sightseeing stroll to the Moorish Ruins, followed by some of the most divine seafood to be tasted, fresh from the Algarve coastline.
The town is full of bustling bars and restaurants with a food selection to suit everyone in the clan – a perfect way to end an active day. The coastline is superb for the young and fit; water sports are available in abundance, while a little further inland, golf courses are great for keeping older male generations occupied.
If the children are more into vampires and all-things-freaky, don’t rule out visiting churches and ruins with the family. For just €1, tourists can enter the Capela dos Ossos, the Chapel of Bones. This is definitely an eerie church with a difference; surprise the young ones by visiting yet another chapel but with a twist: at the back of the building you will discover an area filled with over 1,200 skulls.
Teenagers will love the Rooster Quad Day Tours located near Loulé. Their team are able to offer quad bike tours for people with all levels of experience, including tuition for beginners. This is a fun and original way to enjoy the Algarve countryside and is sure to be a hit with teens and male adults alike.
Tours vary from one to three days and stops are made for meals in authentic Portuguese restaurants.
Boat trips are very popular in the Algarve and what better way to enjoy the sun and landscape than by choosing to take to the seas? There are many excursions on offer, with a wide choice of activities included.
Depending on your family’s interests, a fishing trip for the guys could be a fun way to spend the day; alternatively a simple outing orientated around marine life would be great for the whole brood. Should you prefer to take control, there are plenty of companies offering boat hire for a more personal day offshore.
Faro has a gorgeous marina, which is slightly north of the tranquil Old Town, a beautiful place with ancient buildings and stunning sights. Sitting by the marina is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon; eating ice creams and enjoying some quality family time as you watch the boats and let time fly.
Feeling inspired by Faro’s nature? Head to Ria Formosa Natural Park. This wildlife reserve combines so many essences of Faro and Portugal: 13th Century Roman ruins, nature trails, Faro’s flora and fauna and an animal sanctuary.
So much more than a beach holiday, flights to Faro can really be the beginning of a family holiday to cherish forever.
