Algarve Holiday Villas - Museums in the Algarve

With rugged cliffs, crystal-clear water and golden sandy beaches among the region's attractions, it is easy to see why so many people choose to spend a sunshine holiday in Algarve holiday villas. But while it is wonderful to relax in on a picturesque spot by the coast, or go for a dip in the sea or your villa’s pool, you might also want to explore the area and visit a museum to find out more about the country’s history. From town museums to those focusing on a specialist subject, if you are a cultural buff, the Algarve has it all. Here’s our spotlight on some of the best that this region of Portugal has to offer.

When you are looking to book Algarve holiday villas, then Truly Algarve are the people to contact, with a superb range of accommodation on offer – either by the beach, in the town or, if you like to get away from it all, in a rural area. Here you can hire a car and go sight-seeing to discover more about this beautiful region and its rich culture.

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Top Museums to Visit

For a day out with a difference during your stay in our Algarve holiday villas, here is our selection of museums to visit. 

Central Algarve, Albufeira – Beyond its dazzling beaches, this top resort also has a wealth of culture. If you are a fan of superb antique porcelain, one small museum well worth a look is the city's collection of 15th and 16th century Ming Ceramics. The recently refurbished Archaeological Museum is at the centre of the old city, with a rich collection of objects found in the local area on display. These are arranged in four sections ranging from prehistoric, Roman and Moorish times, right through to the modern era. There are some impressive displays and re-creations here. The Municipal Art Gallery is small but has a good collection of work by local artists, including the famous Samora Barros, plus visiting exhibitions.

Eastern Algarve, Vilamoura –  Not far from the marina, you can visit a fascinating preserved Roman site, the Museum Cerro da Vila, which includes the remains of a Roman villa and public baths, as well as a burial site and some tanks where fish were salted. The small museum on the site includes relics found there and you can see fragments of mosaics and friezes. At nearby Loulé, the small Municipal Archaeology Museum features artefacts dating back to the Iron Age as well as the Roman period and later centuries.

Western Algarve, Lagos – The Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho has a collection of historic artefacts from the local area, ranging from clothes to woodcuts and ceramics. You can also buy a joint ticket which will admit you to the Church of San Antonio, which features amazing baroque gilt carvings, and the site of the town's 15th-century Slave Market. This attractive arched building has a tragic history, and is believed to have been the first of its kind in Europe.

About Truly Algarve

Truly Algarve has a wonderful choice of Algarve holiday villas to choose from, whether you are looking to stay in one of the coast's top resorts or would prefer a quieter location. We have a wide range of self-catering villas and apartments where you will be able to relax and enjoy your Portuguese break in style and luxury.

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Algarve Villas – A Fantastic Destination for Family Groups

Portugal is currently considered one of the best value family destinations in Europe and, if you are holidaying with family, we have a fantastic selection of Algarve Villas to suit parties large and small.

If you are holidaying in Portugal, you may want a to rent a larger villa if you are taking your vacation with extended family, or are teaming up with another couple with children to keep your little ones occupied.

Truly Algarve has villas to suit all types of holiday makers including family groups looking for a quiet location by the beach, or a large, secluded villa right in the heart of the Portuguese countryside.

Portugal is a great destination for families because it has a beautiful coastline, fantastic golden sandy beaches, family friendly restaurants, and plenty of sporting activities and child friendly attractions.

We have a wide range of Algarve villas to suit all budgets, from family friendly beach destinations to large villas in quiet village locations where you can enjoy scenic views across the surrounding countryside.

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Algarve Villas - A Wonderful Family Destination

Many people holidaying with relatives or friends with children of a similar age like to choose Algarve villas in the child friendly resorts of Carvoeiro, Rocha Brava, Luz, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo.

From beautiful beaches to relax on, to rugged coastline to explore, the Algarve is a great family destination. Your children will have the chance to let off steam by taking part in the many water related activities such as boat trips, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving. Or, if you prefer land based action, horse riding and quad biking are some of the many sports that are popular with children.

If you enjoy eating out as a family on holiday, you won’t be disappointed. The people in the Algarve are very hospitable and there are some fantastic family-friendly restaurants which are suitable for even the smallest and fussiest of eaters and offer anything from traditional Portuguese food to pizza or Asian cuisine.

Some resorts are popular with younger visitors such as Rocha Brava resort, which is a great destination for family groups as it has everything from a tennis school, to games rooms and a kids club. The Farol restaurant overlooks the main pool so parents can relax while they watch the children splash about in the water.

If you want to explore the Algarve, you will find some wonderful child friendly attractions including animal parks, water parks, The Marine Zoo and adventure parks where your little ones can go tree top climbing!

Family Friendly Algarve Villas to Rent

We have Algarve villas for all budgets and to suit small or large family groups. Some of our villas benefit from private pools and tennis courts or large grounds for the children to play in.

The resort of Rocha Brava near Carvoeiro is nestled among landscaped grounds. We have private villas with four bedrooms that sleep up to nine or, if you are holidaying with another family, you can rent more than one villa on the site.

Vale do Lobo is a resort popular with families and has a spectacular beach for you and your little ones to relax on. Our largest villa is Villa San Antonio, a luxury six bedroom villa which sleeps 12. It is suitable for older children, rather than very young ones, as it has huge gardens with a large, ornamental lake, as well as a private pool, tennis court and a pool table.

Luz is a family friendly resort with superb beaches and wonderful, family friendly restaurants. Our biggest villa here is Casa Colina which has four bedrooms, a private pool and tennis court and sleeps up to eight. 

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Algarve Villas - A Great Destination for Holidaying with Friends

If you are holidaying with friends, Portugal counts among the top ten holiday destinations for British people and, however large or small your group, we have a wide range of Algarve villas to suit.

If you are spending your vacation with friends, it is likely that you will want a villa rental in the thick of the action with all the facilities on your doorstep - as well as one that is large enough to accommodate your group.

Truly Algarve has villas to suit all types of holidaymakers: whether you are holidaying with groups of friends, as a family, or are a couple who are looking for a quiet location in the countryside.

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, an extensive coastline, beautiful sandy beaches, culture, sporting activities, fine food and a great nightlife, it is easy to see why the Algarve is so popular.

We have a wide range of Algarve villas in busy resort locations along with stunning holiday rentals in lesser known village locations. Most of our villas have access to a pool and some are just a few minutes walk from the beach or town centre so they are close to the restaurants, bars and shopping facilities.

Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation

Algarve Villas - A Fantastic Destination for Groups of Friends

Many people holidaying as a group like to choose Algarve villas in a busy resort location, such as Vilamoura, Albufeira or Lagos, so they can head to the beach, explore the town and marina, or try out some of the sports.

From wind surfing to jet-skiing, sailing and diving, the Algarve's superb coastline is a haven for water sports enthusiasts who are drawn to the region's crystal clear waters and golden beaches. If you prefer land based sporting activities, golf, horse riding and tennis are some of the most popular sports for tourists.

If you are renting Algarve villas and enjoy eating out, you won't be disappointed as the region offers delicious food and fine wine. Whether you prefer traditional Portuguese food, fresh seafood, international or Asian cuisine, the Algarve has it all and dining out will be a wonderful part of your holiday experience.

The region's night life is well worth exploring too: from trendy cocktail bars, to wine bars overlooking the marina, pubs with live music, and busy nightclubs you and your friends can look forward to partying until dawn!

Among the nightclubs well worth a visit include Le Club, a classy nightclub overlooking the beach at Santa Eulalia, near Albufeira, Kadoc near Vilamoura and also Locomia near Albufeira. But there are other great nightspots in the region where you will enjoy a fantastic evening out.

Villas in Algarve to Rent with Friends

Truly Algarve has a wonderful range of carefully selected Algarve villas suitable for large parties, such as groups of friends. 

Caso do Pateo in Albufeira is an idyllic beach front villa with glorious sea views overlooking the Praia dos Aveiros. It has five bedrooms and can sleep up to 11 people and even a 12th person if one of your party doesn't mind taking a Z-bed! It has a large swimming pool and you can walk to Albufeira along the beach front in just 15 minutes.

Another excellent villa to rent, if you are with a larger party, is Villa Gouveia which sleeps ten. It is just a 15 minute walk from the marina in Vilamoura, with its shops, bars and a casino - so you can try your luck at the gaming tables!

For even larger groups, Quinto do Billo has eight bedrooms and sleeps 16 people. It is set amidst large gardens and is a short drive from Vilamoura.


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Algarve Villas - Busy Resort Town or a Quiet Location?

If you are looking to spend your holidays in Portugal, we have a wide range of beautiful Algarve villas and apartments to rent in the region’s most popular coastal resorts and in quiet, country locations.

When you start your search for Algarve villas, one of the first questions that will spring to mind is where to stay - just a short stroll from the beach or in a more off the beaten track area.

Your choice of Algarve villas really depends on the type of holiday you prefer. It may be you want a family holiday where your children can swim in the sea, or are holidaying as a couple and plan to relax on the beach, sunbathing or with a good book.

However, beach holidays are not for everyone. You may prefer to stay in our Algarve villas in a village location so you can spend the bulk of your holiday sight-seeing and exploring the local culture, or want the best of both worlds.  Perhaps you are taking a golfing holiday and want to be based near the golf course, rather than the sea?

Whatever your preference, Truly Algarve offer wide range of Algarve villas and apartments to rent in every type of location. Self catering Algarve villas and apartments give you the luxury and freedom to set your own agenda and enjoy all the benefits this beautiful region has to offer.

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Algarve Villas by the Beach

Renting Algarve villas in a popular resort brings you many advantages and the main one is convenience. If your holiday rental is just a short distance or stroll from the beach, you can take the children to the coast at any time. And, if you are holidaying with teenagers, as a couple, or with friends and prefer an active holiday by the sea, you can take advantage of the numerous sea sports the Algarve has to offer, such as sailing, wind surfing, and banana boating.

Truly Algarve offers a stunning range Algarve villas and apartments close to the beach, and some of these also benefit from wonderful views. Being based in a resort location means that you don’t need to hire a car to get anywhere and (depending on your choice of resort) the marina, restaurants, bars, shopping facilities, supermarkets and children’s amusements are all on your doorstep.

Here are just some examples of the Algarve villas just a five minute walk from the ocean: Colina Branca Townhouses in Carvoeiro - these two bedroom townhouses sleep four and are within walking distance from the centre of the village and just 600m from the sea. The townhouses share a large pool and benefit from being close to the restaurants, shops and bars.

The superb, modern, three bedroomed Villa Nina, also in Carvoeiro, is located close to the beach and has a private pool. The villa is a just short stroll from some great places to eat, drink, or stock up on food supplies. The open plan landing, which has two beds, has sea views.

Casa do Pateo is a fantastic beach front villa in Albufeira which opens out onto the Praia dos Aveiros beach. It has five bedrooms and sleeps up to 11 people. It has a large swimming pool and enjoys ocean views. Mini-markets, bars and restaurants are close by and the town is a 15 minute walk.

Private Algarve Villas

While being centrally based has many plus points, you can also benefit from choosing private Algarve villas away from the busy resort areas.

Out of town locations mean you can get to know the true Portugal, enjoy a more peaceful holiday away from the hustle and bustle of tourists and the children can make as much noise as they want as they splash about by the pool.

Truly Algarve has villas and apartments in out of town locations so you can immerse yourselves in the local culture. Here is a sample of some of our Algarve villas on the outskirts of the towns or villages where car hire is a must:

Villa Sao Jose is a four bedroom luxury cliff top villa set amidst landscaped gardens on the outskirts of Carvoeiro. The master suite has a jacuzzi bath and enjoys fabulous views over the pool area and the ocean. It is completely private, yet within easy reach of the golf courses and the beach.

Casa Parra is the sister villa to Quinto do Encanto and enjoys secluded accommodation, enclosed by fencing and automatic gates. It is situated 1km from Guia and 6km from Albufeira and benefits from four bedrooms and a large pool area. It has a sun terrace with panoramic views.

Villa Colwood is a three/four bedroom villa enjoying a rural setting on the hillside above Vale de Parra, 4km from Gale Beach and 8km from Albufeira. Despite its rural location the nearest supermarket is walking distance. It has a private pool, barbecue and is set amidst mature gardens.

However you want to spend your holidays, Truly Algarve have a range of villas to suit based in all parts of the Algarve including Carvoeiro, Albufeira, Guia, Vale de Parra, Quinta do Lago, Lagos, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura and Praia da Luz.

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Villas in Vale do Lobo - Why Vale do Lobo is a Great Holiday Destination

Whether you are holidaying with friends or family, if you are looking for an idyllic holiday destination for 2012 our villas in Vale do Lobo offer the perfect solution. Here at Truly Algarve we offer a fantastic range of Algarve villas and apartments to let all year round in all the main holiday resorts in the Algarve as well as quiet, off the beaten track locations. In addition to villas in Vale do Lobo we also provide rental accommodation in Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Praia da Luz, Quinta do Lago, Rocha Brava and Villamoura.

If you are thinking of renting villas in Vale do Lobo, of all our Algarve villas this is seen as one of our most popular destinations. This exclusive resort together with its close neighbour Quinta do Lago offers some of the region’s most luxurious accommodation. Together with Quinta do Lago it is among one of the longest established destinations in the Algarve - and provides second homes to many international golfing stars! However, it is not just golfing facilities that villas in Vale do Lobo offer, as the resort has plenty to do for all ages including beach sports and sightseeing.

Certainly villas in Vale do Lobo have something for everyone and we have Algarve villas to suit all tastes: choose from a townhouse within walking distance to the beach, a stunning five bedroom villa a short drive from the golf courses and golden sandy beaches, and luxury villas in idyllic surroundings.

Our villas in Vale do Lobo sleep between four and 12 people and offer superb accommodation, as most of our Algarve villas have a private or shared pool, landscaped gardens or terraces and all have a fully equipped kitchen.

If you are renting Algarve villas with a large group, among our largest villas in Vale do Lobo is Villa San Antonio. This magnificent six bedroom villa is set in beautiful surroundings and sleeps up to a dozen people. In addition to the large gardens with manicured lawns, an orchard and lake, it has a private pool and tennis court - so you don’t even have to stray from the grounds. However, if you do decide to venture out, you are just a 1 km stroll from the shops and just 2 km from the nearest beach.

Villas in Vale do Lobo -  click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation.

Villas in Vale do Lobo: About Vale do Lobo

Renting villas in Vale do Lobo offers the perfect chance to relax as it is a superb destination for a summer holiday. Vale do Lobo is a golf resort in the Algarve with two golf courses, the Royal and the Ocean. The resort’s golf courses have twice hosted the Portuguese Open and offer golfing in picturesque surroundings; while the Royal is located along the cliff’s edge, the ocean course runs down to the beach.

Villas in Vale do Lobo offer a wide range of activities to enjoy including tennis, horse riding, relaxing on the Algarve’s beautiful sandy beaches - and there is even a children’s club to keep your youngsters amused. And if you want to venture out in the evening, the town has bars and many restaurants offering international cuisine.

If you are looking for villas in Vale do Lobo within easy reach of the amenities, our three bedroom villa, Vale do Lobo 627 is perfect. The villa is situated within the resort, which is surrounded by 1,000 acres of pine forests, and is just a ten minute walk away from all the facilities including restaurants, shops and activities. The villa has its own private pool, barbecue facilities and has a large garden for the children to let off steam!

The Algarve is known for its stunning beaches and if you want to be within an easy walk of the ocean, Townhouse 47 is our smallest villa in Vale do Lobo. This two bedroom villa does not have its own pool but it is just a short walk to the beach which stretches for over 26 km along the coast.

Another one of our attractive Algarve Villas is Villa Viva which is a ten minute stroll from the beach and the local supermarket. It has four bedrooms and sleeps eight people, and is furnished to excellent standards throughout. When renting this villa, you have full access to Barrington’s Private Leisure and Spar club which offers beauty treatments, pools, gym facilities and classes.

Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation.

Villas in Luz - Holiday Rentals in Algarve

Villas in Luz - Why Praia da Luz is the Perfect Location for a Family Holiday

Villas in Praia da Luz offer an idyllic holiday for families with children that will fill you with fond memories for many years to come. Truly Algarve provide a wide range of private Algarve villas and apartments to let including villas in Praia da Luz, a family-friendly resort which has become a popular holiday destination. We have villas in Praia da Luz to suit everyone, including centrally located villas, villas with ocean views, and villas in village locations within easy reach of the resort.

Villas in Praia da Luz are the perfect Algarve villas for holiday rentals as the region offers fun for all ages, including unwinding on the Algarve’s beautiful beaches, visiting the region’s attractions, dining in the many excellent local restaurants, shopping, golfing as well as beach and sporting activities.

Algarve villas in Praia da Luz sleep between six and 12 people. If you are holidaying with more than one family, one of our largest villas in Praia da Luz is Casa Tantallon. The villa enjoys stunning views across Luz and towards the ocean and has its own private pool for the children to splash around in. It has barbecue facilities to cook up a tasty treat but if you want to eat out this is never a problem as there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants just a short stroll away.

Casa Tantallon is among our largest Algarve villas and its accommodation includes four bedrooms (including two large bedrooms suitable for sharing with a child or infant) a large lounge and two dining rooms. It also benefits from a studio which includes a twin bedroom, kitchenette and sitting area. This is ideal for those who are holidaying with teenagers who prefer to have their own space.

Villas in Praia da Luz - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation

Villas in Praia da Luz: About Luz

Like many of the popular resorts in the Algarve, Luz began as a former fishing village, but since it has become a tourist hot spot it has undergone extensive development with most of the work to the west of Luz beach.

Whether you are holidaying with young children, or teenagers, choosing to rent one of our villas in Praia da Luz is a fantastic way to enjoy valuable family time. Renting Algarve villas you have the freedom to explore the local area, enjoy some of the beach sports such as surfing, water skiing or diving, or enjoy the local cuisine eating out in one of the many great restaurants, which are happy to welcome younger children.

Many of our villas in Praia da Luz are centrally located and just a short walk away from the restaurants, shops and beach. Casa Maclana is an excellent villa situated right on the beach front and enjoying extensive seafront views. You don’t even have to hire a car as all the amenities are on the doorstep. The Algarve is famous for its golf, so if you would like some quiet time out to practice your swing on the golf course, the property is within easy reach of three courses!

There are many beautiful villas in Praia da Luz, so whichever one you choose you will not be disappointed. If you are looking for a luxurious home from home, Casa Colina is 1.5 km from the centre of the resort. It enjoys superb views and is set in stunning landscaped gardens that the children will enjoy playing in. It is decorated to a high standard throughout and even has its own private pool and tennis courts.

Luz is a lively town with excellent clean beach facilities to keep the children occupied all day long. They can climb rocks, play in the sand, get towed behind boats in big rubber rings, wind surf, jet-ski, go water-skiing, sailing or snorkling. However, if land sports are more your thing, the Luz Ocean club offers squash, tennis and aerobics as well as evening entertainment and live music. And if you have much older children, Luz has two long beach bars and a trip in to nearby Lagos offers a greater selection of bars and discos.

Whether it is relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of our Algarve villas, on a beach, or getting out and about, whatever you want out of you holiday our villas in Praia da Luz have it all.

Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation.

Algarve Holidays - Top Ten Days Out in the Algarve For Families

Algarve villa holidays give you the flexibility to set your own agenda and explore the area at your leisure.  The Algarve has one of the best climates in Europe and along with the stunning scenery and friendliness of the locals these are just some of the reasons why many families return here year after year.

If you have chosen Algarve villa holidays for the first time you will need to know about the attractions near where you are staying. From swimming with the dolphins, tennis, golf, riding, fishing trips and water parks, Algarve villa holidays offer plenty of things to do for you and your family.

Here is our guide to top ten days out for families on Algarve villa holidays.

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Top Ten Activities for Algarve Villa Holidays

1. Swimming with Dolphins
By far the favourite attraction for families on Algarve villa holidays is Zoomarine Theme Park  situated in Guia, a few kilometres from Albufeira. It offers a fantastic day out for the family and will leave you with a lifetime of memories. You can see wonderful, moving interactions between dolphins and their trainers, a  fun show involving ‘pirates’, sea lions and seals as well as an aquarium featuring sharks. In addition to the tropical birds, birds of prey, amusements and swimming pools, the over 6’s can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with dolphins but do book in advance for this to avoid disappointment.

The 90 minute dolphin experience includes an educational talk about the bottlenose dolphin and 30 minutes in the water with a trainer and the chance to meet the dolphins. Wet suits (or a vest in the summer) are provided and photographs and a film of your experience can be bought afterwards. It is advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

2. Have a Splash at the Water Parks
Children will love an exciting day at the Slide and Splash Waterpark, Albufeira, which promises to be so much fun it will be hard to persuade the kids to get out of the pool afterwards! The Slide and Splash Waterpark is the biggest and best water park in Europe and is a fantastic day out for adults and children. Among the many amusements include the black hole ride (a slide in the dark) a 500 ft long twisted spiralling slide, body slides, rapid river rides, multi-lane soft slides, jacuzzi’s, swimming pools and much more. There are also 25,000 metres of grassed entertainment areas where you can relax in the sun or under the shade of an umbrella. For another great water park experience visit Aqualand, Alcantarilha.

3. Go Krazy at Algarve Zoo
Krazy World - Algarve Zoo near Algoz - Messines Road, Central Algarve is another wonderful family day out and offers a variety of attractions including an 18 hole mini golf course, karting, swimming pools, pony rides, soft play area and interaction with the animals at the petting zoo. You can see lots of different animal species in the eight hectare zoo including llamas, snakes, deer, camels, tortoises and crocodiles.

4. Discover Underwater Beauty
The Algarve offers great opportunities for scuba diving. Scubatour Diving School can be found in the resort of Vila Senohora da Rocha, just outside Armacao de Pera. Tel: 282 353 263. There is also the Tivoli Diving School based at the Tivoli Almansor Hotel in Carvoeiro which uses the bay infront of the hotel and the hotel pool for training. Contact them on 282 351 194. Dives Cove at the Quinta do Paraiso resort also has lessons and can be contacted on 282 356 594.

5. Explore on Horseback
Horseback riding is a very popular in the Algarve and you will find riding schools all over the region including the Quinta da Gill Riding Centre at Lombos near Lago, Tel: 966 619 136 and the Albufeira Riding centre which is situated between Albufeira and Vilamoura to name a few. Tel: 289 542 870.

6. Practice Your Swing
The Algarve has many golf courses all over the region for people of all levels and some of these offer golfing lessons. Golf courses in and around Carvoeiro include the 18 hole Pinta golf course Carvoeiro (with almond, olive and carob trees) the 18 hole Gramacho Golf Course, Carvoeiro or the nine hole Vale de Milho course which is perfect for beginners and has a picturesque spot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

7. Anyone for Tennis?
Tennis is a popular pastime in the Algarve and there are a number of tennis clubs and academies all over the region for families who like to swing a racquet. There are plenty of places suitable for beginners, intermediates or the more experienced and these are ideal if your family is looking for a more active holiday. The Carvoeiro Tennis Club is based at the Carvoeiro Clube Resort and has 12 courts and practice facilities (including clay courts, all weather courts and an artificial grass court). For the more serious players, the club also runs a tennis academy. Tel: 282 357 847.

8. Indulge in Retail Therapy
No holiday is complete without a spot of shopping and it is well worth browsing in many of the local stores to bring back a memento of your holiday. Some of the many bargains to be had include locally made leather goods, pottery, embroidery (including tablecloths), jewellery and crystal. There are some large shopping centres which are open until late near Albufeira and some of the more upmarket shopping areas include the Marina at Vilamoura.

9. Off the Beaten Track
A fantastic way to explore the countryside is with a jeep Safari where you and your family can discover scenic places off the beaten track. There are many companies that do this in the Algarve and prices include lunch. Some of the companies include Zebra Tours Albufeira Tel: 289 583 300 and Mount Safari Portimao Tel: 282 420 800.

10. See the Dolphins
If you haven’t been able to organize a swim with the dolphins, the next best thing is to take a boat trip to see these beautiful creatures at first hand. Trips for this leave from Portimao’s Marina at Praia da Rocha. Tel: 282 799209.