So ... What do you want to do?

If anyone else is like us, there comes a time during your holiday or at the weekend when someone will say “so, what do you want to do?” Cue the scene from the Jungle Book when the vultures go round in circles saying, “what do you want to do?” “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” This scene has played out in our household on many occasions, so to help you decide what it is that you do want to do, read on to see what the Algarve has to offer – and don’t be surprised when you see there is more to the Algarve than just golden beaches and green golf courses.

But let’s start with those two because no visit to the Algarve would be complete without a day on the beach or a round of golf!

BEACHES

Every beach in the Algarve – and there are many to choose from - is different. Some are great for families with younger children who want to build sandcastles or splash about in the shallows, but for those families with older children (or those of us who are still super young at heart,) there are also some beaches that offer water sports, jet skis, parascending, and a myriad of other water sports to keep you entertained. There are also several beaches with parks, including Praia da Rocha and Praia Grande, which are great alternatives if you don’t fancy swimming in the ocean. If you fancy really making a day of it, head east. In places such as Tavira and Olhão you can only access their beautiful beaches via ferry or water taxi - this is certainly something to make sure you do at least once while you are here - and when you reach the beach you will not be disappointed, miles of golden sands with a few scattered beach bars and restaurants - perfect for a relaxing, instagramable day!

GOLF

How many golf courses do you think there are in the Algarve? … There are a whopping 31 along the 200-kilometre coastline – no wonder it is one of the leading golf destinations in Europe. No matter which area of the Algarve is your favourite, you are never far away from a fairway or a green. Some courses have stunning views over the ocean, some are set inland, and some host world-famous professional tournaments. Whatever course you desire there will be one in the Algarve. However, for those of you who are more on our golfing wavelength, there is always mini-golf, because it is not just the grown-ups/golfers who can have fun on the greens! Mini-golf courses are popping up all over the Algarve, from Vilamoura to Mar Shopping, Alvor, Vale do Lobo and even Krazy World in Algoz there are courses suitable for all ages and abilities.

WATER PARKS

If relaxing on the beach or getting in a round of golf is not your thing and you prefer something a little more action-packed, then make sure you check out one (or more) of our awesome water parks. This is the perfect chance for kids of all ages to have a fun-filled day in the sun. Aquashow (I love this one!) Aqualand, Slide and Splash and Zoomarine all offer fantastic days out with each park offering a large variety of slides, rides and in the case of Zoomarine a whole host of cute, clever, and amazing animals to see too.

PARKS

Away from the beaches, there are numerous municipal parks designed for the entire community to enjoy. Many of them include facilities such as skate ramps, exercise areas and playparks, as well as smooth paving, which make these the best places to try out a spot of rollerblading, biking or hopping on a scooter.

TOURIST TRAIN

Most major towns and tourist destinations in the Algarve have a tourist train which is a great way for seeing the sights and is also a real winner with the little ones. Small children love this experience as they tour around the town waving at passers-by.

BOAT TRIPS

Another “must-do” when you are in the Algarve is a boat trip – we have the most stunning coastline and it is just not possible to do it justice from the beach, you need to get on a boat and see it from the water. There are so many different ways to do this - a pirate ship, yacht, speed boats, fishing boat, catamaran … the choices are endless. As well as seeing the coastline you can also choose different types of trips that offer extra activities - half-day trips where you can explore the caves, full-day trips with a beach BBQ or specialist trips to go out and try to spot some dolphins. If you prefer a slower pace to explore the coastline hire a kayak or get on a stand-up paddleboard and take your time and enjoy the scenery.

ZOOS

We also have a zoo and several animal petting farms – there are lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with furry friends. Lagos Zoo is great for younger children who will be able to see animals in this open area park complete with a monkey island! Krazy World in Algoz is home to a selection of reptiles and a great little petting zoo where you feed the sheep and goats, while the city farm in Portimão is a great place to explore with friendly farm animals.

WE ALSO HAVE … are you ready?

Art galleries, ten-pin bowling, jeep safari, outdoor karting, indoor go-karting, surfing, mountain biking, off-roading, adventure parks, Tuk Tuk tours, escape rooms, zip lines, kite surfing, sky diving, horse riding, walking trails, yoga, boot camps, castles, lighthouses, monuments, vineyards, museums, gipsy markets, rock climbing, river cruises … Phew! And we are sure that we have missed some!

What are you waiting for? Get out there and see what else the Algarve has to offer and don’t worry, with 300 days of sunshine you can be pretty certain your fun-filled days out won’t be cancelled due to rain.