Aquashow Park
Your kids will love you for making a splash at this premier waterpark in the Algarve. Attractions include lofty slides, themed pools complete with wave machines and even exotic birds. Try the new Free Fall slide, which at thirty-two metres is the tallest in Europe. There's also a water coaster to try, and a mini water park for smaller swimmers.
Albufeira beach
This 30 kilometre coastline has around 25 different beaches, each with their own particular atmosphere. Highlights include the lagoon at Salgados and the dunes at Vilamoura. The unbroken beauty of this swathe of sand is a magic salve to the soul.
Loule
This stunning marina town is a window into traditional Portuguese culture. It is the perfect starting point for exploring the small villages of Alte, Quarenca, Salir and Tor, as well as some of the most stunning landscapes to be found anywhere in Portugal. A market has been held here since the Middle Ages, and it's still a great place for a bargain. Make sure you check out this old town and formidable castle.
Praia de Faro
The best beach in the Faro area. This is an easy journey from the city, and the soft sand stretches for five kilometres along the lake of Ilha de Faro, offering views of the lagoons and the National Park. Connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge, the beach has mainly Portuguese holidaymakers.
Ria Formosa Park (nature reserve)
One of the most dramatic destinations in the Algarve, this National Park offers visitors sights of the sanctuaries for flora and fauna, and was recently voted one of Portugal's Seven Wonders. The Park's 18.000 hectares are comprised by five barrier islands protected from the sea. It is a paradise for birds where you can see diverse species including purple gallinule and pink flamingoes.
