Have you been considering a family holiday to Portugal? Michelle, mum of two, shares her experience of a family villa holiday in the eastern Algarve, close to the Spanish border.
Albufeira, Lagos, Sagres, Portimão: the names of Portugal’s western and central Algarve resorts carry the ring of familiarity for generations of Irish holidaymakers. Yet surprisingly, the eastern Algarve, and especially the area close to the Spanish border, is almost as undiscovered among Irish and UK visitors as it is unspoilt.
Eastern Algarve in Portugal
We travelled there from Galway for two weeks in July and found a region of superb beaches within easy reach, great restaurants frequented by the locals, and a fine choice of well-priced accommodation.
We began the search wanting somewhere self-catering, a little off the beaten track, which offered our then 8 and 5 year olds easy access to a pool, so we decided to rent a villa.
A well-known villa specialist turned up some superb accommodation, though often at price points well out of our reach. Through a combination of property and holiday-letting sites, we found a solid option in a development between Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, not far from the border with Spain.
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The Price
Back when we booked, we paid under €2,000 for two weeks in a four-bed villa with its own pool — enough space for friends to join us during the stay. Combined with cheap flights from Knock to Faro and good value on shopping and local restaurants, it added up to a pretty good deal. Villa prices and flight routes change from year to year, so it’s worth comparing current options directly with letting sites and airlines before you book.
Getting Around
Hiring a car at Faro Airport was simple enough, though finding our contact amid the mass of agencies milling around the Arrivals zone was more of a challenge.
Still, once we were on our way, navigating the motorway system proved easy enough, with good sign-posting all the way to our destination.
The Accommodation
The villa was managed by a neighbour of the absentee owners, who provided us with a key and a brief tour. The accommodation was comfortable without being opulent, with a large lounge and kitchen, and a fine pool that our girls leapt straight into. There was no welcome pack of essentials like milk and bread, so we had to find a supermarket on the first evening.
That was a minor quibble, as was the fact that you had to drive anywhere for even the smallest errands. And of course, taking your own place means the kids don’t get to socialise unless you’re lucky with the neighbours.
All in all, though, the accommodation provided the base for a superb holiday. With no set meal times we could come and go as we pleased, every night was a movie night for the kids, and we didn’t need to supervise them in the pool, as they were both strong swimmers. Families with younger children might prefer a villa with railings or a fenced pool area.
Food and Entertainment
We barbecued many nights with fine local meat and fish from nearby supermarkets, or we dined out, having discovered a wonderful local restaurant early on. You’d be hard pressed to name a top-quality restaurant in Ireland located on the slip road off a motorway, but this one was a place apart.
It offered some of the best fish and meat (especially pork) dishes we’ve ever tasted, and by week two the staff knew our orders by heart. We later found out it had a reputation throughout southern Portugal for its top-class food.
If beaches are your thing, there are plenty in this region too — not only in Portugal, but just over the border in Spain. There, we found even cheaper prices and excellent large supermarkets with appealing fish and meat counters and broad wine ranges.
We went just as temperatures were hitting the mid-30s Celsius. Any later in the summer and it would have been almost unbearably hot, so timing your trip matters if you’re travelling with young children.
So if you fancy Portugal but prefer to steer clear of the busier resorts further west, a self-catering villa or apartment in the eastern Algarve is well worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the eastern Algarve suitable for a family holiday with young kids?
Yes. The eastern Algarve has quieter beaches and a slower pace than the busier central and western resorts, with plenty of villas offering private pools — a good option if you’d rather not manage young children around a shared hotel pool.
Do I need a car if I stay in a villa in the eastern Algarve?
Generally, yes. Villas in this area tend to be in residential developments rather than town centres, so a hire car makes it much easier to reach supermarkets, restaurants and beaches.
Is it easy to get to the eastern Algarve from Ireland or the UK?
Faro Airport serves the whole Algarve region and has direct flights from several Irish and UK airports, with the eastern Algarve typically a manageable drive from the airport.
What should I check before booking a self-catering villa with kids?
Ask about pool safety features (fencing or railings), how far the villa is from a supermarket, whether air conditioning is included, and what’s provided on arrival, as not all villas include a welcome pack of essentials.
Related Articles
- 10 Fun Things to Do in Central and Eastern Algarve With Kids
- Family-Friendly Beach Holidays in Portugal
- Packing Tips for a Self-Catering Family Holiday
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