With its sunny climate, world-famous beaches, delicious food and fascinating historic towns, Portugal is a fantastic family holiday destination. We’ve spent two wonderful family holidays there ourselves and would go back again in a heartbeat. Here are some family resorts in Portugal you’ll definitely have a ball at.
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Pine Cliffs Resort, Albufeira
The Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve has picked up multiple “Europe’s Best Family Resort” awards over the years, and it’s easy to see why it remains such a popular family destination. Facilities include an array of watersports, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, a Junior Club for 8 to 13 year olds, and the Porto Pirata Kids Club, complete with a lifelike pirate ship and a large children’s village catering for ages 6 months to 8 years.
The resort sits close to Falésia Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, and you reach the hotel’s private beach area via a scenic walkway and lift.
The resort is around 30 minutes by car from Faro International Airport.
You might also enjoy reading 10 Fun Things to do in Central and Eastern Algarve with Kids
Colina Village, Carvoeiro
Colina Village, near Carvoeiro, sits in a pleasant spot surrounded by lovely gardens – perfect for relaxing on your balcony or terrace, or lounging by the pool. There are both indoor and outdoor pools, a kids’ playground, tennis courts, entertainment and babysitting services.
During the summer season, a free shuttle service runs from the resort to the beach and the centre of Carvoeiro. You can also visit the nearby town of Lagoa, famous for its handicrafts and regional wines, about 12 minutes’ drive away.
Colina Village is around 40 minutes from Faro Airport.
Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, Sagres
In a stunning position overlooking Martinhal Beach and set within a protected natural park, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel sits close to the historic town of Sagres at the edge of the unspoiled Western Algarve. With a 37-bedroom five-star hotel and a selection of spacious family houses, it’s been designed with families firmly in mind, and children of all ages are especially welcome.
The resort offers a wide range of children’s facilities and activities for everyone from babies of 6 months to teenagers.
The Martinhal group also has family resorts at Cascais near Lisbon and at Quinta do Lago, close to Faro.
Sagres is around an hour and twenty minutes from Faro, but it’s well worth the drive.
You might also enjoy reading 6 European Holiday Resorts That The Kids Will Love
Pestana Viking Beach & Spa Resort, Porches
The Pestana Viking is a 4-star clifftop hotel in Porches-Armação de Pêra, in the Algarve, just a two-minute walk from Senhora da Rocha beach, where you’ll find sunbeds, sun shades, pedal boats and other boats for exploring nearby caves and coastline. The hotel has an outdoor saltwater swimming pool surrounded by exotic gardens, plus a heated indoor pool, jacuzzi and spa for mum and dad.
For kids there’s a Kids Club for 4-12 year olds offering a wide variety of fun activities, as well as a children’s playground. Rooms have sea views or views over the resort’s gardens. There’s also a small shop, a playroom, entertainment, and a complimentary shuttle to downtown Armação de Pêra. Zoomarine, Aqualand and Slide & Splash are all just a few kilometres away.
Pestana Viking Beach is around 55km from Faro, taking about 40 minutes to get there by car.
Club Alvorferias, Alvor
Club Alvorferias, near the fishing village of Alvor, is close to the beach and offers a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for families. There are studio apartments as well as 1, 2 and 3-bedroom options.
The resort has a kids’ club, supermarket, restaurants and bar, and offers a wide range of activities for adults and children, from swimming pool games and quizzes to snooker, football and tennis. Evenings bring further activities and entertainment.
It takes about 45 minutes to reach Club Alvorferias from Faro Airport.
Salema Beach Village, Salema
Salema is a charming fishing village with narrow streets, whitewashed houses, bars, restaurants and a lovely beach. The Salema Beach Village complex offers self-catering villas with 2 or 3 bedrooms, each with a fully equipped kitchen, terrace and garden.
There’s plenty for kids and families to enjoy, including:
- Padel courts
- Outdoor gym
- Kids’ playground
- Outdoor pool with a pool snack bar
- The beach itself, just 500m away
Salema is just over an hour from Faro.
You might also enjoy reading Fun Things to Do With Kids Around Praia da Luz
Monte da Quinta, Quinta do Lago
Located in Quinta do Lago and surrounded by the Ria Formosa Natural Park, Monte da Quinta is ideal for families. Set in quiet surroundings, the resort offers 132 suites across 1, 2 and 3-bedroom layouts, spread over two floors, with spacious rooms, en-suite bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens.
Facilities include restaurants, a spa for a bit of pampering, outdoor and indoor pools, and golf nearby. Monte da Quinta caters well for kids, with a kids’ club offering supervised and unsupervised activities for ages 4 to 12, a movie club, an outdoor playground, babysitting service and a kids’ pool. Visit outside peak season and you may even get to use the indoor pool. Baby packs and high chairs are available on request.
Monte da Quinta is around 20 minutes from Faro Airport.
Have you visited any of these family resorts in Portugal? Tell us how you got on in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do the kids’ clubs at these resorts cater for?
It varies by resort, but between them these properties cover everything from babies as young as 6 months right through to teenagers. Most kids’ clubs focus on the 4-12 age range, with separate junior or teen activities at resorts like Pine Cliffs and Martinhal.
How far are these resorts from Faro Airport?
Journey times range from around 20 minutes (Monte da Quinta) to about an hour and twenty minutes (Martinhal Beach Resort in Sagres), so it’s worth checking the transfer time for your chosen resort when booking.
Are there self-catering options among these resorts?
Yes. Salema Beach Village and Monte da Quinta both offer self-catering villas or suites with fully equipped kitchens, which can suit families who prefer more flexibility with mealtimes.
Is there enough for older kids and teens to do?
Several resorts go beyond younger children’s clubs – Pine Cliffs has a tennis academy and a junior club for 8-13 year olds, and Martinhal welcomes children of all ages, including teenagers.
Looking for more Portugal inspiration?
You might also enjoy our guides to things to do in the Central and Eastern Algarve, family-friendly European resorts further afield, and days out around Praia da Luz – all linked above within this article.
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