Penina Golf
Championship course · Henry Cotton
A historic championship course designed by Henry Cotton, one of the most prestigious in the Algarve. Tee-time booking recommended.
Open daily · Tee-time booking recommended
Tap a pin for details and to open directions in Google Maps.
Activities
For the days when you fancy more than the beach — theme parks, golf between the hills and the sea, adrenaline in the air, and boat trips along the golden Algarve coast.
Eden Alvor
Mini-golf, spa & restaurant
One of Alvor's best-kept secrets: a beautifully maintained mini-golf course, a spa with massages, and a surprisingly good restaurant.
Open daily: 10am–midnight
Morgado Golf & Country Club
Two golf courses · Between hills and sea
Two courses (Morgado and Álamos) at a charming resort between the Monchique hills and the sea. The Morgado course's 14th hole is especially memorable.
Open daily · Tee-time booking recommended
Aeródromo de Portimão
Skydiving & scenic flights
In Alvor, the starting point for tandem skydives over the Algarve coast and scenic flights. Adrenaline with a sea view.
Open daily: 8am–6pm
Passeios de barco às grutas
Benagil Caves & Lagos coastline
Departs from Portimão Marina to explore golden cliffs and sea caves, including the famous Benagil Cave — nicknamed "The Temple" for the light streaming in through the opening in its roof.
Open daily: 9am–7pm (weather and sea conditions permitting)
Alto Golf Course
Course designed by Henry Cotton
Generous, rolling fairways leading up to elevated greens. Lovely views from the 18th hole. Easy online booking.
Open daily: 7am–7pm
Slide & Splash
Water park · Slides
The oldest water park in the Algarve, in Estômbar. Slides for all ages and large grassy areas for picnics.
Aberto todos os dias: 10h–18h
Autódromo e Kartódromo do Algarve
International circuit · Karting
One of the most spectacular circuits in Europe, used for MotoGP and Formula 1. Karting for all ages at the same complex.
Open daily: 9am–6pm
Zoomarine Algarve
Theme park · Dolphins & shows
The biggest family theme park in the Algarve, near Albufeira. Dolphin shows, a shark aquarium and 4D cinema. Worth setting aside the whole day.
(verão até às 19h)
Zoo de Lagos
Zoo · Great for young children
A compact, accessible zoo near Lagos, with capybaras, flamingos and monkeys — you can get really close to the animals.
Open daily: 10am–7pm
Krazy World
Zoo & water park · Animal sanctuary
An animal-sanctuary zoo where most residents are rescues, in a beautifully kept setting. Also has pools for hot days.
Algar Seco
Sinkhole near Carvoeiro · Free entry
A huge rock cavity that opens onto the sea, dramatically amplifying the sound of the waves. Walkways over arches and caves. Free entry.
Aquashow Park
Water park with indoor area · Quarteira
A water park in Quarteira with an indoor area, a good choice for rainy days. It has slides, pools for the whole family and a baby area. Check opening hours and prices on the official website before you go.
Casino de Portimão
Casino · Hotel Algarve Casino, Praia da Rocha
Close to Praia da Rocha, with slot machines, gaming tables, bars and restaurants, and shows on some evenings. Bring photo ID; no entry under 18. Smart casual dress code (no flip-flops or shorts).
Open daily 3pm–3am (Friday and Saturday 4pm–4am) · Check before you go
Observação de golfinhos
Boat trip · 2 to 3 hours
Boat trips from Portimão to see dolphins in their natural habitat. They usually last 2 to 3 hours and work best from spring to autumn. Sightings are not guaranteed: book ahead and ask the operator about conditions for children.
Subida à Fóia (Monchique)
The highest point in the Algarve
A drive up the Monchique mountains to the Fóia, with wide views over the coast. You can stop for a meal at O Recanto or O Luar da Fóia (see Restaurants). Bring a jacket: it is cooler up there and can be foggy.
Passadiços de Alvor
Boardwalks · Três Irmãos and Ria de Alvor
An easy route between Praia dos Três Irmãos and the Ria de Alvor, with dunes, salt marshes and plenty of birdlife. About 6 km one way with almost no shade: bring water and a hat. Suitable for families.
Passadiço de Carvoeiro
Seaside boardwalk · ~600 m
A wooden boardwalk along the cliffs, from the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação to Algar Seco (about 600 m), with sea views. Algar Seco itself has about 70 steps and uneven ground.
Museu de Portimão
Museum · former sardine cannery
Housed in a former fish cannery by the river, it tells the story of Portimão and its canning industry. A good idea for rainy days.
Closed on Mondays and public holidays · Check opening hours before you go
Castelo de Silves
Medieval castle · Silves
A large red-stone castle with ramparts, cisterns and views over the town and the Arade river. A visit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and pairs well with a stroll through Silves’ old town.
Parque da Juventude
City park · Play and sport
A large park in Portimão with play areas for children, a skatepark, pump track, sports courts, plenty of shade and a small pond with ducks and turtles. A good spot for a picnic and for burning off energy. Free entry.
Open daily · 8:30am–9pm
Quinta Pedagógica de Portimão
Educational farm · Animals and workshops
A municipal farm where children get close to the animals and join workshops. Opening hours change with the season: check before you go.
Open Monday to Friday 9:30am–5:30pm · Saturday 10am–5:30pm · Check before you go
Adventure Golf Alvor
Dinosaur mini golf · Alvor
An 18-hole mini golf course, challenging and surrounded by dinosaur replicas. Fun for kids and adults alike. Opening hours change with the season and there are closing days, so check before you go.
Ferragudo – vila piscatória
Traditional fishing village
A traditional fishing village on the Arade river, with narrow streets of whitewashed houses, São João do Arade castle and a waterfront lined with fresh-fish restaurants. Lovely for an afternoon stroll, right across from Portimão.
Ponta da Piedade
Cliff-top walk · Lagos
One of the Algarve’s postcards: golden cliffs, sea caves and rock stacks, with viewpoints and stairs down to the water. Easy to explore on foot along the walkways (bring water and a hat) and also visible from the sea on boat trips. Sunset here is unforgettable.
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Photo credits
Some photos come from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences. Each is listed below with its author and licence.
- Aquashow Park — Aquashow.jpg, Joseolgon · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Museu de Portimão — Museu Municipal de Portimão (29).jpg, Joseolgon · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castelo de Silves — Castelo de Silves above the old town houses - 2015-08-13.jpg, Norbert Nagel · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Parque da Juventude — Parque da Juventude - Portimão - Portugal (53173574366).jpg, Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0
Oásis Parque · Leisure Centre
Rua das Oliveiras, Urb. Oásis Parque, Lote 35, R/C Esq · 8500-286 Portimão