Sometimes it can be difficult to keep the young ones entertained during holidays, and happy children means happy parents so in this article we have compiled the 16 best activities to do with children in Vilamoura and Quarteira.
Spending a day at the beach
One of the most fun activities that can be done with children in the area of Vilamoura and Quarteira is to take them to the beach. Enjoy a fantastic beach day, spent between paddling and sunbathing on the towel, at Praia da Falésia or at Praia de Quarteira. The 2 beaches have a Blue Flag, translucent water and an extensive sand line where kids can play football, volleyball or just have fun without anyone being disturbed.
Horse riding
The Algarve’s incredible beauty means it is a great place to enjoy some horse riding. Ride through the countryside, take some lessons, or try the kids club for a full morning of fun under the safe supervision of trained professionals.
Boat Excursion
Embark on a boat excursion across the magnificent southern coastline to explore the mysterious caves and remote beaches of the Algarve which can only be accessed by boat. This is the ideal trip to take with your kids as the outdoor air and the translucent waters will surely provide with a memorable day.
With Vilamoura marina one of the largest in marina’s in Europe you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice. If you don’t fancy a boat trip the marina is also a great place for a stroll and an ice-cream with the family.
Boat trip to see dolphins
Dolphins are some of the most majestic sea creatures there are and every year they choose the southern waters of Portugal to run away from the cold. It is in the sea of the Algarve that you can easily watch dolphins swimming and jumping without disturbing or endangering their lives. This is definitely one of the most popular activities to do with kids in the Algarve and in Vilamoura you can choose from either a high-speed RIB boat to get you as close as possible to the dolphins, or larger cataramaran with plenty of space for you to relax and enjoy the cruise
Aquashow Water Park
Aquashow waterpark, right next to Quarteira and Vilamoura, is one of the best waterparks in the Algarve. It has lots of great shoots, rides and even a water roller-coaster. Dare yourself to ride them all and compete with your kids to see who is the fastest in the Speed Race. Don’t miss this opportunity and buy your tickets now at algarvefun.com for the best prices.
Zoomarine Theme Park
Zoomarine is a theme park which combines a rich marine biodiversity with crazy rides and animal shows. Watch a dolphin or seal show and try avoiding the pirates that are always on site trying to gather new recruits for their adventures. At Zoomarine you also have the chance to swim with the dolphins. Zoomarine is only about 20mins from Vilamoura and Quarteira.
Stand Up Paddle
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) has been growing in popularity because of how relaxing it is. It is also fairly simple, as the large board (which looks like a giant windsurf board) is pretty steady, allowing you to stand up effortlessly and easily. It is a real fun activity to do as it is not every day that you have the chance to paddle gently across the Ocean. SUP is available from Vilamoura marina and also from Falésia beach.
Kayaking
Kayaking is lots of fun and is easy to do. You don’t need to have good balance or be big particularly in shape as the kayak float very easily and it is also very easy to paddle with a choice of single, double or trip kayaks available its suitable for almost everyone regardless of fitness or experience making it a popular activity for families with kids. Have fun exploring the caves and beaches of Vilamoura and Quarteira on a kayak. There are several companies opening tours and rentals in the area including from Vilamoura marina and also from the nearby Ria Formosa natural park which offers calm waters and beautiful flora and fauna.
Sailing Boats
Sailing cruises are available from Vilamoura marina and offer a gentle and relaxing way to explore the Algarve coast. You can choose from catamarans sailing boats or larger ships like the famous Condor de Vilamoura. In addition, private charters are also available which can be a great way to spend a day with your family.
Bodyboarding
Much easier than surfing but equally exciting, bodyboarding requires that you lie on the board instead of standing, which decreases by almost 100% the amount of times you fall! It can get a bit scary because the wave seems bigger from your lying position, but I can assure you that as long as you grab the board nothing bad can happen. Have fun riding through the waves of Vilamoura and Quarteira with a body board which are readily available to buy or rent from local shops
Golf Courses
Vilamoura is a golf heaven for this sport’s enthusiasts from all over the world. Home to 6 courses, including the famous Old Course where the Portuguese Masters championship has been held, Vilamoura is the perfect place to take your kids golfing on a fun outdoor activity. The breath-taking views over the ocean and the range of obstacles make for an incredible morning or afternoon with the whole family. Or if you want a shorter (and easier!) option why not visit the Family Golf Park which is located within a few minutes walk of Vilamoura marina and offers 2 great crazy golf courses on site.
Parasailing
Take your kids parasailing and let them have the time of their lives while flying 15 metres high above the water. Parasailing is a really cool thing to do where a high-speed boat will pull your parachute making you fly. You can rest assure that all safety requirements are complied with and trips depart regularly throughout the day from Vilamoura.
Inflatable Rides
At Praia da Falésia, in Vilamoura, you can ride a high-speed inflatable. These inflatables are pulled by a speed boat that takes you on a wild ride across the sea. The trickiest part is trying to hold on tight while the boat swings and turns.
Karting
At Almancil, just on the edge of Quarteira, lies one of the oldest karting centres in the Algarve. There is a junior track with karts for younger children and a semi-professional track with karts of differing power available for adults of all abilities. Test your nerves and reflexes behind the wheel of one of the karts at Almancil and see if you can beat the record for the fastest lap.
In addition the karting centre has other fun activities for children including trampolines, remote control cars and a small park making for a fun afternoon out.
Segway tours
Another fun activity to do with your kids is to take a Segway tour from Quarteira to Vilamoura along the beautiful beaches and coastline of the area. A Segway is a really easy to manoeuvre and eco-friendly vehicle available for tours by kids and adults.
Bicycle Trip
The area of Quarteira and Vilamoura offers several cycle routes and calmer roads or tracks perfect for a day of family bike riding. There is a guided tour between Vilamoura and Quarteira with a duration of about 3 hours which is a great way to get to know the area. There is also another tour through the Algarve countryside that will allow you to get to know an Algarve that is different from the coast to which you are accustomed. If you prefer, you can always rent bikes with the family and decide to explore the area yourself and delivery is available directly to your hotel or villa making it easy to arrange.
