The Western Algarve is a popular destination for family holidays. This is especially true on all school holiday dates throughout the year, not only in the summer months but also over Christmas, New Year, Easter and all Half Terms. With a fantastic climate of over 300 days of sunshine a year, it is one of the few areas of Europe with all year round appeal.

Like our established and immensely popular family alpine activity holidays in the French Alps, there is a wealth of safe, quality and good-value family activities in the Western Algarve. The holiday can be as action packed or as relaxing as you wish. Choose as few or as many activities according to your interests, ages and budget. There is so much to do for all ages and interests, with the emphasis on fun and safety.

We use only fully qualified instructors, guides and top quality equipment for all main activities.

Some activities have minimum height, weight and/or age restrictions.

For indicative individual activity prices, please see the Prices page.

A typical fun & action-packed week suitable for the whole family:

Arrival Day: Get your bearings on a tour of Salema. Locate the places of interest, best restaurants and of course the dinosaur footprints on Salema beach. Maybe have a swim and a game of volleyball on the beach.

Day 2: Full day sea kayaking. After a briefing with our activity coordinator in Lagos, you paddle through crystal clear waters to discover hidden beaches, grottos and caves. This adventure, in contact with nature, enables you to stop, swim, snorkel and relax. A picnic lunch is provided on a secluded beach. Afterwards there will be time to explore the ancient walled town of Lagos.

Day 3: Walk to a secluded beach for BBQ, snorkelling, rock jumping and exploring. This is a fun day in which you will discover a number of remote beaches via hidden paths and trails. Approximately 3 miles walking each way.

Day 4: Free day in Salema. Alternatively you could choose another half or full day activity, excursion or boat cruise.

Day 5: Full day cycle ride. Travel to the highest peak in the Algarve, the 902 metres Mount Foia in the middle green and cooler Serra de Monchique. With your guide you will cycle back to the coast down remote trails, discovering ancient villages, lost valleys and forests of cork and eucalyptus, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way. We end the trip with a paddle or swim in the warm estuary lagoon of the Ria de Alvôr, where you will spot flamingos. The total distance is 34 km, of which 60% is downhill.

Day 6: Full day surfing or bodyboarding. Some of Europe’s best surf beaches can be found on the Algarve’s west coast beaches, within 20 minutes drive from Salema. The wind is usually off shore and the big rollers cascade in from the open Atlantic on most days of the year. Specialist surf schools in the Lagos and Sagres area offer different courses in both surfing and bodyboarding depending on experience.

Day 7: Full day jeep safari. This is a fantastic way to discover areas that can only be reached by 4-wheel drive. Anyone adventurous enough to take an organised trip into the hinterland aboard an open-top jeep usually considers the experience to be a holiday highlights. The safari will take you over steep hills, through remote valleys, and along wild beaches and lost trails where indigenous flora and fauna are in abundance.