Algarve Region (Portugal) with kids

Algarve region is considered a vacation spot for Europeans. Because of that, alot of the Portugese "feel" may not be the same as the rest of the country. You may want to rent a car and travel around to get a better feel for the difference. The Portugese absolutely love all kids and are very friendly. I'm sure you'll get lots of help from the locals if you ask for it. My husband who is fluent in Portugese and has visited the country kiddingly believes Portugal is the size of Rhode Island. Seriously, you can travel to alot of places from the Algarve region and back in 1 day. Check the north. You may not be able to go swimming. It will be chilly. If your kids are into hiking, hike along the coast. Fishing is big there. Introduce your kids to Portugese architecture, very different from the rest of Europe. I suggest you look at travel books ie RS's, National Geo Traveler Portugal or Lonely Planet's. Each has a different take on the country. Have a great time. Don't worry about inlaws.

Thanks for your reply, Jeannine. My husband is from England and they chose the destination. All of the information I've found about The Algarve definitely has led me to think it's a lot more touristy than I would like. I will definitely start looking more into traveling outside the region. Thanks for the tip!

Not all of the Algarve is crawling with pasty-skinned tourists. Check out Carapateira and the little towns just north of Sagres for a more "local" feel. The ferry to the island of Tavira is a nice day trip.

Deby -

In 2004, we stayed at RS suggested village, Salema, at Pension Mare. Great place with a nice beach and good restaurants. Golf course development nearby also. Cape Sagres and El Fin do Mondo is worth a visit. We also went into the mountains to Monchique for our friend's wedding. I agree with going up the coast from Sagres to visit the small towns in the area. Enjoy.

I'd second the Salema recommendation. My best friend and I stayed in Salema for 3 nights in 2006. It was AWESOME.

We stayed at the Mare, one of (at least then, anyway) RS's recommendations. We had a little kitchenette, etc. http://www.algarve.co.uk/

It's a tiny fishing village. It's at least worth having dinner there if you're not staying there, it's beautiful. There are 2 restaurants that I can think of, both were great. Both have a patio with steps onto the beach.

There's also a little beach...Begins with an "I" (sorry, LOL), I think. It was in RS's book. There's a little cafe that serves great shrimp in piri-piri sauce on a private beach.

We went to Sagres, very, very windy. It was a beautiful view, but kind of boring (IMO).

About 2 hours from Faro (approximate), you can go to Evora. It's a neat little town, with shops, churches, and other views.

Will you be flying into Faro? Will you be renting a car? Or will you be dependant on Public transportation? Are you comfortable leaving the resort area? What activities do you enjoy? Within how far a range are you comfortable travelling? Do you speak Portuguese?
(English is spoken in most areas but I ask about your language skills because I might otherwise suggest somewhere that may present challenges if you do not speak at least some basic Portuguese)

I have enjoyed many FABULOUS layovers in Faro, Lisbon and Porto to the North. Perhaps if you give us a little more detail we can better assist.

We will be flying into Lisbon and then driving down to the algarve. We are renting a car and are comfortable going outside of the resort area, definitely! We don't speak Portuguese (other than thank you and good morning.)

As far as activities go, we enjoy outdoor stuff. (I was glad someone suggested hiking!) Our kids are only 1 and 3 years old so it might be difficult to do some things with them, but we're willing to try.

We really appreciate all the help so far!

Deby, I didn't realize your children were so young. How about you and the husband go off for 1 or 2 day excusions (more if you can get away w/it) and the in-laws babysit? Promise to buy them all the port or madeira they want. I'm sure they would appreciate the quality time w/the grandkids!

LIS (Lisbon)
The "Alfama" district is interesting. Bordering on the residential areas you will find Mom & Pop type restaurants like "O'Emigrente" that are inexpensive and the meals excellent. It's a family restaurant frequented by mostly locals. Don't expect a translated menu but the owners' young workers and family speak at least some English. It's up a steep hill from the Train station. There's a pizza joint at the corner half way up the hill. Watch out for the drivers on Vespa's!

In LIS, check out the "Torre de Belem" monument on the waterfront.

Don't forget to look into Estoril. Sintra is worth a look, too. There's a neat village, and Palacio da Pena (Palace of Pain). You can even get a horse drawn carriage up to it. I think it is closed Mondays if I remember correctly. Best check. The view is spectacular!

Cascais is worth a look. Cabo da Rocha is the most Easternly point in Europe. Amazing view with walking trails on the perimiter. But watch your kids!

The rocks can be slippery due to the mist. The cobbles can often be in disrepair so wear suitable footwear.

Faro has an old fortress that's neat to walk around. Just be careful not to go there after dark. Gypsies take over at night. Watch where you park your car. there's a Park just down from the Eva Hotel. Don't park near this Park. Gypsies will point out a space for you and hassel you into paying them for this service. There's a Market on Saturday mornings. It's stinky but you can find some neat things there. Stay clear of the stray dogs. Many are diseased, hungry and viscious.
Remember when dining, you will pay for the rolls, cheese, olives etc that they put on your table. If you don't want to pay for it, refuse it right away. House wine can be cheaper than pop or juice. Always check your bill. Often there are mistakes. Always in their favour.

You may encounter squat toilets off the beaten track or in a "Mostly Men" street cafe. Not all toilets have seats. Not that you actually sit, anyway!

Off the beaten track, don't be surprised by "old world" attitudes toward women. My ex is from LIS and he was always very streetwise. Always careful to enter a mostly men cafe first covering view of me so they would realize I was "his". In some parts, it is still a man's world. Foreign woman bring curiosity, especially natural blondes with light coloured eyes.

Oh, and in LIS, don't forget the castle overlooking the City. It's beautifully lit at night. Be careful at night. Avoid the waterfront after dark. Plenty of prostitutes. Bold ones who think nothing of approaching your husband with you beside him. I recall one who told him that a Portuguese man needs a real Portuguese woman. I'm very obviously not and cross cultured (Portuguese plus foreigner) marriages generally aren't accepted. Nor are Gays or the concept of Divorce. Perhaps the youmger generation will be more tolerant.

Our apt outside LIS has paper thin walls and you can hear a lot from the neighbours. At home, I would've called the police, there you thought twice...

Not to make Portugal or the Portuguese sound undesirable. Curtural differences...Just speaking from my own experiences with frequent travel there and living in the culture for a decade. So please don't "flame" me saying I'm anti-Portugal or anti-Portuguese...b/c I'm not. It is a beautiful, interesting country. I think the average tourist, will be made very welcome. Some of the best Seafood I've ever tasted. Great shoe-shopping! Beautiful hand-painted tiles! Well worth the visit. I will always sell Portugal.

Just had a few more thoughts...(Sorry to be so long winded...)
When you decend into LIS be sure to look out your window. You'll notice a rather majestic statue of Christ with his arms outreached. Spectactular when the morning sunrise beams overhead. It actually faces another identical statue in Rio de Janeiro. Some Airlines make an announcement.
In Lisboa, there is a tower designed by the Eiffel Tower Architect. The view is descent but for the money I'd say skip it and go straight up to the Castle. I've forgotton it's name (St Jorge?) but everyone knows of the Castle.
Buy a good dictionary before you leave. You can buy them on the street/train but they are often small print with poor quality paper. Gypsies often sell them. Most young people will speak at least some English.

If you're carrying an Umbrella into an upscale shop, look for an umbrella tree by the door. Carrying a wet umbrella is considered rude. Outdoor shoes are worn indoors. Homes are mostly tile anyway.