Portugal for a family holiday?

[Sunshineismyfriend]

We are looking at Albufeira for a family
holiday. Teen and pre teen. Looks like 30
mins from the airport. Are beaches nice? I’ve never been before. It seems more expensive than something similar in the Balearics etc. wondering if it’s worth the extra.

I absolutely love Portugal, it is one of my favourite places. The beaches are absolutely beautiful I don't think you'd find nicer beaches anywhere in the world. Albufeira perhaps not my favourite I prefer Lagos or Alvor but lots to do there for a family.

I love the Algarve but wouldn’t be excited about Albufeira itself … I’ve stayed at Olhos d’Agua and would go back. Beautiful beaches along the coast either side of Albufeira.

There are nicer places on the algarve, all with fabulous beaches (I live here)

Thanks all. I will keep looking.

Agree with the above.
I'd avoid Albufera and head to somewhere like Lagos, Alvor, Olhos. DD and I stayed in Alvor and visited Lagos and she said she'd like to go back there.

I went to Albufeira last year and did not enjoy it.
It was very hen/stag partyish.

People I spoke to on the plane had had lovely holidays in other parts of the Algarve though.

I've been to albufeira several times and stayed in between old and new town. I really like it.

I like the Western Algarve and been several times. It's a bit wilder and quieter but there might not be enough for your teens unless they're into surfing. Armacao de Pera or Lagos are bigger and busier without being too touristy.

The one we are looking at is near Santa Eulalia beach. Don’t know whether to swap or not.

We stayed in Alvor. It was a lot cheaper than Mallorca .

I hated albufera. It's a tacky strip of brit enticing bars
There is a nice square which is more traditional. But honestly. It's a massive no from me

We've been to Portugal a few times and we love it. Albuferia is aimed more at lively Brits. There's a long strip of bars and clubs. But the place is nice, especially Old Town. We've also been to Lagos which is lovely.

I have stayed in Algarve in September the weather was fabulous last year. The beach was lovely the water was very choppy though.

It's a short flight so perhaps why Portugal is expensive as not everyone wants to be on a plane a long time.

I have been to Albufeira several times and always stay at The Santa Eulalia, there is a shuttle into the old town, its buzzing in the evening but I've never found it stag/hen party ish, I've heard that's more in the new town. If we take the teens we usually get a villa in Carvoeiro which is a lovely resort with perhaps 40 ish restaurants.

The Algarve is beautiful op, I absolutely love it. Depends what you enjoy, Albufeira is quite lively so if that suits you do that. We stay further along the coast near Porches, it's pretty quiet (well in May at least, peak summer in August much busier), but fabulous beaches, great food and places of interest nearby. Also going to Olhos D'agua as pp recommended for a few days, we've stayed there previously too - very pretty.