Portugal or Turkey - decisions, decisions - which is best for toddlers

[mike1969]

Hi all,

Trying to decide between Portugal or Turkey for a relaxing holiday with three very little ones.

Anyone been to both who could help me?

Really appreciate your help : )

I haven't been to Portugal with children but I would say Turkey is much more child friendly. They cater for children everywhere and really love the little ones there.

Sorry, but I'd say the opposite, I've been to both but only portugal with a baby - and seriously, I wish they looked after you that well in the UK! Special routes through security at the airport, people tripping over themselves to help you, you can go to the best restaurants and they will not bat an eyelid as you walk in with a pram! So, having just had a lovely holiday, I might be biased - I think you get better quality of everything in portugal..as i say i might be a tinest bit biased, I'm sure there are some nice places in turkey.

They wouldn't bat an eyelid at you going into any restaurant with a pram in Turkey either, they would be moving the tables to help you in! I have been into restaurants where they haven't had enough highchairs and they have gone down the road to find one from somewhere else and where they have walked the pram round while I have eaten.

As you say though, if only they would have half as much consideration in the UK it would be nice!

Looks like I can't go far wrong then - thank you so much for the feedback. Although once they see we have three little ones, they might be pushing us back on that plane. Felicity10 - which hotel did you stay at? Keep looking at Turkey but it is either booked our out of our budget : (

I have been to both but neither with children! my impression is that you could have a lovely child friendly holiday in either.
Turkey is relatively cheap re food drink as not in EU. You get a visa at the airport.
I love Northern/Central Portugual.

Plaza real apartments praia de rocha portugal. Out of season, quiet, friendly, a nice stroll to the town...well, we loved it!

When are you going? Turkey wil be blazingly hot in the summer months - well into the 90s. Portugal may be very slightly cooler (80s), which might swing it for me.

We had a lovely holiday in Portugal last year. Where are you thinking of going? We had a few days in the north, around Sintra, Estoril and Cascais - beautiful part of the world, feels like the French Riviera. The we drove down to the Algarve and stayed in Lagos, which is a nice little town. We hired a car and drove around a lot - there are loads of gorgeous beaches on the Algarve and the people are extremely child-friendly (we had a 4 yr old and 1 yr old with us and were welcomed everywhere we went with open arms). I'd highly recommend it for families.

We didn't stay in a hotel, we used some timeshare weeks, but you can rent timeshares which there are a LOT of easily. I'd say there were more timeshares than hotels in the algarve, but we find that easier and more flexible than having just a room. Four Seasons Vilamoura and Alto Country Club in Alvor were where we stayed, both lovely. Vilamoura isn't particularly inspiring but alvor was a lovely little town for wandering around in the evening and eating in great little restaurants. As some of the other posts say, you can't go far wrong along the algarve coast, lots of nice towns. There are big complexes like Quinta de lago and vale de lobo which also looked nice. The holiday rentals websites always have those places too. have fun