Where in the Algarve?

[Zzanne]

Hiya - we're looking to go to the Algarve in April, with our (then) 19 month old twin boys and my partners parents. We'll rent a villa, but can't decide on an area. Not too built up, but we don't want to be isolated either. Can anyone recommend somewhere that they've been? Is Praia da Luz a bit dull? A bit hard to tell from info we've found online... Thanks!

We have stayed in Lagos several times.. lots to see and do.

We stay near to the beach at Praia Dona Ana, it is a lovely spot, the beach is stunning. We usually stay in apartment so cannot recommend a villa. Look at www.ownersdirect.co.uk and there are loads of villas for rent.

Balai or Olhos d'Agua are both lovely. About 45 mins from Faro airport, beautiful beaches, outstanding accommodation, brilliant restaurants. We've been there for the last 6 years and we'll be there again this year.
Balaia Golf Village is fantastic-lots of different accommodation types, and whilst there aren't villas with private pools, there are 7 pools spread about so none ever get too busy (think one of them is heated too):)

Praia Da Luz is lovely! We have been holidaying there since 2002 and love it so much we have just bought our own place there.

Lovely beach, plenty of lovely restaurants and a good range of accomodation for rent. Water sports on the beach from the Spring till October.

Fab weather even in the Winter - we were there in October (average temp 21 degrees) and it was even sunny and warm (average 18 degrees)there at Christmas (well compared with here anyway )

We have used Holiday Lettings and Villa Plus in the past. Can recommend both companies very highly.

We enjoyed Praia da Luz but not so much we would go regularly. I would imagine it is very good with young children, ours were older and wanted more to do.

We have also been to Val de Lobo which we preferred as there was more going on in the evenings.

Our favourite is Vilamoura :) as it has a lovely marina surrounded by restaraunts and bars. It has more things to do than the others but still has lovely unspoilt beaches.

There is a paved walkway you can walk along the coast from Vilamoura to Quarteira which is more of a town than a resort. That has a promenade with shops and cafes and has a market and a big gypsy market each week