Can anyone recommend a quietish family friendly beach resort on Algarve?

[freebster]

We are thinking of booking a week away at end of August in the Algarve. Seen some accomodation in various resorts but not sure where would be best for us. 2 DDs age 5 and 2, would like a lovely beach, family friendly eating out etc and not too lively. Any recommendations gratefully received thankyou!

we liked mia prai - sure i've spealt this wrong, near lagos. we were near the nature reserve and the beach down this end was pretty quiet considering it was school hols

Thankyou, I think that's one of the places we've looked at.

Lagos is lovely, check out beach at Praia Dona Ana.. stunning.

Further west is Praia da Luz, a small resort with a great beach and some shops/restaurants. This is where Maddie was taken though, so may not appeal.

We love the Algarve.

ruth - have you been to eastern algarve? if so how did you find it and which resorts did you like best?

Monte Gordo used to be quiet, I don't know if it still is. The beach is lovely there.

dreaming of sun, we have only gone to Western Algarve. Have done some research on the East as have considered it.. Tavira and Cabanas look good.

herb - thats good to hear, as we were thinking about going there. it does sound nice on paper. did you stay in tavira or cabanas?

tavira is fabulous, been there 3 or 4 times i really really love it. first went while backpacking and ended up just staying there. if you want to book your own break the tourist office is really helpful. i also recommend the good train service. please eat lots of custard tarts

overthemill - so would you book tavira rather than cabanas as on paper they both look nice? And is so can i ask why? I'm guessing that in tavira you have access to trains but not in cabanas - so you'd need a hire car there?

yes i would because of the transport issue - if you fly to faro and use train to tavira you could, i think, get away without car hire. you walk/bus from the centre (very pretty) and get boat to beach. assuming you have buggy still (?) it is manageable i think. from tavira you can use local bus to cabanas and other lovely places.
if you go with operator of course you get coach to resort but i'd go independently. and honestly think you won't want to leave tavira once you get there.

thanks overthemill - our next holiday destination is now sorted.

the beach is called ille de tavira i think - it is a long sandy spit that you get boat too (lovely) but take note that the far end is naturist. there s also a campsite there and reasonable beach cafe etc

Burgau
Salema
Small villages right on the beach. But on good bus routes to bigger resorts such as Luz or Lagos.