Where in Algarve

[melrose]

Looking to go away at half term and fancy portugal, looking at the ALgarve but never been before and slightly overwhelmed by the choice on Wonders Direct!

Where is a good resort? We are a family of 5, kids aged 8,5 and 1. Want a pool, nice beach and some nice restaurants and bars, but with a bit of portuguese old town/ village. A few nice days out if weather is not beach friendly. Definitely don't want English bars, sky TV, discos or karaoke! less than 2 hours from airport too.

Advice much appreciated

I can really recommend Tavira....its a proper Portuguese town, lovely old streets , churches and a castle. It sits either side of a river (has the nickname the Portugese Venice!). Only about 40 mins from Faro airport and definitely no English bars !

The beach is amazing (about 5km long and good for watersports)....you do have to access it by boat as it is on a little sand bar across the estuary.....we thought this might be inconvenient but actually it only takes a few minutes /costs a few euros and our 3 year old loved it (thought it was a pirate ship !)

For day trips we did Silves (old town and castle) and Carvoiera which has a lovely beach in a cove...we liked the town but it is definitely a bit more touristy than Tavira. I would avoid vilamoura or albufeira also.

We booked a villa on a complex called Tavira Gardens through Owners Direct which had a pool. You can walk into town in about 35mins (or 5 min drive)...though part of this walk is a five min dash alongside a dual carriageway. But it did mean we had a few lovely meals (and vinos) while DS asleep in the buggy

agree tavira might suit you or cabanas is very nice. i wouldn't choose tavira gardens though - right next to a dual carriageway and a long walk into town.

they had major forest fires just north of tavira this summer, though from your description you don't sound as if you are planning to book anywhere very rural so this won't affect you.