Please talk to me about Portugal! Best for age 6 + 10?

[noshis]

We are hoping to head to Portugal for the first time in mid April. We would like to be close enough to an interesting town with some shops and nice cafes/restaurants.

We need a pool or one close by that we can access (heated this time of year?) that will keep our kids occupied. They need a couple of water slides for added interest. Doesn't need to be a full blown water park!

We like good food so somewhere where it's easy to find fresh fruit, salad etc. I envisage eating out every night but doing breakfast and lunch from the accommodation, or poolside/beach cafe.

And any suggestions for keeping the kids occupied and entertained would be great! Last time we went abroad they had a couple of hours gaming by the pool on iPads, but was hoping to avoid that this time and get away from the screens altogether.

Like everyone, we are so ready to holiday abroad again after 3 years in the UK, so hope someone can help with some ideas

Have a look at Alfagar Village. We had a great stay there and the kids loved it.

@Fivemoreminutes1

Have a look at Alfagar Village. We had a great stay there and the kids loved it.

Thanks so much for the recommendation. Looking now!

Oh that does look good and cheap! Just a shame it says pools with slides not open until May 1st but I might check that with them to be sure.

It really won't be warm enough for pools and slides in mid April.
Portugal is on the Atlantic and the sea is bracing even in mid summer.
We went in June and an unheated pool was too cold for DC who were 10/12 at the time.
Resort wise Alvor is lovely. Lots of pretty cobbled streets lined with restaurants and a fabulous beach.
For a pool based family holiday in April I'd be going much further south.

The weather in April is hot and miss. I go every April because I have family there. Some Aprils it is 10 degrees and pouring with rain EVERY DAY! Other Aprils have been warm and sunny - high 20s and we've been on the beach. Definitely not guaranteed hot weather though. April is called the "month of a thousand showers" there.

Hit and miss not hot and miss

We love Alvor.. but wouldn't risk it in April

Helpful replies, thanks!

We may have to keep an eye on the weather then and book something last minute. We really need sun and pool, so perhaps we'll have to consider the Canaries.

I was in Alvor in August and it was about the same temperature as a warm English summer. Low 20s. It was perfect, but as others say, due to the Atlantic wotsit, it's not going to be roasting, and it's certainly not going to be roasting in April.

@PAFMO Yes that's exactly my experience.

Just because tour operators sell "beach and pool" holidays for April and October doesn't mean it will be hot.
It's possible it will be sunny and mild but it's not guaranteed and just not the same as going in summer.

So many people go to places like Portugal or Corfu in October half term and are disappointed because it's cold and rainy.