Advice on Algarve resorts with child-friendly beaches and calmer sea

[AndCallMeNancy]

Hoping for some advice to help me plan our summer holiday. Yep, we’ve left it late but hoping to go to Portugal late August/early Sept. Me, DH and DD who will be 7. We’ve never been before so hoping some trusty MN input will help with some decisions with regards where to stay.

Really my main question is re the beaches. We usually go to Greek islands/ the med and my DD loves swimming in the sea. We really want to try Portugal but my only concern is the sea. Is it really freezing? DD won’t mind the temp so much but I will! Also I want to avoid anywhere with big waves or that shelves quickly/deeply. Can anyone recommend any beaches on the Algarve that are particularly safe for kids?

Generally, we don’t like anywhere full-on or brash. No Benidorm-vibes/full English breakfasts type places, we like places that feel a bit authentic even tho they will of course be touristy. We like mooching about, eating out, boat trips, beaches. A bit of culture is nice but we won’t be doing constant day trips. We like an apartment, have never done AI.

I am looking at Farragudo currently, anyone been? I have also heard that the closer to the Spanish border, the warmer the sea. Pls share any recommendations for somewhere lovely with a nice kid-friendly beach!

Taviraa . But Go to cabanas. Very portuguese. Take a little boat across to lovely sandy beach . Super warm sea in september.
Discover Cabanas de Tavira, Portugal | Algarve Travel Guide https://share.google/jmc0jlruDqDC4ydJ7

Cabanas has great restaurants but book ahead. You could get an apartment Cabanas de Tavira Hotels | Find and compare great deals on trivago https://share.google/zULYTt9Pl9H3avdDE

You can get an uber to Tavira town for about 10 euros for town shops culture
Discover Tavira, Portugal | Algarve Travel Guide https://share.google/bIvSjBc45R42n0OMj
Ride the tourist land train
See flamingos in the nature reserve

Armacao de Pera

Ferragudo is a nice village. Praia Grande is 5 minutes away and is a wide sandy beach, often with bouncy castle type things for the kids, and several bars/cafes/restaurants

i live nearby and happy to answer any questions

Not the Algarve, but maybe take a look at São Martinho do Porto - to the north of Lisbon and has a very sheltered horseshoe bay that makes it family friendly. Sea temperature will be a bit cooler but it’s a pretty place and a favoured holiday spot for the Portuguese.

Thank you, Cabanas looks gorgeous! Much appreciated 🙏

Thank you, much appreciated. Ferragudo does look like our kind of place and the beach sounds good. Still slightly nervous about those sea temps but may just have to brace myself and not be such a wuss!

Do you know of any other places along the Algarve that might fit the brief?

I was also going to say Cabanas, although it’s quite small there are some nice restaurants - one run by Noélia, which used to be a small traditional restaurant but is now very upmarket and she’s a judge on Portuguese masterchef.

A short drive away is Olhão where you can get the ferry to the islands of Armona and Culatra, which are small, and car free, a very different type of algarve. Nice for a day trip but I wouldn’t stay there

I’ll try to find a photo of Armona

Armona

Portugal is lovely, especially around Tavira. BUT the sea is freezing, it's the Atlantic. I couldn't get in past my thighs and the kids lasted about 5 mins before coming out. This was in August. Make sure where you stay has a pool as this gets heated by the sun.

Sea temp around 22 degrees in september . Pleasant for me : ) not 26+ like swim pool though

When to Visit Tavira: Weather Guide and Best Month to Visit https://share.google/tt8vsv2WOCp9qQ5uG

This is my fear! Was this in Tavira? We will make sure we stay somewhere with a pool for sure.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am looking at a package deal to Ferragudo or booking flights and accommodation separately and staying somewhere in Cabanas. Both do look lovely.

Can I also ask about cost of eating and drinking please as we will def self cater and eat out. On the jet2 website it says a local beer costs £1.70 and a three course meal for two costs £33. Sounds amazing! I have also looked at Croatia and by comparison jet2 say a beer is £5 and the meal for two is £60 so that swung it for me immediately! @Costacoffeeplease would you say Jet2 are in the right ball park with eating out costs for the Algarve? Also do you think Ferragudo and Cabanas will be more or less the same price-wise? I am trying to make this holiday as budget-friendly as possible.

Many thanks again 😁

I think their prices are a little out of date. £1.70 is probably for a small beer rather than a caneca

There is a thing here called a Prato de dia which is a lunch menu of 3 courses including half a bottle of wine per person, and is around 15€. There is a limited choice of 2-3 mains, maybe soup for a starter and chocolate mousse or creme caramel dessert but a standard restaurant in the evening would be maybe double? It’s aimed at local workers traditionally, when it was priced at 7-8€ 15 years ago.

Where I live, closer to Ferragudo than Cabanas, a steak or fish main is around 20-25€, a bottle of wine 10-12€, starter 8-12€

I don’t think there is a lot of difference between Ferragudo and Cabanas price wise, Cabanas is probably more traditional Portuguese

Thanks Costa, I thought the jet2 prices sounded a bit too good to be true!

jet2 have a lot to answer for…. they’ve also just hiked the price of the Farragudo holiday by a grand overnight. Gutted 😭

Where is the accommodation in Ferragudo?

I know you said you hadn’t done AI before but it might be worth looking at the AP Cabanas Hotel. I know people who have stayed there and enjoyed it. It’s walking distance of the beach and town

Or Golden Club for self catering

Well it's the atlantic so cold compared to the med. Also we found pools cold even mid summer.
However we had some great holidays in Alvor when the DC were around 8/10.
The waves can be high and they loved body boarding. beautiful beach as well.

The jet2 option is/was Vitors village in Ferragudo.

I have backtracked slightly on Cabanas as although it looks really beautiful I’ve read there are marshes there which I suspect will up the mosquitos ante. I always get bitten when on hol but if I’m near standing water I get ravaged! Will look at your suggestions tho, thank you.

You’ll find mosquitoes everywhere along the algarve in summer