Long dry summers, mild winters and an average of 300 days of sunshine per year make the Algarve the ideal venue for the whole spectrum of sporting and out-door activities. In addition, the region offers a wide choice of fitness centres and luxury spas offering a range of therapies and beauty treatments.
For children the region offers a fabulous choice of activities and entertainment – here are a few suggestions:
Slide and Splash at Lagoa, Aqualand at Alcantarilha and Aquashow at Quarteira are easily accessible waterslide parks and offer several swimming pools in addition to a fantastic array of exciting ways to plunge yourself into the water at great speed. All parks operate a dedicated bus service for day trips from Albufeira.
Albufeira’s Zoomarine oceanographic theme park is one of Portugal’s most famous family attractions and is only a short drive away. Set in over 12 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, with several swimming pools, a choice of fairground rides and a network of lakes, the park also houses the “Oceanus” marine museum containing several aquariums including the giant shark aquarium and a cinema.
Also close-by is the Krazy World Algarve Zoo park featuring a range of attractions including two 18 hole mini golf courses, Krazy Golf and Jungle Golf – the latter winding its way through a ‘land that time forgot’ complete with life size dinosaur replicas peeping through the undergrowth. There are fairground rides, pony rides an animal petting farm.
The Lagos Zoo contains over 120 species of animals and some 200 species of plants. Here you can see several varieties of apes inhabiting specially constructed “primate islands” set in a lake with waterfalls and a healthy population of aquatic animals and birds. The zoo makes for an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable day out for all the family.
Circuito de Karting de Almancil is home to two fabulous carting circuits, the larger follows the exact layout of the Formula 1 track at Jacarepágua and was opened by Ayrton Senna himself. A smaller track is geared to younger drivers. There is a grandstand and club-house with bar and restaurant. Competitions are held regularly and many events are open to visitors.
