Our Family's Algarve Guide: Where We Stayed, The Best Beaches & Everything We'd Do Again
The Algarve had been on our family travel list for a while but this trip was actually a bit of a last minute decision. We were craving one more dose of summer sunshine before autumn arrived, wanted somewhere with a relatively short flight from the UK and somewhere we could genuinely relax with the boys.
Just two and a half hours later, we landed in Faro.
Travelling with two young children (aged four and two), we’ve realised our holidays have changed a lot over the last few years. Whilst we still love a beautiful hotel, we’re finding ourselves drawn more towards unique places to stay that give us the space to slow down, spread out and enjoy family time together.
That’s exactly how we discovered Quinta Madeira.
Tucked away in the Algarve countryside just outside Faro, this beautifully renovated traditional farmhouse completely stole our hearts before we’d even arrived. It promised peaceful surroundings, plenty of outdoor space for the boys to explore and a fantastic base for discovering this part of Portugal.
It ended up being one of our favourite family stays we’ve ever had.
In this guide, I’ll share:
- Why we loved staying near Faro
- Our honest review of Quinta Madeira (plus an exclusive 10% discount code)
- Our favourite family friendly beaches
- The beach bars we loved most
- Our unforgettable sunset sailing experience in the Ria Formosa
- Tips for hiring a car and flying through Faro Airport
- Everything we’d do again (and a few places still on our list for next time!)
Where We Stayed: Quinta Madeira
If you’re anything like us and prefer hidden gems over busy resorts, you’re going to love this place!
Quinta Madeira is a beautifully renovated traditional Algarve farmhouse surrounded by peaceful countryside, yet it’s only around 10 minutes from Faro Airport making arrival incredibly easy after a flight with young children.
That combination of feeling completely away from everything whilst still being close to beaches, supermarkets and everything else we could have needed was probably our favourite thing about staying here.
As soon as we arrived, we knew we’d made the right choice.
The boys immediately disappeared off exploring the gardens, picking fresh blackberries straight from the bushes and running around the huge outdoor space. There were also grapes growing throughout the grounds, and it became part of our daily routine to wander outside and see what fruit we could find.
It’s those little moments that make a holiday memorable.
Inside, the farmhouse has been recently renovated to a really high standard whilst still keeping plenty of its traditional character.
With two spacious bedrooms, a modern bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a comfortable living area, it was the perfect size for our family of four.
As our youngest has food allergies, having a proper kitchen makes travelling so much easier. We could prepare meals safely whenever we wanted, stock up from the nearby supermarkets and still enjoy eating together outside every evening.
Speaking of outside…
This is where Quinta Madeira really comes into its own.
There are multiple outdoor dining areas, a fantastic barbecue, beautiful countryside views and even a rooftop terrace where we loved sitting as the sun began to set over the surrounding fields.
It felt peaceful, private and somewhere we genuinely looked forward to returning to after each day exploring the Algarve.
Our Favourite Family Friendly Features
As parents, it’s often the little extras that make the biggest difference and Quinta Madeira had thought of everything.
Some of our favourite family friendly touches included:
- Two comfortable double bedrooms, ideal for families.
- A travel cot and highchair provided.
- Toddler friendly cups, plates and cutlery.
- A proper bath (which is surprisingly rare in holiday accommodation!).
- A fully equipped kitchen with plenty of fridge and freezer space.
- Beach towels ready to use.
- Parasols for beach days.
- Beach toys for the children.
- A barbecue and several outdoor dining spaces.
- Huge enclosed gardens where little ones can safely play.
- Fresh seasonal fruit growing around the property.
- Private parking directly outside.
These are all things we’d normally have to pack ourselves so having them ready and waiting made travelling so much easier.
Exclusive 10% Discount
If you’re thinking about staying at Quinta Madeira, I also have an exclusive 10% discount for you!
Simply contact the hosts directly when making your booking enquiry and mention the code LITTLEFAMILY. They’ll apply your 10% discount before confirming your stay.
I’ll also leave the direct booking link below, which is the best way to book.
Direct booking link: (https://www.airbnb.co.uk/
Our Favourite Beaches Near Faro
One of the biggest reasons we chose to stay near Faro was the variety of beaches within easy reach.
Every day felt completely different. Some beaches were perfect for families with family friendly bars and boardwalks, others felt wild and untouched and a few required a little adventure just to reach them…
One thing we quickly realised is that the Algarve’s coastline is huge. You could easily spend two weeks here and still not visit every beach.
Here are the ones we loved most…
Praia de Faro
Just around 10 minutes from the farmhouse, it’s ideal if you don’t want a long drive with little ones.
The beach stretches for miles, giving everyone plenty of space even during the school holidays. There are wooden boardwalks that make it much easier with a pushchair, lots of little beach bars and ice cream stops to choose from and parking nearby if you arrive reasonably early.
Praia do Ancão
The soft golden sand seemed to go on forever and although it’s popular, it never felt overcrowded because there was so much space.
This stretch of coastline is home to some brilliant beach restaurants too making it perfect if you want to spend the whole day here.
This is one we returned to and it is a must for sunset too. Make sure you go to the Bold Octopus too!
Praia do Garrão
Just along the coast from Ancão is Praia do Garrão, another beautiful beach that feels a little quieter.
The beach is backed by dunes, the water is crystal clear on calmer days and there are some fantastic beach clubs nearby if you’re looking to enjoy a long lunch before heading back onto the sand. We visited Maria’s.
The whole stretch between Ancão and Garrão is beautiful and well worth exploring!
Praia do Barril
To reach Praia do Barril, you first hop aboard the famous little tourist train which takes you across the lagoon towards the beach.
The journey only takes a few minutes but it makes the whole day feel like an adventure before you even reach the sea.
Once you’re there, you’re greeted by another huge stretch of beautiful sand and the famous Anchor Cemetery where hundreds of old tuna fishing anchors have been preserved as a reminder of the area’s history.
It’s definitely one of the Algarve’s most iconic beaches.
Praia da Cacela Velha
This beach felt completely different again.
Rather than simply parking and walking onto the sand, getting here is part of the experience.
Depending on the tide, you’ll either need to take a small boat across the water or walk across when the tide is low.
We visited when the boat was running and although it’s only a short crossing, it all added to the adventure.
If you’re travelling with young children, I’d recommend leaving the pram behind if possible as the boats that enable you to cross are only tiny fishing boats.
The beach feels peaceful, natural and incredibly unspoilt.
Praia da Fuseta
Praia da Fuseta became another family favourite.
Like Cacela Velha, you’ll need to catch a small ferry across to the beach, but this crossing is very quick and was absolutely fine with the pram as the boat is much larger.
The boys loved the little boat journey almost as much as the beach itself.
A Few Things We Learned About Algarve Beaches
One thing that surprised us was just how cold the sea can be!
Even in the middle of summer, the Atlantic water is definitely refreshing.
The beaches themselves are absolutely stunning.
Expect miles of soft golden sand, beautiful dunes and some amazing shells if you’ve got little collectors like ours.
On windier days, the sea could become quite choppy but we found lifeguards were present on many of the beaches we visited, which was reassuring as a family.
Our biggest tip is to arrive early. Parking can fill up surprisingly quickly during the summer months, especially at the more popular beaches. We would aim to arrive about 9am everyday.
Beaches We’d Love To Visit Next Time
Although we managed to explore lots of the Faro coastline, there are still plenty of beaches on our list for our next Algarve adventure.
These include:
- Praia da Marinha
- Praia de Benagil
- Praia do Camilo
- Praia da Falésia
- Praia dos Três Irmãos
- Praia de Odeceixe
The Algarve has so many incredible beaches that you could easily spend every single day discovering somewhere new.
Sunset Sailing Algarve - One of Our Favourite Evenings
One of the absolute highlights of our trip was spending an evening with Sunset Sailing Algarve. Rather than watching the sunset from the beach, we climbed aboard a beautiful private catamaran and explored the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park from the water…
It was such a special experience from the moment we stepped on board. The catamaran was incredibly spacious with plenty of room to relax, enjoy a drink and simply take in the scenery. The boys loved every minute, especially helping to steer the boat and having the freedom to explore safely while we soaked up the views.
To make the evening even more memorable, the moon rose in the most incredible deep orange colour.
Sunset Sailing Algarve offers a range of private experiences, including sunset cruises, half day and full day charters, making it perfect whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends or as a family. If you’re looking for something a little different during your Algarve holiday, I’d wholeheartedly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
Our Favourite Beach Bars
Whether we wanted a quick bite after a morning on the beach or somewhere to watch the sunset, there were so many lovely places to choose from.
The Shack was one of our favourites, with its relaxed atmosphere overlooking the lagoon. It’s a brilliant spot for lunch or drinks and has such a laid back Algarve feel. Kids can also participate in a range of water sports here so you can really make a day of it!
We also loved Maria’s Restaurant & Beach, which sits right on the sand and serves fantastic food in a beautiful setting. It’s ideal if you’re looking for somewhere a little more special after a beach day.
Another standout for us was The Bold Octopus. In fact, we loved it so much that we ended up visiting twice during our trip. The rooftop has such a brilliant atmosphere with a resident DJ creating the perfect soundtrack while you enjoy drinks and incredible views as the sun begins to set. You can also dine downstairs before wandering straight onto the beach afterwards which is exactly what we did. If you’re hoping to visit the rooftop, it’s worth giving them a quick call or sending an email the day before to check it’s open as opening can vary depending on the day and weather.
Our biggest recommendation? Don’t just stick to one beach. We found that every stretch of coastline had its own character, and discovering a different beach bar each day quickly became one of our favourite parts of the holiday.
Tips for Flying into Faro Airport & Hiring a Car
One of the reasons we loved staying at Quinta Madeira was that it’s only around 10 minutes from Faro Airport making arrival and departure really easy.
We hired a car with Enterprise and the whole collection process was really smooth. Within minutes of leaving the airport, we were on the road, and having a car made such a difference. It gave us the freedom to explore a different beach almost every day, visit hidden gems across the Algarve and travel at our own pace.
Our luggage came through quickly after landing, but be prepared for queues at passport control, particularly on the journey home. We’d recommend arriving at least three hours before your return flight during the summer holidays to give yourself plenty of time.
Once you’re through security, there are plenty of shops and places to grab something to eat. We even spotted an Ale-Hop, which the boys loved browsing before our flight home.
Top Tips for Visiting the Algarve
Before you go, here are a few things that made our trip even easier:
- Hire a car if you can. It gives you the freedom to explore the incredible coastline and discover a different beach every day.
- Stay close to Faro if you’re flying into the Algarve. We loved being just 10 minutes from the airport while still having easy access to so many beautiful beaches and attractions.
- Get to the beaches early during the summer months, especially if you’re driving, as car parks can fill up quickly.
- Pack beach shoes – the sand gets so hot in the middle of the day.
- Download offline maps before you arrive. Mobile signal was generally good, but having maps downloaded gave us extra peace of mind when exploring.
- Mix beach days with experiences like a Ria Formosa boat trip. It was one of the highlights of our holiday and such a lovely way to see a different side of the Algarve.
- If you’re staying at Quinta Madeira, you’ll have access to beach towels, parasols and beach toys so there’s no need to pack or buy them yourself.
Would We Return?
Without a doubt.
The Algarve completely exceeded our expectations. From miles of golden sandy beaches and relaxed beach bars to unforgettable sunsets and peaceful boat trips, it offered everything we were looking for in a family holiday.
Staying at Quinta Madeira made the trip even more special. It gave us the space to slow down, explore at our own pace while still being close to everything we wanted to see.
If you’re looking for a family friendly base that’s full of character, I’d wholeheartedly recommend it. Don’t forget to use my exclusive code LITTLEFAMILY when booking directly to receive 10% off your stay.
I hope this guide helps if you’re planning your own Algarve adventure. If you have any questions at all, feel free to send me a message over on Instagram – I’m always happy to help!