Things to Do in the Algarve This Easter by Paul Rouse
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Tivoli Lagos
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Blessed with superb weather, an amazing coastline, and a rich and varied landscape, the Algarve makes the most of its natural assets. But its man-made ones - including superb hotels and spas, some of the most famous golf courses in the world, swish modern marinas and a host of leisure facilities - are equally impressive.
Here are some recommendations for an Algarve Easter holiday to suit everybody:
Families
There are endless ways of keeping the family occupied, from museums to multi-screen cinemas, theme parks to pirate ships, and carnivals to castles. Fun-filled waterparks include Aqualand, Slide & Splash and Aquashow – which boasts Europe’s biggest water-coaster – whilst swimming with the dolphins at Zoomarine is an incredible experience: funny, delightful and educational at the same time. Or hang onto your hats and see these amazing creatures in the wild on a bumpy but exhilarating boat trip with Dolphin Seafaris.
Many of the larger hotels like Vila Vita Parc have excellent supervised kid’s clubs, allowing mum and dad a few hours to chill by the pool, whilst older children can reach for the stars and enjoy the hands-on approach at the interactive Centre for Living Science which has exhibitions, games, an observatory and a flight simulator. And for just one example of the region’s centuries-old traditions, head inland to Sao Bras de Alportel, where the locals celebrate Easter Sunday with an unusual ceremony of men with decorated torches running through the streets before laying flowers on the church floor.
Beach Lovers
From sun-lovers to surfers, naturists to naturalists, there’s a beach with your name on it - and over 200 km of stunning coastline to explore, from sheltered dunes, tiny bays, rocky coves and shallow lagoons to vast stretches of open sands and the crashing waves of the wild Atlantic.
The Algarve has more than 50 clean and safe Blue Flag beaches, many of them with shallow water ideal for toddlers and non-swimmers: among the most family-focused are Meia Praia, Alvor, Praia da Rocha, Galé, Pescadores, Falesia and Ilha de Tavira, the latter recently named in the Top 10 Most Child Friendly Beaches in the World by Lonely Planet.
For those seeking an all-over tan, there are also two official naturist beaches - Adegas and Barril - and dozens more where nudity is the norm, such as Beliche, Barranco, Zavial, Furnas and Praia Grande.
Great beach restaurants meanwhile include Bahia (Meia Praia), Rei das Praias (Caneiros), Arte Nautica (Armacao de Pera), Evaristo (Evaristo), Pedras Amarelas (Galé), Sao Rafael (Sao Rafael), A Sardinha (Arrifes), La Cigale (Olhos d’Agua) and Paradise (Garrao) – try delicious Portuguese specialities like freshly-caught sardines grilled on the barbecue, spicy chicken piri-piri, or mouth-watering fish and seafood rice dishes cooked in a steaming pot called a cataplana.
Luxury Algarve
Looking for designer hotels like Quinta do Caracol in Tavira, historic hideaways such as the Pousada de Infante in Sagres or the delights of the World Travel Awards’ Leading Boutique Resort in the world, Vila Joya, which boasts the only two-star Michelin restaurant in Portugal, a spectacular cliff-top location and a wine cellar with an ocean view? Welcome to the Algarve.
For serious pampering, you’ll find some of the best spas in Europe here, offering a range of treatments from the therapeutic to the sensual. Top tips include the thalassotherapy spas at Vilalara and Grande Real Santa Eulalia and the Banyan Tree spa at the Tivoli Victoria.
Moving up a gear, drive into fashionable Vilamoura or Vale do Lobo behind the wheel of a top-of-the-range BMW, Mercedes or Porsche hired from Blue Heaven Portugal or charter a luxury power boat from Champagne Cruises for tours of the coastline complete with skipper, crew and bubbly.
Golfers
Golf heads the leader board in the Algarve. There are over 35 top-class courses, including renowned names like Penina, Alto, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura, and some of the greats of the game such as Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros have designed courses in the region.
The new Jack Nicklaus signature course at Monte Rei meanwhile is already winning plaudits from the world’s top players, whilst for a 19th hole with a difference, admire the views at the resort’s stylish restaurant, the appropriately-named Vistas and enjoy superb food: executive chef Jaime Perez came from elBulli in Girona, the world’s number-one rated restaurant.
The weather in the Algarve is made for golf - why shiver at home when you can play with the sun on your back? Enjoy nine holes before lunch and still have the rest of the day to yourself, or tackle a different course each day. And if you’re new to the game, there are numerous driving ranges, practice greens and golf academies, with experienced coaches and golf professionals on hand to help you out. Brush up your technique with a lesson from Antonio Sobrinho, the pro at Vale do Lobo and a Portugal PGA tour player - you’ll notice an improvement in your game immediately.
Adrenaline Junkies
Surf dudes will head for the wild west beyond Lagos. Sagres is the Algarve’s ‘surf city’ with a wide selection of training schools and shops supporting the best surfing beaches in the region. There’s not much in the way of development once you ‘turn the corner’ past Cabo de Sao Vincente, but the waves get even better. Top surfing beaches include Carriagem, Monte Clerigo, Arrifana, Carrapateira, Amado, Castelajo, Beliche, Tonel, Mareta, Zavial and Lagos.
There are watersports concessions on most of the larger beaches, especially around Albufeira, Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago, so why not try kitesurfing, parasailing, waterskiing or jet skiing? Hop on board a banana boat and splash through the waves. Hire a motor boat or pedalo and head off to explore the coastline. Snorkel for fun and check out the marine life or even learn to dive.
And there’s good news for speed freaks, petrol-heads and Lewis Hamilton wannabes: the turbo-charged Racing School at the Algarve’s Formula 1-approved race track offers you the chance to improve your driving skills or just enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime racing experience - on two or four wheels – with expert supervision.
Nature Lovers
You’ll take great pleasure in discovering the rock pools, coastal footpaths, national parks, walking trails, wide open spaces and unique flora and fauna of the Algarve. The protected habitats and unspoiled, peaceful environments - especially in the national parks of the south-west Alentejo, the Ria Formosa and Sapal - are ideal for ramblers, walkers, bird watchers, botanists, painters, photographers or just anybody who might have forgotten what clean, fresh air smells like.
For serious walkers, the 240km Via Algarviana path covers the entire length of the Algarve. Two shorter trails follow the coastline from Quinta do Lago towards Faro: the Sao Lourenco shows the contrast between the salt marshes and the freshwater lagoons, whilst the Quinta do Lago highlights the different eco-systems of woodland and marsh. Or book a personal walking tour with Algarverde.
To see the countryside at a slightly quicker pace, try horse riding or carriage driving with Horses in the Sun, a cycling tour with Activity Algarve or a jeep safari into the mountains for the day with Geo Explorer.
If you're planning a trip to Portugal, be sure to check out our hand-picked selection of luxury hotels in the Algarve.