Algarve with kids: a family-friendly guide to Portugal’s southern coast

Vimal Fernandez
Jun 15
3 min read

Updated: Jun 16

Algarve: beaches so beautiful you almost forget you're sharing your VRBO with a thousand ants. 🐜🏖️🏡

If you want real value, beach days, fresh seafood, cobblestone charm, and sunshine that keeps everyone (mostly) sane—Algarve with kids is the spot. For our IG fans, my wife captures this here.

We flew into Lisbon, hopped on a $65 flight to Faro, and drove an hour to Alvor. Shoulder season in early June meant fewer crowds and better prices.

Where we stayed (and what to avoid)

Our VRBO looked great online but was a letdown—so many ants, no Wi-Fi, no AC, and an unresponsive host. For €1700 for 9 days, that stung. However, I'd still stay in the same gated community (great pools, private beach, fun parks, and cool grounds), but I'd find a unit on the second floor or higher (less ants) with responsive hosts.

Getting around Algarve with kids

We debated skipping the rental car. Don’t. For €300 (15 days, brand new VW hatchback from SIXT), it was totally worth it. You’ll want the flexibility to explore nearby towns, grab groceries, and get to the airport.

Unique beaches your fam will love

Praia da Prainha: Private beach with stunning cliffs, rock caves, and quiet coves where your kids can have meltdowns in peace.

Praia dos Três Irmãos: Walk through a cave from Prainha and arrive at a bigger, busier beach with restaurants and a long stroller-friendly boardwalk. Gorgeous landscape and chilled-out vibes.

Iconic towns worth visiting

Portimão: check out the old town, fountain park, and cheap eats along the port.

Benagil Sea Caves: go with a small boat (Royal Nautic is great)—you’ll actually go inside the caves. €22/adult, €13/kid.
Quinta Pedagógica: a small petting farm for little ones to learn something new.

Alvor: stroll the scenic boardwalk, let the kids loose at the castle park, then refuel with fresh fish and cold wine on restaurant row.

Passadiços de Alvor: long boardwalk over dunes and marshes—perfect for strollers.
Restaurant street: fresh fish and wine for you, room to roam for the kids.
A park in a broken castle.

Carvoeiro: picture-perfect beach backed by a town.

Cliff walk: not stroller-friendly, but gorgeous. You walk on top of the cliffs and look across the Atlantic.
Pirate ship playground: right near the cliff walk, it made a great reward for the kids after doing the cliff walk.
Praia de Carvoeiro: sunset dinner was a highlight.

Lagos: wander the old town—charming streets, cool buildings, and family-friendly spots right on the river. It’s one of those cities that you see in the movies.

Lisbon for a day (kind of)

We needed space for extended family, and good luck finding a house that fits everyone and feels like a design magazine inside city limits. So we looked just 30 minutes outside Lisbon and found the nicest Airbnb we’ve ever stayed in — this one. Its beach-chic modern, clean lines, soft lighting, calming colors, and even a pool. The place just has good vibes (like the Kamala campaign).

Nearby attractions:

Praia da Fonte da Telha: a long stretch of sand with plenty of beach bars and space to breathe. Not overly crowded, even in June.
Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira: where a lake and river meet the ocean. Calm, shallow waters full of little fish and hermit crabs—perfect for kids to splash around without worry (or waves).

In Lisbon proper:

Jardim dos Cactos + Jardim da Estrela: two beautiful, laid-back parks with playgrounds, wildlife (peacocks, turtles, and birds), and outdoor cafés. Great spots to let the kids run while you sip or eat something.
Miradouro de São Vicente: enjoy panoramic views. Then hire a Tuktuk (€75) to tour you through Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods. It’s fun, breezy, and lets the kids skip the long uphill walks.

Creating a second home

Portugal is the kind of place where we could see ourselves making a second home—great beaches, rich culture, amazing food, sunny weather, and still-affordable prices. We’d happily split our time—maybe 3 months a year—between Portugal and the U.S.

And that’s the beauty of Financial Independence (FI). When work is optional, you don’t have to ask permission to build a life that works for your family. Want to give your family a second home someday? It starts by finding your why.

This post is part of our 'finding our why' series, sharing real-world stories of why families choose financial independence and early retirement with kids.