With its warm climate, safe environment and wide range of activities the Algarve is a great destination for children of all ages. An ocean life theme park, water parks, go-karting and children’s golf parks are just some of the attractions on offer. In the evenings under 18s are welcome to enjoy karaoke, live music and games machines in many of the pubs until a reasonable hour.
Bus services are often organised from the resorts to the parks all of which have ample car parking. Toddlers often get in free. Refreshments inside can be very expensive.
The park includes a massive wave pool, superb water slides and mini golf.
Also on site are a gift shop, changing and shower facilities, several restaurants, sunbeds and all you need to spend a really complete day of amusement.
Aquashow is situated on the N396 as you turn off the main N125 road for Quarteira. Tel: 00 351 289 389 396.
Zoomarine is an exotic marine life theme park home to hundreds of fantastic and fascinating sea creatures. The park includes dolphins, sea lions, turtles, a shark, a museum and an alligator farm as well as a mini-zoo, exotic birds and tropical fish.
Some of the best shows in Europe are staged at Zoomarine such as sea lion, dolphin and eagle shows. It is advisable to arrive early and plan an itinerary for the day.
It is also possible to interact with dolphins but it is advisable to call at least 2 days in advance. Even though it is costable, it is very popular.
Entertainment at the theme park also includes fairground rides, swimming pools, shops and a cinema.
Zoomarine is situated at KM65 close to Albufeira on the main N125 road between Pera and Guia. The park is in a tranquil setting offset by gardens and lakes. Tel: 200 351 289 560 300.
Krazy World has a Crazy Golf course which features a whopping 36 holes. There is a petting farm where you can hold snakes, take pony rides, touch camels, kangaroos and parrots. Swimming pools provide the opportunity to cool off.
Krazy World is located near Algoz on the N264 which leaves the N269 ten miles east of Silves. Tel: 00 351 282 574 134.
Website: www.krazyworld.com
There are numerous miniature golf courses in the area. The newest is Balarista Leisure Park in Albufeira which has mini golf, tennis, a soft play area, mini-motors, tennis school and football school, and lots more.
Formerly known as 'The Big One', Aqualand has spectacular gardens and is probably the largest of its kind in the Algarve.
The names of the slides give you an idea of what to expect – The Corkscrew, Raging Rapids, Anaconda, Rapids, Banzai Boggan, Kamikaze, Surf Beach, Rainbow Park, Crazy Leap, Crazy Race & Congo River. Users of the Kamikaze slide fall 26 metres vertically to the pool below in only four seconds!
Aqualand is located west of Alcantarilha on the main N125 road some ten kilometres outside Albufeira. Tel: 00 351 282 320 230.
Slide & Splash Waterslide Park is one of the best waterparks in Europe and one of the most popular waterparks in The Algarve. It is an ideal park for both young and old. This water park offers long curly slides and fast straight slides.
Slide & Splash is located near Estombar, to the west of Lagoa, on the main N125 road. Call free on 00 351 282 341 685.
Almancil Karting was started in 1992. It is a leisure and competition complex that is available for all lovers of the most accessible motor racing sport - karting!
The park is open all year. The racetrack is a 760m replica of the former F1 Brazilian racetrack named Jacarepegua.
It is located in a leisure complex near to Almancil, IP1 Highway, National Road, EN125.
Located in its own beautifully landscaped gardens between Barao de S. Joao and Bensafrim, Lagos Zoo has a 60m flight tunnel for the observation of exotic birds. In here you can also find the monkeys' island and children have the opportunity of close contact with a variety of domestic and farm animals. The zoo also has a souvenir shop and a restaurant offers meals and snacks.
The Luz Water Sports Centre offers professional instruction in scuba diving, wind-surfing, fishing, sailing and snorkelling. (Tel NOT SUPPLIED) Close by, the Luz Sea Sports Centre is a licensed diving school, which hires out equipment and gives lessons to beginners and advanced groups (Tel 282 789 538).
The Luz Ocean Club has a water sports programme called IntoThe Blue which organises day programmes to sample sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing.
