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My kids want a beach holiday this year, looking to go late July early August, thinking about trying the Algarve as we've never been there,
would appreciate any hints and tips about the best places to stay, things to do etc..

Also other suggestions of locations that you consider superior/ better value than the Algarve at that time of year.

Thanks.

I went to Albufeira when i was like 6.

I dont remember much, but i remember it was good, the amusement park thingy was excellent Paul.

It's pretty nice. Been there maybe couple dozen times.

It's very hot that time of year (35-40+)

I've almost always stayed here: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1928 , have a timeshare there now, have a look at the villa complex, it is very nice, has a golf tie-in also.

which I recommend if you golf, don't bother if you don't.

One year I stayed in Albufeira, and really liked it. Great beaches, central location, good hotels.

Hire a car. There is a lot to see off the beaten track (Monchique, surfing and good beaches along the West Coast)

Hire a car in advance There were no car hires in August for under £350/week this year without pre booking because they thought the recession would keep tourists away, so they didn't have enough cars.

Don't stay in Faro.

Maybe stay in Lagos, it's got a lot going on, is very pretty, has a lovely marina area, great restaurants, beaches.

Shop around for flights. My mates went for £300, I went for £100 (including golf clubs).

Oh yeah, something funny happened on my last trip, I may blog it here, still lolling thinking about it...

if you are looking for apartment accomodation i can 100% recommend this company

(may have some villas as well now)

http://www.algarvegetaways.com/



i have stayed in 3 different apartments through them and the service was first class, as was the standard of accomodation. They also do airport transfers which are very reasonable.

I cannot recommend these people highly enough.


in terms of location. Albufuera is decent, if maybe a little over developed. There are some decent places to eat and stuff in amongst all the usual lager lout bars. The old town is a bit quieter with an excellent restuarant on the beach.

Lagos is very very nice. and a bit more upmarket. Praia de rocha/alvor is also nice, but beware that these places are much further along the coast and transfers can take up to 2 hours.

also, remember that the algarve is not in the med, but on the atlantic, which gives it a different climate than the costa del sol. It is normally a lot breezier which seems to keep the temperature down, but you will still get seriously burnt/tanned.

Great beaches.

I would recommend booking it yourself through either of the following websites:

http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/

We went to Carvoiero last year and Alvor the year before.  On balance I would recommend Alvor over Carvoeiro.  Before we had kids we went to Lagos four times which is my favourite resort as it is a good sized proper town and does not feel like a tourist resort and has an excellent range of Bars and resturants.  If you are looking at Lagos I wouldn't recommend staying near the beach (Meia Praia) as it is a decent walk from the town.  Alvor is a more family orientated resort than Lagos.

Taxi transfer prices here:
http://ttaxi.pt/

Food in Portugal is excellent, especially if you like seafood.

Resort Reviews Here:

http://www.holiday-truth.com/resortreport.php?region=Algarve

Ye Alvor would be a good choice.

+1 on the food, it's brill.

Obv visit Portimao too.

I'm sure they have other types as well.

Nandos?

haha.

Sounds bloody lovely. What area is Alvor?

8km2

If you like piri-piri check out a restaurant called Ramirez' which is a few miles from Albufeira, it's massive, about 6 floors of tables and by far the best piri-piri I've ever eaten.

if you like fresh fish then go into the old town and go down to the beach. there is an amazing restaurant right on the sand which you go up to a counter and select the fish for your table. the price depends on the weight of it.

it is absolutely amazing. washed down with a nice bottle of mateus rose :)

No no no when i say area i mean N E S or West. You need to know when looking for accomadation on those sites.

Ahhh, ok sorry :)

http://www.sunnybreak.net/Countries/Portugal/algarve_map_large.jpg

(http://www.sunnybreak.net/Countries/Portugal/algarve_map_large.jpg)

The hotel I put in the first link is quite near there. Alvor is pretty well situated especially for a first trip, you can get to Lagos and Portimao very easily, and both of these places are great for hanging out/shopping/sightseeing/restaurants.
Alvor is quite unspoilt too, beach is great. Just beside the main beach is a seafood bbq restaurant which I recommend.
Not far away is Monchique too, head up there for a daytrip by car, gives a slightly better flavour of rural Algarve.

Sagres on the South Eastern tip is well worth a daytrip too.

I have a couple of home made vids of holidays there which I'll try and post.