Family-Friendly Portugal Off Season Adventure
Portugal 2025: Exploring the Algarve with Three Kids
Our two-week getaway to Portugal was split into two very different experiences: one week exploring the Algarve and another week soaking up the festive Christmas atmosphere in Lisbon. We traveled during the off-season, from the end of November to the beginning of December, which meant fewer crowds, lower prices, and a more relaxed pace. It was also our very first trip as a family of five, traveling with our three young children—ages 6, 3½, and 1.
This is Part 1 of our trip — the Algarve.
A little disclaimer: I’m not the type of person who takes photos of every meal, so you won’t find many food pictures here. But I can honestly say there wasn’t a single place mentioned in this post that we didn’t enjoy!
Arrival in Lisbon & The Drive South
We landed in Lisbon and picked up our rental car from SIXT. We had a Mercedes GLB with three rows, which comfortably fit our rear-facing toddler seat, two booster seats, two large suitcases, a travel stroller, a tote bag, a backpack, and two children’s backpacks. For a family of five, it worked perfectly.
On the drive south, we stopped at Área de Serviço de Alcácer do Sal. It turned out to be one of the better highway service areas we’ve visited, with clean washrooms, healthy snack options, and a small play area for the kids.
Eden Villas & Apartments in Albufeira became our home for the next six nights.
We stayed in a first-floor villa apartment with two spacious bedrooms, each featuring its own ensuite bathroom complete with a bathtub/shower, and even a bidet. The apartment also included a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher, making it easy to prepare meals and settle into a comfortable routine.
The only thing missing to make it absolutely perfect was a washer. When you’re trying to pack light for a family of five, having laundry facilities in the unit would have been a huge bonus.
After settling in, we explored the property and quickly realized it was a great fit for families. Since we were visiting in late November, the outdoor pool was still open but far too chilly for swimming. The children’s splash pad and outdoor pool area were closed for the season, but the indoor pool remained open year-round.
The playground was a big bonus, and the resort also offers tennis courts and a soccer field. Unfortunately, organized training sessions had already finished for the season, and the circus was closed during our stay. The kids’ club was still operating, although on a reduced schedule compared to the summer months. (Watch our Reel)
That evening, we headed into Albufeira’s Old Town and took a leisurely stroll through the historic streets toward Praia do Peneco, enjoying our first glimpse of the Algarve coastline as the sun began to set.
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November 24 — Rainy Day Change of Plans
The morning started with a delicious yogurt bowl served in a coconut shell at Zimzala Café.
Our original plan was to visit Sagres, but the weather had other ideas. Rain rolled in, and knowing Sagres tends to be even windier and cooler, we decided to change course and head back to Eden for an indoor swim. (Swimming caps are mandatory. You can buy one on-site, though they aren’t exactly cheap.)
On the way back, we made a quick stop at a nearby roundabout where several horses were grazing. The kids were completely charmed and could have stayed there much longer.
One of our favourite features of Eden stay, especially as parents of young children with early bedtimes, was the private patio with a small grassy area. It gave the kids a safe space to play ball.
Later that evening, once the rain stopped, we headed to Algarve Shopping. The kids loved the large playground, and we enjoyed browsing the shops before stocking up on groceries. We ended the day with a homemade dinner prepared in our villa’s fully equipped kitchen. (Watch our Reel)
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November 25 — Faro, Beaches & Lots of kids Playgrounds
Like many mornings on this trip, the day began with coffee.
We discovered Ali Gharb, which quickly became one of our favourite spots and one we returned to several times throughout the week. Like many family-friendly places in Portugal, it had a small play area. The staff were incredibly kind and even brought fresh colouring pages for our three little ones, giving us a rare opportunity to enjoy a hot coffee while it was still hot.
Next, we headed to Praia do Ancão. The kids searched for shells and daddy squeezed in a beach run and work out for the boys to burn off some energy before lunch.
The drive itself was beautiful. We passed stunning homes, nature reserves, and several hotels that immediately went onto our “maybe next time” list.
Lunch was at KOKO, where we found yet another fantastic playground. While the kids played, we met two families who had recently moved from the UK to Portugal. Hearing their stories and local recommendations added a whole new perspective to our trip. (Watch our Reel)
And because travelling with three kids requires constant refuelling—and because we’re serious coffee lovers—we couldn’t leave without trying coffee from the KOKO kiosk as well.
In the afternoon, we visited Faro. We walked along the marina and into the Old Town, where we explored the area around Catedral de Faro.
One of the highlights was arriving just as the church bells began ringing. The kids stood frozen, listening. Combined with the iconic stork nests perched atop rooftops throughout the city, it felt like stepping into a storybook.
We also wandered through a beautiful street lined with orange trees, which was every bit as charming as it sounds.
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November 26 — Lagos Zoo & Falling in Love with Luz
Coffee came first, naturally.
This morning’s stop was Horta da Orada, a small organic market conveniently located near our hotel. Everything looked fresh and wholesome, and we ended up leaving with far more snacks than planned.
Our favourites were the fig and dried fruit rolls, along with fruit-based ice creams made with simple ingredients.
After we spent the day at Lagos Zoo. It had the perfect balance of zoo and farm atmosphere, making it enjoyable for all three kids despite their different ages.
Later, we visited Praia da Luz, which quickly became our favourite town in the Algarve. For lunch, we found a cozy café called Lazuli, where we enjoyed sandwiches, yogurt topped with fresh fruit and honey, and what may have been the best sangria of the trip.
There was something so relaxing about sitting at a beachfront café while the kids played in the sand just steps away.
That evening, we explored Lagos Old Town, where the kids picked up a new soccer ball from a two-storey football shop and were gifted Ronaldo masks that instantly became treasured souvenirs.
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November 27 — Sagres & The End of the World
This was the day we finally made it to Sagres.
Even though I’ve visited Portugal many times, I had never made it to the famous Cabo de São Vicente, often called “The End of the World.”
Standing on those dramatic cliffs is difficult to describe. No photo truly captures the feeling of being at one of Europe’s most historic and breathtaking points.
Travelling with young children does require extra caution here. Like many cliffside viewpoints in the Algarve, there are steep drops and plenty of adventurous little explorers eager to get closer than they should.
After taking in the views, we headed to Praia da Mareta.
The beach was wonderfully quiet during the off-season. The weather was sunny and fresh, and the kids spent hours playing in the sand. We hadn’t brought a single toy, yet they remained completely entertained.
The water was chilly, but that didn’t stop them from running in for a quick swim.
Lunch was at Three Little Birds, one of our favourite meals of the entire trip. Every dish was excellent. The kids finished their burgers completely, which is always a good sign, and not a single plate came back with leftovers. While we waited, the kids enjoyed the small play area. (Watch our Reel)
Back at Eden, the children finally got to attend the evening kids’ disco they had been talking about all week.
It turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Even our one-year-old danced along to the songs. To this day, hearing those tunes instantly brings the kids back to Portugal.
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November 28 — One Last Beach Day
Our final morning in the Algarve started at A La Latte, a small but charming café serving excellent coffee and kid-approved pancakes.
For our last beach day, we chose Praia dos Alemães.
The weather was perfect.
We swam, walked along the shoreline, explored small caves carved into the cliffs, and collected more shells than we could possibly carry. At certain points, the beach seemed completely covered in them.
On the way back, we stopped at Parque de Vale Faro, where the kids spent time at the large wooden playground before returning to the hotel.
Back at Eden, they carefully sorted through their favourite shells, deciding which ones would be brought home for family and friends.
For our final evening, we kept things simple: more kids’ disco, a relaxing walk around the property, and pizza from Tenis Pizza, which turned out to be another excellent meal.
The perfect ending to our week in the Algarve.
Looking back, what made this part of the trip so special wasn’t any single attraction. It was the combination of beautiful beaches, welcoming people, incredible playgrounds, relaxed cafés, and a pace of life that made travelling with three young children feel surprisingly easy.
And honestly? We were already talking about coming back before we had even left.
View more visuals on our Instagram <3