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Arriving, shopping, settling in
Keep the arrival day deliberately relaxed: collect the car, check in, and take a short walk by the river.
Stock up on supplies for the apartment at the supermarket on the edge of town.
This is where your trip begins. After landing, you collect the hire car right at the airport and drive in a short time to the calm east of the Algarve.
Tavira is one of the most beautiful and relaxed towns in the Algarve, with its Roman bridge over the Gilão river, small lanes and ice cream shops. A leisurely stroll and dinner by the river are enough for the first evening. There's plenty of room for the kids to run around without any traffic.
2 nights · Sat 19/06 – Mon 21/06
A family-friendly base with a pool and plenty of space, just a few minutes' walk from the old town. Ideal for staying four nights without having to move on in the calm east.
Places to stay that fit
Ferienwohnung Altstadt-Apartment Leipzig
holiday apartment · Zentrum-Süd, Leipzig · approx. 85–130 €/night (estimate)
Holiday apartment near the centre with space for families, within easy walking distance of the sights
Apartmenthaus Innenstadt Dresden
holiday apartment · Innere Altstadt, Dresden · approx. 90–140 €/night (estimate)
Family-friendly apartments near the Zwinger and Frauenkirche, with a kitchen for self-catering
Prices are estimates — real availability & price via “Compare & book”. The names are planning suggestions and not checked one by one.
Searches Booking.com around where you stay — dates and party are already filled in.
281 329 900Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Swimming without currents
Bring sun protection and a sunshade, as there's little shade on the island.
Swim on the lagoon side, where the water is shallowest and calmest.
A passenger ferry runs regularly from the small terminal to the offshore Ilha de Tavira. The crossing is short and a bit of an adventure for the kids.
The sandy island in the Ria Formosa Natural Park has long, gently sloping beaches on the lagoon-facing side, with calm, warm water and no dangerous currents. Perfect for young children to splash about. There are simple beach cafés and plenty of room for digging in the sand.
Town and nature
Old town in the morning; the midday heat is easy to bear on the boat thanks to the breeze.
The afternoon leaves time for an ice cream and a relaxed end to the day.
The small, walled old town of Faro can be explored at leisure on foot, with the Arco da Vila gateway, the cathedral, and the stork's-nest views from the church tower. Compact and traffic-free, ideal with children. On the edge lies the boat terminal for trips into the Ria Formosa.
A gentle boat trip through the lagoon landscape of the Ria Formosa reveals salt marshes, birds and small islands. The trips are short and child-friendly, often stopping at a sandbank for a swim. A lovely, relaxed nature outing without a long drive.
Nothing is planned yet for the night from Mon 21/06 to Tue 22/06.
Relaxation and the beach on your doorstep
A deliberately lazy day with no plans, so the kids can wind down.
Spend the afternoon by the apartment pool or wrap up the day in the old town.
Cabanas beach lies behind a narrow lagoon and is reached via a short boat crossing. The water in the lagoon is shallow and warm, and the sandbank slopes gently, ideal for young children. The village itself has a peaceful promenade with cafés.
Nothing is planned yet for the night from Tue 22/06 to Wed 23/06.
Switching bases with a stop along the way
The only slightly longer drive of the trip, deliberately broken up with a stop.
Set off early so you can arrive in the afternoon with time to spare and do some shopping.
Halfway there, it's worth a short stop at the peaceful Alvor lagoon, with wooden walkways through the salt marshes. A lovely, mostly shadeless but leisurely walk with birds and plenty of water. Perfect for breaking up the drive and stretching your legs.
2 nights · Wed 23/06 – Fri 25/06
A family-friendly holiday apartment with a pool as your second base for the rocky coastline around Lagos. From here, Ponta da Piedade, Dona Ana and the beaches near Carvoeiro are all within easy reach. Five nights without having to move on again.
Places to stay that fit
Landhaus Ferienwohnung Rennsteig
holiday apartment · Ortsrand, Oberhof · approx. 75–110 €/night (estimate)
Quiet location on the edge of the Thuringian Forest, suitable for families with young children and open space
Ferienhof Müller Rhön
holiday apartment · Ortsrand, Bischofsheim an der Rhön · approx. 70–105 €/night (estimate)
Farm holiday apartment on the edge of the village with animals to meet, ideal for children aged 3 and 6
Prices are estimates — real availability & price via “Compare & book”. The names are planning suggestions and not checked one by one.
Searches Booking.com around where you stay — dates and party are already filled in.
282 788 655Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The golden rocky coast of Lagos
Be sure to keep a safe distance from the edge at the Ponta da Piedade cliffs.
Swim in the morning, explore the rocks at midday, back to the pool in the afternoon.
One of the Algarve's best-known beaches, framed by golden rocks with clear, usually calm water. The bay is sheltered, so swimming with children works well. A wide staircase leads down to the sand.
The striking rock landscape at the southernmost tip of Lagos, with arches, grottoes and sea stacks, is a spectacular viewpoint. Paths and steps run along the cliff edge up top, with views over the turquoise coves. There's space to wander around by the lighthouse.
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
The rugged end of Europe
Pack a windbreaker for the cape, as it's almost always blowing a strong wind there.
Swim at the sheltered Martinhal rather than on the open Atlantic coast.
The southwesternmost point of mainland Europe, with high cliffs, a lighthouse and often a strong wind. The sweeping view over the open Atlantic is impressive, and even the children will enjoy the imposing lighthouse. The coast here is wild, so the cape serves as a viewpoint rather than a swimming stop.
On the way back, near Sagres, lies this wide, sheltered bay with gently sloping sand and calmer water than the open west coast. Ideal for a swim with the children after the windy cape. There are beach cafés for a break.
Nothing is planned yet for the night from Fri 25/06 to Sat 26/06.
The famous rock beaches
Get to Praia da Marinha early, as the car park fills up quickly.
It's best to plan the boat trip to the cave for the cooler morning or late afternoon.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, with clear water and dramatic rock formations. The bay is sheltered, and the water is usually calm and well suited to swimming. A long staircase leads down, with a coastal path running along the top offering great views.
The famous sea cave with its round ceiling opening is best experienced from the water, on a boat or kayak trip from the small beach at Benagil. Swimming to the cave isn't advisable due to boat traffic, so a guided tour is the safer choice with children. The small beach in front is a good spot for a break.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Nothing is planned yet for the night from Sat 26/06 to Sun 27/06.
A sheltered bay and a small town
Swim in the morning at the sheltered Cova Redonda, then a stroll around Carvoeiro in the afternoon.
The last full beach day, kept calm and unhurried.
A small bay enclosed by rocks, with calm, gently entering water that's well sheltered from the wind. Its curved shape means currents are minimal, ideal for families with young children. A staircase leads comfortably down.
The former fishing village sits picturesquely around a small bay and is compact and cosy. The village beach slopes gently, with cafés and the wooden coastal boardwalk all around, perfect for a stroll. A relaxed spot for the afternoon.
Nothing is planned yet for the night from Sun 27/06 to Mon 28/06.
Farewell to the Algarve
Work backwards from your departure time at the airport and allow at least an hour's buffer.
Fill up the tank before returning the car, as it's cheaper at the petrol station than through the hire company.
The long, wide sandy beach east of Lagos slopes gently and offers plenty of room for one last relaxed swim. Perfect for a leisurely morning before heading to the airport. There are beach cafés for a farewell meal.
Returning the hire car at Faro Airport marks the end of the trip. Allow enough time for filling up and returning the vehicle.
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