With its mild year-round climate, it's easy to see why the Algarve is the obvious choice for a fun-filled holiday for the whole family. But those fun days are not limited to sunbathing and swimming in the sea and the sports you can do on the Algarve coast. There are many other things to do with the children. 

For families looking for the more natural side of the Algarve, there’s a huge variety of excursions to enjoy throughout the region, including a number of companies that offer boat trips to see the dolphins from Lagos, Portimão and Alvor. You can also choose to take a short boat trip to the islands around Faro and see the flora and fauna of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Or go on a jeep safari or take a canoe out on the river, where there’s much to explore and lots of adventures to be had. 

But you don’t need to go to sea to see dolphins in the Algarve. In Guia, near Albufeira, the Zoomarine is an oceanographic park with great educational entertainment, where there’s a unique opportunity to see dolphins, seals, sharks, turtles, exotic birds and waterfowl, alligators, tropical fish, as well as to have fun in several pools and water attractions, and also see some educational animal shows. 

Whenever you feel like escaping the routine of the beach, the Algarve offers more alternatives besides this park that can provide a full day of family fun. 

At the AquaShow Family Fun Park, near Quarteira, in addition to the wave pool, several slides, a water roller coaster 750 metres long, there are also shows with exotic birds and birds of prey. At Aqualand, The Big One in Alcantarilha, the slides, the raging rapids, the supersurf, the crazy leap, the wave pool, the lazy river and the children’s paradise allow adults and children alike to have the time of their lives. Slide & Splash, in Estombar (Lagoa), also promises some unforgettable days full of fun and excitement in the swimming pool, soft slopes, children's play area and on the big slides.

And because small children are always excited by animals, a visit to Lagos Zoo is a must. More than 140 species of primates, birds and other animals are represented, as well as plants from five continents and an educational petting farm with domestic animals. In Krazy World, in Algoz (Silves), you can enjoy various species of reptiles and watch exotic animals being fed. A pony arena and a popular mini-fair will delight the whole family. 

For children eager to take the steering wheel, Almancil Karting provides the opportunity for them to let off steam as they accelerate around the track. In Vilamoura, taking its inspiration from the Roman Empire, the Family Golf Park is a unique leisure and entertainment complex for the whole family, where adults and children can experience the thrills of minigolf. And because history can also be fun, a walk in Parque da Mina near Monchique is a great option for a completely different day out. 

All these opportunities for having fun coupled with the wide range of family-geared hotels make the Algarve a perfect destination for holidays with children.