There are many towns and fishing villages in the Algarve, waiting for the visitor. For those of you who are thinking in renting a Villa in the Algarve, there is also a range of attractions built mainly for the tourist.
Slide & Splash
At Estombar which is between Lagoa and Portimão. Hard to miss, it can be seen from miles away. Lots of rides, soft slides and children's water fun playground. Generally this is very high rated.
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Aquashow
On the main EN125 to Quarteira road and with Europe's largest wave pool and highest watercoaster, 23,5 meters high! Come and enjoy all the attractions ready for you to use, slides, pools, waves, exotic birds exhibit and also a birds of prey show.
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Aqualand
A few kilometres to the west of Alcantarilha, and some 10km west of Albufeira. This is said to be Europe's largest open air water park. Lots of rides which are extremely fun and the queues are generally very short too. The park itself is nicely laid out with lots of attractions which are better than the average tubes or slides you get at most. Fun for all the family although there are some height restrictions. The wave pool is also a lot of fun.
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Zoomarine
In the Algarve, just exiting the village of Guia is the Zoomarine theme park. The park is often packed solid at peak times for the shows of seals, dolphins and parrots. There is also a mini funfair on this site plus swimming pools and a picnic area. Out of the main season there are less repeat shows per day but also less people. In or out of season it is worth travelling by car and arriving early before all the coaches then have a high speed walk around and plan your itinerary. All in all, good value with well thought out shows. Zoomarine is a park which specialises in shows with marine animals such as seals, sea lions, dolphins and a section where you can see animals in their tanks. The shows are roughly half an hour each, and there's enough of them to last you a day.
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Algarve Jeep Safaris
Generally well rated, the jeep safaris are all but boring. They will take you on a journey along the Algarvian Mountains, with a few stops to taste the typical Algarvian medronho (firewater). Normally it includes lunch at a chicken piri-piri restaurant.
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Algarve Ceramics and craft wares
Portugal and the Algarve are famous for its ceramics and pottery. These can be found in almost any souvenir shop however there are a number of places around Almancil and Porches that specialise in pottery.
Algarve Boat Trip
These can be for half day, a full day or just an evening in length. Generally one is coached to either Portimão or Vilamoura. The trip often includes a lunch and on the longer excursions time to swim in a secluded cove often near Carvoeiro. There is also the possibility of a trip to the Guadiana river.
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Algarvian Evening
This trip, again including a meal with sardines, soup, salad and wine, both red and white, offers a chance to hear and see some traditional Algarvian music and folk dances. One of the major venues is at Alte. Donkey rides both by cart and saddle, can be 'enjoyed' from where the coaches drop people for the restaurants.
Historical Algarve (Giro Tours)
Especially good value for money. Virtually all the major towns in the Algarve can be found included in a coach tour. Monchique and Caldas de Monchique: A trip away from the coast and into the so called mountains. This is an excellent trip in the middle of summer just to get away from the heat. This trip, like others, often includes a midday meal with... You guessed it - sardines, salad and probably some form of grilled meat or chicken along with both red and white wine.
Bird Watching in Algarve
Although not the first activity to be thought of by many visitors, bird watching can be very productive in terms of resident Southern European, over-wintering and migratory species in the Algarve. The many estuaries provide sanctuary for a wide variety of waders whilst the varied habitats inland hide many species. The Ria Formosa National Park, that stretches from west of Faro (Quinta do Lago) towards the Spanish border (Vila Real de Sto. António), is said to be very popular with both birds and watchers. There is an Algarve based birding centre at Moncarapacho, close to the Ria Formosa reserve.
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