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With its more than
200 kilometers of coastline
, its beaches for all tastes and its incredible nature, plans in the Algarve appear quickly.
But the south of Portugal hides much more.
From east to west, on the coast and inland, fun plans for the whole family are guaranteed.
Donkey ride along the Vicentine Coast
With the arrival of modern life, the domestic donkey has ceased to have an important role in our lives, to the point of being considered an endangered animal.
But the Algarve has given it
the place it deserves
and currently the donkey is the protagonist of activities and excursions with children and adults through the Natural Park of the Costa Vicentina.
Children learn to brush this curious animal and prepare it for a walk through
the trails of Valle das Amoreiras
, an oasis of tranquility and natural wealth far from routine.
The program is completed with a ceramic workshop, a simple activity that connects with the values and traditions that remain intact in the Algarve.
Learn to surf at a local school
That the Algarve is a surfing paradise is not only due to the good waves that its coast offers and the pleasant temperature that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
This region has
10 clubs and 31 surf schools
where qualified instructors teach classes to children and adults, of all levels and ages.
The northwest coast is the most sought after by surf lovers thanks to the
swell
, that is, the waves that occur from the inside of the sea to the outside.
Among other options, the beaches of Arrifana, Bordeira, Amado, Cordoama or Castelejo, on the west coast, are a good place to start getting into this sport.
The south coast also has good waves with the east wind, especially on the islands of Tavira and Faro.
Know the sea
Why is the sea salty?
How are the waves formed?
Why does the earth shake?
So many questions that the little ones ask themselves are finally answered at the Algarve Living Science Center.
It has three locations in the region: Faro, Lagos and Tavira.
The Centro Ciencia Viva de Faro is located on the banks of the Ria Formosa, in an old electricity production plant.
It is the first Living Science Center in Portugal and its main theme is the sea.
Hence its open aquarium that allows
species that inhabit the estuary
to
touch and interact
.
It also has a multidisciplinary exhibition on astronomy, geology, light and senses, and a greenhouse with hydroponic and aeroponic crops.
Swimming with 'golfinhos'
The theme parks of the Algarve are always a good option, but if the little ones in the house have a special weakness for dolphins, Zoomarine cannot be missed on your route. As of May 19, the reopening date, you will be able to live the unforgettable experience of
bathing and interacting with dolphins
in small groups in a pool with the help of instructors who will explain all the curiosities about these marine mammals. The activity lasts about 30 minutes and the minimum age to participate is six years old.
But the appeal of Zoomarine doesn't end there.
In this place you will find
sea lions, seals and tropical birds
, a three-dimensional cinema, an aquarium where you can see sharks up close and a giant Ferris wheel, as well as other attractions such as rapids, slides, carousel, pirate ship and children's train.
Bathing under a waterfall
Not everything in the Algarve is beaches.
In the mountains of the inland Algarve are the most emblematic waterfalls of
Monchique
, a unique opportunity to spend a day in the country with the family and take a dip in an area of singular beauty.
It is one of the must-sees in this region, especially if you are traveling with children.
The most impressive is the
Cascada del Barbelote
, with a torrent of water that rushes between rocks surrounded by incredible vegetation.
The
Penedo do Buraco Waterfall
flows only in the rainy season, falling from a huge rock, practically inaccessible.
Finally, the
Chilrão
, whose course ends at Amoreira beach (Aljezur), is another spectacle of water and vegetation.
The area has a hiking trail, the best excuse to enter the natural landscapes of Monchique.
Here is also
Foia
, the highest point in the Algarve, at 902 meters high.
Conquer a real castle
The history of the Algarve has left us as testimony fortifications, castles and walls that in their time defended their villages from the attacks of the enemy.
Today they are great tourist attractions in which the little ones can let their imagination run wild.
The history of the time of pirates and corsairs is told by the fortresses of
Cape San Vicente and Sagres
, since that area was frequently attacked by, among others, the famous Francis Drake.
On the south coast, the
strength of Beliche
protected fishermen, while
Silves
(pictured) is one of the best examples of Arab military architecture in all of Portugal, immortalized in the escutcheons of the national flag.
In the capital, Faro, the walls that surround the historic center add up to almost 2,000 years of history, although it was expanded between the 9th and 11th centuries by the Arabs, while in Portimão the fortress of Santa Catarina offers an unforgettable view of the mouth from the river Arade.
| More information
in the Algarve Junior Nature Tourism Guide, downloadable here, and at www.visitalgarve.pt
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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