I’ve heard such great things about Vilamoura (even from friends and family), so, on our recent road trip through Portugal’s Algarve region, it was a must-visit destination for us. While we had a nice time on our family day trip to Vilamoura, it didnt really live up to the hype. In this post, I’ll share out honest experience of visiting Vilamoura with kids.
We’ll cover what to expect, what there is to do there as a family and everything else you should know before going! Of course, these are just our personal opinions, but I always want to bring you honest experiences through my blog and social media platforms!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
We have guides on other places in the Algarve, Portugal:
– FARO – TAVIRA – ALBUFERA –
Also Read:
OUR FAMILY-FRIENDLY ONE-WEEK IN THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL ITINERARY
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of my links, I may earn a small commission. There is no additional cost to you, and I am extremely grateful!
The Best Time of Year to Visit the Algarve, Portugal
One of the main attractions of the Algarve is the beautiful beaches. We visited in April, and although we found plenty of fun things to do, it wasn’t really warm enough for the beach. We did venture to the beach a couple of times, but didnt stay long either time.
Really, you will get the most out of the Algarve in the summer months, although that will bring the crowds that we didn’t experience.
If you’re looking for a spring destination, I would recommend a city break, or Montenegro is a real hidden gem in Europe that is perfect for families! Read all our Montenegro guides here.
Where is Better, Vilamoura or Albufeira?
This was a question I was really intrigued to find out the answer to. The answer really depends on what you’re looking for.
While both have golden sand beaches that you can enjoy in the summer months. Vilamoura is more upmarket with nice (more expensive) resteraunts, whereas Albufeira is much more geared to tourists, lots of reasonably priced resteraunts and happy hours that go on all day.
Personally, out of the two, I would say Albufeira has a bit more going on for families. If, like us, you’re visiting in shoulder season, we found both Faro and Tavira had a bit more on offer!
Things to Do in Vilamoura with Kids
Honestly, there is not too much to do in Vilamoura with kids. We spent most of a day here and didn’t feel like we needed any longer. If you are visiting in summer, you might want to spend a little longer and take advantage of the beach. Below is all the things to do in Vilamora with kids:
Walk Around Vilamoura Marina
The main attraction in Vilamoura is the marina. It is a large marina lined with resteraunts and palm trees. While it is nice, it’s not as beautiful as other marinas we’ve been to. There were a lot of cars parked blocking the view of the water in a lot of places.
There is a little arcade located on the marina that kids will love, other than that it is mainly resteraunts.
Enjoy the Resteraunts
There are plenty of options in Vilamoura, which have a wide range of cuisines. We ate at The Brewery Irish Pub because my kids liked the large spinning wheel they had outside. The food was okay, but not great, so I would choose somewhere else!
The Beach
If the sun is shining, head to the beach. Praia de Vilamoura is located right by the marina. It’s very picturesque with lighthouses out on the rocks.
Ride the Tourist Train
We didnt take this train because the timing didnt work out, but I think it’s something little kids would love!
BOOK THE VILAMOURA TOURIST TRAIN
Final Thoughts on Visiting Vilamoura with Kids
So, is Vilamoura worth visiting? For me, only in the summer months. If you’re passing through, it’s a nice place to stop for a few hours, but for me, it isn’t worth a special trip, and I wouldn’t recommend it as a must-visit destination!
Thank you for reading our guide to visiting Vilamora with kids. We hope you have a wonderful family trip to the Algarve, Portugal.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
We have guides on other places in the Algarve, Portugal:
– FARO – TAVIRA – ALBUFERA –
Also Read:
OUR FAMILY-FRIENDLY ONE-WEEK IN THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL ITINERARY
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.