The peculiarity of the Portuguese mentality is love and the ability to appreciate a good rest.

Recreation in Portugal is versatile and ideal for families.

Faro is a city and seaport in the south of Portugal, the center of the historic province Algarve. It is located on the picturesque shore of the Ria Formosa Bay near Santa Maria Cape. We’ve got a list of the top things to do in Faro with kids.

Remember, in order to travel around the city you should hire a car at Faro airport.

Faro is considered a wonderful place for a family holiday, with lots of family-friendly accommodation options and things to do.

Wondering how to get to go Faro? Check out the various routes in Portugal on Bookaway. Bookaway offers private transfers, mini-vans and buses.

Things to do in Faro with Kids

So, what are the best activities to do with your family in Faro?

Watch the birds in Quinta do Lago

15 minutes’ drive from Faro is the most prestigious resort Quinta do Lago. Quinta do Lago is a nature reserve, it is forbidden there to build buildings higher than the trees. Here, among the beautiful pine forests and well-kept parks with lakes are elegant villas and first-class hotels.

Here live birds, which you cannot find anywhere else in the world, and its sunny for 360 days of the year. A 300-meter wooden platform leads exactly to the beach, where you can study the “small fry” of the marine world: mollusks, crabs and other cheerful living creatures.

Walk around the Old Town

The most real adventure in Faro will be an ordinary walk around the city on foot. The historical center, which is the Old Town, is a beautifully preserved corner of Portugal of the 18th century with cobbled streets and ancient buildings.

You can meet the unusual vehicles, the real wonders of automotive design – even pick-up with motorcycle rudder and front wheel! In the same place, you will see a lot of retro cars, for example, Renault 4s. You can get the Old Town passing through the Arco da Vila.

We recommend doing a walking tour of Faro (like this one) to explore all the hidden spots and learn about the history.

Visit the heart of the “sea gifts”

Quarteira, being a former small fishing village located near Vilamoura, in the last decade has turned into a wonderful resort. Quarteira is famous for its weekly fair, attracting visitors from all the districts, and the market by the ocean, where at any time there is fresh fish for sale.

The main attraction of Quarteira is an immense sandy beach stretching for three kilometers. Along the beach strip, there are souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. At the resort, you can visit the excellent oceanarium. Moreover, every night calls the most active holidaymakers to join in the popular disco in the Algarve.

Attend the famous Ria Formosa Nature Park

The park is a labyrinth of canals, islands, lagoons and sandy beaches that stretch for 60 km along the Algarve coast between the beaches of Garrão and Manta Rota. Not so long ago the park entered in the seven wonders of Portugal. The natural park is rich in various plants and wild animals.

On the coast of the ocean there are oysters, mussels and different types of fish. In addition, in the territory of Ria Formosa, sea salt is extracted. In the park, you can watch birds and dolphins, while sailing on a boat and admire the marine life through the beautifully clear water.

You can hop onto a boat tour from here, cruising to the Barrier Islands, Deserta and Culatra.

Try traditional cuisine

Faro is considered the capital of South-Portuguese cuisine. The restaurants in the port serve fish dishes and traditional grilled meats under a piquant sauce, of course, with Portuguese port wine as an aperitif. All this definitely will not leave you indifferent.

A few more kid-friendly activities in Faro

Faro is an ideal place for family recreation and seeing with wildlife – they’re all part of the best things to do in Faro.

Check out the following kid-friendly activities in Faro with kids, listed on GetYourGuide.