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What to do in Portugal's Algarve, world's ‘best value' holiday spot

What to do in Portugal's Algarve, world's ‘best value' holiday spot

In less than two hours in a hire car you can travel to any drivable part of southern Portugal's Algarve region from Faro Airport, its only international airport, even at a leisurely pace.
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The region is a well-known holiday destination for families. Other than the beautiful beaches and weather – it is said to have one of the best year-round climates – there are also plenty of places and activities that are suitable for children of all ages, including water parks and theme parks, family golf centres, go-karting, food festivals, and fun daily excursions.
What is more, the Algarve has reclaimed the 'best value spot' after nine years in the UK Post Office's 2025 Holiday Money Report, its list of the best holiday hotspots for bargain-hunters.
But where should you head to if you are travelling as a family?
Natural arches extend over the sea near the Praia da Marinha beach in the Algarve. Photo: Shutterstock
The Algarve is roughly divided into the eastern and western Algarve.
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The east – called 'Sotavento', meaning facing away from the wind, and also known as 'Sandalgarve' – runs from the Spanish border to around Faro and is suitable for smaller children, with its sandy beaches that only gradually get deeper.

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