Portugal

The Algarve

Calm, gently shelving beaches, sea caves to kayak into, water parks for the demanding middle years and boat trips to spot dolphins — the Algarve is family engineering at its finest.

Best forFamily
Approx. flying time~11h 40m from Los Angeles
Nearest airportFaro (FAO)

The Algarve, Portugal Open in Google Maps

About this place

Transfers from Faro are mercifully short, and towns like Lagos and Carvoeiro balance beach days with pretty old centres. Grown-ups get cliff-top walks, seafood cataplana and some of Europe's most reliable sunshine.

Featured in Ten brilliant family holidays every age will actually enjoy

When to go

Daytime highs run from about 16°C in January to 30°C in July. Driest in July and August; wettest in March, with rain on about 9 days.

The year at a glance — pick a month for detail

August29° · no rainWarm and dry.

Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — May to September.

Where to stay

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Our picks in this destination

Banana Surf House Lagos · surf hostel Hostel on Estrada da Ponta da Piedade with four dorms and three private twin rooms, a rooftop terrace and board rental; formerly Banana Beach House. Casa d'Alagoa Faro · old-town backpacker hostel Historic building on Praça Alexandre Herculano with shared and private rooms, guest kitchen, BBQ and 24-hour reception; Faro old town five minutes' walk. Vitor's Plaza Alvor · family aparthotel with pools Aparthotel with one- and two-bedroom apartments, three pools, padel and tennis courts and gym, 1.5 km from Praia do Alemao; free beach shuttle runs March to October. Vila Galé Cerro Alagoa Albufeira · large four-star town hotel Four-star hotel with 310 rooms, two outdoor pools, heated indoor pool, Satsanga spa, gym and two restaurants, walking distance from Fishermen's Beach. Real Marina Residence Olhão · self-catering marina apartments Eighty one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with kitchens and an outdoor pool, 200 metres from Olhao marina; spa and restaurants are at the separate hotel opposite. Memmo Baleeira Hotel Sagres · clifftop design hotel Design hotel overlooking Baleeira harbour inside Costa Vicentina Natural Park, with outdoor and indoor pools, spa, gym and the Fornaria wood-fired restaurant. Palácio de Tavira Tavira · converted noble palace Restored 18th- and 19th-century Tavares family palace on Praça Dr. António Padinha in Tavira's historic centre, with spa, Mirsal restaurant and bar. Bela Vista Hotel & Spa Portimão · clifftop five-star boutique Five-star hotel in a 1918 clifftop mansion at Praia da Rocha with 38 rooms, spa and heated pool; reported to close from November to February, so check off-season dates.

Every stay is real and bookable — links open the hotel's official site.

Flights

Los Angeles The Algarve, Portugal

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Roughly 11h 40m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.

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