The location of your vacation rental offers you the opportunity to enjoy both family and water parks, where you can spend quality time as a family and build everlasting memories.
This was built almost 30 years ago, and it has been upgraded throughout the years. Here, you and your kids will be able to enjoy swing seats, seesaw and the slide. Younger children can enjoy climbing up and down the wooden climbing structure.
The Ferragudo playground is also equipped with outdoor fitness equipment where people of all ages can exercise any time of day.
When the children, or even you, feel tired after a playful afternoon, you can replenish your energies with homemade ice cream from the small ice cream shop across the street. However, if you prefer, there are also snacks and coffee available.
This facility is located between Lagoa and Sesmarias, on the municipal road 1272. Its oddly shaped building hides an indoor playground, dedicated to children’s birthday parties.
Inside, there is a colourful playground, where children can slide down and “swim” in a ball pool, jump on a trampoline, climb and play hide-and-seek. There is also a room prepared for catering, where everyone can sing “Happy Birthday”, blow out the candles and eat a delicious piece of cake.
If the weather allows it, children between 6 and 12 years old and grown-ups can drive a pedal go-kart and race for victory on a dirt track.
Some of the most well-known slides are the “Black Hole”, the “Kamikaze” and the “Tornado”. Recently, Slide & Splash refurbished the “Tropical Paradise”, an area dedicated to children with suitable waterslides and swimming pools. Shows with birds of prey are also part of the fun.
It is recommended you arrive in the morning, to enjoy all activities available. Since there are several restaurants, there is no need to take your own food and drinks. However, if you do, be sure to avoid any glass containers, as these are not allowed inside the premises.
Bikinis, bathing suits, and bathing shorts are the recommended dress code. However, if due to health or religious reasons you need to wear full-body clothing, this needs to be fitted to your body and made of lycra. Also, while you spend the day at Slide & Splash, you can rent a locker to store your belongings.
Slide & Splash is closed during winter and opens for the summer season, between April and October. Tickets and reservations can be made on the water park’s website.
It all began in 2003 when a seasonal exhibition displayed an array of sand sculptures. Each year, there was a different theme and the artists were challenged to show their skills. The popularity of this concept grew over the years, and in 2019, a permanent exhibition was inaugurated.
Located on national road 125, between Lagoa and Porches, this theme park showcases the skills of more than 60 artists, who have shaped 50,000 tons of sand, spread throughout 16 acres of land. Some sculptures reach 12 metres high!
“Around the World in Sand” is the park’s theme where the visitors will have the opportunity to travel through several countries and get to know their traditions, history, gastronomy, and music. In the special area “Fantastic Cinema”, movie fans will find some of the most iconic characters from Harry Potter, Star Wars and many other films.
Sand City is open from March to October. During the Summer months, the park is open until after dark. allowing visitors to enjoy a light show on the sand sculptures. During the day, workshops offer you the chance to learn how to sculpt sand.
The pavement throughout the park is mostly sand and gravel, so getting around in a wheelchair or with a baby carriage can be challenging. Therefore, Sand City provides an electrical four-seater so that families can enjoy the sand sculptures. On the other hand, if you prefer walking through the park, it is recommended you wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Feeling hungry? The Sand City Snack-Bar provides light meals such as 100% meat gourmet hamburgers, pizzas, sandwiches on organic bread, and of course, the traditional “Pastel de Nata”.
For adrenaline enthusiasts, the “Hydra” or the “Crazy Jump” are some of the suggestions, whereas for those who prefer to relax, the “Congo River” is the best option, as it allows you to float down the 270 meter river.
Aqualand was one of the first water parks in the Algarve to present an artificial wave beach, suitable for all ages. However, younger children are recommended to visit the water playground, which has shallow water pools.
Inside Aqualand, there are several restaurants available. Nevertheless, you can bring your own food and drinks, since there are designated picnic areas.
Beachwear is the mandatory dress code, since due to health and security reasons it is not allowed to wear other garments on water slides and swimming pools.
Since Aqualand is an outdoor water park, it is exclusively open during the summer months. Nevertheless, you can buy tickets online at any time of the year for your next visit.
The “Porto d’Abrigo” is a rehabilitation centre for marine species that are retrieved from the ocean. Here they are followed by a team of marine biologists that ensure all animals recover well enough to return to the sea.
Zoomarine’s main attractions are the dolphin show, along with the seal and sea lion presentation, and the “Pirate Bay” – acrobatics show filled with comedy and laughter. The shows “Flying Colours” and “Wings of the World” present parrots and birds of prey, respectively, where you will watch the birds fly by over your head.
Is swimming with dolphins something you ever dreamed of? Well, let’s cross that off your bucket list! The Dolphin Emotions experience allows you to interact with dolphins while accompanied by a certified instructor. The participants must be at least six years old and be comfortable in the water. Once the experience is finished, you will be presented with a photograph and a video to keep this memory alive.
Other attractions include water slides, pools, children’s playgrounds and an artificial beach. Throughout the park, there are restaurants providing full meals or, if you prefer, a light snack.
Taking your own food and drinks is also an option, since there are plenty of tables and shades available for a picnic.
Zoomarine is open between March and October when the weather is the warmest. As such, it is recommended to wear light clothes and comfortable shoes, and don’t forget your bathing suit, towel and sunscreen.
Driving to Wake Park is quite simple: take national road 125, exit at the airfield a few kilometres before reaching Lagos and you will find the wake salinas on your left side.
At Wake Park, you can rent equipment or book a lesson, where a certified instructor will help you stay on your feet while communicating with you via radio. The rates include a full-body suit, board and cables that are connected to a tower, allowing you to ride the obstacles along the way.
For your safety, women should wear a one-piece bathing suit, instead of a bikini, whereas for men, it is recommended to wear fitted bathing shorts to avoid having them pulled off on impact with the water.
If you get hungry after the ride, the Wake Park Snack-Bar offers you some options for a quick bite, or simply enjoy watching others wakeboarding.