What Activities Are There To Do?
The Algarve hosts a wealth of attractions for fun and entertaining family days out. To give you a taste of what is on offer:
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Zoomarine is located near Guia. This is a superb ocean theme park for entertainment and education. Due to the exceptional quality of its shows and exhibitions, Zoomarine is unmatched in southern Europe. The whole family can enjoy a fantastic day out with dolphins, seals, sharks, turtles, exotic and water birds, crocodiles and tropical fishes. Zoomarine also offers the opportunity of interacting with their dolphins. A special educational session which provokes great emotion is also on offer. Book your places in advance for this session though as it is incredibly popular and gets very busy. Visit their website http://www.zoomarine.com, or telephone +351 289 560 300 to make advance bookings.
Algarve Zoo Krazy World is great fun for the family. Jungle golf. Krazy Golf. Petting Farm. Pony rides. Shows and much more.
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Amazonia Crocodile Park is part of the Algarve Zoo. See crocs and some of the largest snakes in Europe and other creatures up close at this Reptile Trust approved centre.
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Aqualand; a world of water attractions for the whole family to enjoy, experience a mixture of water slides of all different shapes and sizes, from adrenaline rushes to moments of relaxation whilst watching the little ones enjoy themselves at their very own water playground, Children’s Paradise, Aqualand has something for everyone. Enjoy water! Enjoy AQUALAND! in Alcantarilha just outside Albufeira. E.N. 125 – Sítio das Areias Apartado 11 8365-908 ALCANTARILHA, Algarve, Portugal. Telephone: +351 282 320 230
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Aqua Show; the biggest water coaster in Europe is in Aquashow. Featuring attractions like, White Fall, White Snake, Waves Pool and a Water Rollercoaster with a trip of more than 740meters in and out of water, travel as fast as 70km/h for the biggest Portuguese Splash! The park is usually open from June to September between 10am and 6pm, for more precise information and prices see official website. Contact; AQUASHOW Park Hotel
Semino E.N 396, 8125-303 Quarteira, (Algarve – Portugal) Telephone.: +351 289 389 396, email: aquashow@aquashowpark.com
FIESA – International Sand Sculpture Festival; is a mega exhibition of sand sculptures held by Prosandart since 2003 in Pêra, Algarve. The festival is unique in the Iberian Peninsula and is considered the largest sand sculpture festival in the world where every year, a group of talented sculptors, from various parts of the world and experts in the art of sand sculpting congregate to produce a unique themed display. Telephone: +351 282 317 084.
Tennis; In addition to the Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy there is the 12-court Vilamoura Tennis Centre which provides tuition and includes a bar and restaurant. Quinta do Lago is home to the Jim Stewart Tennis Academy There are also courts (and other facilities) at clubs such as the Rock Garden, mentioned below.
Clubs; The Rock Garden Sports and Leisure Centre in Vilamoura offers squash, snooker, tennis, cricket nets, five-a-side football, badminton, bowling, aerobics, indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant, bars and television lounge.
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Horse Riding; Close to Vale do Lobo is the Quinta dos Amigos Riding Centre, Horses Paradise, Pinetrees Riding Centre and the Vilamoura Riding Centre. Training, beach rides and cross country riding are all available. We visited the Hippo Riding Centre located a stone’s throw from the villa (turn left as you leave the gates at the top of the hill so you are almost coming back on yourself). Go down the hill for a short way and turn right when you see the sign to the Hippo Riding Centre. We are not horse riders ourselves, but our eldest daughter, Fern, went for a lesson as a complete novice – Andreia Costa, the owner, took her and was kind, caring and patient! At the end of her lesson (15 euros for a good 45 minutes) little Ruby was allowed to sit in the saddle with her mummy and they had a very gentle walk around together on a wonderfully placid, elderly horse! The stables appear rather run down and the horses are all rescue horses but loved and cared for with a passion. We highly recommend them! (Andreia’s telephone number is 00351 915 238 905)
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Watersports; The Quinta do Lago Watersports Centre offers opportunities for sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, water skiing, jetskiing, canoeing, pedaloes and bronco rides on the lake and on the beaches. There is a large marina at Vilamoura where you have a wide choice of water based activities including sailing, cruising, parascending and jet skiing.
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Nature & Walks; The Ria Formosa Natural Park Information Centre is a 46,000 acre area of wetlands and dunes at the delta of the Formosa river, with defined walks and an interpretation centre. This is an important area for migrating birds and a very popular area for birdwatching. Boats from Faro, Olhão and Fuseta will take you to some of the islands of the delta. The Quinta do Lago Lake is also a popular place for nature rambles and birdwatching and there are nature trails throughout the Quinta do Lago estate. Also Monchique, up in the mountains beyond Silves, is a popular destination for walkers, offering fine views across the Algarve and the coast. It is also famous for the waters.
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Karting; There is a Karting circuit on the way into Almancil. For those who enjoy this sport the track is 760 meters in length by 7,5 m wide and it is a replica of the former Formula 1 circuit in Brazil Jacarepaguá. Telephone +351 289 399 899