Our Guidebook

Slide & Splash currently has a total area of 10 hectares, offering several aquatic entertainments for all tastes and ages, as well as grassed areas with loungers, spaces for shows with animals , massages and fish spa, several restaurants and a shop.

Algar de Benagil near Praia de Benagil is one of the best things to see in the Algarve. Literally, Algar means cave. This particular cave has a round hole in the ceiling that frames the beautiful blue sky inside. The Benagil cave is nicknamed ‘the eye’ and can be found on many lists of places you have to see in your lifetime. You can visit the cave from the inside and get there by boat, kayak or go swimming from Benagil beach. The latter is no punish at all, since the water here is crystal clear, making it also great for snorkeling.

Our self-catering apartment: from €100 ($106) Train ticket Lagos-Tavira (110km/68mi): €9.50 one-way ($10) Um cafe (espresso): €0.80-1.30 ($0.85-1.37) Bifana (pork cutlet sandwich): €3-5 ($3.18-5.30) Dinner for two: €40-70 ($42.50-74.20) Cerveja (beer) at the bar: €2-4.50 ($2.10-4.80)

Traveling in the Algarve is easy and inexpensive, especially if you choose to travel by public transport. There are different benefits to each type of transportation depending on your needs and budget.

Zoomarine is located in Guia. This family park is focused around marine life. There are plenty of animal shows, with dolphins, seals, sea lions and more. All shows are fun to watch and every show also has an educational element in it. If you want, you can even swim with the dolphins yourself for an extra price. In addition to the shows, Zoomarine also has a water park with many slides. Compared to the other water parks in the Algarve, these slides are nothing crazy. They are fun nonetheless. Furthermore, Zoomarine has other amusements, such as the pirate ship and the giant wheel.

Our favourite event in the city is the Portimão Sardine Festival (Festival da Sardinha). It is held every year in August and lasts for several days. Eating sardines is part of the local culture and that is exactly what this event is about. There are about 2500 seats outside, so it won’t be hard to find a spot to sit. There is entertainment for the whole family, including live music and fireworks.

Portimão has many things to offer you during your holiday. Pretty beaches, crazy nightlife and good food: you can find it all in the city. An excursion can make your stay in Portimão even more memorable. We recommend making a boat trip along the coast of the Algarve, as well as a boat trip up the Arade river. You could also go dolphin watching. Some of these excursions can already be booked online. This saves time and guarantees you a spot. Below you can find our favourite excursions in the area of Portimão.

Portimão has a strong connection with sports. There are many different kinds of water sports that you can enjoy near the beaches of Portimão, like kitesurfing or jet skiing. Furthermore, the waters near Portimão are used for powerboat racing tournaments. Also, the beaches of Portimão are used for tournaments, like beach soccer or beach volleyball. Watch the short video below to get an impression of beach volleyball on Praia da Rocha. It has some amazing shots of the beach and surrounding area as well.

You can go skydiving with an experienced skydiver. You will jump from a plane at 4600 metres. This offers the ultimate experience in the Algarve. The organization that offers this is called Skydive Algarve. They are located in Alvor, near Portimão.

Portimão is the second biggest city of the Algarve (after Faro). The city has more than 45.000 inhabitants. Since Portimão is situated near the water and the Arade river, it is a port town, where fishing and trading are important. The sea was very important during the history of Portimão. The local economy was mostly based on trade, fishing and the fish processing industry. However, during the 19th century tourism became an important part of the local economy. The touristic area is mainly concentrated around the beach of Praia da Rocha.

The waters of the Algarve are the habitat of everyone’s favourite animal: the dolphin. From different places in the Algarve you can book a boat tour to see the dolphin families. It is a fun activity for the entire family. In addition, chances are that you will see more beautiful sea creatures. The Algarvian waters are also home to the minke whale, the orca, sea turtles and even some sharks species.

Praia da Marinha was already mentioned before in this list as a destination where you can start or finish an amazing cliff walk. However, Praia da Marinha in itself is one of the highlights of the Algarve and is an incredible beach to spend the day. The water here is perfectly clean which makes it great for snorkeling and swimming. Praia da Marinha is known to be one of the best beaches in the world as it is surrounded by amazing rock formations. Marinha has one unique rock that you will never forget. The rock structure has the shape of a large letter M. The locals call this rock the Cathedral

One of the best beaches in the Algarve is Praia dos Três Irmãos. This beach is your go to spot for a day of sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. The beach is surrounded by different rock formations that protect the beach from the sun and the wind. In the water there are also 3 impressive rocks which are referred to as the three brothers (in Portuguese Três Irmãos). Praia dos Tres Irmãos is not one large beach, but it consists of four small coves/bays. The water here is clean, the sand is soft and kids love to explore the many hidden caves.

The Algarve has a beautiful coastline and what better way to explore the diverse beaches of the Algarve than by doing a cliff walk. The best cliff walk goes from Senhora da Rocha to Praia da Marinha. This healthy activity is perfect to enjoy the gorgeous coastline of the Algarve. You will walk through beautiful green flora and fauna and will pass along many gorgeous bays and rock formations.

Highlights: See the sunset from a beautiful place Have a glass of wine while you enjoy the sunset The sunset is the Algarve is truly amazing. This is because the combination of cliffs and colors are magical. When you go on a sunset tour, they will take you to one of the best places to see the sunset. Enjoy the sunset while you sip on a glass of wine.

Highlights: Taste traditional wine from the Algarve Discover traditional villages in the interior of the Algarve Admire the breathtaking landscapes Taste regional food and delicacies The Algarve produces some delicious wine. A wine tasting tour takes you to one or several traditional wineries, where you will learn all about how wine is made in the Algarve. Tasting included. In the meantime you will stop at unique villages, where you can walk around and taste the culture of the traditional Algarve.

Subnauta is a diving centre based at Praia da Rocha in Portimão. They organize daily diving trips in summer and regular trips from Wednesday to Sunday in winter. The divers also organize night dives on request. If you have never dived before, you can sign up for an initiation course at Subnauta.

Praia do Pintadinho (10 metres) Praia dos Caneiros (10 metres) Smugglers Cove (5-12 metres) When to go diving in the Algarve The Algarve is known for its warm climate and with over 300 days of sunshine it is one of the sunniest regions of Europe. The sea temperatures are mild and the conditions make it possible to dive in the Algarve throughout the entire year. The best diving months however are March, April, May, September, October and November. In Autumn and Spring the waters are crystal clear and the temperatures milder.

The Algarve is one of the best places in Europe for surfing. The waves here are perfect for surfing, especially in the area near Sagres and on the west coast of the Algarve. If you want even bigger waves, come in the winter. In general, the Algarve as a surf destination is growing in popularity. And don’t worry if you have no surf experience: there are good surf schools that offer surf classes. You can also rent a surfboard from these places. Discover where to go surfing in the Algarve and where to take surf classes.

If you like doing yoga, you have a lot of options in the Algarve. There are many yoga studios, as well as a variety of hotels that offer yoga classes to their guests. Alternatively, you could even go on a full yoga holiday retreat. During such a retreat you will focus for a whole week on your body and mind, making sure to reconnect with yourself. Whatever your yoga experience, there is a yoga class for you. Discover which one is right for you.

The Algarve has more than 40 great golf courses. Especially in the area around Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago you can find a lot of them. Some are even located right near the beach, so that you can play golf with a great view. Check out which golf course suits you and get ready to play golf in the ultimate golf destination.

Praia da Rocha isn’t only about party and alcohol. However, Portimão is a popular town that offers an amazing nightlife. On the main street you can go pub crawling at the many sports bars, pubs and karaoke bars. If you are into the club scene, then go dancing in Katedral at commercial house, pop and R&B. Praia da Rocha also has a popular casino where you can start off the night gambling. The coastal town has an incredibly large beautiful beach where you can enjoy all the different water sports. And you can find many upscale beach clubs here such as Puro Beach Club and NoSoloÁgua.

Everyone loves being on the water and what is more fun than having a race on jet ski’s. It is a popular adrenaline filled activity that doesn’t consume all of your day.

Beaches can be awarded a Blue Flag if they meet with certain international standards regarding safety, water quality, facilities and environmental management. This award is given every year by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). There are 6 Blue Flag beaches in the municipality of Portimão: Alvor Poente Alvor Nascente – Três Irmãos Vau Três Castelos Rocha Marina

On Faro Airport you can find the following facilities: lockers, financial services, Wi-Fi, restaurants, stores, first aid, special assistance for passengers of reduced mobility, a VIP lounge and a lost & found items office.

If you want something more family friendly, you can visit Lagoa. There, during summer, a sand sculpture festival takes place, where artists from all around the world construct and expose their enormous and wonderful sculptures! Grab your kids and head there to make great family memories! You can have fun amongst all the famous characters, personalities, beasts or animals, depending of the theme of the year (every year they choose a different theme).

For those who want desire to more than a sun and beach holiday, it is possible combine it with cultural activities. The Algarve has a rich cultural heritage. You can find many Moorish castles, Roman ruins and bridges, churches and cathedrals, some ancient monasteries, fortresses, old lighthouses, as well as ancient towns and villages.