We spent a week in the Algarve with a 3 year old recently. By this stage, we’ve more or less settled on the type of family holiday that suits us. Firstly, we want somewhere with a separate bedroom and living area. Having that extra bit of space makes a big difference. It’s great to have somewhere to relax ourselves in the evenings after we’ve put our son to bed.
We also prefer self-catering accommodation. Ideally somewhere that still offers the facilities you’d expect from a hotel like a nice pool. Finally, we want to be within easy walking distance of the beach and a good selection of restaurants.
Our criteria are pretty much the same every year. However, every year we seem to have a tough time finding somewhere that ticks all the boxes. As such, I always try to write about our trips in the hope that our experiences might help someone else going through a similar search. I’ve written previously about our family holidays in Mallorca and Elviria in the Costa Del Sol. These are also great options for a holiday with young children.
So, here is an article detailing our experience of a week in the Algarve with a 3 year old. We had a great time. I’d definitely recommend Baía da Luz in Praia da Luz if you’re looking for a laid-back family break in Portugal.
Here’s all the details!
Where We Stayed – Baía da Luz
For our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old, we decided to stay at Baía da Luz, an apartment complex in the town of Praia da Luz.
Overall, we were very happy with our choice. The apartment itself was lovely and spacious, which was exactly what we were looking for. We also had a nice balcony that caught the morning sun. This was a lovely spot to sit outside and enjoy breakfast before heading off for the day. The apartment came with a Nespresso machine and I particularly enjoyed my morning coffee on the balcony.
The complex had a nice swimming pool, where we spent plenty of time during our stay. There was also a small playground, which was another welcome addition when travelling with a three-year-old.
The location was another big positive. We were only about a five-minute walk downhill to the beach, while there was also a supermarket within walking distance. This made it very easy to pick up supplies for the apartment without having to get into the car.
Praia da Luz itself is a relatively quiet town, which suited us in many ways. However, one slight downside was the limited choice of restaurants. While there were places to eat locally, we found ourselves driving into nearby Lagos on several evenings for a bit more variety.
For this reason, I’d recommend hiring a car if you’re planning to stay in Praia da Luz. You could certainly enjoy a relaxing holiday here without one, as most of the essentials are within walking distance. However, having a car gave us the flexibility to go on day trips and explore the surrounding area, visit nearby towns and enjoy a wider choice of places to eat.
Other Accommodation Options in Praia da Luz
While we were very happy with our choice of Baía da Luz, there are several other accommodation options in Praia da Luz worth considering.
As I mentioned earlier, having separate sleeping and living areas, self-catering facilities and a swimming pool are all important considerations for us. With that in mind, I’ve picked out a few other properties that might appeal to families planning a similar holiday.
Estrela da Luz Resort
The Estrela da Luz is probably one of the closest alternatives to Baía da Luz in terms of what it offers. The resort has spacious self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens and private balconies. There are also several swimming pools, restaurants, a gym and spa facilities.
It’s within walking distance of the beach and the centre of Praia da Luz. This makes it a good option for families who want the convenience of an apartment without missing out on hotel-style facilities.
Oasis Beach Apartments
Oasis Beach Apartments on Booking.com
The complex is located around 100 metres from Praia da Luz beach and offers self-catering apartments. There are also two outdoor swimming pools, including a shallow pool, which is a welcome feature when travelling with young children.
Ocean Villas Luz
Ocean Villas Luz on Booking.com
The Ocean Villas Luz offers a selection of self-catering apartments and villas in a quieter part of Praia da Luz. The accommodation is set around landscaped gardens and an outdoor swimming pool, with some lovely views out towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The main beach is around a seven-minute walk away, while the restaurants and cafés of Praia da Luz are also within walking distance. This could be a particularly good option for families looking for a little more space and a peaceful setting.
Luz Beach Apartments
Luz Beach Apartments on Booking.com
Finally, Luz Beach Apartments could be an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay as close to the sea as possible. These self-catering apartments are located right beside Praia da Luz beach, with some offering uninterrupted views over the Atlantic Ocean.
There are one- and two-bedroom apartments available, while restaurants and cafés are only a short walk away. The main trade-off is that you don’t get the same resort-style swimming pool facilities available at some of the other properties. Some apartments also have split-level layouts, which is worth checking when travelling with younger children.
Of course, we haven’t stayed at any of these four properties ourselves, so I can’t comment on them from personal experience. However, they’re all worth comparing with Baía da Luz if you’re planning a family holiday in Praia da Luz.
Exploring Praia da Luz During a Week in the Algarve with a 3 Year Old
Praia da Luz Beach
One of the biggest attractions of staying in Praia da Luz is the lovely sandy beach right in the centre of town.
We were very impressed with the beach itself. It’s a lovely stretch of sand, with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a relaxing day by the sea. Even with a three-year-old in tow, we never felt like we were struggling to find somewhere to settle down. Our little fellow also really enjoyed the swings at the entrance to the beach. The beach also had public toilets and kiosks selling ice cream – very important considerations for a toddler!
One thing worth mentioning is that the weather was quite mixed during our visit in early May. We had some lovely sunshine, but there were also days when the weather wasn’t particularly suitable for spending time on the beach.
As such, we had to be a little flexible with our plans. We kept an eye on the weather forecast and tried to save the better days for the beach and swimming pool, while using the less favourable days for exploring some of the surrounding towns and attractions.
Sea Swimming
Another thing I noticed was how cold the sea was! On previous family holidays to Mallorca and Elviria, I got into the habit of going for an early morning run followed by a dip in the sea. I continued that routine in Praia da Luz, taking advantage of the lovely coastal scenery for my morning runs.
However, getting into the Atlantic Ocean felt like considerably more of a challenge! I still enjoyed my morning swims, but the water was definitely colder than I’d been used to on our previous holidays. I definitely found myself not spending as long in the water.
Walking Along the Cliffs at Praia da Luz
One of the things I really enjoyed about Praia da Luz was the opportunity to get out and explore the surrounding coastline. We loved the fantastic coastal scenery around Praia da Luz, and getting up onto the higher ground gives you a completely different perspective of the area.
The coastal path here actually forms part of the Fishermen’s Trail, a long-distance walking route stretching for approximately 226 km along Portugal’s Atlantic coastline. The trail is part of the wider Rota Vicentina network and passes through Praia da Luz on its way towards Lagos.
For anyone who enjoys hiking, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore a section of one of Portugal’s best-known coastal walking trails. You don’t need to tackle the entire route to enjoy the scenery, with shorter walks possible along the cliffs in either direction from Praia da Luz.
We actually discussed bringing our son up here for a walk. He would have really enjoyed the views and the chance to explore somewhere different. However, there is quite a steep climb to get up onto the cliffs, and we eventually decided against it. While I’m sure he would have enjoyed parts of the walk, we suspected we’d end up carrying him for a lot of the way!
That’s not to say the walk wouldn’t be suitable for slightly older children, or even some more enthusiastic three-year-olds. However, we felt it would probably be a little too much for ours.
Exploring the Praia da Luz Promenade
Another lovely feature of Praia da Luz is the promenade running alongside the beach.
We really enjoyed walking along here during our stay, taking in the views out over the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a lovely spot for a leisurely stroll, and much more manageable with a three-year-old than the cliff walk mentioned above!
There are a number of cafés along the promenade, so we’d often stop for a coffee while enjoying the surroundings.
We also discovered a lovely ice cream shop called The Ice Cream Factory just across the road from the church at the end of the promenade, which was another welcome stop during our walks around the town.
The supermarket was located up towards this side of Praia da Luz too, so we could easily combine a walk along the promenade with picking up a few supplies for the apartment.
Flexibility to Stay Local or Wander Further Afield
It’s one of the things we really liked about staying in Praia da Luz. Although the town is relatively quiet, everything we needed for a relaxing family holiday was within easy walking distance. We could head down to the beach, stop for a coffee or ice cream, and pick up some groceries without having to use the car.
However, having a rental car really added to our holiday. It gave us the flexibility to explore some of the surrounding towns and attractions, which was particularly useful on days when the weather wasn’t quite good enough for the beach.
We made several trips to nearby Lagos, as well as visiting Burgau and spending a day at Zoomarine. These were all great additions to our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old.
Day Trips from Praia da Luz
Exploring Lagos with a 3 Year Old
One of the places we spent quite a bit of time during our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old was the nearby town of Lagos.
My wife and I had actually visited Lagos previously, before we had our son, so we already had a good idea of what to expect. It’s a lovely town, with a historic centre, marina and plenty of restaurants and cafés.
One thing that made visiting Lagos particularly easy was the parking. There is a large multi-storey car park at the entrance to the old town, which we found very convenient. We could drive in, park the car and head off exploring on foot.
We visited Lagos several times during our holiday, both during the day and in the evenings. The town has a much livelier atmosphere than Praia da Luz, particularly at night.
One of the highlights for our son was the live music in the main square. There were buskers playing music, and he had a great time dancing along to the tunes. It’s one of those simple holiday memories that really sticks with you!
Lagos Playground and Marina
Another highlight of our visits to Lagos was the playground. The playground itself was good, but what made it even better was the little coffee shop called the Zany Garden Caffe right beside it.
The café provided small pedal cars and bikes that children could use free of charge. The guy who worked there is Irish so really looked after us well! There was a lovely open space beside the playground where our son could drive around to his heart’s content. This worked out brilliantly for everyone. We could sit down and enjoy a coffee, trying to figure out if we knew anyone in common with the barista.
We also enjoyed spending time around the marina, looking at the different boats. It’s a lovely area for a relaxed stroll and another easy activity to enjoy with a young child.
Lagos Science Museum
On another day, we returned to Lagos to visit the science museum. With the weather being a little unpredictable during our stay, it was great to have an indoor activity that we could enjoy as a family.
The museum turned out to be a real hit. They have a cool submarine that our son loved playing in.
While we were there, we met a school group of children who were probably around 10 or 11 years old. They took a real shine to our son and spent loads of time playing with him. He absolutely loved being the centre of attention with them.
The Atmosphere in Lagos
He also really enjoyed the little merry-go-round rides near the main square, which became another highlight of our time exploring Lagos.
Overall, Lagos was one of our favourite places to visit during the holiday. There was plenty to keep our three-year-old entertained, a great selection of places to eat and a lively atmosphere, particularly in the evenings.
It was also only a short drive from Praia da Luz, so we found ourselves returning several times throughout the week. Having the rental car made these trips very straightforward, and I’d definitely recommend spending some time exploring Lagos if you’re staying in this part of the Algarve.
A Day at Zoomarine with a 3 Year Old
One of the highlights of our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old was our day trip to Zoomarine, a large theme park with animal shows, rides and plenty of attractions for younger children.
We decided to dedicate a full day to visiting the park, and once again, having a rental car worked really well. Rather than booking an organised excursion and being tied to a particular timetable, we could arrive and leave whenever suited us.
We started by watching the dolphin show, which was really impressive. Although, if I’m being honest, I think the adults probably enjoyed this one more than our three-year-old!
Afterwards, we headed to one of the park’s large canteens for lunch. One slightly strange thing we noticed was that the children’s fish fingers were shaped like dolphins. It seemed a slightly unusual choice of meal given we’d just been watching the real thing swimming around!
The biggest hit with our son was definitely the section of the park dedicated to younger children. There were a number of rides here, but his favourite was the little train.
Enjoying the Theme Park
One advantage of visiting in early May was that the park wasn’t overly busy. We were able to wait for a seat at the front of the train, where our son got the important job of ringing the bell as we travelled around. He absolutely loved it!
One thing worth mentioning is that the rides at Zoomarine have height restrictions rather than simply being divided by age. Our son is quite tall for a three-year-old, which meant he was tall enough for some rides that were probably a little too advanced for him.
It’s worth bearing this in mind if you’re visiting with younger children. Just because they’re tall enough for a ride doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll enjoy it!
Another highlight was the pirate show. This was a real success with our son, who thoroughly enjoyed watching the performance. Even better, afterwards we had the chance to go over and meet some of the pirates. They all gave him high fives, which he was absolutely delighted with.
Overall, we really enjoyed our day at Zoomarine. There was more than enough to keep us entertained for a full day, and the combination of shows and rides worked well for our family. If you’re spending a week in the Algarve with a 3 year old, I’d definitely consider adding Zoomarine to your itinerary. While some attractions are more suited to older children, there was still plenty for our little guy to enjoy.
If you’re planning a visit to Zoomarine during your Algarve holiday, it’s worth checking ticket prices and availability in advance, particularly if you’re travelling during the busier summer months. Check out getyourguide.com.
Visiting Burgau with a 3 Year Old
Another place we visited during our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old was the small fishing village of Burgau. Just a 10 minute drive from Praia da Luz. Burgau felt like a quieter, more traditional seaside village. We decided to spend a few hours enjoying the beach before heading for some lunch.
However, getting to the beach turned out to be a bit more of an adventure than we’d anticipated! There is a small car park right beside the beachfront, but getting down to it involves driving through some very narrow, steep streets. This was a little nerve-wracking in itself, particularly when trying to navigate an unfamiliar town in an unfamiliar rental car.
Unfortunately, when we eventually reached the bottom, the car park was full. I mistakenly assumed that we needed to turn around and drive back the way we’d come. Cue some frantic waving from the locals, who were trying to let me know that I was about to drive the wrong way up a one-way street!
It turns out there was another, not particularly obvious, route alongside the beach that we needed to take instead. We eventually found our way back up through the narrow streets and decided that the much more spacious car park on the way into the village might be a better option!
Settling in Once we Got There
Thankfully, the rest of our visit was much more relaxing. We spent a lovely few hours enjoying the beach and the peaceful surroundings. Burgau has a very different atmosphere to nearby Lagos, and it’s a nice place to visit if you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter.
After our time on the beach, we headed to a restaurant called Miam Burgau, where we sat outside and enjoyed a lovely lunch. It turned out to be a really enjoyable day trip, despite the slightly stressful introduction to the village!
And speaking of lunch, we also found some lovely places to eat during our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old, so I’ll share a few of our favourites below.
Where to Eat in Praia da Luz and Lagos
Praia da Luz
One of the things we always enjoy about going on holidays is trying out different restaurants. Our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old was no exception. We found some lovely places to eat during our stay, both in Praia da Luz itself and in nearby Lagos.
As mentioned earlier, Praia da Luz is a relatively quiet town. We found the restaurant options a little limited compared with Lagos. Below are some of the restaurants and cafés we visited during our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old.
Zazu Beach Club
Located on the promenade, this upstairs restaurant offers beautiful views out over the beach and coastline. We were lucky enough to get a table right at the edge of the balcony. We found the food really good too and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch here.
Boatys Tapas
Downstairs from Zazu, this separate restaurant is built into the promenade walls and has an almost cave-like feel. We sat outside in the courtyard, beneath a canopy of trees. We had no complaints about the food or service.
Restaurante A Concha
This was one of the fancier restaurants we visited during our holiday. However, the staff still went out of their way to make our three-year-old feel welcome. The food was very good, and we also enjoyed the lovely sea views from this upstairs restaurant.
Restaurante Ondaluz
A fantastic traditional Portuguese restaurant. This turned out to be the only place where we actually had to wait for a table. Ondaluz is tucked away from the main tourist areas of Praia da Luz, but it’s definitely worth seeking out. We didn’t have to wait that long thankfully but it might be worthwhile booking this one in advance.
Ristorante Alloro
The poolside bar and restaurant at Baía da Luz, where we were staying. This is probably of most interest to anyone staying at the complex itself.
We got food from here on a couple of occasions during our holiday. It’s an Italian restaurant, so we were able to pick up a takeaway pizza one evening. Perfect for a night when all we wanted to do was stay in the apartment and play Snakes and Ladders! Which is what happens when you are in the Algarve with a 3 year old.
We also ate at the restaurant after spending one of our days relaxing by the pool.
The Studio – Coffee Roasters and Cafe
We ended up getting coffee here quite a bit given its proximity to Baía da Luz. The coffee always tasted great and they had really fantastic Pastel de Natas. A must for any trip to Portugal!
Lagos
A Forja
This had actually been one of our favourite restaurants on our first visit to Lagos. So it felt nice to return and bring our little boy along this time.
The portions were just as big as we remembered! We ordered the seafood sharing platter, which was fantastic. I’d highly recommend this restaurant if you’re visiting Lagos.
Maré Restaurant
We stopped in here for lunch after visiting the science museum. The food options were fairly standard, but we had no complaints. It was a convenient place to stop for lunch while exploring Lagos.
Cervejaria Abrigo
This restaurant is on the main tourist trail in Lagos. It felt a little more geared towards tourists than somewhere offering an authentically local experience.
However, it suited us perfectly on the evening we visited. Sometimes, particularly when travelling with a three-year-old, you just want somewhere you can drop into for dinner. It can be better not to overthink your choices!
Overall Verdict on a Week in the Algarve with a 3 Year Old
Overall, we really enjoyed our week in the Algarve with a 3 year old. Praia da Luz is a lovely place for a relaxing family holiday, and I’d have no hesitation recommending Baía da Luz to anyone looking for spacious self-catering accommodation with good facilities and easy access to the beach.
If I was to change one thing about our trip, it would probably be the timing. We visited at the beginning of May and found the weather a little mixed. If we were returning, I’d be inclined to travel towards the end of May in the hope of getting some more consistent sunshine.
Of the family holidays we’ve taken so far, I think Mallorca probably remains our favourite. The hotel we stayed in there was particularly well geared towards young children, with a kids’ club and children’s discos in the evenings. Those little extras made a real difference and gave our son something to look forward to each day.
However, that’s not to take anything away from Praia da Luz. We had a lovely holiday, enjoyed exploring this part of Portugal and made some great family memories along the way.
If you’re looking for a laid-back family holiday in the Algarve, with a lovely beach, good accommodation options and plenty of places to explore nearby, I’d definitely recommend giving Praia da Luz a look.