If you’re planning a family-friendly long weekend in Vale do Lobo, you’ve come to the right place.
After spending four days and three nights here with my husband and our four-year-old – guided by friends who’ve been visiting for over a decade – I’m confident this is the ultimate itinerary for Vale do Lobo for anyone who loves great food, gorgeous beaches and a few fun activities sprinkled in.
I’ve also included flight tips to help you make the most of every hour in this beautiful corner of Portugal.
Is Vale do Lobo worth visiting for a long weekend?
As summer 2025 was winding down, a friend suggested we join her for a short break in Vale do Lobo – a part of the Algarve I’d somehow never explored before, despite a few trips to the region. With very little research and a “why not?” attitude, we booked our flights and soon found ourselves on the way to Faro for three nights on the Portuguese coast.
I’ll be honest: my expectations were low. I was mainly excited for some late-summer sunshine and quality time with my friend. But I ended up completely falling in love with Vale do Lobo.
It’s incredibly family-friendly, with beautiful beaches, great amenities and some truly brilliant restaurants. I had some of the best seafood of my life here, eaten while watching the kind of sunsets that make your heart burst. In fact, I’ve already booked a repeat trip for next year, ready for more pool time, beach days and delicious meals.
If you’re considering a long weekend in Vale do Lobo yourself, feel free to use the guide below to plan the perfect getaway.
Day one in Vale do Lobo
9.30am: Arrive at Faro Airport
We caught the 6.40am flight to Faro from London Luton with Easyjet and had landed by 9.30am. We breezed through the airport and were in our friend’s car headed to the villa in Vale do Lobo in under 30 minutes. We felt so smug that we were there so early and had the full day to enjoy (while also factoring in a lunchtime nap after such an early start!)
If you’re close to London Luton or can get similar flight times, I would highly recommend. Although getting up was painful, it was so worth it when we were already at the villa by 10am on the Friday morning. The journey time from Faro airport to Vale do Lobo is just 20 minutes – ideal for families or those who want to get their holiday going quickly.
11am: Head straight to the beach (Praia de Vale do Lobo)
After you’ve settled in your accommodation, it’s time to head straight to the beach in Vale do Lobo. This is a luxury, exclusive beach so I warn you now it does come with a bit of a price tag when you pay for your sun loungers. As it was peak season, we had to pay €40 for the day, which was a little eye-watering.
This 2km stretch of sand, backed by ochre cliffs has been awarded a blue flag status and is well worth shelling out for. There are wooden walkways giving easy access to the beach as well as an excellent beach club, and service direct to your sun lounger if you want it.
Olive and her friend loved this beach and spent their time between the sea, sand and playing on the sun loungers. I’m not usually a fan of a beach because everything seems like hard work when there’s sand involved, but this beach is different. It was so easy to pop to get drinks, order food or take the kids to the toilets and the beach felt relaxed, clean and chilled.
8pm: Chicken and Chips Dinner at Marufo 1
To round off your first day in Vale do Lobo, make your way to the unassuming – yet absolutely delicious – Marufo 1 in nearby Quarteira. When my friends warned me not to judge it by first impressions, I was curious to see what they meant. From the outside, it looks like a simple, no-frills chicken restaurant. But step inside and everything changes. The smell alone wins you over, and the lively, welcoming buzz sets the tone for a relaxed family meal.
The food arrives on steaming platters of perfectly grilled chicken and crispy salty chips. It turned out to be one of the best chicken dinners I’ve ever had (sorry, Nando’s) and was a huge hit with my 4-year old.
Day two in Vale do Lobo
10am: Pool morning or family cycle ride
After an early start the day before, take the morning of day two to relax and enjoy the Portuguese sun. On our second morning, we made the most of our private pool – letting the kids play while we sunbathed and listened to the gentle hum of the golf course behind our villa.
If you’ve got younger kids and feel like you need to get out, the area is ideal for a family cycle ride. There’s plenty of places to hire a bike from, including Bike Rent Portugal. There’s also a number of bike hires that will deliver to your villa/accommodation.
2pm: Afternoon at Quinta do Lago Lake
After a lazy morning by the pool, it’s time to head for some water fun at Quinta do Lago Lake. This brilliant lake offers so much in the way of water sports, including a giant floating obstacle course and boat rides. We opted for a pedal boat, with my daughter and her friend sitting in a giant float behind. They had the BEST time, and we rewarded ourselves with some cocktails at The Shack Bar and Grill, on the lake, after lots of pedalling.
If you’re looking for a more formal place to eat dinner on the lake, then there’s also Casa do Logo, an excellent seafood restaurant.
8pm: Dinner at Maria’s to watch the sunset
After another glorious day on the Algarve, it’s time to get dressed up to head to Maria’s for dinner and to watch the beautiful sunset over the beach. Maria’s has been open for 30 years, transforming itself from beach shack to restaurant with a rooftop bar.
With panoramic views out over the beach, this restaurant is hard to beat, not only in terms of views but food. I had one of the best meals of my life here, whilst watching the sun set over the Atlantic.
Day three in Vale do Lobo
10am: Lazy breakfast at Praça
Next on my itinerary for Vale do Lobo is a lazy breakfast at Praça. In the central square within Vale do Lobo, there’s some really great cafes. My friend and I left our daughters with their dads one morning, and did a sunny 5km run followed by a lovely breakfast at Sweet, out on the balcony overlooking the sea.
The smoothies are also excellent, if you’re attempting a bit of health and fitness during your stay.
11am: Spa treat (if you can escape the kids)
If you are able to escape the kids, head straight to Vale do Lobo’s spa after your breakfast, to carry on the pampering.
The Royal Spa at Vale do Lobo is the perfect place to switch off and treat yourself. Tucked just behind the Praça, it has everything you need for a proper chill-out session – from saunas and steam rooms to hydro-pools and soothing water therapies.
You can book massages, facials, scrubs and all the classic pampering treatments. It feels luxurious yet unpretentious, like all of Vale do Lobo.
2pm: Crazy golf/park
In the afternoon, take the kids to Partee Family Park to enjoy a round of 18-hole crazy golf, or just let the kids burn some energy at the park. There’s also a great bar there to grab some food or drink if you’ve worked up an appetite.
7:30pm: Dinner at Sandbanks
For your final dinner in Vale do Lobo, it’s time to head to Sandbanks, which is located in the main square of Praça.
Sandbanks is one of Vale do Lobo’s most popular beachfront restaurants, known for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and unbeatable sea views. It offers a mix of fresh fish, Mediterranean dishes and plenty of non-seafood options, making it easy for groups with different tastes (i.e. my husband who hates fish in all forms!)
Its location right on the Praça and overlooking the beach was so special, and my daughter and her friend loved playing on the beach after dinner as we watched (yet another) beautiful sunset.
9pm: Magic show for the kids at Praça (summer months)
After a delicious dinner, wander out into the square to enjoy an evening of entertainment. During the summer months, you’ll find live music and even a magic show for kids in the central square. This was absolutely ideal for our 4-year old who had the best evenings twirling around the square with her friend, before watching some magic.
Day four in Vale do Lobo
10am: Head to Praia do Almargem
On your final morning in Vale do Lobo, head further down the coast to enjoy Praia do Almargem beach. Another friend had suggested this beach as it’s a lot cheaper than the one in Vale do Lobo, with sun loungers only €10 rather than €40 for the day.
If you see anyone selling doughnuts, you MUST try the custard filling – they were absolutely incredible.
12pm: Lazy final lunch at BJ’s Oceanside, Quarteira
To end your long weekend in Vale do Lobo, head to the iconic BJ’s which is just at the end of Praia do Almargem. BJ’s is something of an institution and has a loyal following of customers. This easy breezy space offers yet more mouth-watering sea food, sea views and even a dress up box for kids.
On writing this blog, I’ve discovered BJ’s is currently closed to undergo a major refurbishment, so I look forward to seeing what changes have been made when I return next year.
5pm: Head to Faro Airport for flight home
Unfortunately, after one final day at the beach, and a long lazy lunch, it’s time to head home.
We took the 7.45pm flight back from Faro airport to London Luton. This meant we didn’t need to leave for the airport until 5.20pm, giving us the full day to enjoy.
If you can book this flight or similar, I’d highly recommend it (although be prepared for a tired child the next day after such along day!)
Pros and Cons of Vale do Lobo for a family-friendly holiday
Is Vale do Lobo good for families?
We travelled to Vale do Lobo with our four-year-old daughter and stayed with friends and their little one.
They’ve been coming to the area for years and have always raved about how perfect it is for families – and after three nights and four days there, I completely understand why. For my daughter, it was pretty much heaven: splashing in the pool, playing on the beach, eating great food and even enjoying a little boat ride on the lake at Quinta do Lago. From a family perspective, Vale do Lobo couldn’t have been a better fit.
Pros of Vale do Lobo for families
1. Safe and contained
Vale do Lobo is an upmarket beach and golf resort, purpose built to be luxurious, polished and with a relaxed atmosphere. As such, it’s fairly self-contained with quiet, paved roads and security; therefore making it particularly safe for children.
2. Beautiful beaches
Vale do Lobo sits on a long stretch of sandy beach, known as Praça, and is surrounded by upscale restaurants and a brilliant beach bar. There’s so many easy-to-get-to amenities at the beach, so you don’t have to spend half your time searching for toilets or finding drinks and snacks for children.
Sun loungers are expensive but (in my opinion) so worth it for the easy access to everything you’d need during the day while at the beach.
3. Great accommodation
Vale do Lobo is an upscale, mostly privately owned resort. There is a huge pick of villas for visitors, ranging from modest one-bed apartments through to (huge) luxury villas on the water. There’s also a handful of luxury hotels within the resort, including the 5* Ria Park Hotel & Spa.
4. Variety of activities for kids
There is a huge variety of child-friendly activities to do in Vale do Lobo and the surrounding area, below is a list of just a few:
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Kids Club and family entertainment
There is a kids’ club within Vale do Lobo, which offers supervision of children aged 3-12 years. If (like me) your child isn’t a fan of kids’ clubs, they also have a huge amount of child friendly activities on that you can pop along to.
In the main Praća square, you’ll find little child-friendly workshops, a vintage carousel, magic shows in the evening, live music and other “family-fun” evenings during peak season.
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Central kids’ pool
There is a central kids’ pool in Vale do Lobo, which also has a bar side pool: win, win for children and parents. As we had access to a private pool, we didn’t try the communal pool but it looked excellent.
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Tennis (and other sports)
Vale do Lobo is well-known for the Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy. The site has multiple tennis courts, including a mini-one for kids, as well as coaching programmes. If tennis isn’t something your little ones are in to, there’s plenty of other sports on offer, including cycling, football, padel and water sports in peak season.
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2km sandy beach with plenty of shade
Vale do Lobo boasts 2km of sandy beach, which is ideal for small and big kids. The only thing I’d note is, as it is the Atlantic Coast, the waves can get pretty big at times, so it’s not always ideal for paddling with small children.
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Mini golf/other family-friendly activities
If you’re visiting Vale do Lobo with kids, you’ll be happy to know the resort does have its own mini golf and it’s a great one. The ParTee Family Park, located near the main Praça beachfront area, features an 18-hole mini-golf course designed for all ages. It’s fun and accessible for younger children, but still engaging enough for teens and adults.
Map of ParTee Park
ParTee also offers playgrounds and family-friendly spaces, making it a perfect spot for an afternoon away from the beach or pool.
5. Delicious yet child-friendly restaurants
As mentioned in the opening of this blog, the thing that really won me over to Vale do Lobo was the delicious and varied restaurants on site and nearby. Forget questionable cafes, just to get the kids fed, Vale do Lobo excels at offering high-quality restaurants that are also child-friendly, with kids’ menus too.
6. Buggy friendly
I feel Vale do Lobo is really geared up to families, without losing its quality and luxury touches. The resort is definitely buggy-friendly – although there are plenty of hills – and you could take a baby on an easy walk if you need to get them off to sleep.
Things might be trickier, however, getting down on to the beach where the roads aren’t as smooth or defined. I still think it’s more than possible to take a pram down to the beach in Vale do Lobo but there might be some lifting of the pram involved as you get closer to the sand.
Cons of Vale do Lobo for families/travellers
1. Not particularly rustic or “authentic”
Vale do Lobo is not trying to give its visitors a rustic, village feel. Manicured, luxurious and polished, Vale do Lobo aims to provide an easy, restful and high-quality stay. If this isn’t your thing and you’re instead after a slice of authentic Portuguese life, I recommend looking elsewhere.
2. Vale do Lobo is NOT budget friendly
There’s no getting around it: Vale do Lobo is expensive.
The area carries a premium price tag and we definitely felt it when down at the beach bars or in restaurants. The villas also generally come in pricier too but I don’t think they’re incredibly expensive. As we were looking for an easy, high-quality stay that met the needs of a large group, we were happy to pay the added price of the area but if you’re on a budget, or unlikely to use the resort’s facilities, I’d look elsewhere.
3. Need a car to get the most out of your stay
Finally, Vale do Lobo isn’t particularly easy to get around. If you’re hoping for a holiday where it’s easy to walk everywhere, or get into a ‘central’ location, Vale do Lobo isn’t for you. To get the most out of the area, you really do need a car.
FAQs for visiting Vale do Lobo, Algarve
What are the best flights to Faro Airport from the UK?
I think we found the *ideal* flights to Faro airport for a long weekend.
We took the Easyjet 6:40am flight out of London Luton. This meant we were at the villa by 10am, giving us a full day to enjoy. We then got the 7.45pm flight back to London Luton on the Monday, giving us another full day to enjoy the area.
hese flights worked so well and really maximised our time in the Algarve.
Where is Vale do Lobo in the Algarve?
Vale do Lobo is a luxury resort located on the Algarve’s famous “Golden Triangle,” just west of Faro. Nestled along Portugal’s golden coastline, it’s only a 20‑minute drive from Faro International Airport.
The resort sits between Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, offering visitors the chance to move easily between the three “golden” towns of the Algarve. The area is known for its luxury stays and prides itself on its highly manicured appearance and up-scale accommodations, shops and facilities.
Where’s best to stay in Vale do Lobo?
If you’re travelling to Vale do Lobo with kids, I’d recommend opting for a beachfront villa. This will give you easy access to the beach, as well as being close to other amenities.
Having said that, we didn’t stay near the beach as we had a private pool and the beach was just a 5 minute drive away or 15-minute walk. As we have slightly older children, this was probably easier than if you have a baby or toddler to get in and out of a car.
The whole resort is beautifully maintained, so it really is a matter of preference on where you base yourselves. If you’re a tennis or golf lover, you’ll want to base yourself near the tennis-centre villa, or if you want to make the most of the night-life, you might want to rent a villa within walking distance of the Praça resort hub.
Is Vale do Lobo expensive?
As mentioned in my “cons list” of Vale do Lobo, this area is expensive and you will pay a premium to stay here. It’s not, therefore, a place to come for a budget-friendly long weekend with or without the children. If, however, you fancy splashing out on a bit of luxury and ease then Vale do Lobo is ideal.
Yes, it’s expensive but it’s such an easy and relaxed place to stay with kids, the money spent is well worth the headspace it’ll give you.
How do you get to Vale do Lobo from Faro Airport?
The bus lines 9 and 85 run from the airport to Vale do Lobo but the walk plus the journey is 1.5 hours. A taxi, or hire car however, is around 20 minutes.
Do you need a car to explore Vale do Lobo and the Algarve?
Although you don’t strictly need a car when visiting Vale do Lobo, it will make things a lot easier if you have access to one. There is public transport from Faro airport to Vale do Lobo but after that, public transport options are pretty limited.
Things are particularly spread out in the area and it’s not a case of just strolling into a town where everything is organised around a central point. There’s some brilliant restaurants, beaches and lakes to visit, which will require a car to reach if you want to see them all. Of course, you could use taxis or the resort shuttle but I think this would end up costing you more than a hire car.
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