Offering one of the best selections in Europe with excursions, water parks, safaris and general family days out, Portimao and its surrounding area really does have something to keep every member of the family occupied. To obtain more information on any of the attractions listed below just click on the relevant link.
Aqualand Water Park, formerly known as The Big One, is located in between Albufeira (12 km away) and Armação de Pera to the west. The Aqualand Water Park is easily found on the EN 125 road to Portimão, just west of Alcantarilha. There is parking in front of the main entrance.
Aqualand is only open during the summer months from 1st June to mid September from 10:00 to 18:00. In the height of the season can become crowded with some longish queues for the rides which include the Banzai Boggan, Kamikaze slide, Corkscrew (Anaconda), Crazy Race and Crazy Leap.
For the less adventurous Aqualand offers more relaxing rides including Surf Beach which is wave pool, Rapids white water rafting in a rubber ring, Congo River and .Flying Carpets.
Smaller children can have hours of fun in the Mini Park which is staffed with specially trained attendants and offers a shallow water area with gentle multi-coloured slides, some in animal shapes.
Entrance only (full day): Adult: € 19,50 / Child (4 to 12 years): € 15,00
Address: EN125 - Sítio das Areias - Apartado 11, 8365-908 Alcantarilha
Telephone: 00351 282 320 230
Website: www.aqualand.pt
Aquashow Water Park is in Quarteira, next door to Vilamoura.
It is a fun water park for all the family and is also home to a bird park with birds of prey and tropical birds including parrots and macaws. There are bird demonstrations and shows throughout the day,
Aqualandia is a children’s water park within Aquashow water park which is designed for the younger members of the family with a shallow pool with gentle slides.
The park is open all year round, but the water attractions only operate from the beginning of June until mid-September.
Address: Aquashow Algarve, Semino - EN 396, Quarteira 8125-303 – Loulé
Telephone: 00351 289 389 396
Website:www.aquashowpark.com
Almancil Karting is only 12km from Faro Airport and about 8km from Vilamoura. It caters for all age groups with thee tracks. The main adult track is a 760m replica of a former Brazilian Formula 1 track, and there’s also a track for juniors and also one for the even younger (Mini Formula 1).
You can book a drive as an individual, assuming there are no events taking place at the time. Adults have a choice of engine sizes, the larger ones costing more, and your money will get you a 10-minute stint on the track.
Almancil Karting also has a Western style theme park where you can try the rodeo style mechanical bull and bungee trampolines. There is a race track for radio controlled cars, and for younger children motorised mini-boats in the small pool.
Opening times: Monday - closed: Tuesday 15:00-18:00: Wednesday to Friday 10:00 to 18:00, Weekends 10:00 to 20:00
Address: Kartódromo de Almancil, Sitio das Pereiras 8135-022 Almancil Algarve, Portugal
Telephone: 00351 289 399 899
Website: www.mundokarting.pt
A jeep safari is a great way to get a guided tour of the Algarve countryside and places off the beaten track. Prices include lunch and there are various pick up points throughout the Algarve.
Travelling in a convoy of 4 X 4 jeeps, you leave the coastal resorts behind and explore the white-washed villages, orange and lemon orchards and eucalyptus groves of the Algarve. You will visit a small farm, sample some local honey and see where the “medronho” (which is a very potent local drink made from the berries of the arbutus tree) is distilled. The day includes lunch of chicken piri-piri in a local restaurant.
Portitours who run the jeep safaris pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation.
Telephone: 00351 282 420 800
Website: www.portitours.pt
Krazy World is a theme park near the village of Algoz which is a about 12km kilometres north of Albufeira. It is a theme park, with mini-golf, a petting farm with llamas, deer, wallabies and camels, pony rides, fairground and home to the Algarve Zoo.
Amazonia is part of the Algarve Zoo and has various areas for crocodiles, alligators, turtles and also s a reptilium housing snakes and iguanas. There is an arena where there are daily live shows with the crocodiles, alligators and snakes.
Krazy World is closed during November and December. At other times of the year it is open daily from 10:00. During the low season from January to June and September to October it closes at 18:00 and the park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. In July and August it is open every day and closes at 19:30.
Address: Krazy World. Lagoa de Viseu, Apt 3, 8365, Algôz, Portugal
Telephone: 00351 282 574 134.
Website: www.krazyworld.com
Slide and Splash is a water park based in Lagoa, a few kilometres north of Carvoeiro. It is well sign posted, located off the EN125, a 5-minutes drive west of Lagoa.
It has a good variety of rides to suit children of all ages with the Black Hole, Snail. Banzai, Rapid River or the Kamikaze as well as a large swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
There is a children’s area with very shallow pool with smaller sides and tubes to go through and a large dragon slide. There are also plenty of grassed areas where you can relax, have a picnic or sunbathe.
Slide & Splash is open daily from 10:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 (depending on the time of year) from 6th April until 30th October
Address: Slide and Splash, Algarve, EN 125 Vale de Deus-Estombar, Lagoa 8401-901
Telephone: 00351 282 340 800
Website www.slidesplash.com
Zoomarine is located on the outskirts of Albufeira and is a mixture of a marine centre, zoo and amusement park offering roller coaster rides, a pirate ship, big wheel, log flume and carousel.
The main attractions are spectacular aquatic displays of dolphins and sea lions, tropical bird and bird of prey shows and a fun fair. There is also an aquarium with an interactive section for children, exhibition centre, 4D cinema and areas to see various types of animals as well as a couple of swimming pools, bars and restaurants.
Zoomarine, Albufeira is the only theme park that is daily from 10.00 until early evening open all-year round. Out of season it is closed on Mondays.
Address: Zoomarine Estrada Nacional 125, Guia. 8200-864 Albufeira
Telephone : 00351 289 560 300
Website: www.zoomarine.com
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