Fun Places To Visit and Shop in Algarve

Zoomarine is one of the Algarve's biggest attractionsand certainly lives up to the hype. Open all year round, entry tickets are very reasonably priced, and you can spend a fun packed day at the park with plenty to keep all the family entertained. Special shows throughout the day carefully timed so you can move on to the next one without missing anything + lots of rides & pools.

Location: Guia, Albufeira Tel: (+351) 289 560 300l

An excellent choice for an adrenaline filled day! An amazing water coaster, the exciting White Fall, slides and rides galore. Aquashow family park is set in large grounds with plenty of grassy shaded areas for relaxing. There are several kiddies play areas with slides and swings throughout the park. One of the most popular attractions is the large wave pool , good for adults and kids. The children have a well equipped pool area with lots of slides and tunnels and some of the larger curving slides are good for children too.

                                           Location: Semino, Quarteira       Tel: +351 289 389 396

Almancil Karting is a total leisure and competition complex for all lovers of the racing sport: Karting! and is open all year round. The main track is a 760m length replica of a former Formula One Brazilian race track that was called Jacarepegua. Almancil Karting gets over 250.000 visitors every year and was inaugurated by the late Ayrton Senna. Located near AlmanciI - the perfect place to spend some quality time with your family, friends or colleagues and have a little competition amongst yourselves!!!

                                           Location: Almancil Telephone: +351 289 399 899

This year (2009) Fiesa features Discoveries - a fascinating journey through time and the history of the evolution of mankind. The findings from Prehistoric times through Middle Ages and Modern, to the great achievements of current time through science and technology. - 35,000 tonnes of sand, sculpted by 60 acclaimed sculptors into a magical representation of the greatest fantasy land of them all. This Sand Sculpture Festival , the biggest sand city in the world! is open from 10.00 am to midnight. Daytime visits are best to appreciate the detail and skill inolved in the sculptures. Fascinating during the day, at night the park takes on a magical glow.   Open from May 22nd to Oct 22nd

Location:Pêra  Tel:+351 969 459 259/61 Email:fiesa@prosandart.com

With over 120 different species of animals and 200 botanical species, Lagos Zoo offers a fun and educational day out for the whole family. Undoubtedly one of the main attractions is the primates, but the zoo is also home to lemurs, wallabies, lynxes, reptiles and tropical birds. The petting zoo is also a firm favourite with children and adults alike.The animal enclosures have been designed for the specific needs of each individual species and great care is taken to ensure the well being of all the animals.

                                           Location: Lagos Telephone: +351 282 680 100

Experience an exclusive tour of the vineyards and winery at Quinta do Miradouro & enjoy a tasting of Sir Cliff Richard's Vida Nova, which is vinified, matured & bottled on the estate. Adega do Cantor vineyard is situated at Guia, a few kms northwest of Albufeira in the middle of the Algarve & welcomes visitors to pop in any time for a tasting. The vineyard offers hour long guided tours & tasting by appointment. There are several tour times throughout the day, depending on the time of year & availability. Please contact them by phone or visit their website to make a reservation. Hours of Operation Open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm (closed for lunch from 1-2pm) Closed Weekends & Public Holidays Closed December 24th to January 2nd

Location: Guia, near Albufeira           Telephone: +351 968 776 971

Guided Quad Bike tours into the heart of the Algarve. This is a fabulous activity for all ages whether you're a novice or an experienced rider. Unique treks take you off the beaten track. Trekking on quads allows you to cross terrains which would be very demanding by foot and impossible by car. The terrain you'll cross will vary from forest tracks to narrow woodland paths, cobbled streets and steep hill sides. No previous experience is required as all of the quads are extremely easy to handle as they are all automatic. You are provided with full guidance and safety tuition.The tours are not about speed, it's about allowing you to take in the beauty of the surrounding areas where you will discover old little beautiful villages, plunging valleys, and so much unspoilt terrain.

Location: Albufeira   Tel: +351 289 571 379 or +351 962 497 037 Email: claire@quad-ventura.com

AlgarveShopping is one of the best Shopping Centres in the Algarve. You could quite easily spend a day here! and will please any Shop-a-holic.
With over 100 shops, including brands such as Zara, Cortefiel, Pepe Jeans and Massimo Duti, you are sure to find whatever you are looking for. The centre is open air, allowing you to take advantage of the wonderful weather while engaging in some serious retail therapy.
There is an impressive food court that should satisfy just about any appetite, whether you are looking for a healthy meal or fast food. Not only KFC, Burger King, McDonalds and Pizza Hut, but also other options such as Pasta Cafe and a Chimarrao Brazilian Restaurant. There are 30 restaurants in all. There is also a 9 screen cinema and a RocknBowl centre.
Location: Guia, Albufeira    Tel: +351 289 105 500     Email: administracao@algarveshopping.pt

Forum Algarve, located on the airport side for Faro, is a very pleasant , open-air shopping centre. Huge selection of shops with many of the high street fashion brands – Zara, Cortefiel, Pull & Bear, Berska, Massimo Dutti and even a C & A! There are some great home décor shops, plenty of kids clothing shops and a large supermarket.
Forum Algarve has a 9 screen Cineplex, most of the movies showing in the original language, and a food court where you can choose from a great range of fast food or a more traditional restaurant experience.
The shops form the perimeter around the large central square which is often the focus for special events and activities.
Forum Algarve has free underground parking. For more information on what´s on at the Cinema call 289 887 210 or see our cinema page. Centre is open 7 days a week from 10:00 til 24:00 hrs

Location:  Faro        Tel: +351 289 889 300

Mar Shopping, located between Loulé and Faro with the entrance on the new Loulé Faro road. This is now the Algarve's largest shopping centre & features a new Ikea Superstore, the Shopping Centre itself, a Designer Outlet centre and recently opened a Leroy Merlin DIY Superstore. Within the shopping centre is a large Worten store, a Pingo Doce supermarket, Primark, C&A and other household named clothing stores plus top designer names too. An excellent food hall to enjoy anything from a coffee to a full meal or simply a snack. There is also a cinema complex within the centre. Plenty of parking indoors and outdoors and in the indoor parking area a rather novel system of lights to show you easily which spaces are free, just look for the green lights.

The centre is open 7 days a week. Mon to Thurs: 10.00am - 23.00pm  Fri to Sun: 10.00am - 22.00pm  Tel: +351 289 247 842