The riverside town of Alvor is one of the lesser-known holiday destinations in the Algarve. Alvor attracts fewer crowds than nearby Lagos and has a more relaxed vibe than Praia de Rocha, while still having plenty of restaurants, sights, resorts, and family-friendly activities on offer. It’s perfect for those wanting to experience a peaceful, family vacation in the Algarve,
The one-time fishing village is filled with cobbled streets, traditional whitewashed houses, and picturesque fishing boats. It is home to stunning riverside walkways and long golden sand beaches known for their windswept dunes and rock formations. It’s also known for its golf courses, seafood restaurants, watersports, dolphin watching, and flamingo spotting!
Alvor is perfect for families looking for a laid-back holiday. So we’ve narrowed down the many accommodation options to the 7 best family resorts in Alvor to help make planning your holiday easier.
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Pestana Dom João II Villas & Beach Resort
Do you want to spend your vacation in beachside luxury while still being close enough to walk into town? Well, the 4-star Pestana Dom João II Villas & Beach Resort is the choice for you. Named for the Portuguese King João II, who famously died in Alvor in 1495, this resort is packed with amenities and facilities to help you and your family have a brilliant holiday.
Children can enjoy the large outdoor playground, crazy golf course, three swimming pools, and games rooms. While adults can make use of the onsite childcare service and then spend some time alone at the spa and hammam, indoor pool, swim-up bar or enjoy a romantic dinner at the Mediterranean restaurant.
The resort is located just across the wooden boardwalk from the beautiful soft sands of Alvar Beach, one of the longest stretches of beach in the Algarve. A popular tourist spot, Alvor beach offers sun loungers, watersports, cafes, and fresh seafood restaurants along its 3.5km length. A 10-minute walk in the other direction will take you to all the restaurants, bars, shops, and amenities of the pretty Alvor town.
Address: Praia de Alvor, 8500-088 Alvor, Portugal
Best For: Being in a beachside resort that’s still close to town.
Rating: 8.1/10
Pestana Blue Alvor All Inclusive Beach & Golf Resort
Why not go for all-inclusive luxury on your Algarve vacation at the 5-star Pestana Blue Alvor All Inclusive Beach & Golf Resort. This elegant resort was thoughtfully designed to give every guest the privacy and space to enjoy their holiday. Rooms are large and airy, some with private balconies or terraces, and family rooms are well proportioned to give parents a little breathing room from the kids.
And if you need even more space, make use of the resort’s kids club, where children are entertained with daily activities, games, and sports. Older children can hang out at the multiple swimming pools, kids playground, games room, or with a round of mini-golf. Adults can grab some peace at the adults-only pool, enjoy the full-sized golf courses nearby, play tennis, use the fitness center or relax in the spa, hammam, and sauna.
If you have time between activities, make your way to the golden sands of Alvor Beach via a 10-15 minute walk or a short hop on the hotel’s courtesy shuttle train. Then after you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy one of three onsite restaurants, including a bbq and grill joint.
Address: Avenida V3, 8500-088 Alvor, Portugal
Best For: All-inclusive luxury.
Rating: 8.2/10
Pestana Alvor Praia Premium Beach & Golf Resort
If you’re someone who believes holidays should be spent as close to the beach as possible, then the 5-star Pestana Alvor Praia Premium Beach & Golf Resort is the one for you. Set just steps away from the golden sand and wild rock formations of Tres Irmaos Beach, it’s one of the closest resorts in Alvor to the sea.
You can relax by the large outdoor pool, which offers a stunning view of the nearby beach, or enjoy the indoor freshwater pool. Get active on the multiple tennis courts, fitness center, or at one of the golf courses located within a short distance. Then return to the resort for a family dinner at the restaurants which specialize in Mediterranean food with child-friendly menus.
Children will enjoy the kids club, outdoor playground, games rooms, and evening entertainment. They’ll find plenty to wear them out with multiple sports facilities on-site, including a mini-golf course. And for older or more adventurous children, how about trying wind or kitesurfing? Alvor is known for its wind and water sports and lessons can be booked through the hotel.
Address: Praia dos Três Irmãos, 8501-904 Alvor, Portugal
Best For: Being as close to the beach as possible.
Rating: 7.9/10
AlvorMar Apartamentos Turisticos
We love aparthotels like the Alvor Mar Apartamentos Turisticos because they offer self-catered accommodation with the feel and facilities of family resorts. This 4-star aparthotel offers clean, modern, minimalist apartments that sleep up to 6 people. Some offer private terraces or balconies with sea views. They are self-catered and self-contained to give your family all the privacy and autonomy you could require. However, should you want to avail yourself of the hotel’s facilities, you can do so.
There is a saltwater swimming pool, sun terrace, and children’s play area. You can also use the massage, housekeeping, laundry, and childcare services should you wish to. And if you tire of cooking for yourself, try the poolside bar or head to one of several restaurants within a 5-minute walk.
This aparthotel is ideally located on the edge of Alvor town. From there, it is a short walk to all the amenities and sights of the town, fishing port, riverside boardwalk, and the beautiful Alvor Beach.
Address: Rua D. Sancho I, Nº 9 E 11, 8500-013 Alvor, Portugal
Best For: Spotless self-catering accommodation with the feel of a resort.
Rating: 9.1/10
Penina Hotel & Golf Resort
Penina Hotel & Golf Resort is located at the northern end of the Alvor region. It’s a little further from Alvor town and beach than our other accommodation options but is only 20 minutes from both Lagos and Portimão. Perfect for anyone who wants to spend their holiday exploring multiple towns in the Algarve area.
Although considering all the facilities on offer, you might not ever want to leave the resort. The 5-star Penina has 3 golf courses, an outdoor swimming pool, 5 tennis courts, and a fully-equipped fitness and wellness center with spa and massage services. There are also 4 bars and 5 restaurants within the resort serving a range of cuisines, including traditional Portuguese.
Families can make use of the babysitting service or kids club, which has weekly events and entertainments, an outdoor playground, and a children’s swimming pool.
Address: PO Box 146 – Penina, 8501-952 Portimão, Portugal
Best For: Exploring the surrounding Algarve area.
Rating: 8.2/10
Alvor Baia Resort Hotel
This 4-star hotel is one of the best resorts on our Alvor list because it’s been tailor-made for the whole family. The large, modern, and sleek building will appeal to design-conscious adults, while the playgrounds and fun pool will keep children occupied for hours. The large rooms and suites sleep up to 6 people, and all have private balconies with views of the pool or gardens.
Guests can try their hand at billiards, table tennis, archery, or padel; a tennis-like game played in pairs. Or maybe just relax and luxuriate in the spa’s hydrotherapy pool and hammam before dinner and live music in the onsite restaurants.
The Alvor Baia Resort Hotel stands in lush gardens, a 15minute walk from the center of Alvor and only a 5-minute drive from the beautiful Alvor Beach. The hotel provides a free shuttle service to the sand, or guests can choose to walk the 20-minute route through the outskirts of Alvor. Families will find a host of watersports on the beach to occupy them, including kayaking, sup boarding, wind, and kite surfing. Those who prefer golf will find several courses a short distance from the hotel.
Address: Sítio do Galo Loiro, Alvor/Portimão, 8500-001 Alvor, Portugal
Best For: a sleek hotel designed with the whole family in mind.
Rating: 8.3/10
Prainha Clube
The Prainha Clube complex is the second aparthotel complex on our Alvor list, allowing you to combine all the benefits of self-catering accommodation with all the facilities of family resorts. And this resort’s facilities are excellent!
Built onto the cliffs at the eastern end of the Alvor area, Prainha Clube has an outdoor pool, terrace, and bar with one of the best beach views of all our accommodations. The apartments are well designed, so they all face south, and all have a balcony or terrace to enjoy the sunshine and panorama. Choose an apartment for 2 – 7 people, then cater for yourselves from the convenient onsite grocery store, or visit one of the 4 resort restaurants.
Entertain your family with the outdoor playgrounds, 5 swimming pools, padel and tennis courts, and 20 acres of grounds. Then make your way to the spectacular Prainha Beach via the steps or custom-built lift down from the cliffs. The beautiful unspoiled little cove is enclosed by craggy cliffs and rock formations and will feel a world away from the crowded beaches of the Algarve.
But though this sprawling resort complex might feel miles away from the nearest town, it’s actually only a 5-minute drive from Alvor town.
Address: Praia dos Tres Irmaos, 8500-072 Alvor, Portugal
Best For: a well-designed resort complex with stunning views and private beach access
Rating: 8.1/10