Things to Do in The Algarve

An aquarium, marine rehabilitation center, and waterpark all rolled into one, the Zoomarine Algarve is the only theme park of its kind in Portugal. Boasting more than 20 different aquatic ecosystems, the park has everything you need for a fun-filled family day out"”thrilling dolphin and sea lion displays; amusement rides and water slides; wave pools and swimming beaches; and animal residents including sharks, alligators, birds of prey, and tropical fish.

Standard 1- or 2-day entry tickets to the Zoomarine Algarve provide access to all the park's activities including the 4D Cinema, aquarium, exhibition centre, and Zoomarine Beach, but the Dolphin Emotions experience must be pre-booked separately. Offered for an additional fee, this activity allows visitors to swim or scuba dive with the park's dolphins under supervision from experienced handlers. As well as learning more about the bottlenose dolphins and the park's rehabilitation efforts, participants can pay an extra fee to get up close and interact with the creatures in a purpose-built lagoon.

The Zoomarine Algarve is located in Guia, roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Faro on Portugal's Algarve Coast. Shuttle buses run from the main resorts and villages along the coast, including Lagos, Portimao, Albufeira, and Ferragudo.

The Zoomarine Algarve is open from March to the end of November each year, but the busiest months are July and August. The park is open from 10am to 5pm in October and March, with extended hours until 6pm from April to June and until 7:30pm from July to September. You'll need at least a full day to take in all the highlights, so plan for an early start or make the most of the later hours in summer.

The Algarve's biggest fishing port is a lively place to be in the morning, when a busy fish market takes over the seafront, and fittingly, Olhao is full of quality fish and seafood restaurants, as well as hosting a renowned Shellfish Festival each August. 

The small town is more than just a fishing outpost though, and with its quiet resorts, majestic sand dunes and easy access to the region's best beaches, it's fast becoming a worthy alternative to nearby Faro. Olhao is also the gateway to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, an expanse of islands, lagoons, salt pans and wetlands, where visitors can navigate the maze of canals, spot an array of birds and wildlife, watch the salt harvest and visit the breeding kennels of the native Portuguese Water Dog.

Lying close to Lagoa on the Algarve's Mediterranean coast, Slide & Splash is the biggest water park in Portugal, covering seven acres and offering around 20 water rides and three entertaining shows with birds and reptiles. Open since 1986, the park has been constantly updated and its facilities improved to keep ahead of its rivals; it has all the fun-filled mix of wave pools, multi-slides, Rapid River and stomach-churning kamikaze rides; a recent addition is the exceptional children's Tropical Paradise play pool with interactive games plus slides in the shape of elephants and dragons. Lifeguards are on duty throughout Slide & Splash and there's an Olympic-sized pool for doing laps. Snake and reptile shows are held at 11am and 2.30pm, it's the turn of the parrots and macaws at 12 noon and 3.30pm, and birds of prey fly free at 1pm. Facilities include sun loungers and umbrellas (€5 extra), showers, Jacuzzis, changing rooms, lockers, ice cream parlor and fast-food burger bars.